| Author | Message | ||
     Bikenut |
Hi I started racing at the intermediate level this year. At my speed I don't need more power but would be interested to know what chassis and suspension mods have been made by other racers. Thanks | ||
| Trojan |
How much do you want to spend? number one on the list would be at least a fork rebuild/tune and a decent aftermarket rear shock. Second would be a brake upgrade. Without wishing to open the whole ZTL can of worms again, you should atleast go for the later piston front caliper and vented disc option. We found it better to just replace the front end with twin discs and Jap cartridge forks, but it depends on how much you want to do and how much you want to spend of course. third: consider a chain drive system so that you have beter gearing options available to suit different tracks and conditions. Buell have a full kit including swingarm that they sell, or the Free Spirits chain kit is a good budget option that uses the stock swingarm etc. http://www.trojan-horse.co.uk/prods/174.html Lastly, consider some streamlining. If you are racing your Buell in an open class you will be up against faired bikes so need all the speed you can muster, and wide bars and naked bikes aren't very slippery. There are plenty of aftermaret Buell race fairings available or even modifying something from another bike will work. Our first Buell race bike had a modified Yamaha TRX850 fairing in place of the original smaller Buell item (more for improved advertising/sponsor space than any other reason though  )  | ||
| Tony216 |
If you do keep the ZTL set up, change the brake fluid often. I would also pick up a good rotor and mounting kit from EBR. | ||
| Bikenut |
Thanks for the input guys. Bike looks great. Something that really stands out to me is how low the seat is. I do find sitting on the Buell with the high seat and low bars to be an odd feeling. As seen in my pic, seat is stock. I actually took the seat off one day and the Buell felt more like my CBR.  | ||
| Trojan |
You could try one of these http://www.trojan-horse.co.uk/prods/244.html Glassfibre 'race' type seat that fits in place of your stock uphostered seat on the XB12SS using the stock side rails. It will lower the seating position in addition to saving weight over the stock seat  Price would work out at around US$368 inc 10% discount | ||
| Paint_shaker |
For the suspension, I replaced the front springs with hyperpro racing springs and heavier weight fork oil. For the rear, I used the stock shock with a Buell race spring. For the brakes, I use Buell Race pads up front and stockers in the rear. For the engine, I left all internals stock and it has the Buell race kit (air filter, muffler and ECM) with a custom Xoptimized tune. For the drive system I use a stock belt. I ran stock Firebolt body work with a Buell racing number plate and belly pan. My results; I won a Championship in my novice year and run mid pack in the expert class. (Message edited by Paint shaker on November 20, 2012) | ||
| Bikenut |
I really appreciate the input here guys. One aspect I have struggled with is how I feel on the Buell. I feel very uncomfortable on it, almost like I am up to high and I think this has resulted in poor handling traits. Maybe I just need to get used to it, but the bike feels very unsettled compared to my CBR on the same track. | ||
| Tony216 |
I met a guy years ago (he's on the AF1 Aprilia forum as Hank), who had a plastic or carbon fiber piece that went in the place of the seat on his RSV1000. Nice guy, you can probably find out from him who made it (and hope they're still in business). Another idea, you can find a stock seat and cut all of the foam out of it. I briefly owned an SV650 that had the seat cut out like that. It helped you sit down lower in the bike. That said, there's a lot more foam that can be taken out of SV650 the seat. I find my Buell to be quite stable. And after working with a local suspension guy, it handles great and predictable. (Message edited by Tony216 on November 20, 2012) |
