| Author | Message | ||
     Greg_cifu |
I was going to come in here and ask rhetorical questions of just how somebody could do this to an RR1200 but, after looking more closely at the bike, I figured I should ask questions before shooting off my mouth. This is how it looks. That's all that's left of it. Yes, it's mine. No, I won't sell it. Yes, I'm going to restore it. No, I'm not sure how. I have a 1991 Westwind to use as a model for the missing parts. Yes, I know the 4-speed frame is different--close enough. Yes, it has the rear engine mounting block (the keystone of the whole thing). Yes, I'm interested in parts if anybody has extras to sell (M1R fork with ACT, header, muffler, shock, top engine mount, front engine mount, shock mount, etc). What I can't replace, I will make or retrofit from later tubers. Availability of vintage parts will determine how accurately it's reassembled but, it WILL roll under its own power again. After getting it home, I realized that the tail section that I initially thought was an awful hack job or garage-made junk, is actually very professionally done. The symmetry is good, if not perfect. The highlight 'bones' follow the frame rails and everything terminates very precisely at the engine mounting plates. The seat was professionally made and is very well detailed. The bike has numerous other billet parts that were added to hold turn signals, the headlight, etc. The instrument panel was well done. If it weren't for the fact that this started life as an RR1200, it would have been a nice bike. Does anybody recognize it? Can anybody tell me anything about its history? There were only 60 of them so, somebody on here has to know this bike. I can only guess that it had a monster engine that was pulled for a freaking chopper (leftovers on the frame include dual coils and a nice ignition module). Could this bodywork have been from a "naked Buell" prototype? The tail looks as good as the glass on my Westwind. It was hand laid in a female mold so if it's a one-off, somebody spent some serious cash on it. I figured I should find out before it goes on the shelf and I start lurking around the offices of Airtech, buying repro bodywork. Let the guessing begin.  | ||
| Lynrd |
The back part of the tail section looks like a XLCR. And the seat looks like maybe Corbin...wondering if Corbin didn't blow that fender....they used to do quite a bit of stuff like that... Good luck with your project! | ||
| Leftcoastal |
I'm going to the MC swap meet in Long Beach this Sunday - I'll be selling off extra stuff and looking for stuff for my 65 Panhead - I'll keep an eye out for any early Buell bits. They do show up there on occasion. I'll call you if I spy any good stuff! PM me a phone number and I'll get it into my cell. I'm thinking you've been skipping your 'M-A' meetings, lately. "Hi - my name is Greg, and I am a motorcycle addict" | ||
| Coxster |
Congrats on the find. I love those old shifter mounts ( wish my M2 had them, just cause they're COOL! ) Good luck. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Lynrd: damn good eye! That's exactly what it looks like (even the tail light). They may have started with one of those, added the sides, pulled a mold from that and made this piece. I knew it looked kinda' flat-trackish but, couldn't place it. Al: PM sent. Thank you. Yeah, guilty.  "A clean motorcycle is a well inspected motorcycle" Marty Dickerson--1982) The chassis is now "well inspected" and I've found the first problem. It's obvious this was once a high-dollar, professional customizing job. As a result, the wheels are flawlessly painted or powdercoated--black. The only problem is: they're supposed to be bare. If it's not paint, how do I get that off? The only method I know to remove powdercoat is sand blasting. They aren't going to polish out after that. They just might have to stay black (ala: RR1000). | ||
| Lynrd |
You might try some good old fashioned Jasco stripper and let it fester for a day or so (re-applying as it drys)...if it is paint, it will come. Down side is, if it's powdercoat - SOME might come, and it will look worse than if you left it alone. A powdercoat shop may be able to use a bake off oven to make it possible to remove _ I've done that more or less successfully with frames that were to be re-powdercoated. With the end goal of polishing the wheels, though...you have a long road before you there... Maybe bake it off, then have them re-powdercoated silver? Not best, but closer to the look you seek. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Greg - got the #, thanks, I'll let you know if I see anything. Re: paint on wheels: I've found that industrial strength paint and epoxy remover will strip powdercoating. The other, typical paint stripper tends to only craze the surface a bit and doesn't even begin to remove the baked on powdercoat. I have a glass bead booth if you need to clean up any parts. Although, it won't handle powdercoating removal, it's good for that 'satin' finish on aluminum, and rust removal on steel parts. Al | ||
