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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » Archive through November 01, 2018 » Adding more light to the ULY « Previous Next »

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Vortec57
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 11:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My uly is OK, but as all Buells its lacking in the light that it throws ahead of it. On my firebolt I put in HID bulbs and ballasts. There isn't a lot of room to hide a ballast on the Uly.
Has anyone added auxiliary lights to their Uly and been happy with them? Or perhaps HID with smaller ballasts?

The Ebay kit on my Firebolt had people always coming to the dealership I worked at wondering who rode the bike with the really bright headlight. I kinda wanna be that guy again.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

ddmtuning.com has motorcycle kits with small ballasts. I fit one in the flyscreen of my Uly, no problem. Hell, I have one in my CR!
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Tleighbell
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 01:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have one of those kits too. Works fine
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Pnw_ulys
Posted on Friday, September 07, 2018 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Happy with Rigid Industries LEDs mounted in former turn signal stalk locations (running CR mirrors/turn signals).





Although pricey, like the PIAA H-7 bulbs - - my experience with automotive replacement bulbs is less than satisfactory, think the vibration on the Uly is too much for them. . .

Paul
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Swanthog
Posted on Friday, September 07, 2018 - 02:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A recent night time off-road adventure left both aux lights and hi-beam blown. I replaced them with these LED versions:

(From Amazon)

OPT7 Fluxbeam LED Headlight Bulbs Pair for Motorcycle - H7-6000K Cool White 60w 7,000Lm 6K CREE

and

Auxbeam LED Light Bar 4 inch 18W LED Pods 1800lm Spot Beam Driving light Offroad lights

I'm loving them!










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Dtaylor
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2018 - 04:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Lawrence, what tire is that you're running on the front?
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Portero72
Posted on Monday, September 10, 2018 - 08:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Swanthog-

How did you mount those daymakers?
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Vortec57
Posted on Monday, September 10, 2018 - 01:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Swanthog, thanks man! that's one of the setups I'd been looking it.
Appears youre throwing out a lot of light, just what I want to do
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Fernus
Posted on Monday, September 10, 2018 - 05:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hi Swanthog, did u have to leave the dust and water covers off of the headlamp assembly to fit the led h7s?
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Swanthog
Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 - 11:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sorry for the late response. I've been out in the wilderness the last few days.

Dtaylor,
These are MT60's a 60/40 tire. I've been running them for nearly 1 year now. No complaints so far. They handle graveled logging roads well. I haven't tried them in mud yet.

Portero72, Fernus,
The headlights mount in place of the stockers. The stock rubber dust boots have to removed unfortunately.
The spots mount to a horizontal bracket left over from the former (crappy) spots. I'll get a pic of the bracket for you guys tomorrow.

(Message edited by swanthog on September 11, 2018)
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Swanthog
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 - 02:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

As promised, H7's installed:







Spots mounting:




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Portero72
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 - 03:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Swanthog-

Thanks! That gives me ideas. I've had a pair of ADVMonster spots hanging around for a bit...
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Vortec57
Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2018 - 04:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My LED bulbs made a HUGE difference. Now to find time to add in my spot lights and I think ill be able to see tomorrow morning from dusk
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Skinstains
Posted on Monday, October 15, 2018 - 09:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have a pair of Baha Designs HID Fuego's mounted on a similar (home-made) bracket. While they cost me a fortune, they are worth it. Two 4" sun's whenever you want them. These were bought before the quality LED stuff was readily available but I don't regret them at all. As long as you buy quality products I think you can expect to be happy. My lights have 30,000/35,000 miles on them and did not fail until my "friend" threw them down the turnpike at (probably) triple digit speed. The housings and internals seem fine, just need new bulbs I hope.
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Skinstains
Posted on Monday, October 15, 2018 - 10:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Tried to post pictures but I apparently suck.
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Skinstains
Posted on Monday, October 15, 2018 - 10:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Still
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Ourdee
Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 - 07:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I take pics with my phone. Then email them to myself. I resize them to 10% in the email before sending. Then down load from email and put in post.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 - 01:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

For the phone I have an app called "Image size", a quick and easy resize program. Type in a pixel size and it shows you your filesize in KB. Android or iOS, in both stores.

