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Not a new owner, but new modifier, need help.

Buellxb Forum

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kdawg302000

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2015
Messages
82
Location
FREEDOM, CA
Hey all, had my 2009 XB12r since 2015, after purchasing it from an auction for 4k with a clean title, 5k miles and zero issues. Love this thing and i will keep it until i destroy the engine, then i will rebuild and destroy it again. Haha

Anyway, it has been completely stock since i bought it, except i put LED's and tires. Other than that i love the Natty XB. I owned 4 other bikes since 2015 as i have always liked having 2 bikes, to keep miles down and have something for friends. Now i know i will be getting another buell for those rides, not only for the amazing ride, but the comfort. Probably a lightening or 1190 SX...but who knows.

Ok...i digress. I am currently getting my muffler modified by Hawk and he should receive it this weekend and ill have it back in a week or so. Since its out if commission i decided to do some other stuff. Below is a list i made to be done before i get my exhaust back.

1) K&N Air Filter - done
2) Breather Re-route - still not totally sold on this
3) RSS - cant find it anywhere!
4) rear header heat shield - not sure
5) new NGK plugs
6) Suspension Adjustment
7) fuel and oil treatment
8) clean up bolts and other metals including replacing and ordering extras.

I run Mobile 1 20w50 in swing and prime and wont change that, as im happy, so no need to start and oil debate. Haha

Does anyone know where to find that damn RSS? Is it the Uly RSS? Are there any other model options? I habe spent 2 weeks looking for one and I am hesistant to order one from overseas. Nothing at St. Paul, New Castle, Buellster. This is driving me nuts. I NEED that scoop. Haha....but seriously...please help.

I dont see the need for airbox delete as the current one seemed to be opened up a ton in comparison to the previous models. Thoughts?

All i can think about for now. Ill take all recommendations, except for oil. Haha

Thanks all!
 
Oil doesn't need additives and the breather re route is one of the best thinks you can do for the bike. Airbox delete no necessary on an 09' IMO if yours is like mine.
 
100% ^^^^

Your '09 airbox is pretty open already. It won't flow any more if you take it off, but the intake will get louder. If thats your jam, go for it. Whats your plan after the Hawk? Will he give you the right tune for it?

You can get your (#3) RSS or get the Uly "comfort kit" that comes with the (#4) heat shield as well.

What "additives"? Why? You should have fresh oil and fuel in it already and ride it often enough there's no need for malarky.
 
Cooter said:
100% ^^^^

Your '09 airbox is pretty open already. It won't flow any more if you take it off, but the intake will get louder. If thats your jam, go for it.

- Not at all. Figured i didnt need to as the factory cuts seemed to be effecient, compared to the older models


Whats your plan after the Hawk? Will he give you the right tune for it?

- he said that no tuning would be needed. As there is enough backpressure with his set, that the system will teach itself to ustilize it, even with the new filter. Ill try it and see how it goes. Ecmspy in the future for sure.

You can get your (#3) RSS or get the Uly "comfort kit" that comes with the (#4) heat shield as well.

- i cant find the RSS for my model, but saw the uly kit appears tk fit, i just dont know, as i havent seen anyone say that specifically. So i ordered the Uly set up. And figured i would give it a go.

What "additives"? Why? You should have fresh oil and fuel in it already and ride it often enough there's no need for malarky.
Click to expand...

Additives are going in because hawk mentioned that adding to the oil swing, not primary, would noticeably smooth the bike out. Figured it wouldnt hurt anything to try it out. Thoughts?

Im still pretty new to this whole forum this, as i really posted for mechanical help before. Not a wrench guy, as i sit behind a desk all day. But i love the tinkering so far.


Sounds like the reroute will be getting done also.
 
***update***
Hawk completed my exhaust Mod and is on its way back to me - Will install upon receipt (beyond excited to receive it)

1) K&N Air Filter - DONE
2) Breather Re-route - still not totally sold on this - DONE and did it with a little Red Edlebrock filter in red. matches the color scheme.
3) RSS - cant find it anywhere! - Ordered
4) rear header heat shield - Ordered - I think I want to send it back and wrap my headers instead.
5) new NGK plugs - sitting on the counter for install
6) Suspension Adjustment - Never done before, need to do more research.
7) fuel and oil treatment - Canned
8) clean up bolts and other metals including replacing and ordering extras. - Ordered
9) Buelltooth - Ordered
10) Quickshifter - Ordered
11) Lower front Pegs - Ordered
12) Short levers - cant make up my mind
13) Corbin Seat - pricey, but comfortable, had one on my last Duc.
14) Swap Rear for Lightning - If I can ever Find one. Found one on eBay, but cant pull the trigger on $500 bucks. Guess I'll have a few beers first, for the excuse.
15) Swap Cherry Bomb wheels for Diamond or Hero Wheels for Black/Blue scheme
16) Ive seen some pretty cool modded/aftermarket airbox covers out there, so will consider that in the future.


I would love any thoughts on this stuff....i.e. header wraps, suspension, levers, tail swap, etc.

Thanks all.
 
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Suspensions easy. The manual gives you a good starting point. First thing is set sag for your weight with gear on.
 
kdawg302000 said:
Oh, thats awesome. I didn't even think to do that. Just looked it up, now to research what it all means. haha

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Watch the Dave Moss videos about setting up sag. The idea is the same for all bikes. Yes, have a friend help you.

