| Author | Message | ||
     Waldo38 |
Merry Christmas to all my fellow Buell riders. Have a question about my X-1.Don't get me wrong I do love my bike but I'm getting older and have a bad back.I would like a more upright riding position or a different frame and make a custom.Does anybody know of a aftermarket frame that I can use my wheels,frontend,engine and etc.I'm open for all ideas.Thanks | ||
| Dc1 |
Well with a bad back I wouldnt suggest it but Redneck Engineering makes a hard tail chopper kit for the Buells. There are other Chopper options out there such as War Eagle,a soft tail. If you wanted you could use most Sporty frames with a little fabrication and retain most of the Buell components. Storz makes an XR kit for sportys that could be used for a retro street fighter look from the AMF days. Bottom line is there are lot of options out there for that motor. The ability to use the Buell parts is limited by your skills and or budget. I'm new to this board but I got my Buell to play around on till I chopped it up. There are many people here who know more about Buells specificaly who may be able to help you more. I hope this helped. Check out the following: Storz MCWorkx Performance Machine (Not a kit but some good ideas) Redneck Engineeing Nasty Bikes War Eagle DC1 | ||
| Outrider  |
Waldo...Try higher handlebars first. I don't know if Buell still sells them, but Flanders has a great set of touring bars for the X1 you may like. I picked up a set on Ebay last summer that really work well for me. Was some shop in Butler, PA and they were advertised as "Triumph Chopper" bars. Trust me, they aren't. Much like a dirt track bar but with a 6" rise and a moderate pull back. Very comfortable!  | ||
| Waldo38 |
Outrider, Did you need to get longer cables or just install the bars and go. Do you know where to search for these? | ||
| Unibear12r |
Would an S2 or S3 frame do? I don't know the exact difference but it would still be all Buell and my S3 is great on my "bad" back. Good ergos there. | ||
| Outrider |
Waldo...Just had to remove the flyscreen, lift the tank, cut some zip ties, reroute the wires and cables and put a few new zip ties on. No other modifications. Was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Then again, I got help (read: encouragement) via email from Bomber. Just found the box they came in. The company is Cycle Warehouse, 200 S. Main Street, Butler, PA 16001. Telephone: 724-282-7278. On Ebay look up motorcycle handlebars and you should find them. I noticed they slowed down their listings since Thanksgiving. Must be their slow time of year. Additionally, the handlebars are Emgo P/N 23-12552 and Emgo's description is H/Bar E-Classic 7/8" Black. Still am laughing about the Triumph Chopper bar description some bonehead at Cycle Warehouse thought up. If I remember correctly I paid the "Buy it Now" price which was around $26 plus about $6 shipping and handling. Hope that helps you out. | ||
| Outrider |
Whoops...forgot to mention you need to buy new grips. I got Buell's aftermarket grips at DaveS Sportbike Day in anticipation of the project and love them. | ||
| Waldo38 |
Outrider, Thanks for the info. I will look on ebay. Do you have the stock seat on? I have a problem with the seat also. | ||
| Outrider |
I have both the stock seat and Buell's Pegasus two up seat. If your problem with the stock seat is the two hard pressure points that nail your prostate when you move a little forward in the seat, the new bars will reduce or eliminate that. I prefer the stock seat for solo riding and now with the new handlebars I am actually sitting a little further back on the wider part of the saddle and it is nice and comfy plus I have room to move around for varying corner positions. The best part is you don't feel it in your back as your reach to the bars has been significantly reduced. I like the two up saddle but it seems to keep me forward and some what locked into a position. I like to move around on the saddle in the twisties and feel that hampers my technique. It is great when old what's her name wants to ride on the Buell rather than the Harley but as soon as she is off, the stocker goes back on. Another tip on the stock saddle is to have a local saddlemaker insert a gel pad to get those vibes off your prostate. Was going to have one put in mine this winter but don't need to now with the new handlebars as when I do intentionally slide forward in the saddle it is just for a few fast transitions and I return to the comfort zone right after. | ||
| Captainkirk  |
I have a bad back also, and have found the S3T bars on my M2 are really comfortable; much more so than the stock M2 bars. I believe they will bolt on to the X1 with no mods. | ||
| Outrider |
Capt'n...You are correct about the bolt on. Don't know if Buell still sells them but Flanders does. | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise)  |
With a bad back I would think the more straight up you sit, the more pounding your spine would take & you would hurt more. I had a broken neck..either the 2nd or 3rd vertebrae I cant recall..when I was 19 & as a result my back will give me troubles from time to time. When its acting up the last thing I want to do is be on my HD with the upright seating as all the weight is supported by my back & it hurts like hell. Yet I can get on either my X1 or R1 with the forward riding position where more weight is carried by my legs, wrists, etc & my back is just fine. | ||
| Unibear12r |
My Sportster was too upright and hurt my back a lot. The S3 is very comfortable and neutral. The XB12R can make me sore wile riding but my back feels GREAT afterwards. I think the position exercises my back similar to the same way therapy does and is a LOT less boring. Your not supposed to have any weight on your arms/wrists but keep your elbows bent and use your back to hold you up. It helps me a lot but might not be good for others so I'm not offering that as a wise thing to do. I have three disks in the L5 area rated as "severe" BTW. | ||
| Rek  |
