New Buell Rookie..

[Chicknstripn]

Looks like Buell factory race exhaust to me.
But I could be wrong

 

[UMDterp13]

factory race & it probably has a race use only ecm under the seat. the owner can google or research some, the images come up instantly and you learn a "metric **** ton"

 

[elturo]

Here's what under the seat.

 

[elturo]

2003 Buell Service Manual : Lightning XB9S Model : Official Factory Manual (Part No. 99490-03Y) Paperback – 2003
Seen this soft back manual on Amazon for $120. Seems expensive ?

 

[submax]

Welcome, elturo! Beautiful bike! Cool tailbag, too...haven't seen that before. :up: I have a hero blue XB12Ss....love the color!

 

[elturo]

Welcome, elturo! Beautiful bike! Cool tailbag, too...haven't seen that before. :up: I have a hero blue XB12Ss....love the color!

Submax, thank you for the welcome ! I got lucky. The tailbag came with the bike !
I get a lot of compliments on the blue. I'm sure you do as well.

 

[Gloomshadow]

don't remove that black X.. its a way to get a magnetic tank bag to stick, if you remove it , it will leave holes and look like crap.. those are the most costly of plastics for the buell.. I had to buy a whole new set when I was restoring mine.. I think I paid almost 300 for the airboX alone!..just buy some used black ones on ebay and have 2 sets. you got one that is factory race kitted.. good score! I would put some bar end mirrors, tail-chop it and drop co-rider pegs... good to go. I have that same bike and I love it.. my daily rider.. turns heads too.

 

[user_deleted]

don't remove that black X.. its a way to get a magnetic tank bag to stick,

that i'd like to see considering the cross-X on a cityX airbox cover is injection moulded rubber.

 

[Chicknstripn]

That's a pretty awesome gesture Chicago! I was just about to suggest he try a sealmate tool!
I think you can accomplish the same results with an old credit card.
Anyway, good on you for being so generous!

 

[Chicknstripn]

That's funny!
I thought you were doing an "I'll ship it to you, you ship it back kind of thing." But thinking about it, it would be more logical to pull the trigger on a new tool for $5!

 

[Gloomshadow]

don't remove that black X.. its a way to get a magnetic tank bag to stick,

that i'd like to see considering the cross-X on a cityX airbox cover is injection moulded rubber.

isn't there metal inside that? that's what I remember reading in an old cycle world... it is for tank bags though. may just to keep them from scuffing

 

[elturo]

don't remove that black X.. its a way to get a magnetic tank bag to stick, if you remove it , it will leave holes and look like crap.. those are the most costly of plastics for the buell.. I had to buy a whole new set when I was restoring mine.. I think I paid almost 300 for the airboX alone!..just buy some used black ones on ebay and have 2 sets. you got one that is factory race kitted.. good score! I would put some bar end mirrors, tail-chop it and drop co-rider pegs... good to go. I have that same bike and I love it.. my daily rider.. turns heads too.

Your bike looks great! I like the way you have is set up. I won't be messing with the X. I'm not into sanding, polishing and buffing. I do like the "tail chop". I 'll get to that when I figure where to get it. Thanks for the video !

 

[elturo]

I won't hold that yellow comment against you :upset: before you spend a wad of cash or hours of labor with fork seal replacement would you like to be the first to use this tool for me? I have been eagerly awaiting the forks to leak on one of my bikes so as to try one of these simple fixes.

Chicago.. is this a joke on the new Rookie !? When I received the bike from shipping. The shipper had the front end tied all the way down. It was maxed out ! So I believe that is why the seals leak. Not sure what's involved in changing them, but pretty sure it needs to be done.

 

[Gloomshadow]

don't remove that black X.. its a way to get a magnetic tank bag to stick, if you remove it , it will leave holes and look like crap.. those are the most costly of plastics for the buell.. I had to buy a whole new set when I was restoring mine.. I think I paid almost 300 for the airboX alone!..just buy some used black ones on ebay and have 2 sets. you got one that is factory race kitted.. good score! I would put some bar end mirrors, tail-chop it and drop co-rider pegs... good to go. I have that same bike and I love it.. my daily rider.. turns heads too.

Your bike looks great! I like the way you have is set up. I won't be messing with the X. I'm not into sanding, polishing and buffing. I do like the "tail chop". I 'll get to that when I figure where to get it. Thanks for the video !

you make it, you just pull the tip, cut the fender of and file it down... then paint

 

[Cooter]

The fork seal is not the rubber seal you look at on the top of the fork lower. That's a dust seal.

FYI, an old credit card will never fit between the fork seal and the fork tube. It may into the dust seal (on top of the fork seal thats leaking) only, but most likely shred and old brittle dust seal:upset:

If tieing it down caused the seals to leak, you needed them already:grumpy:

The OG way is to use a small piece 35mm film to clean between the fork tube/ dust seal and lower into the fork seal too. This will help a fork seal leak if there is a bit of dirt stuck in it. Hopefully thats all you need!

Nice ride:eagerness:

 

[AZmidget91]

A straw cut open also works, stopped the leaking on mine.

 

[elturo]

The OG way is to use a small piece 35mm film to clean between the fork tube/ dust seal and lower into the fork seal too. This will help a fork seal leak if there is a bit of dirt stuck in it. Hopefully thats all you need!

A straw cut open also works, stopped the leaking on mine.

.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll give them a try. With only 3500 miles, I wouldn't think they needed to be replaced.

I guess just try and slide the film/staw all the way through working my around. With all the leaking,(part2) I would guess it would oil would need to be added.

 

[Cooter]

With only 3500 miles, I wouldn't think they needed to be replaced.

They are 13 year old rubber. With all that sitting around not getting ridden the seals are dry The fork tubes could have also gotten rusty from not being used/cleaned and scraped the seals... Heck, now that it's being ridden the fork oil weeping may stop after the seals finally get some oil on them? Hope so... but it's an easy job to do at home.

If the fork legs are just damp after a ride (not a drip on the ground) your fork oil level is fine. When you replace the seals, you should definitely change the 13 year old oil and use the viscosity to fine-tune it for your weight.

All that long term sitting would also makes me think the wheel bearings could have gotten rust pitting and they are known for spectacular-stranding-you-on-the-highway failure. They are cheap and easy to swap yourself.
If it was sitting outside the tires are shot (there's a 3-4 digit date code on them to make sure). Old tires are scary.
The belt rubber too, and is specific to your '03. It can be easily upgraded to the later 04-up style.
The fuel pump has been sitting in old gas most of it's life. Older (pre-ethanol) gas is better but a tank of the new stuff doesn't last for ****, gumming up and leaving deposits. Change filters/ fluids of course, and injector cleaner wouldn't hurt.


Great bike elturo, she's gonna love finally being ridden:eagerness:

 

[AZmidget91]

Be sure to pull the dust seal down so you can make sure you are getting to the oil seal. Just use a small screwdriver to pull it down, then when done, just push it back up by hand.

 

[elturo]

Haven't had time to mess with the seals. There are no drip on the ground. I plan to give them a good wipe down and ride and see what happens. The tires & belt look good. No cracks.