| Oldog |
Greg, Use an aircraft stripper available from most auto parts stores, it WILL take it off, if its powder coat. I had to remove clear PC from my '01 PMs you will have lots of work, if they are PC then you may have some corrosion under the plastic. I would not re-coat the wheels after polishing them My experience was that the PC cracks and water gets under it causing corrosion Good Luck the battle twin was one of the most beautiful of the early designs, to hack one up  (Message edited by oldog on June 22, 2013) | ||
| 01x1buell |
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&c ad=rja&docid=gHX0KKHgindeyM&tbnid=nbkxZGpSOIf_CM:& ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorcyclespe cs.co.za%2Fmodel%2Fbuell%2Fbuell_rr1000_battlewin% 252085.htm&ei=agzGUYbwB9D64AOPtIGQBQ&psig=AFQjCNEJ NoBO8UgDh611VEG-6KJro1zkvg&ust=1372020202158339 | ||
| Greg_cifu |
I found it. In 1996, Cycle World published an article on a radically modified RR1200 that an LA customizer built for somebody. I remember being shocked that somebody would gut a perfectly good RR1200 to build something else...like turning a Desmosedici into a Monster: what's the point? I couldn't remember what it looked like and wondered if this might be that bike. Last night, I found that magazine. No, my bike isn't the one in the magazine but, it's damn close in a lot of ways, including the tail section, headlight bucket, trimmed off passenger peg loops, the WP Roma fork, the instrument mount and there is that seat.  You can plainly see the similarities. My only guess is that by 1995, replacement bodywork might have been in short supply and after a race crash or other damage, there were orphaned RRs left with no bodywork. It's the only thing that could make this ok in my head. The guy who built them was the race team manager for a large LA Harley dealer and later went on to start his own company, making these customs. I'm deliberately leaving all the names out of this. He passed on a few years back. Google finds and archives this stuff forever. I don't want somebody finding this and thinking I've disrespected their loved one by undoing all of his work. | ||
| Rick_a |
Looks like it'll make a pretty cool bike, regardless. It's a one of a kind, for sure. On of the nicest Buells I've seen is one tastefully cafe'd in a random pic in a Hot Bike magazine covering a motorcycle event. I remember the pic but can't find the magazine. It had a custom tail, clip ons, Ohlins forks, a custom instrument panel,a large chrome single headlight and no fairing or windscreen. It was based on an S2 IIRC. I remember liking the fuel tank which I later discovered was a painted S2 fuel cell. | ||
| 1313 |
Greg, If the VIN is 13, I have 2 magazine articles on the bike. Well actually a photocopy of an article from Free 2 Wheel (For the Southern California Motorcyclist, Feb 1992) and an issue of Easyriders from July 1993. I found a short summary of the Easyriders issue here. Send me a PM so I have an Email address to send the scans to, 1313 | ||
| 1313 |
A preview...    I'm thinking it is indeed the same bike, 1313 | ||
| Lynrd |
SPROING!!!! Sexy....  | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Brankin, you are amazing. Yes, this is 013. I assumed the sequence number was for that calendar year and reset each year. Does the 013 mean this is the 13th RR1200 built of ANY of the years? I just bought a back issue of the Easyriders so just the FTW magazine scan would be great. Of the two shots you posted, you can see different states of completion. The Easyriders photos actually look older than the FTW, based on the status of the forks, exhaust and other details. I now know that the bike originally had Buell calipers. That would be bad news, except that I have a pair (is there an appropriate 'happy dance' smiley?). That photo is priceless to me. I'll use that to remake the lower shock mount. Absolutely no clue where I'm going to get an original shock. The cover shot of FTW shows the later Westwind front end and a different exhaust. That catch can on the frame rail is still there. I'll post lots of photos later tonight. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
