| Author | Message | ||
     Suprman12r |
i've seen buells that have their pipes polished to where u can see ur reflection, how is this done? another question my drive belt stretched so i bought a new 1, how hard is it to install and how do u do it? the bike is an 04 12r. thanx 4 ur help. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Welcome to Badweb! The pipes are usually polished using sandpaper from medium to ultrafine grits followed by a polish (like mothers, eagle one, of flitz) applied with a paper towel then buffed out. Changing drive belts is something best done following the proceedure in the service manual. The 04 belts are much tougher than the 03 belts you'll hear a lot about, but I'd return the 04 belt and get an 06 updated belt. They are direct replacement and MUCH tougher. | ||
| Honu |
Suprman, The drive belt should not stretch to the point of you needing a new one, it only becomes loose when the rear axle is loosened alot, check the axle. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
What Honu said about the belt. As to polishing the pipes, I did the following: 1. Sanded out the tool marks in the headers with 320 wet or dry sandpaper 2. sanded the scratches out with 400 wet or dry. 3. Many members report that there appears to be something special about the Eagle One Mag and Aluminum polish for this application. I would definitely agree. As Brian says, rub the pipes with the Eagle One on a paper towel until the towel gets really black. Then buff with a clean soft cloth. The pipes with get a golden color after an hour or two, but will stay shiny for quite a while. Only takes a minute to re shine with the Eagle One.   Before After This job took about an hour the first time. | ||
| Suprman12r |
i do alot of wheelies, burnouts etc. i noticed a big loss in power. when i looked at the bike i saw that the belt was hanging off of the cog a little. i took it 2 the dealer and they said that it wuz stretched. i kno that they're supposed 2 last the life of the bike but i guess they just can't take that much abuse. | ||
| Bads1 |
Boy did I start a trend with the Eagle One. If you think you realllllly need sand paper fine but I didn't. With several just a few applications I got this. I've been using this stuff since '99 on my tuber. Papertowel is your abrasive and rubbing briskly will bring it down. Then polish it off with a soft terry cloth. Good luck.  | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I've not seen a bike with a 'streched' belt. And I know plenty of people that ride very hard. Also, the belts on '04s are not 'lifetime' belts. | ||
| Suprman12r |
regardless if it wuzn't supposed 2 or not, it is stretched and frayed so i have 2 replace it. i have the belt and ready 2 do so, but if anyone has any tips or tricks on how 2 do it i'd greatly appreciate it. also how much is the chain conversion kit? | ||
| Diablobrian |
http://www.trojan-horse.co.uk/ has a chain conversion as does American Sport Bike I have the Halspa.com version (very pricey) and I can't say enough good about it. The best thing about it if you're doing wheelies and such is the ability to change the final drive ratios. And the fact the chain won't fail suddenly without warning. (Message edited by diablobrian on June 29, 2006) | ||
| Don668 |
Is there a difference in procedure with the coating on the '06 pipes? | ||
| M1combat |
You'll want to remove the belt guards. It's easy and you just need a small allen. Makes getting the new belt on a lot easier. It's certainly doable with the guards on though. Be sure to get the pinch bolt. Try not to twist the belt. That said... I rolled my current belt on without loosening the wheel... Going strong for 15K miles so far. I need a new tensioner... but the belt is fine. You'll need to remove the swingarm brace as well. They say to be sure to have the belt loose while the brace is removed. Something about tweaking the swingarm maybe? The manual doesn't say as I recall. Use anti-sieze. If you don't have a jack, the bike can be placed on two jack-stands (with padding) under each side of the swing arm... They're very difficult to get situated just right so you can get access to removing/installing the belt though. I've hung it from rafters as well... I've also used DHM swingarm sliders. The whole process of putting a new belt on is easier with the tensioner removed because you don't need to lift the bike. Be sure to know the torque specs on the tensioner and have a torque wrench as well. | ||
| Statik |
just did a quick 15 minute eagle one on my pipes after seeing this thread. I just happened to have an old (atleast 10 yrs) container of eagle one in the garage.   | ||
| Ratyson |
Looks like I will be purchasing some eagle one on the way home this evening... my pipes look pretty ragged. | ||
| Glitch |
Do they look raty?  | ||
| Ratyson |
Yes, as a matter of fact, they do  | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
I am depressed. I tried it (without sandpaper) and it did absolutely nothing. Didn't even make a bright spot in the area I tried polishing multpile times. I assume I bought the right stuff. Is it like a big wad of cotton that you rip pieces off of? For the record my bike is an 03'. Wonder if that has anything to do with it? | ||
| Bads1 |
Nope you bought the wrong stuff. You need the paste.Wadding stuff sucks!!!! | ||
| Barker |
Gentleman_jon & Bads1 your pipes look great! Did you have to take the headers off to polish it? Can It be done without removing the pipes? | ||
| Bads1 |
Yep I,ve been doing mine on the bike since day 1. | ||
| Barker |
bads1, is that a "yep" it can be done without removing the pipes or is that a "yep" you have to take the headers off to polish it | ||
| Bads1 |
I do them on the bike!!! | ||
| Barker |
sorry Bads1 My post had 2 questions and it was confusing, Well I'm off to buy some eagle one. Thanx 4 the help. | ||
| Brineusaf |
 Damn, I missed the big discussion. I polished mine (they look alot better in person) after sanding them with an "off-brand"(not eagle one) and they look very very very good. I spent a fair amount of time on them though, and yes, did them while they were on the bike. | ||
| Suprman12r |
brineusaf can u still c the gauges w/ that tank bag? where did u get it 4rm and how much does it hold/cost | ||
| Brineusaf |
suprman yes I can still see the gauges, but when I expand it the extra distance I have to lean a lil' extra to see them. It's the Buell Tankbag, available from Daves or Al (Sponsors) and is also viewable at buell.com | ||
| Brineusaf |
As for how much it holds... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/201868.html?1149321328 | ||
| Sgthigg |
I say let em blue... |
