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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Old School Buell » Archives OSB 001 » Archive through March 23, 2006 » New 1997 M2 owner needs advice on sensible mods (long, sorry!) « Previous Next »

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Baka
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Greetings Badweather bikers! Just got my first Buell. I love the bike, but I'm interested in some modifications to better suit my needs. Who better to guide me through this process than you guys? Heheh.

The bike is a '97 M2 with a number of modifications that aren't necessarily my thing. It has clip-ons and rear-sets (evidently Crossroads brand) and a Forcewinder intake, Vance & Hines exhaust, Corbin seat, etc.

The mission is to have an entertaining commuter bike that I can ride 3 seasons, and take some 3-day weekend cruises. I ride briskly, but I'm not a squid.

First, the clip-ons and rear-sets aren't for me. I'm looking at removing these parts and replacing with stock foot controls and a bar something like stock. What is the "path of least resistance" to re-acquiring the stock parts? Ebay, local dealership, something else? I'll be selling the stuff I take off if anyone is interested.

Forcewinder intake: I'm not about ultimate performance over practicality. I need to be able to ride in the rain sometimes and this thing seems like a "nice weather" only kind of mod. Should I go back to a "canned ham" type air cleaner? Any recommendations on brand? All I need is something that flows well and can be ridden in the rain. Maybe the Forcewinder is OK after all?

Stock flyscreen: I'd like a bit more wind protection. Any favorites? I'm thinking the National Cycle F-15 Sport Shield (smoke) might not look to bad and give me a little more protection. Any thoughts?

Everything else about the bike is sweet! For now, anyway.

TIA!
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Oldog
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 12:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Force winder is ok in the rain and the knee room is great, blast bars or similar will fit most likely and should work.

WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!
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Sandblast
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm interested in the rear sets and clip-ons, and I'll trade my stock parts plus $$. I have a 2001 M2. I think everything will fit??


I use a Hypercharger Pro for an intake, works very well and I ride in the rain all the time. I have never used a Forcewinder so I would only be guessing as to whether or not it holds up in the wet.

Give me a call any time about the parts 714 222 3108.
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Chasespeed
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 12:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

both my buddies here with tubers...have the force winder...and we all ride all year long..rian or shine...

Anyway, as far as bars...I am currently running a set of dirtbike bars...7/8 diameter...not as high of a rise as stock..but not as low as my crossroads(which I miss)....

you have a 97...which means, the odl linkage for the thing is "boomerang" style..

But the updates stuff from a newer M2 will work as well...as longas you have all the hardware....

Hope that helps...

Chase
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 07:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I second Chase's view. I have a forcewinder and have been stuck in some terrible weather with it. The BIKE doen't care. (the rider? yes a bit.)

Just get one of those "dryrider" sleeves for outside. remember to re-oil the element if you're stuck in the rain for a long time.

I also suggest you reroute the crancase breathers away from the filter since the forcewinder's default setup is more of a "condense and drip".
I routed mine to a simple hose going to the street but most like to put a little filter or a catchcan at the end.
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Bomber
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 09:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

the lil sock thingie that fits over the air cleaner ("dryrider sleeves") work aces -- I ran a forcewinder for a couple of years, and rain of biblical proportions had no affect on the bike whatsoever --

you'll be able to swap your rearsets and bars here for stockers, or something approaching them, I'm sure (already got one offer, I see ;-} )

with the small tank, your handlebar choices are very broad -- flanders has litterally hundreds to choose from

ditto on the crankcase breathers -- catchcan or small K&N are the best ticket
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Tripp
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 09:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i've seen some folks sporting a thunderbolt fairing on a cyclone, looks good has more wind protection and you can probably get one that matches your stock paint. otherwise i've seen givi screens on m2s that look good, firebolt fairings look good too!
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Baka
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

WOW! Awesome advice. I am in your debt. This gets me on the right track. Looks like I'm keeping the Forcewinder. Sandblast, I'll give you a ring this evening about the controls.
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Bomber
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 11:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Baka -- the front portion of your M2 frame is identical to that of an S3, so the fairing is a bolt-on -- not alot of effort needed at all
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Ceejay
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 12:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Baka-If sandblast doesn't go, let me know, as I wouldn't mind swinging a deal for that stuff either...good decision on the forcwinder, and if you got time and a fast connection, it doesn't hurt to look in the pics section for fairing ideas...
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Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 01:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Switch to Mobil 1 Gear Oil in the primary first, and carefully set the primary chain tension, before investing more money. That is by far the biggest bang for the buck for shifting improvement.

