| Author | Message | ||
     Jornum1 |
I have decided to convert my 2008 1125r into a ulysses. Not suspension wise, but as far as front fairing and tail. My reasoning is that I really want a uly, but love my 1125. I love the engines power delivery and everything about it. Plus I just love tinkering, and I HATE that Buell had to reuse the firebolt tail. Anyway, I had all the parts for my xb so I figured I would see what would go into it. For the rear I knew from the start that the upper mounts of the tail were going to be the biggest problem. The right upper is close, but not close enough! The left is obviously not close at all because its about a 1 1/2" lower, and about a 1" wider. My first idea was to machine a adapter for the left side out of aluminum and bolt it to the subframe. The problem became that you really cant go wider on the outside of the seat rails because the uly seat hangs so far over the rail. I ended up using some 1/8" steel stock and bending it to match the offset and drop. This worked, but the inside of the seat pan still needed to be shaved to allow the seat to fit. You will see in my pics that it still isnt fitting perfect even with less then a 1/4" added. I will get it though wit a little more shaving. The right side was a bit easier. Another badwebber who but a S tail on just oval'd out the hole to accept the shock bolt. I didnt like this idea, so again used 1/8" steel. I cut the end of the subframe off about a 1 1/2" back. Then drilled two holes and mounted the stock and did a double bend to run along the inside edge. Drilled my hole and I was done. the undertray needed to be modified to accept the offset shock, otherwise I was able to fit almost everything without too much work. I did have to lengthen the 3 wires going to the VR from the Stator. I cut some of the battery try to allow the wiring to go all the way through to the back. I made a mounting plate behind the battery to mount the VR and relay box to. Everything else was pretty straight forward. I am sure I am missing something, but thats all I have for now! I will take some detailed pics when I get everything in its final resting place. For the front: This was pretty easy. I bought a used cr highbar kit. For now I am using the stock S bars because the Cr bar is 1 18" at the clamp. I plan on buying the PE riser/ 1 1/8" conversion so I can use the CR bar. I dont like the pull back angle of the S bar. Anyway, I used a S top tree(yes it does fit), and all the Uly front end parts. I did not change any of the suspension components. Everything mounts up perfect except the lower headlight adjuster. You need to drill and tap a hole for this. I have it zip tied for the moment. The only other issues are the headlight plugs are different and need to be adapted together. The IC is the other problem. What I did was made a template and traced it to aluminum as a base plate in the Uly fairing stay. I think mounted the 1125 IC to that. Pretty easy. Lets see, I think thats about it. Also you cant use the stock turn signal location as they hit the pods. I already had pod mounted signals on anyway. I plan to color match everything this winter, I know it looks a little mish mosh now. Imagine a carbon grey subframe, and matte black airbox and pods. I will update this post this week with better pictures. But here is what I have for now. Rode her 250 miles today with no problems. My butt and arms loved it. The madstad flyscreen and brackets make a awesome difference at high speeds. Big thanks to MIke(MJRphoto) for sharing some pics he took today on our ride. So I think I can say I have the first 1125 uly. Hope you guys like it, I know I love it!      (Message edited by jornum1 on October 10, 2010) | ||
| Froggy |
I still hate you for beating me too it. I need a shop so I can make the brackets! | ||
| Budgolf |
But why? | ||
| Jornum1 |
Froggy, just let me know if I can find the time we can make it happen! Budgolf, I did it because I love the 1125 platform, and I love Buell. I didnt want another bike, I wanted a 1125 that was as comfortable as possible for me. Maybe its being tall, or whatever but I could never get comfortable on long rides on my 1125. I have always wanted a uly, I tried it, and longed for the 1125's power, but fell in love with the comfort. I understand that its not for everyone. The Uly wasnt for everyone, and the 1125 in general isnt for everyone. Its truly something you have to ride to understand. A uly with the power of the 1125 is a perfect combination for me. No disrespect intended, but I didnt start the thread to start a