i've toyed with the idea of picking up an XB9R one of these days.

10/20/2010 11:41:12 AM

you can pick up a 9 for under 3k now if you dont need it to be perfect. Also, R versions seem to be more plentiful on the market and less expenisve than S. There appears to be no concensus whether 9 or 12 are better, but everyone agrees that XB9s are more rev-happy and a responsive to the throttle, while 12s are significantly torquier and have better acceleration, so it really comes down to the rider preference. Also, some color combos were 12-only or 9-only.

I must say that it is like no other bike that I rode before (just like many hundreds of other reviews would tell you, haha). I will post my impressions after I put some miles on it.

10/20/2010 11:59:56 AM

yeah, a 9 would have plenty of power. i'm more into handling and braking than huge acceleration. i can't believe how cheap they sell for.

part of me wants another crotch rocket. part of me wants to just keep the SV650. part of me wants a Buell.

10/20/2010 12:19:54 PM

what a fucking week. break my ass getting to dmv on tuesday then trying to get insurance so no time to ride.

today i go to the garage and the bike wont idle correctly. as i go to throw down the stand and get off i trip a little and manage to half drop it so i let it down really slowly. no dmg except the stupid shift lever bent in. no problems even close to that in the class so im really annoyed.

ordered a spare i think should fit and used brute knuckehead force (with some lifting weights) to bend it back to what should be an acceptable angle. i'll try it again tomorrow.

[Edited on October 20, 2010 at 8:32 PM. Reason : btw the bike turned on and kept idle fine after i picked its ass back up]

10/20/2010 8:30:51 PM

F00 When you going to bring the new toy to MT for Much need motor mods????

10/20/2010 10:32:06 PM

Quote :

"Just save up another $500 and get a decent bike. I only spent 1500 on my first one and I've wanted to kick myself so many times for not just spending a little more, considering the amount of work it's needed. Not any major stuff, it's just little tweaks and tunes, tons of small stuff that adds up. I see 1st gen SV's in good shape going for around 2k all the time on SVRider. Save up and get one, you will not be disappointed, and you will be able to recoup most or all of your money if/when you upgrade."

If I could sell the damn turbo that's just taking up room in my closet I would have more than enough. Should have gotten a bike, not a bunch of car parts.

10/21/2010 12:07:37 AM

motorcycle buying season is just starting

you have plenty of time to sell your stuff and then buy what you want


of course, you ARE budgeting for riding gear, right? At a bare minimum, you'll be in it for a few hundred dollars.

10/21/2010 12:58:39 AM

^Yeah I am budgeting for that. I already have a helmet so at least that's some start. I actually also have nice SNELL SA helmet too, not sure if that is DOT legal or not for a bike.

10/21/2010 2:06:05 AM

Anything Snell is DOT approved. Snell is much more stringent then DOT, and in some people's opinion detrimentally so. Don't know about SA/M interchangeability though.

[Edited on October 21, 2010 at 9:53 PM. Reason : .]

10/21/2010 9:51:59 PM

Quote :

"What are the differences between snell SA and snell M standards? SA Standard was designed for auto racing while M Standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences between them 1.SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not; 2.SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets may not be street legal); 3.SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not. "

So, some SA helmets may not be street legal for motorcycle racing due to field of vision...but I bet most are. I used to use an SA2000 helmet for my motorcycle, I think it had a DOT sticker as well though.

10/22/2010 8:57:22 AM

cyclegear is having a sale this weekend, might pick up a cheap exo-1000 helmet for 120 bucks. I'll probably pick up a 2nd r6 this winter for a track whore.

10/22/2010 9:19:20 PM

^oh word?

I've been thinking about getting a leather jacket that actually fits. Any recommendations? Is A* worth the money? (i've got two textile jackets, a joe rocket that is a little small, and a courtec that is a little big).

10/22/2010 9:52:07 PM

^^^^ detrimentally so? what's the argument there?

10/22/2010 11:03:28 PM

^the argument is that the dot helmet can actually transmit less force to the head because its only tested for one hit, where the snell helmet must survive 2 hits. This allows the shell to absorb more of the impact when it cracks.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html

[Edited on October 23, 2010 at 6:47 AM. Reason : link]

10/23/2010 6:32:11 AM

Anyone know of a good machine shop around Raleigh that will do some simple engine work(boring, valve lapping, etc.) for me?

