| Author | Message | ||
     Hardcorps103 |
I am buying a CityX pretty soon here, I was just wondering the time it takes to do different modifications. I am in the Marines and I don't have a whole lot of extra time to do things. I will have the bike by the end of '06 (I might just grab an '07 model depending on what they come out with) so I was seeing if I could get a head start on anything. Any help would be great (including ideas for mods etc.) | ||
| Buellistic |
Hardcorps103: Leave it stock and learn to ride it like you stole it ... Semper Fi | ||
| Hardcorps |
Think about changing your profile name also!  J/K Hard Corps USMC 1999-2005 MOS 0331 | ||
| Hardcorps103 |
What unit were you with HardCorps? I am going to learn to ride it first, I just try to get ahead of the power curve so I can budget and plan.... | ||
| Bhalili |
hey buellers, i got my first buell last week. it's a 2000 bright orange cyclone. my old bike was a hawk gt650. the buell is way different than the little hawk. i love the new bike but i've gotten mixed reviews. any advice for a new buell owner? what am in in for? so far, i'm getting about 22mpg. i've read that average is about 45-50 mpg. the bike came with a staintune exhaust and a k&n air filter. no tach so i'm not sure if it's idling right. it stalled a couple of times while idling. also, anyone have a 2000 clone service manual for sale? thanks, ben | ||
| Jlnance |
Hey Ben, Welcome to Badweb! I used to have a Cyclone. It is a fun bike, you will enjoy it. You should definitly be getting much better than 22mpg. The cyclone comes with a tach, so someone must have removed it, which is kind of odd. They Cyclone has a manual choke which is located near the fuel cutoff valve. You pull it out to start the bike and push it in after the bike warms up. Are you leaving it pulled out all the time? That might account for the mileage and stalling. But in any event, something is wrong for the mileage to be that low. Keep posting here until it gets straightened out. There are a lot of very knowlegable people here, who can help you out. - Jim | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Welcome Ben, You don't know it but you're riding the *best* Buell. 2000 model came tach-less. I like, and my M2 prefers, to idle @ 1100 (if the bike's not molested you'll have a manual idle adjustment twist-knob somewhere near your right knee. First thing I'd do is change the plugs and look for fouling. It'd be a good time to change your fluids as well. Give us some more information and you'll get the answer,,,,how many miles? State of molestation? Exhaust? Breather? Etc, etc, etc. G2 | ||
| Bhalili |
thanks guys, i am actually trying not to use the choke as much as the manual tells us to and the mileage got a little better. i tried adjusting the idle speed but it's hard to get an accurate idle speed without a tach. how do you think i can check idle speed without the tach. so far, i go by sound and vibration. too low and the bike runs slower and dies out sometimes. too fast and she jerks during shifting and shakes like a crack addict in rehab during idle. trying to find a happy middle. i checked the spark plugs...a little rich but not too bad. i think i might get new ones tomorrow anyway. i saw a service bulletin from buell saying to change the plugs from 6r12 to 10r12. does the different plugs make a difference in performance? it's hard buying a used bike with very little history. getting it to run the way i want it to takes some detective work. the bike has a staintune exhaust, k&n filter, crystal clear oil when i checked last week. everything looked stock and clean. i'm only finding upgrades as i go along. the bike has no scratches, dings, or stains. it looked showroom new so i thought it's all good. it still very well might be. i just like getting it to run the way i like it. i really appreciate the positive replies. like i mentioned, the reviews have been mixed on reliability. thanks. | ||
| Josh_ |
Keep the choke off unless it's real cold. >shakes like a crack addict in rehab during idle that would be normal. Too low will damage the engine, too high makes shifting and low speed manuvers more difficult. The new plugs will keep it from pinging when otherwise setup correctly, but at 22MPG you running rich enough that should not be a problem. (do change the plugs tho). Riding it gently you should get ~50MPG. You might run it by a good Sportster/Buell shop (after you change plugs) and get the timing and jetting checked. Better yet - find a good dyno in the area. Best $100-$200 you'll ever spend. Who in San Fran can recommend a good dyno tuner? | ||
| Jackbequick |
