Proto-Buell build: turning a 73 Ironhead into something strange

[lotusexcelle]

So here's the thought: What if Buell had been tweaking an old Ironhead for a college thesis? I have a 73 Ironhead and I'm planning on turning into a kind of prototype XB/tube.

The idea here is to keep the frame and engine but kind of tweak it to have some of the same concepts as an XB/tube frame Buell. I'm hoping to relocate the oil tank to the rear swing arm and modify the fuel tank and intake setup to reflect some of Buell's designs.

The bike itself will end up looking like a bonkers cafe style with some Buell-like tweaks.

Any luck/ideas/recommendations welcome! I'll need some support on this one!

 

[firefighter1c57]

Sounds like it'll be a kickass idea.

 

[GAXB9R]

Do you have any concept drawings. If you were to combine the 73 with one of the xb's what year and model would you choose?

 

[NwRider]

That sounds like a fun project. I like the cafe look... shame it will never handle like a Buell... well.. depends how much work ya wanna do!?!

 

[NwRider]

I think building that motor up and sqeezing it in a tuber would be interesting.

 

[lotusexcelle]

I'll have some progress photos up this weekend I think as well as a basic sketch (warning: i can't draw) of the general layout and look. It already looks pretty good with all the nasty chrome bits taken off and the really horrid seat gone.

As far as combining with an XB I'd say its closer to tube but if I had to pick I'd say a CityX. I obviously can't get the fuel in the frame but some of the concepts behind the XB should translate well to the cafe look. My fuel tank setup is going to be interesting to some people, I think. Mostly its just a look I've always wanted to try. More on that later.

Anyway... more this weekend!