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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 11:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What are the two blank "idiot light" spots in the gauge cluster for?

Was there ever anything there?
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Midknyte
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 01:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As I understand it, the gauge cluster is an off the shelf item (not XB specific), and as such, those lights might mean something or be utilized on other bikes they are being used on. For ours, nothing...
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Sweatmark
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 03:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Excellent question! Been pondering that myself for a while.

Here's my list "for the factory":

1. What about those two missing LEDs?! (... including how we might use them for something practical like shift light)

2. Why the push-pull throttle cables?! Plenty of bikes make due with just a single (pull) throttle cable and stiffer throttle body return spring.

3. Why so many different fasteners?! The XB's elegantly simple mechanical design contrasts with the pain-in-the-butt World Record number of different SAE, Metric, and Torx tools required for bike service.

4. Why use garden hose for the transmission vent?! OK, it's not garden hose, but darn close! Why use 3/8" ID 100+ psi reinforced rubber hose for a vent?

5. Why not publish the spring rates for the Showa suspension components, both stock and Pro kit? I called both Buell Customer Service and Showa USA, asking for the Pro kit fork spring rates, without success (all were polite, though). The XBs are equipped with good suspension hardware and fine-tuning information... better than most bikes! So why not share the info?

6. Why do the XB rear pulleys use that "snowflake" design?! Wish they had a simple 6-spoke layout that matched the XB wheels... all the better to make the belt driveline less threshing-machine-ish.

7. What's the deal with finger-tight fasteners all over the place?! Each time I've dug into the bike for maintenance and upgrades, yet another finger-tight (= finger-LOOSE!) fastener is discovered. Each fastener gets a liberal dose of Lock-tite when going back in, along with careful torque.

YMMV - My bike's a 2003 (very low miles, "spare" bike), so problems might be early production related.

Mark
Oregon
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 03:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I thought it might be a great location for an auxiliary light indicator as well as a grip heater on light. Would also be a great place for a micro-LED gear indicator.

The shift light would be good also, but it would be a little low. You could relocate a couple of the upper indicators to the lower positions and have the shift light indicator and gear indicator at the top.

There are always "extra" light slots for future expansion, but as I have seen it there have never been any additional expansions.

I have just never seen anyone do anything with those slots and wondered if there was anything out there.
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Sweatmark
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 03:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Glad you asked the question, FB. Would be cool to utilize the LED mounts for additional indicator, heated grips - great idea.

Please note, I'm not bitchin'... love my Buell XB. It's the American hot rod I've always wanted to tinker with. Spends much of its time partially disassembled, with me gazing lovingly at its Less is More design. You all know it's fun to ride, especially with personalized tweaks that make it fit each rider's unique style & requirements.

But what ARE those two missing LEDs for?!

(Message edited by sweatmark on May 21, 2007)
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 03:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What LEDs? Where are you seeing them?
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Sweatmark
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 04:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Better stated as "potential LED attachment locations".

Assuming that the two lamp locations shown in photo can be utilized for aux indicators:


Missing lamp locations
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 05:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That's where I am talking about. Those two bottom sockets are the "spaces" I am talking about.

Now if you move the plastic lens from the front cover that has the image of the oil can, high beam, N, etc. to the lower sockets (assuming they can be used) that would free up the slots toward the top.

I suspect, though, that all of it is hard stripped into the back side of the cluster.

In that case you could use these slots, but you would have to direct wire.

What are the stock bulbs that go in those slots?
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07xb12scg
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 07:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That's a cool find. Now somebody fab up a shift light with one of the existing sockets and give us a how to! ;) If it's possible and we give it time I'm sure it will be done.
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