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Nicholas900
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 06:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just wanted to share my cafe-ish Buell build. If I posted this in the wrong spot please let me know. I'll be adding to this occasionally.

So for the build. The project bike is an 04 XB12R. I picked it up for a good price and it has low (3,700) miles and is pretty clean. It will make a good donor and seemed to run well and function properly.

As of now I am just in the very beginning stage. Wiring argh. The fuse boxes, ecm, horn, and lots-o-wires were located in the front fairing. So a finding spots to stash all the stuff and a fresh rewire were the first step. I moved all the bulky stuff under the air box cover and deleted the factory air box. I made a cover plate for the frame and welded on brackets for all the electronics. I used a K&N air filter and mounted the IAT sensor in it.

I did a breather reroute mod and bent 3/8 steel line to run down the inside of the frame and welded on a bracket to bolt to the oil cooler subframe. I used a catch can from american sport bike.
I also needed to do something with the gauges and wanted to keep the factory ones. So I welded up a new gauge bracket and mounted it to the triple clamp where the ignition switch used to mount. That will be relocated to the rear.

Next on the list is making a new tube subframe for the seat, and making a fiberglass seat with cafe cowl. Then mounting my Ballistic battery under the cowl.

After that I will be making an air box cover and a few other things. Hopefully done by March.

Here's a few pics of its current state:










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Chicknstripn
Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2013 - 05:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Front end looks slick! I'd like to do the same with my XB. I'm just not that confident with my abilities to splice nerves. How much of the wiring did you actually have to rewire and how much were you able to just reroute off the main harness?
Keep us posted on your progress. I think its pretty awesome so far



This is my "custom" tail(in progress). It's all the stock stuff trimmed up a little. I think it turned out good considering I had to make the undertail from fiberglass sheets I bought from walmart!!!!!
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Rickpxb12scgr
Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2014 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Looks Awesome and very BADASS.

I do have one recommendation though. You may want to reconsider relocating the ECM and FUSE BOX back into the tail section where it be stowed securely and protected.

REASON:

In order to get to all the goodies on the Top End and do Spark Plug Maint etc, you are going to have to juggle the ECM and FUSE BOX around in order to complete those periodic tasks.

Both have a history of having issues with loose wiring and connector malfunctions from harsh movement, being sat on and the constant bike vibration etc.

Just a thought to reduce any very potential future ECM and FUSE BOX Connector FAILURES.



Nice job!!!
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Newmans3
Posted on Saturday, February 15, 2014 - 10:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow, great work here! Any updates?
I have a 99 S3 that I am thinking about putting a Firebolt tail section on, has anyone on this site seen this done before?
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Newmans3
Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - 02:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Can't seem to upload pictures...

(Message edited by Newmans3 on February 19, 2014)
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Nicholas900
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2014 - 07:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If anyone is interested the build is being covered here.

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebo lt-XB12-XB9/XB12R-cafe-conversion


Busy pounding out an aluminum air box and seat. But should have more updates soon.

Thanks for the concerns on the ecm and fuse location. I built the electronics plate in a way to allow easy access. Not really any more to do than a stock bike. All the components will be mounted with rubber isolation pads. Its all still in mock up. I all has to come apart for powder coating and polishing.

Peace.
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Nicholas900
Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2014 - 06:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bike's done:







If this type of stuff interests you, click the link I posted earlier.

Peace.
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Froggy
Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2014 - 06:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Very well done!
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Kenny_gilgore
Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2014 - 08:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nick,

That is a beautiful Café Racer!

Now you need to take it to the Ace Café and test it out against the old classics. LOL

Kenny G
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Nicholas900
Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2014 - 09:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Froggy and Kenny.

But Kenny, I think we know what this will do to an old classic LOL.

Here's a few more pics:











































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Kenny_gilgore
Posted on Sunday, October 12, 2014 - 02:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nick,

If you manage to get your Buell to the Ace Café in London you might be surprised when some guy twice your age, on a 350CC Matchless Single or BSA Gold Star 500CC single, passes you on the inside of the first corner and the outside of the second corner you will understand what café racing is. LOL

Never the less your machine is beautiful.

Kenny G
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Figorvonbuellingham
Posted on Sunday, October 12, 2014 - 10:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It looks amazing and you have great skill. I kind of liked the other subframe better but I can see it doesn't follow this theme.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, October 13, 2014 - 08:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Very nice work. Great tip about pre-routing the wires, then pulling it back out on the bench, and then bundling it there to route it as a unit.

I'm copying that one...
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Tpehak
Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 - 04:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What kind of fuse box housing did you utilise?
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