XB9S headlight on an XB9R
- Thread starter jasonxb9
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upthemaiden
Well-known member
It's been covered quite a bit, so I'm not gonna go into detail but it can be done. It's not as easy as putting the XBR headlight on an XBS, but everything between the bikes are interchangable so if you put the effort in you can do whatever you want.
Sorry to keep posting, would it be easier to put the firebolt tail section on the lightning model? It is really the tail section that I like from the firebolt. To give a little back ground, I am in the market for an xb, but I am new to them, I love the look and the technology in the bikes and the sounds is really cool as well. So at this point I am trying to decide what would be easier to make the bike look like I want it to. Again sorry for all the posts and thanks for any info.
upthemaiden
Well-known member
Not a big deal about the questions. The search function on this site is beyond worthless. Any time I want to search for something I use google, and just type "site:Buellxb.com" in with what I'm searching, so it would be something like "site:buellxb.com tail swap". I'm at work otherwise I'd do a little looking into it for you.
I'm not sure what would be easier. I think I see more firebolt tails on lightnings than I do lightning front ends on firebolts. The difficult part is figuring out what to do with the ECM(computer) and the fuses. On an xb9r those things are up front by the speedometer, and on the xbs they're jammed under the seat. If you switch to a lightning front end you would have to try to fit those things under the seat, but the problem is that the plugs are at the front of the wiring harness so you would probably have to get an xb9s harness and put it on the xb9r, unless you're good at electrical work and want to cut up and solder it back together.
I would venture to say it's easier to put the firebolt tail on the lightning. You would have to find a new place for the ECM and fuses since the lightning tail has designated places for them, and the firebolt tail doesn't. I would assume you could just stick them in the space under the passenger seat, not sure how big the space is though. You would also have to get a longer line to the brake reseviour and a longer cable for the seat latch since they're in different spots as well.
Hope it helps, and I'm sure someone else with more experience will be around eventually. Also, if you know that's definitely the setup you want, you can probably find someone on here who will trade. People mix and match their xbrs and xbss on here all the time. I see lightnings with firebolt tails, and firebolts with lightning tails, so whichever you find, you can probably find someone who's willing to just swap parts with you to make it work, especially if it's winter and bikes are parked anyway.
I'm not sure what would be easier. I think I see more firebolt tails on lightnings than I do lightning front ends on firebolts. The difficult part is figuring out what to do with the ECM(computer) and the fuses. On an xb9r those things are up front by the speedometer, and on the xbs they're jammed under the seat. If you switch to a lightning front end you would have to try to fit those things under the seat, but the problem is that the plugs are at the front of the wiring harness so you would probably have to get an xb9s harness and put it on the xb9r, unless you're good at electrical work and want to cut up and solder it back together.
I would venture to say it's easier to put the firebolt tail on the lightning. You would have to find a new place for the ECM and fuses since the lightning tail has designated places for them, and the firebolt tail doesn't. I would assume you could just stick them in the space under the passenger seat, not sure how big the space is though. You would also have to get a longer line to the brake reseviour and a longer cable for the seat latch since they're in different spots as well.
Hope it helps, and I'm sure someone else with more experience will be around eventually. Also, if you know that's definitely the setup you want, you can probably find someone on here who will trade. People mix and match their xbrs and xbss on here all the time. I see lightnings with firebolt tails, and firebolts with lightning tails, so whichever you find, you can probably find someone who's willing to just swap parts with you to make it work, especially if it's winter and bikes are parked anyway.
xtremelow
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 19, 2007
- Messages
- 6,066
If you choose to take on this challenge you will have to rewire the front end of your bike since the S has all the fuses, relays, and ecm under the tail and the R is all under the fairing.
I have done this on my old bike and IMO it isnt worth the effort to rewire the bike, you may want to look into buying a used S wiring harness and using that.
I have done this on my old bike and IMO it isnt worth the effort to rewire the bike, you may want to look into buying a used S wiring harness and using that.
Stevenc150
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2008
- Messages
- 5,036
- Lightning Front on a Bolt Thread 1 and Thread 2, and Firebolt w/ Lightning Front End
- Converting from S to R and R to S and S tail on an R Thread
- Converting from S to R and R to S and S tail on an R Thread
Since it's Halloween month,I thought I'd come back from the dead,boo.Ya Jason the switch from the S rear frame section to an R is alot easier than doing the front.As in the posts above,climber,is he mia also?,and I swaped rears and I think it came out great,others don't.Some cats on here have done this switch and can help you out,hit me up with any questions you may have.
Even though I put the tail sections in the wrong order I did switch from an R section over to a S rear section,first day back from the dead and I'm already confused[confused]If you do end up with a Buell, just ask questions,thats how you learn.
dave_xb12r
Well-known member
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- May 19, 2008
- Messages
- 6,206
Dang RHYNO, I thought you fell off a cliff or something. Good to hear you're still alive [up]
upthemaiden
Well-known member
People part bikes out here all the time, not to mention ebay and buellster. If you keep an eye out when the time is right you'll definitely be able to piece together what you need. Eventually I'm going to start collecting cheap XBR fairing pieces so I can swap back and forth between front ends on my lightning, but that's on hold until I find a normal length set of forks to replace the lowered business I've got now.
upthemaiden
Well-known member
You'll need tail plastic, subframe, undertray, seat, passenger seat or seat cowl, longer seat latch cable, longer hose to the resevoir. i think thats everything.
upthemaiden
Well-known member
yeah, for the brake fluid. The resevior is right there on the right side under the front of the seat on an XBS, on the XBR I believe it's tucked up under the seat somewhere. If I remember correctly you need to get the longer hose to move the resevoir back.