Make sure you have the updated front exhaust mount (beefy inverted Y). It will keep you from breaking exhaust header studs.

Depending on milage, you may or may not have had the inevitable rocker box leak yet. The new metal gasket parts fix that once and for all.

If it has not been done yet, follow the rejet instructions in the knowledge vault. Dyno tuning is better, but those are better then stock.

Next time you pull the primary, replace the paper gasket with the new metal one from the factory.

At 10k or so miles, drop your oil pump and inspect your oil pump pinion gear (tons of info in the knowledge vault).

Take the page in your manual that tells you how to set your belt tension (not primary chain tension), pull it out completely, take it in the back yard, and on it. Then set it on fire. Run your belt "scary loose", I set mine so it would *just* start to have tension when it touched the swingarm while I sat on the bike.

The forcewinder is nice, if you get one look up Aarons posts in the knowledge vault and make sure it is machined right (easy to fix if it is not). I would recommend running the breather lines back into the intake, it's not perfect for the engine, but it's not that big a deal (IMHO) and catch cans are a royal PITA.

If you speedo sensor goes, the new factory part will fix it, but the old part with a $15 cell phone charge cut and hacked in line will also fix it (for a lot less). If you want to be sure ($75 part?), put the voltage regulator in line now, but not all bikes eat sensors.

Lafeyette knew some good things about some swingarms and some drain holes... dig up his posts and ask him as well.

The oil filter from a Mustang GT works and looks great, but safety wire it in place with a clamp.
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Devdawg
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 01:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Baka,
Mounting a Firebolt fairing on an M2 was pretty straight forward...if you decide to go that way...let me know...I'll give you some tips on it.
You might also consider putting on a set of XB rocker covers. Simple to do and much better breathing.

(Message edited by devdawg on March 09, 2006)
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Bomber
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 01:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

gotta love mission creep ;-}

look out Baka, you'll have a Bonniville bike on yer hands if yer not careful!
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Devdawg
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 02:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Baka,

Check out the "M2 pics" thread

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/171973.html?1141568612

Lots of ideas....
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Lake_bueller
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 05:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sandblast...you may run into some troubles with the '97 Crossroads bars on your '01 bike. Remember the narrow tank on the earlier models. I'd recommend you check the difference on Crossroads' website.

Baka....personally, I don't like the Forcewinder. I'd go with the "ham can" or and S&S teardrop style. Both work equally as well on the old tubers. I run the CF race intake on my S1W and the S&S on my S3T.
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Devdawg
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 07:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I was thinking the same thing about those bars on 2001 M2...

Blast,
Lake is right...those bars are too narrow. I tried a set on my '99 M2 and they were way to narrow, the bigger manta tank is too wide.
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Jimincalif
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 08:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The Forcewinder flows a TON of air. Be warned: if your carb isn't dialed in for it, you can lean out at high speed. Not good.

I can't recall if that year M2 has a carb. IF it does, my advice: tell one of the better Buell/Sporty-oriented speed shops like NRHS what you have, what mods already and order a Mikuni 42 carb for it plus a cheap little adapter that will let the current Forcewinder adapt to the Mikuni intake side.

This is a seriously cool carb. I'm running one on a '97 S3 that came to me with a stock carb and Forcewinder and mileage is around 47mpg, power...well I'm not really sure because I modded a TON more stuff with the carb(see footnote) and the instant power response rocks.

(Footnote: the idiot I bought this bike offa ran the Forcewinder without re-jetting the stock carb. He told me otherwise. I leaned out at high speed, holed a piston. Rebuilt it myself to a Nik-a-Sil 1250, 10.5:1 forged domed pistons, 2004 heads, etc...and with all THAT mileage is similar to stock.)
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Djkaplan
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 09:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The Forcewinder won't flow as much air as the CF race filter. I recently replaced my Force with the race filter and it leaned out my already richened jetting.

The point is moot, though. I smashed the CF race filter cover with my knee on my third ride with it. It lasted maybe 60 miles and one wheelie. I put the Force back on the next day. It may not flow as much as the race filter, but it's the best compromise between flow and clearance out there. Looks cool, too.
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Sandblast
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 09:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm mostly interested in the rearsets, forgot about the tank thing though, thanks guys.
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Chasespeed
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 11:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

For reference....

M2 all years.. carb'd 99 and up, same header as the X1-S3(without the O2 bung)

99+ S3, DDFI
99+ X1, DDFI
98 and older Buells Carb'd

Chase
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