| Author | Message | ||
     Buelet |
I want to give my wife's '03 XB9S a TT suspension... Anyone know if it would be as simple as changing out the front forks & rear shock? What about the swing arm & belt? Anyone know if this will work? (reasonably & bolt-on) THANKS!  | ||
| Birdy |
Don't know for sure but if the forks are right diameter they should change right out. The rear shock may or may not bolt in to the swing arm. If it does you will not need to change the belt, you'd only need to change it if you go to the longer STT swing arm. Now as to how it will ride I don't know as Buell put a lot of work into get things just right and the head angle will be different on you wife's bike than an STT and the shorter wheel base may get things a bit strange and the handling dept as well. I seem to remember that the '03 can stand a belt upgrade to the newer tougher belts anyway but that needs pullies and guide as well. Let's see what others think. (Message edited by Birdy on November 08, 2008) | ||
| Buelet |
Birdy - Thanks for the input. It will probably end up not being cost effective, but the ride of the TT is alluring! ...Which got me thinking that since the rest of the bike works so well for us, why not just upgrade the suspension! The only other thing besides that & easily altering the cosmetics is the fuel range, but it's not THAT big of deal, really. As far as the belt. We've been fortunate with ours. We have two '03 XB9S Lightnings and have never had a bit of trouble with the belts on either. Admittedly, my wife's bike has had a pretty easy life, but I've not given mine any special treatment. She still has her original belt w/ 21K on it. Mine was replaced just because it was 5K overdue at 20K and now with 37K on it, it never even crosses my mind. Foolish... Lucky? Maybe, but that's just how I roll! I like to get ALL (or very nearly MOST) of the good out of things usually! --My own personal little design flaw!-- Thanks for the input!  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The shock mounts for are shimmed differently. You will need the longer swing arm and the new belt, It might be more effective to get a power works shock that brings you up that inch of clearance. That is not cheaper either. Are you looking for more ground clearance or just a taller saddle experience? | ||
| Buelet |
Cityxslicker - It's not the ride height that she's looking to increase, rather the cushy feel that results from more travel. If the TT had been a choice in '03, that's what we'd have bought instead. I have a Uly that I alternate riding my 9S with, and I love them both. I have a feeling that there will be an 1125 of some sort in the mix with them before long. That CR is calling my name... Must. Try. TO... Resist! But yeah, if I could make her 9S ride like the TT for a lot less than a TT or trading hers for one, that'd be great. It's either one of those options or possibly getting her an '09 12Ss, since it got the TT ride upgrade... But a left-over TT would be a much better deal, if enhancing her 9S doesn't pan out. Thanks for the input! | ||
| Birdy |
I think you'd be better off with getting an STT than trying to upgrade all the stuff to get the ride on a XB9. Sorry JMHO looks like a couple of grand to get the forks, shock, swing arm and belt stuff. and then If you have to pay to have all the work done...OUCH! And what will you have? A five year old bike that had upgrades. I know I paid less that $8500.00 for my STT when I got it as a current model! I wanted to build a Sport Touring bike and THEN Buell came out with the XB12XT so I will look at trading it in next year as it'll be cheaper than buying all the stuff to do what Buell already has done. Like I said it's just my 2 cents and worth what it cost. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
If they had had the TT when I was buying, it would have been the bike I bought. I always seem to have a nack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. | ||
| Xl_cheese |
+1 sell the 9s and buy a used TT | ||
| Buelet |
There was an '06 Ss being parted out on eBay. I mulled over the idea of putting the 9 in the 12Ss frame and then getting the new TT blacked out forks that I saw on the Buell website and such, and TT'ing that. It as all adding up very quickly, plus it would have been a lot of work. But it would be cool to have more fuel capacity w/ a 9 as the powerplant! Oh well... I was just hoping that it would be relatively cheap & easy to TT her 9. Maybe the cold weather is getting to me?!  | ||
| Rkutzner |
Remember the TT shares the Ss frame, not the S frame. Might there be issues with the rear shock length and/or travel mixing these ? I don't know the answer, a check between Ss and S part numbers may answer the question. Then you'd know the TT rear shock would be a direct swap. |