FYI...Cooter is not a friend. He will drink all your beer and throw small random motorcycle parts on the ground, so you will think they are from your bike. He is a jerk.
 
34nineteen said:
Watch the Dave Moss videos about setting up sag. The idea is the same for all bikes. Yes, have a friend help you.

FYI...Cooter is not a friend. He will drink all your beer and throw small random motorcycle parts on the ground, so you will think they are from your bike. He is a jerk.
Click to expand...

I was actually going to go see him in July @ Laguna Seca. Was going to go out there in the beginning of May, but bailed because of of our SIP ordinance. I have watched a bunch of his videos and could probably do it myself, but I have a goal of getting a better understanding of the suspension. And its actually pretty cheapish to get an appt with him. I mean, not sure how many Cooter can throw back....so it could be a wash. :D
 
Its much easier to set rear sag with someone helping. To measure the front sag, I put a zip tie around a front slider. Endo will recognize this from the mountain bike world.

I've found the setup chart in the Buell service book to be pretty close to spot on. It will get you a good baseline.
 
kdawg302000 said:
I mean, not sure how many Cooter can throw back....so it could be a wash. :D
Click to expand...

I like expensive hipster IPA's so... you're smart guy;) When are you going to Laguna? Bubbles and I are trying to go this year.

34:19, The zip tie trick is brilliant:eagerness: I keep a set of red ones to check sag and max suspension travel. after a session, because red=faster:topsy_turvy: They are the really nice kind with the metal tang. I thought I was doing myself a favor by cranking them on really hard, but destroyed a dust seal and found it would actually hold the fork leg extended by 1/8" or more! The moral is put them on just tight enough to not fall down.
 
kdawg302000 said:
I was actually going to go see him in July @ Laguna Seca. Was going to go out there in the beginning of May, but bailed because of of our SIP ordinance. I have watched a bunch of his videos and could probably do it myself, but I have a goal of getting a better understanding of the suspension. And its actually pretty cheapish to get an appt with him. I mean, not sure how many Cooter can throw back....so it could be a wash. :D
Click to expand...

I would definitely change the fork oil out before you see him, love watching his videos... but it seems like if you have more than 5k miles on the oil he talks to you like you clubbed some endangered mammal to death in front of him.
 
young scooter said:
lol OP says ST paul doesn't have it, you literally pop a link to it on their website.

I can also confirm I ordered this exact kit for my xb12r and it bolts right up perfect.
Click to expand...

I was looking for over a week for the damn scoop and for some reason it wasn't populating on St. Paul. Ever since i hit that link, I can find it no problem. F***, I don't know. Either way, its on its way in the form of the uly comfort kit, which I ordered before the link, Oh, well. Moving on. I'll probably send it back, since I want to wrap my headers but we shall see.
 
***UPDATE***
So, with everything going on in the country it took almost a month to get my exhaust shipped to Hawk and Shipped back. I got her though, but unfortunately I took the kids camping and it was delivered while I was out. But needless to say Gwenevere (my son named her after a Disney movie), is up and running and Good lord she is a F***ing beast compared to what it was before. Bike was completely stock since I bought it from 1st owner/repo in 2015. Below is a list of what I did over the past month to get her ready, they will be trivial to majority of you, but I love it. I'm far from a mechanic and I'm learning on the fly, but its been fun and I can't wait to do more (mainly cosmetic, unless you guys turn me on to more stuff I don't know about)! I have a little list of the things I will piece together over the remainder of the year, unless I manage to get a deal, or a good midyear bonus.

Completed:
Hawk Muffler Mod - Love the sound, neighbors have given me compliments....or backhanded compliments...all the same, to me.
K&N Air Filter
Breather Re-route
RSS W/ Heatshield
EBC Front and Rear Pads
Buelltooth W/Hawk Map - Good Lord this was a game changer as I have played with it a ton over the past few days
NGK Spark Plugs
Buell 1" drop pegs - So much more comfortable
Mobil1 Oil and K&N filter
Brake fluid flush
New screws and washers - not all, but replaced about 10 in the places that were in need


Future:
Buelltooth Baro Sensor - Since I'm running Closed Loop, would be good to have it when I'm riding the hills around me. 36ft to 3800ft
Levers - I'm thinking Pazzo, but I also like the look of the ASV.
Passenger Cowl
Tail swap from R to S - If I can ever find one. I know I can buy them new on St. Paul, but thats a little too rich for my blood.
New seat after my commitment/decision on the tail
Remove stickers/emblems - make the bike all black-ish
Smoke or Dark Smoke Wind Screen
Swap Cherry Bomb Wheels for Hero Blue (maybe gold, that looks dope too- that will probably happen sooner than later, just waiting for
Wrap - still undecided as I kinda like the metal look with the heat shield
Quickshift - Undecided on this one also. Seems cool, but I'm not living in the 6-7k range, so not sure I "Need" it, might get it just to say I have it.
XB12S - I will get another on in the next year or two, especially if the price is right. Maybe for Christmas(Shhhhhhhh...don't tell the wife, its gonna be a surprise)

Thats all for now. This was a lot of fun to me and I have the forum to thank for almost everything I did.
 
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