OK, I've got a ton of pictures. Some are done being cropped and resized. I'll share not just for getting my own information but, because most people have probably never seen an RR this close or this disassembled (not sure if that's something to be proud of or not ).   Obviously the wrong gauges. Notice the 1" fat bars, the custom mounting into the triple clamp and the custom idiot light cluster. I am not sure if this is a Westwind triple or not. I assumed it was just drilled to take the bars but, the cutout for the headtube pinch bolt doesn't quite match my 1991 Westwind. Can anybody confirm or not?  The tank is still stuffed full of anti-slosh foam. I have no clue what the lining looks like.  | ||
| Loki |
Now if you ask nicely, explain what ya have and what you are going to do.... EFB Designs should be able to help. Like, with the proper drawings for missing parts. Things like the shock mount and front tie bar mount. | ||
| Blackm2 |
That is an awesome find! Why in the hell would someone do THAT to an RR1200?!!!! | ||
| Beardo |
To my eyes, those look like standard 1" bars, probably off a Sportster. The handlebar switches and grips would have been standard issue parts for the Buells back then. If that were my bike, I would return it to how it looked in the magazines. It is the only one. I personally love the look of that customized bike. And the actual date of the build may pre-date the Ducati Monster. Which is pretty cool, in my book. | ||
| Jolly |
opinions are like.... well you know...however...I agree, its a departure from the purist delivery of how that bike left Erik's hands, but what a cool part of the history with so many one off parts that are still completely intact! have you considered building it back to how it sits instead of "factory" design? It definitely takes it's cues from the HD cafe racer, even the tank emblem, if im not mistaken is pulled straight from that bike....the obvious question...where in the world did you find that bike and rescue it? | ||
| Trouble_enabler |
Awesome find! I just sold my XLCR about a year ago. Nice subtle details like the risers, handle bar clamp and gauge cluster looks just like the XLCR unit. Faring and seat were fiberglass on the XLCR, but my bike shook so much, it all cracked numerous times. Air tech has the fairing. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Loki: I don't know if you remember, I have one of the Westwind "kit bikes" to use to measure and copy the easy things like the tie-bar mount and shock mount. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/646039.html I'm going to try to not bug the mother ship too much until I get REALLY desperate for things like details on how to make my own ACT system.  Beardo: yes, the bars are "Harley normal" 1". I was differentiating them from the conventional 7/8" bars on a Lightning. The similarities between this bike and the S1 (not introduced for another 3-4 years) are hard to ignore. The tank was trimmed to sit entirely on top of the frame rails (not seen until the S1), the S1 later adopted a similar ducktail look, the same solo seat, etc. Jolly: yes, the quality of the build and what it might have represented is weighing heavily on me right now. What I WANT is an original, unmolested RR1200. This one has obviously been been modified so that ship has sailed. Even if I did a concours restoration, it's still a restoration, with Airtech body parts and a bunch of stuff I made to replace what was missing. If it's perfect, it's still not "original" and (IMO) places it at the bottom of the desirability ladder compared to the original museum bikes. That's still pretty good company but, originality counts and just might not be possible given the rarity of some of the parts (shock, exhaust, ACT system, etc). Where did I find the bike? Where else? Craigslist (seriously). Trouble Enabler: from the F2W article that Brankin sent me, I just found out that indeed, this tail was properly 'designed' and modeled from clay and foam. They sculpted the whole thing, pulled a female mold, then (ready for this), laid the whole thing up in KEVLAR! As I said: very, very high quality build. Not my taste on such a rare bike but, impossible to ignore. At Brankin's suggestion (OK, pleading), I'm going to keep the bodywork and other parts with the bike forever, regardless of the direction the rebuild goes. There was too much work that went into it and it's now part of the history. The fact that it will return from the dead is the most important thing at this point. It will get a restoration body. Other details are going to depend on the original parts that I can scare up or reproduce faithfully. More of that later. Now we get to additional pictures: Up on the lift for a bath.   I should have taken care to position the seat better. It fits very tightly to the bodywork.    | ||
