new guy just saying Hi. few questions.

[captain chaos]

Hey all![cool]
Just picked up my newest bike, an 04 XB12R. I had a Sportster prior to it but found that I just couldn't live with a bike that didn't go, stop, ride or handle worth crap. I came away with a somewhat nasty taste in my mouth for Harley after that.

The HD forums I frequented weren't too friendly for a guy that was willing to point out my bikes shortcomings either. I received a lot of insults for complaining that HD didn't make a very good bike. Oh well, water under the bridge. I have pretty thick skin so I found it more sad and humorous that insulting.

Anyway, this is my second Buell. My first was an 03 XB9S which I loved but I sold it when my first son was born. Yeah I know, it was a mistake. I bought a older GSXR750 after that and proceeded to make a "streetfighter" out of it. It is a fun bike (still have it for now) but none too comfortable for me. After my 1200mi roadtrip on it in 09 I new I was going to have to look for something more "accommodating" for my 30 year old knees. I remembered my Buell being VERY comfortable (as well as the most fun I've ever had on 2 wheels) and proceeded to look for another. I sold the POS Sportster and immediately jumped on a deal I found on my 12R. So far I'm loving it! Even though it is 21deg today I still got it out and went for a ride. What a hoot. If it weren't for the pain setting into my fingers I would have kept going all day! I have ordered some Lightning foot pegs for it as the stock ones are a bit high but overall the bike feels great.

Anyways, (I have a tendency to ramble in case you guys haven't noticed already ) I'd just like to know, what kind of problem areas should I be on the lookout for on this thing? The drive belt has already snapped and was replaced by the previous owner. It appears to be the latest and greatest Goodyear belt on it now (#0500.1AAH). Anything else I should look for? I plan on taking at least 1 road trip this year and racking up at least 10,000mi so I need to address any potental problems before they surface.
Couple of other questions:
Are the fuel pumps normally noisy (I don't remember the one on the 9 I had being too noisy). The 12's pump seems to work fine but it is a touch on the noisy side.

Where the heck is the ECM? this bike has the Buell Race muffler on it as well as a K&N but I can't confirm if the ECM has been switched over to the Race one since I can't find it. There is no "check engine" light and it seems to run quite good, I do know that.

Thanks for reading my ridiculously long post and I look forward to learning a thing or two on here.

-I'll try to put up a pic here as soon as I can. I know forum guys LOVE pics.

 

[captain chaos]

As promised

 

[Cherry_Bomb]

Welcome, and glad to hear ur back to a buell! As for problems I myself havent had any yet since owning my xb12s (knock on wood lol), and I'm pretty sure the ecm on the R is behind the front windscreen, but maybe some other more knowledgeable guys can help on here. And they can also fill u in on the potential problem areas. And as for the noise, my fuel pump isn't that loud, but the cooling fan is!

Edit: Nice bike btw, I love the black!

 

[anrkizm95]

welcome to the forum.ecm is behind the windscreen.

 

[strmvt]

behind the fairing under the instrument cluster resides the ecm

 

[WALLSXB]

Welcome to the forum ! I almost bought one just like that 3 weeks ago at a Yamaha dealer and the wife shot it down! Nice bike .[up]

 

[Livers]

Yep, behind the fairing. Welcome aboard! "thirty year old knees" - you're killing me here. Were you kick-starting that Sporty?

 

[captain chaos]

Haa haa
No, the knee problem was with the GSXR. It got to be quite painful on longer rides. My knees are obviously going to be a problem area as I get older. That was the original reason for buying the Sportster. I just found that I couldn't live with a bike that had no performance what so ever, no matter how comfortable it was.

 

[upthemaiden]

Welcome!

I saw that old gsxr in the back of the picture before I even read your post, LOVE those bikes for streetfighters. I'm hoping to pick one up to do the same next fall/winter, or whenever a good deal comes around. I have an 03 xb9 as well and I'd be very curious to hear your comparison of the two, other than the obviously sore knees. Any other pictures of it?

Anyway, hope you enjoy the buell the 2nd time around!

 

[fwkapaun]

Welcome to the forum! You are the first person in the history of motorcycling to mention comfort and Sportster in the same paragraph.

