Resurecting wrecked Buell xb12ss

[buellfighter]

Well I finally have some free time to work on the bike. I have been super busy and haven't touched it in over a month. The stuff under the seat is all buttoned up and most of the important parts are torqued to spec. I tried to start the bike and it fired up on the second try (first try I forgot to put gas in it). Still need to buy a throttle cable but i am getting close to a first ride!

I am having a few problems. the shock is leaking oil at the joint where it bolts to the reservoir. and the gauge pod is acting up.

This is where the shock is leaking. Does anyone know if they can be recharged? The shock looks good, I think that the reservoir moved in the wreck and unscrewed the bolt a little. I would really like to hear that I can just put some more oil in it and tighten it up, They are really expensive aftermarket.

I changed the needles on the gauge pod and the speedometer is working fine. the tach moves and stops in 1/3 increments each time I cycle the key, then moves correctly but only reads right every third key cycle. when I turn the key if i let the needle move forward but then stop it on the return at zero then it works every time. If i do not stop it on zero then it will fall below zero by 1/3 of the circle and start reading as if that is zero.

Any ideas on this? I was thinking about drilling a stop pin on the gauge face.

Any help would be awesome!

 

[xb12rs]

there are people that can change the oil in the rear shock. you may be able to find a used stock one for less than the cost to change the oil in the current but either way is far cheaper than a whole aftermarket shock. sorry I am no help on the needles.

 

[johnon]

Can't help you with the gauge pod, just chiming in to tell you it looks good, what color is that?

 

[buellfighter]

Thanks!

I think it was called Merlot over gold. gold base coat with five coats of candy red. I could find the paint code and brand if you are interested.

 

[buellbradski]

Nice work man. [up]

 

[Xbscg87]

I noticed from your photos that you have your seat rails bolted on with those extension tabs. does it raise the seat height much? does it feel strong, for throwing your weight around in the twistys? how did you make them?

Not sure I bought it that way not sure how different from stock it is its definitely strong I've had no problems with it I'm 5'6" and can touch comfortably not quite flat footed but really damn close lol

 

[buellfighter]

finally she's all done. I ended up getting a second xb12ss and gave the red one to my girl. I built some seahorse case frames for them both and we are going on a 2500 mile ride on Tuesday. I will take some better pictures when i get back.

 

[fishxb12]

Nice, glad to see her back on the road.

 

[chevy42083]

GREAT looking bike!

It's a little too much red for me.... but adding frame pucks, a matte black buell sticker on the tank/screen, and maybe some smaller stickers/car wrap so your knees don't scuff up the paint... and it would look PERFECT (IMO of course).
If you had someone do some stickers/emblems in a combination of gold/matte black... that would look killer too.


What tail did you go with? Is that an S tail with riser extensions? Did that make it easier to bolt the S tail to an SS frame?

 

[buellfighter]

The tail is an s with some 1/8 steel extensions. I made them with 3/4 wide by 1/8 strap steel they are about 1 1/2 inch long . It made the tail bolt right on, the seat is a pain to get on though.

I have frame pucks on it now, they look way better than without. I have been thinking about those black rubber grip stickers for the frame and tank, or professional hand done gold and black striping.

 

[johnon]

looks great man. Almost makes me happy i sold you that tail lol. Just glad to see another buell back on the road