debate or be bashed for doing it. Bottom line, I did it because I wanted to. Because its ideal for me. I dont expect everyone to understand. I just wanted to share because I know a lot of people have posted about the possibility. | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Looks great!! Looks-wise, I haven't warmed up to the Uly tail (regardless of which bike it's on, even the Uly itself), but you better believe that my butt is the most jealous of the bunch!! For the front, the Uly/S dual bug eyes looks AWESOME on the 1125. If it makes any sense, it takes the front end from looking like a futuristic, cyborg alien (CR) to a more contemporary bug-eyed alien that we're all used to (Uly/S) — and I dig it!! Once you get it all buttoned up with paint and the final brackets/shaving, be sure to take pics! I'd really like to see how you retro'd that upper-left subframe bracket, b/c as you said: it's way off! Love seeing people make it their own. Great bike, great work ... I love the final product. | ||
| Zane_t |
Now that's cool!!! I've had distant thoughts of doing the same, but for now I'm happy with both my 1125R and my Uly the way they are. You never know, maybe Erik Buell might produce something similiar in the future. | ||
| Etennuly |
I wonder if the Uly longer suspension bits would fit? Nice work. I could see this happening more frequently. | ||
| Jphish |
Looks like a "Ulyllenium Falcon" - VERY creative & nice fusion of 2 iconic machines ! You're a pioneer - you actually did... what the rest of us merely discussed. Good on ya! Love to see the finished product & your review. j | ||
| Jphish |
PS - the belt's on the wrong side...  | ||
| Budgolf |
Not bashing you at all dude. I hope you enjoy it and it's exactly what you want. You want to get bashed, turn one into a chopper. Evidently, all alterations are cool until you turn one into a chopper. It looks good though. Have you had it off road? That engines power band doesn't seem like it would be the ideal choice for off roading. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Thats my dream bike! put bags on it and it would be perfect for me | ||
| Jules |
Firstly - I love the look, it's fantastic. I'd like it ecen more with the Uly long travel suspension  I know you said the S top tree fits...IIRC it does "just" fit but the offest is wrong and there have been concerns raised over additional strain placed on the forks but I'd always suspect that the difference was too small to make a real difference (what is it something like 3 thou?) That's really nice work | ||
| Mikellyjo |
Somebody around here started putting the uly suspension on an 08 when they first came out...I just can't find the thread or outcome...I want to say it was for a pikes peak run. Nice work! | ||
| No_rice |
or... 1125rx... prescription for fun. ya kind lame but its all i got... | ||
| Jornum1 |
Wow ok, let see... I will definitely put more pics up. I will hopefully button everything up this week. Yesterday was my test run, and it passed with flying colors. Getting used to sitting up took a few miles though after riding in the R and Firebolt position for the last few years. Etennuly and Budgolf - I am not sure, I dont have a uly to compare, but I can compare my Ss shock and see if it could be done. Honestly I am not all that concerned with it. I dont plan on offroading with it. I have a Husky te450 for that  I plan to use this as more of a all around sport tourer/errand runner/corner carver. Maybe with a CR pulley setup it would be better for off road? Wolfridgerider - just bought a set of all three buell cases actually from a fellow badwebber. Hope to have them this week sometime. Jules - Thats interesting, I didnt know that? It seemed to go on just as easy. The forks were a little tight, but I have them PC'd. I didnt notice the stem being off. Mikellyjo - havent seen that thread, like I said I can take a look at my Ss shock and see how it compares. NO rice - true, I actually just like 1125x. XR reminds me of the XR1200 too much, eww! Thanks everyone for the kind words. Its really not that tough, just takes time and some basic fab skills. The hardest part was pulling the trigger and going to the point of no return as far as the uly parts! Everything on the 1125 side is still stock except for the 3 wires I had to lengthen. Even the uly stuff all that ws modified was the two rails and the undertray. Everything else wasnt changed. Before anyone asks, no I will not be making a kit! I would not feel comfortable with that as I am far from a professional. I do work in the manufacturing field though. Anyone wants to ride up to North Jersey over the winter, I will be happy to help with the project for some eat and drink though | ||
