| Author | Message | ||
     Starwolve |
Greg - I already have a replacement cooler, so that will work to get it going. I'm not sure what you mean by "W" bracket - If the "W" bracket is the one between the lights and the magnesium fairing bracket, it is indeed shot. There are several mounting tabs not shown in the photos that are broken off. If you're referring to the bracket that the oil cooler mounts to, then yes, I've seen a few on eBay relatively cheap, and it appears to be steel, so I can probably bend that back in place or re-weld the mounts for the cooler. There' really not much in the front end that survived the wreck. I'm working on a deal for forks and new triple trees, but if that falls through, I'll be watching eBay and the classifieds here. The trees might be okay, but judging from the amount of rash on them, I'd rather replace them.} | ||
| Greg_e |
Looking at the bracket more closely I see that the cooler and VR mounts are welded to the W bracket: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buell-XB-engine-mou nt-W-bracket-lightning-firebolt-blk-/300537179288 Notice the selling price so you may not want to even deal with bending it back. | ||
| Starwolve |
Thanks Greg - I found another on on eBay tonight for less than that one. For the price, I can't justify messing with the bent one. One less thing to have to fix, for not a lot of $$$. | ||
| Starwolve |
I found a fairing stay and left side air scoop on eBay from the same seller - so I guess I can start bolting the front end back together once I get the fairing stay. I think the primary cover is going to be the hardest part I have left to find - there's 2 on eBay, but the buy it now is over $200. Time to start digging around. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
You might want to check out buellsterparts.com | ||
| Starwolve |
Thanks Terry - I've been watching Buellster for parts, and using it as a baseline price for negotiating on eBay as well. Also, some people here are really great in offering parts for sale over on the "Parts wanted" section. I can't say enough good things about the people I've been dealing with on here, they all go out of their way to help a guy get a Buell back on the road. I will post an update soon on the parts I still need - I'm working with a couple people here for some of the miscellaneous parts, and I'm still trying to pin down a friend who might have a set of forks for me. I have some time to find all the parts, since I'm headed overseas for the Army again, but I hope to have them all ready to go when I get home on leave. If my leave falls in the winter, at least I can work on the bike and have it ready for when I get home. I will still have to go through the process for inspecting a salvage bike in New York, so that might take some time to get the appointment with the state. | ||
| Greg_e |
Salvage title is not so fun in NY, I read what goes on and decided I would never try to get a salvaged title. | ||
| Reepicheep |
In Ohio the salvage title is weird. I went to the title office, told them the insurance company I was dealing with wanted proof I had salvage title. They took my old title, shredde it, printed me a new title that said "salvage". I send that to the insurance company for the girl that clobbered me, they send me a check for the difference between bike value (very fair, thank you USAA) and buyback value (also very fair, thank you again USAA). Now I fix the bike (which was already fixed before I got the salvage title), and pay the DMV a $60 "inspection fee". I make an appointment with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for an inspection (currently running 2 to 6 months out). I take that certificate to them, with the bike, and they inspect my bike to make sure (no joke) that any doors, hoods, or trunks that I replaced have reciepts to show where I bought them from. If I haven't welded a stolen hood to my Ulysses, they stamp the paper saying "passed". I take that paper *back* to the title office with my salvage title, and they shred the salvage title, and print me... you guessed it... a perfectly normal title (no doubt after a $30 fee of some sort). Go figure.... | ||
| Greg_e |
So it sounds like all salvaged machines need to be "sold" to someone in Ohio (don't forget the notary stamp on the signature, "fixed" and inspected, and then sold back to the original owner (again don't forget the notary). NY makes no difference between insurance salvage and repair or any other kind of salvage which means they take several months to search the world to make sure it is not stolen, make you go to a special DMV inspection office, and then even after it passes I think it carries a salvage stamp. Summary here: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/salvexam.htm It all adds up to you are better off buying a clean title frame than trying to put a salvage on the road. it might be worth getting this title investigation going while you are away so that hopefully it is fixed by the time you get back, then all you need to do is repair and get the special inspections. The more I read, the more expensive this gets... It looks like there are about $500 in fees that go to getting a salvaged vehicle back on the road, you can often pick up clean frames for $600 to $1000 and avoid all the mess. | ||
