| Author | Message | ||
     Stretchman |
I am just curious at this point, but I have been looking at a number of Buell bobbers online, and on Youtube and stuff, and I really like the way that they look. Most of the people who say they use donor bikes for parts say that they get them from Buells that have been salvaged and stuff. WHy I am posting is that although I have seen a lot of frames. seems only the frames that mount the old tubers, like Paughco are really the correct geometry. In order to use a lump like Buell in a rigid, you kind of want to make certain the rear stays planted on roll out, because there might be a lot of undue stress on the neck if that front comes up, then lands, not to mention that it might get a little squirrely. So frame geometry is important. Buells themselves are bluebook right now for about 3-4 grand, while a bobber built from a Buell can fetch twice that. People who have them say that they're a nut to ride. There's a lot of power in these engines, and donor bikes cost less than buying a stock powerplant on it's own. Frames can run anywhere from about 700-2000 dollars plus. I am unaware of anyone making any kind of replacement frames for Buells, especially XBs. Does EBR do any kind of MSO replacement? How much does a frame run? Some manufacturers of aftermarket frames will do frame swaps and give you a title with the bike, but it isn't cheap. Would EBR consider doing frame swaps for a bobber frame? There's only one reason I am asking. As far as lumps go, Buell lumps are top notch. They are engineered from top to bottom to get up and go with a minimum of resistance, and are just as good in the straights as they are in the twistys. With the proper geometry, the front wheel wouldn't come up, so instead of lifting 400 lbs plus rider weight, they would be putting that torque towards the horizon. That equates to jack rabbit fast off the line. Light to Light, nothing would touch it. ZTL braking systems are the best in the world. Forget ABS. ZTL will bring you to a dead stop. Again, it comes down to geometry. Not everyone wants to do a stoppie. With enough weight in the rear, no rise. The theoretical question, if the answer is no to all of the above, is that if, theoretically, anonymous was going to do a frame, what geometry would he suggest? How far out on the swingarm, and how much rake? A tight package looks better, but if you were going to swap part for part, what would you do? Just some food for thought. Worst case is that you might get a frame back that doesn't have issues, so that someone else could rebuild a bike, and someone else might get a bike out of it all that they really want, and might be worth more. Best case is legitimate matching VIN numbers. To watch some of the best engineering in the world just vanish without so much as a whimper? If you can't beat em, beat em at their own game. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I don't know what your thought are, but I'd like to hear them. | ||
| Toona |
Would EBR consider doing frame swaps for a bobber frame? No meaning to shoot you down, but why would a company like EBR want their VIN on a glorified minibike frame? Not to mention the legal ramifications of having their VIN on a frame they didn't produce/stress test/verify opening EBR up to unknown number of lawsuits for incorrect assembly, construction, weld quality etc. I understand the background behind the question, which up front, seems rather simple. But once you delve into the cruel realities of this litigious society, it's a road I wouldn't even want to think about going down. In regards to doing a frame swap, if you had a totaled frame, WHILE BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY was still operational, I believe you could send the damaged frame back for a reassigned VIN, but it would only go back on a "like kind" frame. I'm not sure if this is still possible with BMC being closed. I wouldn't think that EBR would have the legal right to reassign a VIN on another companies frame. MAYBE HD could still do it? I dunno. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
www.redneckengineering.com at one time they were selling fully built kits with MSO's Back before the economy took a shaite and the EPA/DOT Nazi's decided to come down hard on the industry. Their 'Buell Mutant' is delicious. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Somebody posted up on here about a spine frame kit for an XB that looked rather nice. Can't for the life of me remember who makes it though. | ||
| Glitch |
http://bottpower.com/eng/?p=302 Is this the one? | ||
| Stretchman |
http://bitterendchoppers.com/SportyFrames.html http://www.bareknucklechoppers.com/buell.html These guys also do frames for them Buell XB with a kit that will take everything from the donor. Thing is, aesthetics for a lot of these frames aren't as good as the so called cheaper ones. In simpler terms, all the intricate curves, etc, don't make the bike look better. I guess what I'd really like to know from all of this is what the ideal geometry would be. Thing is, I am 6'4", and I have a Buell SS right now. I love riding it, but I still feel cramped on it, and I look like a dork. Buells have the best engineering of any motorcycle out there, and they run like all get out, but, when it comes to looks, they lack. That's why a bobber fetches more on the market than an original bike. Twice as much. Doesn't make much sense. The XB motor, the braking system, nothing better. Where else can you find a motor that does 130+ out of the box and can get anywhere from 40-70 MPG? The ZTL brakes? Two finger stop on a dime. The most responsive bike, no lag in input at all, but the ergos? That's the issue. Wish they could have found a happy medium. | ||
| Jb2 |
Bobbers are cool regardless of the power plant. Buells are fair game in my book... especially pre-EBR units. I'm working on a project bike right now. I had the fame built by a certified frame man in Indy named Jon Ard. The frame is done in chrome-moly and comes complete with MSO for title purposes. I designed the frame, he built it; it cost $1600.00. His welds are a work of art alone. He often talks of lesser frames made by Santee, Paughco, etc. There is no substitute for quality. http://www.ardcorechoppers.com Good luck and happy building! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
taller seat, lower pegs. thousands saved - you will need it for repairs after you get dirty on the SS with a set of knobbies....DAMHIK | ||
| 86129squids |
VERY interesting thread, Stretch. I've imagined a bike (others have too) that involves fully adjustable ergos, via hydraulics, to convert say, a Gurney Alligator to a sport and back, NBD. Modern technology should and can allow it, it just hasn't been tried for motorcycles. BTW, with fixed ergos, I'd LOVE to run an Alligator (thumper spec) through the Gap... don't think it'd be a slouch at all. | ||
| Ducbsa |
If I had an XB engine, I'd rather put in one of these frames: http://grandnationalreplica.com/ | ||
| Psykick_machanik |
Its sure nice to see a positive thread on Buell Bobbers. Buell made a great engine and its great to see them living on in peoples creations. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>If I had an XB engine, I'd rather put in one of these frames:<< Oooh yes. Me too. Deus Ex Machina do a similar bike with a big block. I covet it greatly. The bobber examples shown so far don't really work for me. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
86 - what about the custom VRod bike built by Gold...somebody. I cant think of the builder, but it has two sets of pegs/shifters/brake levers, adjustable on the fly suspension to lower it for cruising or raise it up for more sport riding. Really cool custom bike the guy did. A buell-based bobber isnt a terrible idea. But I am just really into bobbers that much. Now my friend just traded for a sporty with a buell lump, buell front end, buell rear wheel. Wow what a bike! I love it. | ||
| Kilroy |
That sounds more like a Buell with a crappy frame around it | ||
| Moxnix |
Deus Ex Machina's "American" model fills my tooth for cafe racers. Too bad my knees do not bend as easily as they used to. | ||
| Stretchman |
Yeah, that's my issue too. Great motor, great brakes, but the riding position kinda kills me now. I did get my Buell up and running this past weekend, and thankfully, had a sport seat sitting around. Puts me up higher, and I could actually sit on it for more than a minute. The motor is addictive. Because of my current financial stuff, I am probably going to end up selling it, and just keep the Harley. But I might be back on another frame someday. Sux to be over 50. | ||
| Wheelybueller |
One of My employees XB12R/Redneck 107rwhp  |