| Steeleagle |
My 2 cents: It's an RR that someone modified and it happened to make the cover of a magazine. It's great that the history of it has been revealed, but for me, it's still an RR that someone modified for whatever reason. Not really any different from someone modifying an 1125R or X1, except that this one made the magazines. I'd hang onto the one-off parts and documentation that made it look like an XR1200, but I'd restore it back to a Buell RR. | ||
| Beardo |
Greg, I apologize. I thought you were inquiring about them. You are right on the money about this bike preceding the S1 with the similarities. I think that is pretty awesome. The vision the bike shows in the directions the later production bikes took is pretty cool to see. That is a precious piece of machinery you have there. I can't wait to see what you end up doing with it. Brian | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Machined billet cable guide, headlight mount and spool for the turn signal.  Later Westwind Roma fork and PM calipers attached to proper PM wheel, iron rotors and sand cast carriers.  Gambler caliper and original pads (with lots of life left!). Much of this corrosion came right off with 0000 steel wool and soap. There will be some replating needed but, the base metal isn't destroyed.  Here is an interesting comparison. This is the 1989 RR swingarm. Notice the lugs for the dropout blocks to screw into. It's hard to see but, there are marks on them. They look like they were either cut on a bandsaw and dog-eared with a belt sander or maybe quickly knocked out on a bridgeport mill. There are very visible marks all over them from handling.  Now the 1991 Westwind swingarm. Notice the block doesn't screw to the swingarm anymore. It's now a sand-cast part and the bikes grew a chain guard.  The keystone to this whole thing: the engine mounting block. Without that baby, this bike would never return to original. Notice how different the 4-speed engine mount is from the later 5-speed bikes. outboard of this casting, it's all familiar Buell territory: twin iso rubber mounts, feeding loads into the frame through the sand-cast side plates. Looks just like the S2 from there out.  | ||
| Lynrd |
Good thing that Gambler caliper is still together - The companies folded (both Gambler Motorcycle company and Gambler Competition, the Sprint Car company) about 5 years ago. I ran the Motorcycle company for a while, and I remember pulling one of the last of those calipers out of the bin to sell for another Buell restoration. IIRC, the internal components (piston, seals) and pads are exactly the same as the Wilwood caliper that looks the same. | ||
| Coxster |
Thx everyone for the pics and the history lesson : ) | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Lynrd, thanks for the tips on the Gambler caliper. That's good news for anybody reading this with an RR or Westwind. OK, more detail pictures. Can anybody tell me if the foot pedals are supposed to be drilled like this?  Compare that to the later Westwind with no holes.  The opposite side shows the same holes. The master cylinder fittings had a bit of rust but, cleaned up well.  And now we move on to the oiling and breather systems. Here is that breather mentioned earlier. Notice the hammertone finish. That finish was also on the shifter rod and transmission lever.  A peek at the oil tank and all the little detail pieces that made one up. I can't imagine how complicated all of this was to design and manufacture in small numbers.  | ||
| Zenbiker |
Wow, that is really cool. Glad you grabbed this one. Good luck with whatever direction you decide to go. | ||
| 1313 |
I assumed the sequence number was for that calendar year and reset each year. Does the 013 mean this is the 13th RR1200 built of ANY of the years? To the best of my knowledge, your assumption (sequence number is for each model year, and resets each year) is correct. I can confirm this pretty much through the end of the tuber years. During the XB days people started saying it was no longer the case, but I don't see why it would've been done differently - if it ain't broke... Glad I was able to help ID the bike & good luck - and perseverance - with the resto! 1313 |