| Starwolve |
The inspection is $200 in New York. If I run into problems, I'll go the titled frame route. I know it's not going to be easy, which is part of the reason I'd like to have it back to road worthy conditions when I'm on R&R - that way I can schedule my "salvage" inspection for a few weeks after I'm home for good. I also have a friend who runs a local shop with a manufacturers license. He's been through this a few times, and will probably help me out and make sure I'm good to go. | ||
| Greg_e |
The info I looked at said the inspection fee was $200, plus an extra salvage title fee of $100 and a couple other stupid things. If your friend has a manufacturers license, then you might get him to manufacture a custom frame??? Grind/weld the VIN off the original and stamp in his new number? | ||
| Starwolve |
Just to bump this up and add a quick update - the local deal I had for the forks fell through, so I'm looking for a set of forks. There's a set on eBay for $350, but they won't budge on the price any, and they're pretty scratched up. If anyone has a lead on forks, a primary cover, or a black front fairing, send me a PM. Those are the 3 big items I still need to source. | ||
| Greg_e |
Would it be worth considering 1125 forks and triples and fender and axle? | ||
| Starwolve |
Funny you should mention that Greg - I've been looking at them on eBay and trying to figure out what it would take to make them work. I'm new to Buells, so I'm not sure how much difference there was between the models and will have to do some homework. The top tree has the bracket for the ignition, but I'm not sure if it uses the same one, and what else it would take - axles, width, etc. Has anyone on here done it? (Please post a link if you have one!) I haven't really searched the tech section too much, but I'm headed there next... | ||
| Greg_e |
I know someone has done it, but I can't remember who or what they needed to change. | ||
| Froggy |
I've done it, I run 1125R forks on my XB-Long. I also have spare 1125 and Firebolt trees laying around, so I went and compared them quick, the only difference I can see is the holes for the forks are larger, being 47mm vs 43mm. Allegedly the 1125R forks are a little longer than the XB, so it may raise the front of the bike. I can't confirm or deny this without getting off my ass and measuring both sets of forks. | ||
| Starwolve |
Thanks for the info Froggy. Hopefully I can find a set of forks, even if they're the wrong diameter for my trees. I can always look for a different set of trees. The ones I have now have a good amount of rash on them, anyways. They look straight, but I'd feel better replacing them when I can. | ||
| Starwolve |
Once again - the members of this board continue to amaze me. Someone here PM'd me with a spare set of 2004 trees and forks at a reasonable price - so I can check that item off the list. There's not much left to get this Firebolt back on the road now! Thank you for offering the parts to this rebuild, I hope to do this bike justice and have her back on the road as soon as I return from my deployment! | ||
| Starwolve |
A quick update - I'm home on pass for a few days before heading to Afghanistan, and I just couldn't resist working on the Firebolt. It was like Christmas in my garage when I lined up all the parts:  I'm still looking for a fairing and a primary cover, but I pulled the primary so I could see the damage.   There's a hole worn through the cover on the lower shift mount, and the clutch cable broke off at the threads. I was able to back the threads out with pliers, and I have a replacement cable. I've been reading up on the differences between the covers, and it looks like I can use a 06+ cover if I replace the shifter shaft (clamped in the vise grips):  This shouldn't be too difficult, and might make the search for a primary cover a bit easier. I'm waiting to hear back from a couple forum members who might have a cover for me, and if that works out, all that remains to find is a new black fairing, some throttle cables, and a few misc connectors that might be broken in the front end. | ||
| Nadz |
Posting in epic thread. This is fun to watch. Saving pictures! -Nadz | ||
| Dfishman |
Nadz, We missed you this year on the June ride.Always next year. | ||
| Greg_e |
Do you need to split the cases to do the shifter shaft or does it just pull out? I wouldn't split the cases unless it is really required, there's a lot of stuff you might as well do if you split the cases and none of it is really very cheap. Since this bike had an impact, might be worth taking a close look at the rear engine mount to make sure there aren't any cracks around the bolts. Be prepared to cut the heads off those bolts if it does need to be replaced, for something that is like 25 foot pounds I had the most difficult time with two of mine and ending up cutting two of the heads off. They are all replaced with regular hex head bolts now (grade 8 from Autozone). | ||
| Nadz |
