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Refinish?

Buellxb Forum

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VtwinXB12

Banned
Joined
Mar 2, 2021
Messages
58
Can anyone answer the following for me:
#1) Is it possible to refinish for a body shop to sand & repaint the plastic body panels? Mine are faded & stained.

#2) What EXACTLY (#?) is the frame & swingarm painted with? I realize its black but it's kind of a gray.

Thanks!
 
yes it is possible to paint plastic. Though the prep work can be a bit exhausting in order to be able to provide you any type of warranty. If I am not mistake the frame and swing arm are powder coated. Others will be by soon if I am wrong.
 
yes. these days many cars have plastics and just about every motorcycle. any automotive paint shop should have no issue painting the plastics for you. what color are you thinking?
 
I fixed the plastics w/ freakin' BRILLO (steel damn wool!) pads & water! Easy as sh#@. Followed it up w/ a $5 can of automotive lacquer and I swear it looks 90% new. Took me about 2hrs total time and went from looking like a worn out, used up, trashed OLD sportbike to a shiny (plastics anyway) almost new appearing BUELL. Can't describe how pleased I am.
 
I fixed the plastics w/ freakin' BRILLO (steel damn wool!) pads & water! Easy as sh#@. Followed it up w/ a $5 can of automotive lacquer and I swear it looks 90% new. Took me about 2hrs total time and went from looking like a worn out, used up, trashed OLD sportbike to a shiny (plastics anyway) almost new appearing BUELL. Can't describe how pleased I am.

Keep us posted on how long that stays stuck... I'm guessing not long.
 
Theres a trick with dirt bike plastics using a heat gun. I've never tried it personally, but I bet BB would know, he's been sniffing lacquer for a long time:angel:
 
Keep us posted on how long that stays stuck... I'm guessing not long.

I did the same thing to my mismatched plastics 3 years ago and it's holding up just fine. Although I used about $12 in spray paint so maybe that's the trick ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Theres a trick with dirt bike plastics using a heat gun. I've never tried it personally, but I bet BB would know, he's been sniffing lacquer for a long time:angel:

I have used that trick on atv and dirt bike plastic. I think they're more of a polypropylene which is kind of more "oily". The heat gun (I am inpatient and use a propane torch) trick works okay on that stuff. I dont think it would work well on buell plastics.

I did the same thing to my mismatched plastics 3 years ago and it's holding up just fine. Although I used about $12 in spray paint so maybe that's the trick ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yeah I suppose extra film thickness would make it hold up longer. And either way, if the guy riding it is happy with the result, who am I to question his painting methods.
 
I did a complete service on my neglected new-to-me XB12 and in the process I, understandably, got the freshly painted plastics (48hrs) covered in oil/grease/dirt/ smudges and this morning I effortlessly wiped the bike clean w/ a clean, wet rag. A little elbow grease & a $5 can of automotive lacquer is a helluva cheaper than $1,500+ new plastics (which are impossible to find anyway).
 
You're shopping in the wrong place? $3-400 should get you a full new set of plastic in almost any color you like besides translucent. Brand New. Even the good stuff Carbon fiber is only a touch more.
 
https://sphdonline.com/products/m12...9r-s-1125r-1125cr?_pos=7&_sid=5956cd771&_ss=r
https://www.nosoemparts.com/products/new-buell-chin-fairing-lh-battle-blue-m1648-02a8ambb
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-NO...394145&hash=item1f1e91fad1:g:tWEAAOSwQ9RgHXZY

It's not hard, I googled "Buell Plastics" and these are the first results for OE new.

Heres a full set of Carbon Fiber (and it's decent stuff), including the front fender, airbox cover, oil cooler scoop, and windscreen for $600.
https://www.motocomposites.com/cart.php
 
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I want to remove the scraped up old frame sliders. Where could I get the factory length allen bolts to replace the extended ones used to mount the sliders which appear to be at least 1.25+inches longer than needed?
 
Do you know the exact size Allen bolt? # & length?

I love the fact the XB12 develops 75% of it's peak torque at 3500 rpm and peaks at 6k (at the most) but is more likely 5500. Most rice rockets don't even start their powerband till 2x < those rpms. ^ Proof HD has it's head so far up it's ass by firing Erik Buell it may as well file Chapter 7 now at the rate it's sales #'s are dropping year after year. I honestly believe HD couldn't handle the fact more & more & more guys were walking more & more & more HD dealerships asking "Where are your Buells? I don't give a **** about that 770lb farm tractor-like $25,000 Softtail...ALL I WANT IS A $10,000 XB1200!". EB did nothing to deserve the 7 suits sulking into EBR and tell him"We're dropping you". NOTHING!
 
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Do you know the exact size Allen bolt? # & length?

I love the fact the XB12 develops 75% of it's peak torque at 3500 rpm and peaks at 6k (at the most) but is more likely 5500. Most rice rockets don't even start their powerband till 2x < those rpms. ^ Proof HD has it's head so far up it's ass by firing Erik Buell it may as well file Chapter 7 now at the rate it's sales #'s are dropping year after year. I honestly believe HD couldn't handle the fact more & more & more guys were walking more & more & more HD dealerships asking "Where are your Buells? I don't give a **** about that 770lb farm tractor-like $25,000 Softtail...ALL I WANT IS A $10,000 XB1200!". EB did nothing to deserve the 7 suits sulking into EBR and tell him"We're dropping you". NOTHING!



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