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New S1 owner, couple XB swap questions

Buellxb Forum

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Silent Matt

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Messages
11
Hey everyone, just picked up a '96 S1 and love it! Such a change from the FXR I was riding. It has PM wheels on it right now but I want to swap to XB wheels, swingarm, and forks. I've searched a bit but cant find any info on the forks. Will the XB forks fit in the S1 triple trees or do I need the XB trees?
 
The forks / wheels will fit no problem, the swing arm takes a bit of machining and someone that knows what they're doing, but it can be done........... I did one that just won The Cafe Racer Class at The Rats Hole Show in Daytona.

Good Luck.......[smirk]
 
I did a quick search for you, 03-04 41mm forks will fit kinda. You would need a different lower clamp to fit later model 43mm forks.
 
pur pony: Ive done the swap on my X1 as Red93Stang-

Im not exactly sure the diameter of older 96 forks, but my 99 forks are the same diameter as the 03/04 XB forks.

I first had the XB forks in my factory X1 triples. Spacing was fine and the front XB wheel fit perfect, but the XB forks narrow and needed to be slide up farther in the X1 triples to be able to clamp them. This causes the bike to be lowered in the front and the issue of using standard handlebars. Clip ons are no problem..... but the change is handling could be.

So I pressed the X1 stem out and then had to counter bore the bottom side of the XB triple to match the X1 (since the thicknesses are different- if you dont counter bore it, then the X1 stem will be to short), and then counter bore the upper to accept the X1 bolt.... then pressed the X1 stem into the XB triple. This allowed EVERYTHING to fit and work correctly!!



Link
 
323fd01a.jpg


This is with the xb forks in the S1 trees. Special thanks to Pur Pony by the way. He has led me through this coversion along with a little trial and error of my own. The counter bore method, like said above, is the only way to go with the front end. Rear machined spacers and some machine work to the rear caliper bracket will get the rear done.

0be4aeca.jpg


This is the issue with the S1 trees.
 
The other problem with the bottom of the trees. The fork will mount but isnt in the correct postion and the ride height isnt correct. So this is when I went with the modified XB trees and started blowing up Pur's pm box.

5b40202d.jpg
 
Wow, thanks guys! Tons of good info here. I guess I need to start sourcing parts. I'm planning on running an XB swingarm and a conventional style shock. I'm a decent fabricator/ machinist so it shouldn't be a big deal, just didn't want the bike down for too long.
 
WOW . You guys sure know how to make things difficult. You can take a complete set up of XB forks and bolt them directly on. You can also use ANY GSXR inverted front end, you don't have to BORE anything, all you have to do in order to use a XB front wheel is make a simple backet for the caliper.


If this is how things are done here!!!!
"Please don't vote"
 
Yes, we make things difficult :D

Please do tell how you can take a complete set of XB forks and bolt them directly on if its not to much a of a secret?? We said you could, but cant use handlebars without 3" risers, and an XB stem is to long....

and how it is less difficult to put GSXR fork on and make a "simple caliper bracket" then indicating off a round hole and counter boring it less then half an inch?
 
making a caliper bracket is fine, im just saying to the post above, if your going to swap forks, its a hell of a lot simpler to do a counter-bore and swap stems then it is to machine up a caliper bracket.... neither are rocket science though...

Depending what your timeline is, try selling your existing forks on ebay or badweb and take the cash from that for a set of XB forks. I found my XB forks on ebay for $100.... they where in great shape but i torn them apart and put all new seals and fluid in them anyways since i wanted to powdercoat everything.
 
WOW . You guys sure know how to make things difficult. You can take a complete set up of XB forks and bolt them directly on. You can also use ANY GSXR inverted front end, you don't have to BORE anything, all you have to do in order to use a XB front wheel is make a simple backet for the caliper.


If this is how things are done here!!!!
"Please don't vote"

Seriously dude... Go back to bad web.:eek:
 
Dear purpony your an ass hole... If I remember correctly after you saw my build you said something in regards to doing the same thing (XB Arm) you know the gray bike that I took off of your thread. I have built more bikes, scratch that, Buells than you've seen. I use "Exclusively" Suzuki and Xb front ends on all of my tubers So I guess you think because you have built one "On going Terd" that you know it all. Please don't VOTE......:D
 
The bad weather (Sandy) knocked down Badweb so the asshats need some where to go. Unfortunately they come here:(
I think pur pony was very civil in his response and there was no need for name calling. Please do us all a favor and take GAXB9R's advise and stay over at Badweb where that kind of thing is encouraged!
Raz
 
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