New member with an XB9R in Lawrence KS (with pics)

[morgan]

hello all

i figured i would introduce myself. my name is morgan and live in kansas (near kansas city). i just picked up an 03 buell xb9r a week or two ago. it is a rebuilt salvage i picked up because it was sooo cheap. the bike is actually pretty fun to ride and the 30 or so miles i have put on it around town has been fun. i originally purchased this to be a track bike in the spring but im finding that may not be the best option so i think i am going to fix it up a little and maybe trade/sell it in the spring. i like to have bikes to keep me busy during the winter so this will be this winters project. if i like it enough in the spring i may keep it for a while.

the bike has 25k on it with a bad speedo sensor so it is a guess at best. it's is currently stripped and maybe 1/2 way prepped for a paint job (plastics only). so far i have done

1. the breather reroute
2. changed the oil and filter
3. changed primary fluid
4. new plugs
5 changed front and rear brake fluids and bled the brakes
6. updated pulleys and belt to 07 xb12r. (rear master as well)
7. polished the header
8. got the suspension set up (i dont know what the last guy was doing)
9. removed rear pegs

i have also just been kinda cleaning as i go. she ran pretty well after i had done the above. next will be some paint and ecmspy tinkering.

if i wind up keeping it i may pull the motor and do a bolt on big bore kit and try for some more ponies and torque. i am a pretty big guy (6'0 220 lbs) so every bit helps.

when i brought her home...

By moewillis at 2011-12-22

By moewillis at 2011-12-22

By moewillis at 2011-12-22

 

[morgan]

this would be with a little cleaning and the updated belt and pulleys

By moewillis at 2011-12-22

and this would be where she sits right now

By moewillis at 2011-12-22

 

[oh9bolt]

It has scg suspension also

 

[morgan]

these are a few of the garage mates

cafe bikes... the one in the foreground is a 71 cb350 and the one behind it is a 78 cb400t. (both run well the 350 is in the middle of an electronic ignition update

By moewillis at 2011-12-22

and the hot fast and easy slut (06 vfr800a)

By moewillis at 2011-11-05

By moewillis at 2011-11-05

By moewillis at 2011-12-22

 

[morgan]

It has scg suspension also

care to elaborate?

 

[vtech007]

Welcome to the forum. May I ask why you are painting the plastics? From what I understand, the Thrust Blue is kinda rare, and for that reason a lot of Buell guys appreciate them. The color goes all the way through the depth of the material - it is not just paint - so it is easy to upkeep on scratches that are not too deep. Of course everyone has their own ideas and it's always cool to personalize and customize, but if you are just going to "flip" this bike, the next Buell owner might appreciate the stock plastic. Just my $0.02. Keep us up with what you do with the bike. And again, welcome to the forum, friend. [up]

 

[oh9bolt]

It is the suspension off the lightning scg it is the low version.

 

[morgan]

the pics dont really show it but the plastics were pretty rough. they are really scratched and they look like the guy before me tried to start sanding for paint but never did it. plus the chin fairing is in need of replacement and there is no rear cowl so it makes it easier to obtain. yes the blue does go all the way through though.

i may keep it but from what i am reading everyone kinda says if you need more power you should probably buy a different bike. i think the bike is cool and i love the harley sound but i gotta have more than what this guys got. i cant decide if i want to do motor work on it or not. i am not in a rush to sell it either

 

[oh9bolt]

Here is the differance between the R (white one) and mine the black one i put on scg suspension this past year.

 

[morgan]

It is the suspension off the lightning scg it is the low version.

so that explains why this thing feels so tiny (besides the fact that it is small) the preload on the forks had to be almost backed out all the way out and the rear was set on like 2 i think. it does seem to sit really low but i had nothing to compare with so i thought it was normal. i am like 6'0" so i wouldnt mind it being taller

 

[anrkizm95]

welcome to buellxb.

 

[50dro]

Welcome! Nice collection!

You might be surprised what can be buffed out on those plastics. A little Novus 3 stage plastic polish and a buffer will go a long way. Good luck in whatever you decide to do with it! Thanks for keeping it upright! I hate seeing these bikes get parted out...

5-0dro
www.5-0dro.com

 

[pur pony]

Welcome to the buell club.

Ill trade you my standard xb suspension for your low. Forks and shock

 

[morgan]

now you guys have me second guessing my painting decision. i am a vintage lover so i fully understand about people messing up things of limited issue. maybe i'll just try to polish them up and see how they look. i kinda didnt like the smurf blue but i can live with it.

that being said i have been digging through the threads like crazy since i joined and have noticed how everyones bike looks nice and shiny like it has a clearcoat. is that just a high polish on the plastics or is it a clear? mine looks very dull and faded. any advice appreciated. i may start undoing some of the sanding i had done

 

[morgan]

Ill trade you my standard xb suspension for your low. Forks and shock

not yet... if i need to raise it i'll let you know. i like the look better and i think i can deal with the heigth. just need to ride it more.

 

[50dro]

No clear...just polished...I buffed mine up. They weren't too bad but here's how it looks now:

 

[beaterbaja]

Welcome man, there's a few of us around KC (I'm up north a bit). We do some BBQ runs when it's warmer out, and a few of the guys goes out to heartland park pretty much all summer. Nice collection too!

 

[beaterbaja]

Oh yeah, check out Bear racing he's in Lawrence too. And currently building a track buell.

 

[SnyderJ21]

Welcome to the forum, I will try to be nice to you even though you are from Lawrence. Go cats [smirk]

 

[drsuzuki]

Lawrence,manhattan(I assume?),Kansas City! Topeka guy here. When's the first BBQ ride?