Computer, I use paint.net - same deal, pick a dimension, "save", then use a slider for quality % until you hit the magic 99kB file size.
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Skinstains
Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 - 11:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I needed to put old pictures up as my "campground-creeper" Uly has been properly wadded up by my used-to-be friend. While I like to think I'm pretty good at alot of things... the whole computer / phone / tech stuff is a fair distance from my wheelhouse. I'm more than competent at searching, naked ladies and forums though so I'm ok with it.
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Swanthog
Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 - 09:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

This seems off-topic now but I was asked in this thread about my MT60 tires and I replied "no complaints" but haven't had them in the mud. Well, I've been in the mud with them now and it was frightening! I was flying down some logging roads with friends and there was a long muddy patch. The bike started sliding around and the front end felt as though it was tucking under -- I thought I'd go down for sure but somehow remained upright. Scary! So, I'm running TKC80's now:




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Portero72
Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 - 07:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ummmm. Your exhaust fell off.

Side note. Is the bracket for the auxiliary lights 1/4 inch aluminum?
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Sagehawk
Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 - 11:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

On the other hand, lots of ground clearance! Seriously, what exhaust are you running?
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Skinstains
Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2018 - 11:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Before TKC-80's were available for our hoops I stretched a TKC-80 150 onto the rear of my Uly and ran an MT60 on the front. Not long after I bought the narrowest TKC-80 front and proceeded to hand cut the knobs off the sides for fork clearance and tossed that MT60. Boy was I happy when they started making them in Uly appropriate sizes.
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Swanthog
Posted on Friday, October 19, 2018 - 09:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Portero72 - I'll get back to you and get another pic, noticed the one provided doesn't show much.

For exhaust, I welded up some left over 2.5" pieces and stuck a spark arrestor on the end. It exits right at the left highway peg. It's not ideal but I love the clearance.

The Uly took flight for the first time on the same trip it almost went down in the mud. I had adjusted the suspension a couple time until it was nice and supple. Another rider said I was completely airborne ... the suspension was so compliant I didn't even notice :-)







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Roostre
Posted on Friday, October 19, 2018 - 03:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That bike looks awesome Swanthog! Especially with TKC80s.
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Arry
Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2018 - 02:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That does look cool, without the underslung muffler. Looks more like a dirt bike (except the highway pegs), with good ground clearance. Also, you ditched a good bit of weight.
Interesting arrangement you came up with, for an abbreviated exhaust. Does it work well, or is it an experiment?
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Swanthog
Posted on Monday, October 22, 2018 - 09:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Portero72 - The aux lights are attached at the fender mount using 1/8"-3/16" flat aluminium bar.

Arry - The spark arrestor is working well -- still has good volume and sounds lopey. It's a lot like a supertrapp. I tried taking some discs out to lose a few dB but it was way to restricted and robbed quite a lot of power.

Here's the spark arrestor I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MZAK7EY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Aux bar bracket:









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Portero72
Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 06:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the info on the bracket, Swanthog.

Not to rain on any parade, but I was curious how long the muffler had been that way. Would it not stress the header bolts to have it suspended so freely? The other aftermarket set ups take the header to a muffler which is strapped to the motor.

But I've never claimed to be a genius. It certainly looks badarse.
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Swanthog
Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 06:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

True, this would be much to heavy to leave freely suspended. I used the stock muffler mount location on the lower front of the engine to attach a bracket that is welded to the exhaust.
The entire rig fell off on a return trip from the coast once after the bracket broke. The culprit was poor choice of material for the bracket. I welded it back up and strengthened it ... so far so good.
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