Bhalili, I added a tach to my 2000 M2 and love it, I would not be without one. The Buell has a narrow operating range compared to most bikes it is pretty subtle to judge engine RPM because it pulls like a tractor from about 1,800 RPM up. If you're an ex-HoKaSuYa rider the seat of the pants impressions are very different. And you can get hurt trying to ride it like one of those. On the M2, 2,500 to 4,500 RPM is a very happy pulling range for around town riding. I know San Francisco very well and you want to spend most of your time in 1st and 2nd gear and in that RPM range. The rev limiter will cut in at 6,800 RPM and it will run funny. Here are some speed and RPM figures that will help you get a feel for the M2's engine speed. 1st - 8 MPH = 1,050 RPM (recommended idle speed) 1st - 26 MPH = 3,400 RPM 2nd - 38 MPH = 3,400 RPM 3rd - 49 MPH = 3,400 RPM 4th - 59 MPH = 3,400 RPM 5th - 70 MPH = 3,400 RPM Note that the 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 MPH numbers are good, all around easy riding, up and downshift points. With my M2 running good, I tend to hold engine at a little above idle and use the clutch to control my speed in parking lots or other slow speed maneuvering. The gearing is just a little tall for smooth clutch out riding with the engine a little above idle speed. Setting the idle speed by ear is pretty subtle because of the idle speed being close to useable riding speeds. I'd set it to a smooth idle speed. You will get vibration in the bars, seat, and body panels at that speed. If you speed it up until the vibrations smooth out, you are probably somewhere up around 1,800 to 2,000 RPM. At the recommended 1,050 RPM, a slow smooth clutch release with no throttle will get you rolling easily on level ground. But unless you have done the traditional slow speed jet/idle mixture screw modifications all M2's and other early tubers with CV-40 carbs will be rough running and jerky at low engine speeds. They are simply too lean with stock jetting. The carb mods are a pretty easy do it yourself job and it has been described in detail numerous times in the Knowledge Vault. Also, another key thing on the tubers is that the rubber seals between the intake manifold and the cylinder heads can harden, crack, and develop inlet side (suction) air leaks. That also contributes to rough low RPM running. Most people recommended replacing those seals every two years or so. It is a job easily done by a competant home mechanic. The best way to use the enrichener is to pull it full out, don't open the throttle, and crank and start the engine. It will idle pretty fast. After about 10 seconds, push the enrichener all the way in as you slowly roll the throttle open until it is running smoothly (1,800-2,000 RPM by tach, bars are no longer vibrating madly, etc.). Hold it at that steady fast idle for a full minute or even two minutes. Do not blip the throttle, that will make it backfire, especially if you have done the carb mods. After one full minute the engine will be warm enough to idle but the idle speed will be a little low until it gets fully warmed up. But you can ride it easily if you are not a compulsive throttle whacker. In about 15 months of ownership, using the knowledge that resides here, I have turned my M2 into a smoothing running, dead reliable, absolute joy to own motorcycle. I have eliminated the classic problems, in some cases even before them became evident, by cashing in on the experience of others. I am a mature person, a pretty good mechanic, and willing to put my hands on my motorcycle. I want to do my own service and repair work and think the happiest Buell owners are those that do not abuse their bike routinely and are willing to work on their bikes. Jack | ||
| Jayvee |
Vallejo HD-Buell is set up for Dyno, one of the guys posts on this board sometimes. One thing about these is the warm-up time, some riders only allow few seconds, but my M2 takes two minutes. It shakes unbelievably at idle too. Worse than previous big singles, or twins. It's real nice at the right speed though. | ||
| Bhalili |
thanks guys, i changed the plugs today with the 10r12 instead of the 6r12. i saw a buell service bulletin saying to use the 10r12. i'll see how that works out. all the advice are very helpful. i will keep workin' on the bike and ridin' it. i'm sure it will do me right. i'm new to working on bikes...just finished a motorcycle maintenance class and was able to get 2 dead bikes running. i certainly enjoy it but i work out of a carport in my SF apartment. the tips on shifting speeds and idle speeds will help a lot. any suggestions on where to find a tach? a local shop suggested tiny tach but i think it's for 2 stroke engines. i'll keep you all posted. thanks again. | ||
| Bhalili |
what's that tube sticking out on top of the gas tank for? is that the gas tank vent? it came out and i can't find where it goes under the tank. does it actually connect anywhere? do i need that? the clone seems to run better without it. right before it came out, the bike stalled at a stoplight and kept stalling after starting. when i parked, i was checking out the choke, idle, carb and that tube over the tank and i tugged on it. when i saw that it was out, i tried to start the bike and it ran fine. i hope i don't sound too ignorant. thanks for the help. | ||
| Ralf_m |