I have to agree. The laid back postioning of my Sportster was brutal on my back. The upright style of my S3T is much more comfortable, especially w/ the Corbin seat. It's almost like riding my dirt bike. Rob | ||
| Waldo38 |
Thanks for all your ideas so far.I have to tell you since I passed 40 a couple years back a lot more things hurt.I also have dirt bike that I can't even ride anymore.Don't get me wrong I can tolerate pain just don't like it when I go out and ride.I will not give up riding totally like the doctor suggest.Bad disc at L 5. Thought sitting up more upright could help. Don't know maybe a better seat than the stock seat may help also.Need to try something different.I wear a weight lifting belt which does help. | ||
| Hodakaguy  |
You may try having a custom seat made to fit you. I'm also into BMW's and custom made seats are very popular in that crowd. There are several places that will taylor a seat specifically to your fit. The difference in a custom fit seat can be huge when your spending very long in the saddle. Try these links: http://www.homestead.com/prosites-rmcycle/ http://billmayersaddles.com/october25homepage.html http://www.sargentcycle.com/prodover.htm http://www.day-long.com/ | ||
| Bomber  |
Waldo -- seating comfort is a very individual thing -- the sporty and the big twins have far from an upright seating position -- rather, you're leaned back, even just a tad -- an X1 with taller bars may be just exactly what your abused person is wanting -- give it a shot, ain't expensive, and is likely to do the trick | ||
| Outrider |
Waldo...Bomber has an interesting perspective on the ergonomics and the following is some additional food for thought. Perhaps the bars I mentioned and the Pegasus two up saddle will put you in the near vertical position you may be looking for. The saddle sure is comfy and you can move around on it. It brings you a little up and forward. When combined with the taller, wider bars with a tad more pullback it takes all the stress off your back and wrists. I just like the freedom of the stock saddle for shifting my weight, hanging off, etc. Incidentally, compliments of the indiscretions of youth, I have 4 crushed disks in my lower back, three twists in my lower spine and three twists in my upper spine. Add to that both sciatics, carpal tunnel in both wrists and 24/7 pain in my left side compliments of a stupid accident in 1993 and you will get the picture. As a result, comfort and handling are my primary concerns. More important than just changing the ergo's of my bikes was developing my stomach muscles and lats. You don't have to do the sit up thing or go through any real torture to do it. Isometric contractions and other non-traumatic exercises will enable you to do it and you will be amazed at the pressure you can take off your back by supporting your torso with your stomach muscles and lats. Doesn't matter if you are slim or overweight either. The supportive muscles are still there. In addition to supporting yourself with your stomach muscles and lats, conditioning your legs to transfer your weight from your tush to the balls of your feet goes a long way to adding to your comfort on the rougher roads, railroad crossings, etc. Owning both an X1 and a Wide Glide, I have freedom of movement on both bikes. Yet, still rely on the stomach crunches for support. For me, the worst position is a near vertical one as that is were the suspension jolts your spine the most. FYI, for me, the X1 is much more comfortable for long distance riding although for just cruising, the Wide Glide is my pick. In closing, my doctors had me on a quite a few Meds to relax and relieve my back pain in my 30's. I let the situation get to me and went pretty dormant for a while. Then I decided to do the steps I mentioned above and ended up quiting the meds around age 41. Was the best thing I could have done. Now, if I screw up a couple of Aleve and a hot pad takes care of the temporary discomfort. Just wish that would work on my left shoulder, ribs, shoulder blade and collar bone. LOL Waldo, think about the above and just sit on your bike before making any changes. Imagine yourself in various riding positions and assimilate the support from your stomach, lats and legs. Once you find a position that feels good to you. Fake it with some towels under your tush and riding with your finger tips (or lashing some towel or other filler to the grips) to see what relieves the majority of your pains. Just don't do this in heavy traffic as your reflexes may be impaired. I think you will see a dramatic difference and get a better idea in which direction you want to go first. Bars are cheap. Saddle isn't much worse. I have extra's of both in new, in the box condition. So if you can't find them email me and we will discuss cost. Better yet, if you are ever in the Milwaukee area, you can try my X1 to see if it works for you. | ||
| Littlebuggles  |
I have low back and neck injuries but have actually had to go with more forward positions on my M2 to be comfortable; like Outrider, I find using my stomach also helps. Thing about leaning forward is it puts more weight on my wrists which makes my hands go numb. Probably carp in the tunnel from various activities over the years. Seeing the doc for that in a week or two, may have to get them fixed. Gonna try the crossroads bars and my brother in law is working on a set of multi adjustable bars for tube framed buells. We'll see how those work out. -Mike | ||
| Kevyn  |
...try an S2...with the touring style bars and pegs | ||
| Rex  |
I have a great S-2 for you to buy. REX 95 , Red bodwork with white frame, wheels. Carbon fiber dash, gas cap ring, and carbon fiber clutch cover. New tires, 16,000 miles. $5600 | ||
| Hdtrader |
Waldo38 - if your looking for a bit more upright riding position...try your local Honda Shop or metric bike store. I found that they have a very large selection of 7/8" handlebars made for ATV's, Honda's, dirt bikes, etc., that will fit Buells. There was a set for an ATV that was offered in Aluminum or Anodized Black that I wanted for my bike. May want to look into it. hdtrader |