Yea Donnie, it killed me but a job had to be done. As compensation I wheeled the piss out of my HMMWV out in Cali. Fort Hunter Liggett's (non-)roads were the worst(=best) I've ever seen. I did make it from Cape Cod to Salt Lake City on the Uly after that though. So many awesome roads, so little time. I'll see y'all next summer for sure! | ||
| Starwolve |
Greg - I think the shifter shaft can be changed out without splitting the cases or anything too complicated. I will be sure to check all the motor mounts when I dive into the full rebuild. It doesn't look like the motor took the direct hit, just the front forks, but I want to be sure. I think the damage to the primary was mainly from the shift pedal breaking off. Nadz - Glad to see you finally chimed in on this thread. You know this bike will on the road again, and I'm glad you let me have the chance to put it back together. I'll let you know when I'm home on R&R leave so you can come over and help me with the rebuild! I'm back at "lovely" Fort Bliss now - headed to Afghanistan soon. It was nice to turn a few wrenches while I was home on pass. | ||
| Nadz |
Yo Chris, sorry I didn't get down this weekend, but I f-ed up my back somehow so just fixed a buncha little things on the Rubi. I'm out of time for the Grand Tour now too. But I had enough fun this summer. One thing- I'd go the welding route on the primary. Yes, JB and similar epoxies are "machinable" but IIRC they top out at about 7ksi in flexure. Even basic cast aluminum is 20-30ksi yield. Bottom line- I don't think metalized glue will take the bending moment caused by a good shift stomp. If not a new cover, build up a big blob with the TIG, quench it for hardness, face it and drill a thru hole into the case. All so you can send more threads into real metal. Use thread sealer and forget it. Worked for an exhaust stud on my old Camaro! And if a drop of tranny juice sneaks by every now and then, you'll have the first Buell Self-Lubricating Shift Linkage. Tell the hoggers it's another Buell design innovation they'll never get. | ||
| Starwolve |
That's the plan - weld and rebuild the shifter mount. The real issue is finding a good welder who will do aluminum. I have seen aluminum side covers warped beyond use when someone gets too aggressive with the heat. I'll cross that bridge when I'm home on leave. I think one of my friends can do the welding, and County Line has a good Bridgeport for the machining. If they can't do it, I know a guy who likes to use the CNC's at his school... right? | ||
| Greg_e |
For the accuracy needed on that shifter mount, a Dremel to level it off and a hand drill would be fine. A set of files on that hole would do the job too. With the amount of surface area that cover has I doubt it will warp unless someone goes at it really heavy. A quick pass, knock the slag off, another quick pass, etc. I bet you could find someone in the motorpool that could weld it up real nice. I forget if you said Army, Airforce, etc but I bet the guys who repair the choppers up at Drum could do a good job on that cover for you. One thing to look at is other areas that might have been bent, these are cast aluminum so it would likely leave cracks anywhere it is bent. It would be a good idea to blast the paint off and check carefully for more cracks. | ||
| Starwolve |
I just thought I'd check in to say "hello" from Kabul, Afghanistan! This place sucks - but that's sort of expected in a war zone! I've been living out of my rucksack for the past week, and I'm still traveling to the base where I'll end up working. Not much new to report on the Buell - It's all in storage until I get home, but I made a deal on a fairing a few weeks ago. It was funny - I bought it on eBay, and it turns out the seller was about 10 minutes from my house! So a buddy picked it up for me. He's probably on this board too, as he said he has 3 Buells. (Would the guy from Mattydale NY, please stand up?) I also swapped the Uly muffler I had for a XB12R muffler with another member here, so that's one more thing I can check off. I'm going to order the throttle cables before I come home on leave, but other than that I just have to wait it out. Thanks again for all who have helped with parts on this rebuild! | ||
| Brumbear |
I am sure you will have it purring like a kitten sooner than later.Keep your head down and be safe over there.Looking forward to seeing out on the roads next season. Dave | ||
| Starwolve |
Just a quick update - I'm still in Afghanistan, and have finally gotten settled at the base I should be working at for the remainder of the tour. I've managed to find almost all the parts for the Buell, so I'll be having fun rebuilding this bike on my R&R leave! The only part I'm still missing is the bracket for the headlights, but Buellster has that for $40 if I can't find a used one cheaper. I found a spare primary cover on eBay a while back, so the broken one will be a back-up once it is repaired. Thankfully, badweb isn't blocked on the Army computers, but photobucket, flickr, etc, are - so I can post, but can't see most of the photos on here. We just got an office area assigned to us, which we've been waiting for. It's nice to actually have a place to work and store things from care packages, since my little 5x9' room doesn't have a lot of spare space! I'll try to post some photos once I get to a MWR computer. |
