| Author | Message | ||
     Hishers |
What would it take to put a standard S or R swingarm on an Ss? or is it even possible. | ||
| Glitch |
I'm sure you could, but why? | ||
| Swordsman |
I'm curious if the difference in framw widths between the Ss and the others would be a problem? Never been into one, so I have no idea. Is the handling that much better with the shorter swingarm? I've heard the Ss feels more stable, but never heard anything about it adversely affecting the handling. ~SM | ||
| Jaimec |
I imagine the longer swingarm is mated to the increased rake for handling reasons. Shortening the swingarm therefore could have adverse effects on handling. | ||
| Hishers |
If by more stable you mean duller handling then yes it's more stable. I would like to see if I can get handling closer to my wifes CityX and since decreasing the rake is out of the question, the shorter swingarm is the only possibility. Besides it will wheelie easier  | ||
| Swordsman |
Heh, by more stable I mean not as "twitchy" as the S-based models. They do have a rep for being twithcy, y'know.  (I personally wouldn't know... my Ss is the only one I've ever ridden!) ~SM | ||
| Hishers |
Just a guess but the twitchiness is probably proportional with speed. I just know I feel more confident on the CityX in the same corners than on my Ss. My Ss was the only Buell I had ridden and thought it handled great until she got her CityX. The Ss seems to want to upright itself and therefore I have to work at it more to hold a line in a curve. | ||
| Sub65chris |
you may be able to fix the handleling quirks you have and get it to move like a cityx . try to jack the rear end up adn transfer some weight forward. this may improve steering quickness. At least that was in a thread about suspensin settings that i read about a year ago. | ||
| Björne666 |
Hishers, let the fork tubes come up a bit in the triple trees. The will affect the trail (right english word?) and will make steering faster but will also make high speed stability suffer. But since you already have the extra rake, you may come back to the S characteristics. Raising the back end will affect trail in the same way. BR /Björn, Sweden | ||
| Jaimec |
Funny... I've seen the exact OPPOSITE of what you describe. The shorter-wheelbased bikes want to pop right up on ANY application of braking while leaned over. The Ss has far less tendency to do so. As a former MSF Instructor of over ten years, I realize that braking in a turn is bad form, but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do... Also, it's nice to be able to occasionally sneeze and not find yourself changing lanes. I do suffer from hay fever after all. | ||
| Glitch |
If it's handling you're after Björn has the right advise. (right english word?) yep  | ||
| Hishers |
Bjorne, thanks for the info but there is already less the 1/16th inch between fork tubes and handlebars so there's no room to move them up any more. Jaimec, should I duplicate all the suspension settings from my wifes CityX?Because I swear you pick your line on that thing and it's so easy to keep it there. Sub65, You have me thinking. My seat is shave down 2" and hers is factory which is almost an inch higher the the Ss. This puts my a$$ 3" higher on her bike and with the same rise handlebars I'm leaning forward more on her bike, hmmmmmmm. | ||
| Akbuell |
Jacking up the rear has the effect of decreasing the rake, as does moving the fork tubes up in the triple clamps. Both will tend to make the handling "quicker", at the expense of stability. That being said, a careful review of the manual to set up (and adjust) the suspension to your weight and riding style would be appropriate, if you haven't already done so. Possibly increase tire pressures to the high end of spec. A change of tire brands (hopefully others here can chime in) may help. And as to your original question, the shorter swing arm may fit, but then the drive belt needs to be modded, ect. A simpler solution may be a CityX w/a big bore kit Ride safe, have fun. | ||
| Blasterd |
Hmmmmm. What would it take to put the longer Ss swingarm on a CityX???? Man I wish you lived closer. Ken | ||
| Beachbuell |
Anything is possible with enough cutting, grinding, welding and money........ But, why? | ||
| Jaimec |
Suspension tuning may be the answer. All Buells respond to even the tiniest tweaks in adjustments. My advice is to set up the Ss according to the factory recommendations in the owner's manual for your weight (and make sure that weight INCLUDES all of your riding gear). Once you have it set, take it out for a spin and decide where you want to go from there. When I got the bike I thought it handled just fine. After reading all of the comments here on the DRAMATIC difference proper suspension set up can make, I spent the 15 minutes or so to set mine to the factory recommended settings. WAH-HOOOO!! Man, I LOVE this bike now! | ||
| Babyhuey |
i got a swingarm of a lightening short, already of the bike if you want to trade? let me know.-andrew | ||
| Metalstorm |
"The Ss seems to want to upright itself and therefore I have to work at it more to hold a line in a curve." What tires are on the Ss? Some types such as Dunlops make the bike want to stand up. The Pirelli Scorpions on the 9SX are great tires. | ||
| Hishers |
mine has the Diablos | ||
| Metalstorm |
Ah.. well.. so much for that idea. Ya can't go wrong with Diablos  Only thing I can think of is suspension. Maybe too much front preload or not enough rear preload. I have no experience with the Ss but my S was pretty sensitive to front & rear preload. Steering was a little heavy & she resisted corners a bit until I upped the rear preload a notch and the front just a hair. Since then, it now turns in at the speed of thought & sticks. More food for thought anyway | ||
| Hishers |
Preload was the answer, I had forgotten that I had taken the rear preload down 2 notches so I could touch the ground easier. I have since shaved the seat. I raised the preload up 3 to the setting for my weight and it is a whole different bike. Don't desire a shorter wheelbase anymore. Thanks everyone for your input. You saved me a bunch of money and time.  |
