Dream Bike!

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 05/03/2020 at 13:52 • Filed to: two wheels good, Buell, Dream Garage

7

37

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I cleaned out almost my entire stable of ratty old carby bikes and janky scooter projects.

My close IRL friends have imposed some rules on me, think of it as an intervention.

I’m not allowed to add to the stable, but I am allowed to trade, sell, repair, modify, and replace. A temporary rule is that due to COVID-19, I’m only allowed to spend money on critical repairs to a daily and cheap modifications. That means replacements for sold vehicles have to be purchased using only the cash from the sold vehicles.

I’m liking these new rules. They keep me focused on what I *really* want. Instead of using the cash I made in selling all the trash I sold to get more trash, I got a bike I’ve wanted ever since I got the idea I wanted to ride: A Buell Lightning.

These bikes just hit the spot. They’re short with rounded tails that don’t even fully cover the rear tire. Add some neat exhaust work, HD v-twin soundtrack, Buell’s quirky frames, and translucent plastics that remind me of an old school iMac.

I found an example in mint shape for a fantastic price. It has a scratch on the transmission case and tarnished headers, but that’s it. Not a speck of rust, not a bit of damage. Just really dirty from being in a workshop for a while.

He even fixed a few problem areas like the weak side stands these bikes came with. PO is an engineer, so his custom stand is brilliant and even uses the factory mounting point.

How does it ride? It’s an XB9, so it revs slightly higher and faster than the XB12's engine. The EFI delivers smooth throttle and the engine is nice and torque-y. It’s not going to win any races but the bike is plenty fun. It feels slow going the speed limit, like it’s begging you to hit the ton...which it’ll hit in a breeze. Just don’t try outrunning, well even a 90s middleweight.

Corners? Oh it loves corners. The darn thing is basically point and click. In all, this thing is perfect for my style of road riding. I was afraid this was going to be a case of never meet your heroes but I’m glad it didn’t come true. :)

Plans for it are removing the little tongue that sticks way out past the license plate (compliance for regulations that don’t allow open wheels) for something like this that still allows the plate to be easily visible.

And LEDs under the translucent plastics.

Last year I tested the Harley LiveWire and compared it to a Buell and still feel it to be true. That bike feels like a Buell XB that doesn’t vibrate the feeling out of your hands.

This bike came with a service manual, stock muffler (currently has a custom muffler), spare parts, oil change kit, and a Snell rated helmet!

And because I’ve sold almost everything titled in my name, now i f the worst case scenario happens with the rental house I’ll have a much much easier time protecting myself.

More pics once I give it a Svending and remove the autobot vinyls under the plastics.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:00

5

i think ill just get one of these

and an aviators cap n goggles....

(i dont think the missus would let me have anything more powerfull considering last time :p)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:06

1

Very cool!  

I’ve always had a soft spot for Buell bikes. Erik Buell is a brilliant engineer and I think Harley royally dicked him over. I think properlly utilized, i.e. making cool, competitive bikes to go up against the Japanese and Italians, they could have brought in the younger crowd. But that’s a whole different discussion.

I think you made some good choices - first being get rid of a janky projects and focusing on one or two things. I’ve done the same over the last few years and it’s made me a happier person . Second, the XB-9 is probably the better choice, as you mention it’s a bit peppier and revvier than the XB-12, even if it does give up a bit of power. Seems like a nice balance between full on sport bike and standard cruiser. And this one seems well sorted and cared for. Congratulations on getting a nice bike!

VincentMalamute-Kim > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:09

1

Always liked those. Nice find.

bob and john > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:09

1

I always liked the Buells. some very trick engineering that man had.

I would look for something like this and ditch the stock light all together

Would I own one? ehhh. It would need a 6th gear, maybe another 3K rpm, and nother 40 HP.

sooo an 1125. But those are 1: hard to find and 2: hard to keep in service (yea rotax parts, but even finding those online is a bit of a bear)

shame yours doesnt have the candy blue wheels. 

The Ghost of Oppo > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:18

0

I have zero remorse over H-D’s economic struggles solely because they killed Buell after years of handcuffing their efforts . The XB is my all time favorite bike, I unfortunately never bought one because at the time I was looking people still wanted near msrp.  Is that an SX model? 

Just Jeepin' > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 05/03/2020 at 14:19

1

I keep looking for affordable prescription aviator goggles for when I drop the windshield in the summer. So far, no luck.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:22

2

The Buells are neat and offer more performance than most motorcyclists will ever explore.

I’ll be the stick in the mud and caution against removing the fender extension. The first time you get caught in the rain, you will regret it. Even water running across the road can ruin your backside when the tire throws it on you. I used to see that a lot when we lived in Texas. A lot of places water their lawns and it inevitably ends up running across the road. Full fenders are there to keep you clean and dry.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Just Jeepin' 05/03/2020 at 14:25

0

yeah... that prescription part really knocks affordability out the window

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:27

1

Congrats, I like Buell and they like me too... I think 7 showed up.