 

[captain chaos]

Compared to the GSXR it was a Cadillac With the 13.5" Progressives and some fork mods it really was a comfortable ride for me. Thing is, it was gutless, had no cornering clearance, weak brakes, and the suspension still sucked for hard riding. It just wasn't the bike for me.

upthemaiden, those old GSXR's are amazing machines. Pretty much bulletproof. And yes, they make the BEST streetfighters. I will get some pics of the GSXR and post them up once I get it cleaned up. Right now the bike is an absolute MESS! I've been riding it and the melted snow/ salt crap just really makes things look TERRIBLE!

It's really hard to compare the two. Two TOTALLY different worlds. The old GSXR's have very aggressive riding positions and hence have very high mounted pegs. This is where my problem comes in. Other than that they are good handing machines and like I said, bulletproof. I'll be sad to see the old girl go. It's been a very good bike to me.

 

[upthemaiden]

Glad to hear. Did it feel like a pig compared to the xb, or was it still a decent ride? Despite the difference of the I4 and Vtwin, did it have a decent pull? I'm tempted to find a newer gsxr750 to make a fighter, but I just can't get over that old frame.

When I get one it'll definitely get some dirt bars and possibly some lower pegs if they're that bad, and then my XB will probably switch to clipons and possibly a firebolt fairing. Should help make the gsxr a little more comfortable.

Can't wait to see the pictures! Is that a 929/954 tail on it?

 

[DustyXB]

Welcome to the site.
Let me know when you want to get those pesky dark frame and swing arm off your hands

 

[captain chaos]

upthemaiden, the old GSXR's aren't quite as responsive as the new ones (or a Buell) but "pig" never once came to mind while riding it. Set it up right and those old dogs will still carve a pretty good corner. It does feel longer than the XB (because it is) but it also feels narrower between the feet. They're a good bike and you won't be disappointed, especially for the price you can pick them up for. I have less than $2500 in mine.
I agree, the old "oiler" frames just look wayyyy better than the new ones.
As far as pull, it has less low end than my 12 (duh!) but I really think the GSXR is still faster (and it's a 750). I ran a 7.35 1/8 mile on it with nothing more than a pipe, jetting, and a -1 front sproket. With a little more practice I know I can get a low 7.20 out of it. If you can find one, the 1100's were beasts.

gixxer.com has an awesome forum for old oilers too so anything you need to know you can find out. Good group of guys over there. They do frown a bit on streetfighters though. They tend to see these bikes as classics and don't like seeing them get cut up unless they're beat up to begin with.

Good eye, that is a 929 tail. I thought it really matched the lines of the GSXR tank well. Cost me all of $40 for it with the subframe.
here's an older pic of it when it was green. It was a low budget build but it was a fun project.

dustyXB, so, which swingarm and frame are you trying to mooch off of me.

 

[upthemaiden]

Definitely looks good.

I spend half of my life over on customfighters.com, I've heard of quite a few guys getting kicked out of gixxer.com for tearing up an old bike, haha. I'll most likely be finding one that's already smashed up though, just want to keep it a cheap/long term project. I was actually planning on picking up a gsxr until I heard Buell was going under, at which point I figured if I was ever going to buy a Buell, now was the time.

I thought about an 11, but those bikes are another 50lbs over the already heavy 750. Wouldn't be an issue but I'm pretty light myself. I'm partial to the short and steep tails, but yours definitely looks good. I bought a cheap welder, a few paint guns and some fiberglassing supplies so I'd be ready when the time comes!

Now I've just gotta wait until spring/summer and find someone with an old 750 that wants to trade me for a test ride on my XB.

 

[warsaw1776]

good looking bike and welcome

what is this goodyear belt you mentioned though? never heard of it and tried searching but couldnt find anything.

 

[captain chaos]

From what I've gathered from other forums and just searching around the internet the drive belts had different revision that coincide with various improvements as well as replacement interval increases from Buell. The G0500.1AAH is the latest belt revision and is the same as the "Lifetime" belt offered on the 08+ Buells. The original one in 04 was a 25,000mi belt although I don't know what rev level it was. It took some digging to find that info and it was something I wanted to check when I bought the bike. The PO said he had replaced it and I was curious if he had the 08+ belt on there. I had read a lot about busted belts so I was hoping he had the 08+ belt on there as it is the strongest and best one available.
In case you're curious, the number is printed right on the belt itself.