| Gowindward |
Very Cool!! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Awesome job! Even if you never off-road, you might find you really like the Uly suspension if you've never ridden one before. If the roads are bumpy in your area, that extra suspension travel soaks up mid-curve bumps that lead to major pucker factor with lesser suspensions. It would be interesting to see what it would take to add passenger footpegs and the stock Uly bags. | ||
| Jornum1 |
Maybe something to look in to. Passenger pegs are on the list for this week. I plan on modifying the brackets to use the r style footpegs. | ||
| Jules |
Jules - Thats interesting, I didnt know that? It seemed to go on just as easy. The forks were a little tight, but I have them PC'd. I didnt notice the stem being off. I had a quick look through the archives and came up with this: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/499867.html But TBH if yours slipped on easily then hopefully it'll fine... and a possible route for others wanting to highbar an R Good to know. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
You hit the nail on the head      | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Not my flavor but its definitely the best looking Uly I have seen! | ||
| Littlebutquick |
sweet but need a ladder to get on it | ||
| Jornum1 |
Jules highbars on a r are no problem. Just use cr top tree right? Thanks guys, appreciate all the props. Ordered my Precision Engineering fat bar conversion riser today, and it shipped today as well. Big up to PE, cant wait to try the cr high bar. The S bars are just not right for my taste. The pull back is straining the outside of my hands. The cr bar has a little less and feels more natural. Plus the look much nicer! Updates to come soon. | ||
| Bartimus |
I do like the seat mod, those Uly seats are the most comfortable in the Buell line. Here is my attempt at an 1125 touring bike. 1125CR-T  | ||
| Whisperstealth |
I love it, very, very cool! You might be able to have a little cottage business doing conversions. Send a pic to Erik, see what he thinks. I see Ulys and 1125's that have been wrecked coming together in this way Make the best use of the parts possible. | ||
| Jules |
Jules highbars on a r are no problem. Just use cr top tree right? I don't like where the ignition switch ends up then and the steering lock doesn't work, but other than that it's good LOL I just cut/ground off the bar mounts and drilled the tree to accept a fatbar riser, with a angled riser (1" up and 1.5" back) it "Just" clears the fairing with drag bars but the mirrors had to come off ...so I fitted a backup camera instead. I used a CR high bar kit for the cables etc but have since gone back to stock as I did the same conversion to my ZX9R and like to have a bit of a contrast in riding positions. I bought a second hand top tree for $30 so swapping back was simple. | ||
| Dcc46 |
Nice work !!! | ||
| Jornum1 |
Thanks guys, Thats right Jules, wasnt thinking. I had the same issue before I decided to go uly and wanted some more comfortable bars. My solution was going to be to make some raised clip ons like what American Sport Bike sells now. But I wasnt really digging the look. When I wasnt able to use the Cr high bars on this project, I was tempted to do the same, grind off the top clamp and use some bolt on clamps. Also I have been thinking some more about my bracket setup for the top mounts of the subframe. I dont like how they interfere with the seat because they are mounted on the outside of the rail. I am thinking I am going to bend up a new set and this time mount them on the inside of the rail. I will then countersink the button heads on the outside and that should resolve the seats clearance issue on the outside rails | ||
| Dman |
It would've been so fun to have just come across that parked in a parking lot. I'd be like, oh, cool a Uly, oh, no a modded CR, oh, no, wait what?!?! And then would have sat next to it til you showed up to shake your hand. That's just friggin cool, sport, adventure, mad max multi-hybrid - and with smackdown handling and acceleration. I'm sorry, but what's not to like. Great job. | ||
| Rigid_frame |
I have 2009 1125cr and a 2007 XB12X Ully. I want to put the front and rear suspension from the XB on the 1125CR. Can it be done with the stock exhaust on the CR. If so email me and let me know how at sacraig@prodigy.net Thanks, Buellboy |