Just a question of inexperience really.Having only ridden my X1 for a couple of hundred miles before the winter and having ridden nothing similar to compare it to.The vibes that occur until @2500 rpm then disappear pretty rapid .Whilst I don't have a problem riding round them are they normal or is there something to look for.I sense they are just the character of the bike But I figured there was no harm in asking | ||
| Cajun_lightning_girrl |
Help! My husband wants to sell his 01 S3. I can understand him wanting something new, but he is not considering Buell! He says the 1200 motor is too rough, and the XBs are too small and not "sport touring". He thinks a Triumph Thruxton will be great (but hasn't ridden one yet) I think he'd like an XB9 Firebolt. Any suggested arguments would be appreciated. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Hi Cajun, I am a multi-brand bike owner. One thing I can say with absolute certainty is that bikes are extremely personal things. Your hubbies definition of sport touring may not be the same as mine - but I think the Lighting Long makes an excellent sport tourer. I have friends who swear by their Uly as the best sport tourer on the market. For me - I put bags on my M2 or my Firebolt when I want to sport tour - for just touring duty I take the HD Ultra. While I also have a 4cyl (Jap bike), I prefer the simplicity of the 2cyl HD engine. A rough running engine is a sign of some mechanicals needed - when they are "up to snuff", they are as smooth as can be. My advice would be to get him to a dealership during a ride day - let him ride whatever they have. The differences in the bikes are quite dramatic and worthwhile to understand before you do anything. | ||
| Wsplrll |
Tell him to read the latest review of the Triumph Thruxton in Motorcyclist magazine Might change his mind? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Ride the Thruxton, unless he is under 5-5 and under 130 he wont be comfortable on that bike, even for short rides. The wrist angle on those clip on bars makes it anything BUT a sport touring bike. Technically I suppose you could throw a set of bags on anything and call it a touring bike. ;P The ergos on the Buell are much more long distance friendly. The new TT is out or coming soon to a dealer near you. Have him demo. And as for a shorter Uly, the City X does a nice job when dressed right. Pic in profile | ||
| Bigdaddy |
The Triumph is perfect (if you're a horse jockey.) That's a cramped up little bugger (I also think the Firebolts are cramped up too,,,,S's not near so bad, but still little,,, How big is this gentleman? If he's smaller than Uly size he could test a TT? | ||
| Ngregory |
I just bought a 06 XB12R and love it. I'm trying to find some info on what i can do to modify the engine a bit. (exhaust,EFI kit...)Any suggestions?? Thanks | ||
| Baggermike |
Warning Manchester HD Buell sucks big time, I bought a ulysses in july and asked them if they were coming out with any upgrades for 08 and was told no, so I bought the ulysses and after 6500 miles mostly hyway miles and it broke, I felt it break, and told them I felt it break and that the top end needed to be rebuilt, so I had them come and get it, I also told them it was my only transpertation and I needed them to get it up and running asap, it broke in mid october, and did not get it back intel the first week in december, first they said it was the oil pump, then they said it was a clogged oil line, and I told them something broke, and to cut open the oil line to find what was clogging it, they said they only could do what harley told them, like cutting open a oil line is major work? I could do it in less than ten minutes, plus you could hear the top end making allot of noise, so after I get it back I find out that they did not put the exhaust fairing on right, some screws were loose, and some were tight, but the one right in front was only half way in, and striped, and sticking out like a sore thumb, plus they scratched the paint I put on it, now oil is coming out from the rear head, so they screwed that up to, I also tried to get a good deal from them on a new ulysses because it was taking so long to get my bike fixed, and told them I wanted the 1125R to, and they they treated me like I did not matter, so if this is how you want to be treated at a dealership buy there, if not go someplace else. I found a dealership in Maine and they gave me five hundred dollars off the price of a 1125R, and when they drop off the bike, they are picking up the ulysses, which is now my sons bike, I gave it to him for lending me the money for the 1125R plus I will still get to use it to. Big Moose even took the time to look at it in the afternoon with out a appointment, I had forgot my key's there and was coming to pick them up, and when I got there, which was late friday afternoon, they took it apart and found the rear cylinder leaking. This is how a dealership should treat its customers, even my son was impressed by them, so I would highly recomend Big Moose Harley Buell of Maine, to anyone looking to buy a bike. |