:( I miss meets that should be going on right now.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:45

1

You need a B oss H oss with a Viper V10. Or an LS7.

jimz > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 14:45

1

the proportions of that Lightning look way weird, like someone put full size wheels on a Grom.  

jimz > Snuze: Needs another Swede 05/03/2020 at 14:48

4

Buell has an interesting mind but I think he tends to suffer from “engineer-itis.”  meaning the tendency to think “more complicated” or “weirder” is better. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 05/03/2020 at 15:43

2

Those front engine mopeds scare me. Seems like it would be awfully twitchy and tall feeling with the weight of the engine way up there 

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/03/2020 at 15:52

2

front wheel drive on two wheels is a strange somewhat scary experience in turns......

oldmxer > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 17:11

1

i always looked at Buell as my way of getting a Harley without the cruiser factor[yeck], too bad that didn’t work out long term, funny tho, a lot of the bikes that make you drool on looks don’t ride at all like you thought they  would

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 05/03/2020 at 17:37

1

This is incomplete without the obligatory handlebar mustache. 

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 05/03/2020 at 17:40

0

good point

i think i can grow one of those... missus might divorce me tho

Mercedes Streeter > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/03/2020 at 17:56

1

That’s basically it for me! Not earth shattering but plenty fun. :)

That Buell Blast I started on was missing enough bits that I got properly soaked every time it rained. I’m not too concerned with getting wet and dirty, but I’m keeping the OEM part so I can revert back if I don't like the effects. lol

Snuze: Needs another Swede > jimz 05/03/2020 at 18:21

1

Agreed. For every awesome idea, there’s something that’s more complicated than it needs to be. 

jimz > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/03/2020 at 18:50

1

I’ve literally only seen one Boss Hoss in person on the road, about 20+ years ago.  I pity the fool who has one and drops it.  I’ve helped pick up a Street Glide (~850 lbs) and that’s no fun.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 05/03/2020 at 19:22

1

No worries, chum. The interwebs has your back. 

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 05/03/2020 at 19:23

0

noice :D

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > jimz 05/03/2020 at 19:58

0

The concept of a 350-HP V8 between one’s legs strikes me as foolhardy.

zipfuel > Just Jeepin' 05/03/2020 at 23:25

0

I found this site when looking for prescription safety glasses some years ago (no good for me as the Canadian dollar is worth peanuts atm) they have a bunch of safety rated motorcycle/aviator style goggles with Rx inserts at what seem like reasonable prices - although the coatings etc could sure add up.

https://www.rx-safety.com/product-category/sunglasses/?filter_activities=safety-ansi&query_type_activities=or&filter_frame-style=goggles&query_type_frame-style=or

Just Jeepin' > zipfuel 05/03/2020 at 23:39

0

Interesting, thanks. 

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 05/03/2020 at 23:44

1

Neato!

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/03/2020 at 23:46

1

The Boss Hoss “factory” (pole barn) is in the town I did my teacher training in. Such a bizarre ... Thing.

Pickup_man > Mercedes Streeter 05/04/2020 at 09:12

1

I’ve always loved these bikes but I’ve never had a chance to ride one. Definitely on the someday list although they’re getting harder to find, especially in good shape. 

Mercedes Streeter > jimz 05/04/2020 at 10:17

0

I actually rode one last year. It’s strangely quite easy to keep balanced while moving... but you couldn’t pay me to try u- turning one!

Mercedes Streeter > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/04/2020 at 10:19

0

Oooooh I got to play with a LS powered Boss Joss last year. Thing's not even a bike, it's just an engine with wheels bolted to it. xD

Mercedes Streeter > bob and john 05/04/2020 at 10:25

0

Seems most people seem to agree that these bikes need a 6th gear. Even I’ve tried upshifting to a gear that wasn’t there. lol

I am t hinking about picking up some of those candy wheels if I can find any!

Looks like the tail in that video takes one of the fender delete kits, removes the lights from it, puts the mesh grille from the OEM fender in the resulting hole, then adds a Radiantz light bar. I love this idea!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/04/2020 at 10:28

0

Viper V-10 Tomahawk!

Mercedes Streeter > The Ghost of Oppo 05/04/2020 at 10:28

0

It is! XB9SX CityX. Buells can be found pretty cheap right now if you happen to live in an area hit kinda hard by current events.

The sad thing for me is that it seems HD themselves realizes that they should have done better for Buell. A lot of their new bike ideas would have felt right at home under the Buell lineup.

Mercedes Streeter > Pickup_man 05/04/2020 at 10:32

1

These have long been a bit of a Unicorn for me but good ones were always too expensive and cheap ones were treated like old Civics...crashed, given tacky modifications, and all kinds of deferred repairs. lol

Mercedes Streeter > jimz 05/04/2020 at 10:33

0

The seating position reminds me a bit of a Grom. Like, a Grom scaled up a bit!

The Ghost of Oppo > Mercedes Streeter 05/04/2020 at 10:56

0

Yeah exactly, even though the Blast wasn’t perfect(again thanks to HD not EB) it filled an important spot in their line up and so did the XB and it s variants. The Street 500 and 750 are no where near enough to bring in younger buyers cross shopping import bikes.

stars-pulse-like-venom > Mercedes Streeter 05/04/2020 at 11:14

0

and it still loses to a stock Kia