In related news, it took half a can of PB blaster, a torch, and an impact wrench to remove the oil drain plug. It's going to be a fun project, I can tell already.

10/23/2010 2:42:29 PM

No one knows of a place to have engine work done around Raleigh?

10/24/2010 7:07:49 PM

machine shop at carquest in cary is pretty good.

10/24/2010 7:43:31 PM

Getting the tags today Probably will put a "low" Buell seat on it and a steering damper, but otherwise plan on leaving it stock. It is almost too clean to chop up (although tripleD4u may say that's crazytalk), especially now that they dont make them anymore.

10/26/2010 7:51:14 AM

lose the rear fender and you're good

10/26/2010 9:50:58 AM

that thing looks like a good time, hell yeah. that front disc is no joke

^ i was about to say the same thing

10/26/2010 10:09:14 AM

I actually like the "cheesgrater" (rear fender). Some people chop them off, but I think it actually looks good from various angles. It's a cast aluminum piece, unlike plastic and stamped pieces on some other bikes, and is a pretty logical extension. Not to mention that you would get hosed any time you rode in the rain without it as short as that tailsection is.

But a lot of people, especially ones that go fo the European streetfighter look, chop them off and sometimes raise the tail section to give it more of a "stunkbug" or "crouching tiger" (depending who you ask) stance.

10/26/2010 10:27:02 AM

watch out for warped rotors and bolts rattling loose. my buddy had a xb12r with 45k treated him well despite that stuff

good idea on the rubber bumper/sliders for the gas tank

[Edited on October 26, 2010 at 10:46 AM. Reason : .]

10/26/2010 10:45:07 AM

^yeah i heard about the warped rotor, rear wheel bearing, and clutch cable common issues, but overall everyone tells that the XB series are reliable bikes, especially compared to earlier tube-frame Buells. Yeah probably should dmake sure to put locktite on anything that I bolt on there, it vibrates pretty hard even with the rubber mounts.


Any good personalized tag suggestions? 6 letters. Going to DMV in half an hour

EVLTWN
XB1200
TORQUE
BUELL
12OCKLK


[Edited on October 26, 2010 at 11:20 AM. Reason : GRRR ALREADY TAKEN]

12TWIN is available though..

[Edited on October 26, 2010 at 11:29 AM. Reason : need moAr clvr plts]

10/26/2010 11:06:26 AM

Ended up getting "12PNCH"
Let's hope it doesn't rain in the evening.

10/26/2010 1:50:57 PM

Those bikes look so awesome.

I hate the gas mask headlight mod on the one pictured above, though.

10/26/2010 4:51:32 PM

^You get that XJ working yet? I saw someone on a silver Seca on Spring Garden St. about a week ago.

10/27/2010 8:36:28 AM

wisconsin sux. rode once on thursday last week. rained hard or had 30+ mph winds every day since.

10/27/2010 9:39:45 AM

^^ Nope, but the carbs are coming off (hopefully) next weekend.

I might have seen the same XJ at the classic bike show on the corner of Elam and Walker last Sunday. It even had the badge missing from the tank.

10/27/2010 9:53:20 AM

I'll sell my SV650 if anyone wants it. $2500 firm.

If not, I'll continue to ride it. I like the bike, but you guys know how I am...always like to pick up something new and different. Thinking about a Buell XB9R.

11/4/2010 5:03:23 PM

^Wish you'd been selling that in June because I would've been all over it. I love SV650s, just couldn't find a good deal on one

11/4/2010 11:24:08 PM

Fucking Bike Bandit sent me the wrong part for like the hundredth time

All my parts orders are going through Service Honda from now on

Quote :

"classic bike show on the corner of Elam and Walker last Sunday"

In Greensboro? Why did I not know about that!

There's always an old CB parked outside that Sticks and Stones place there

[Edited on November 5, 2010 at 12:43 AM. Reason : Looks like a CB, never seen it up close]

11/5/2010 12:39:02 AM

Check out Z1 Enterprises if you haven't already. They're a pretty good source for vintage bike parts, and I've ordered quite a few things for the GS from them.

11/5/2010 5:58:53 AM

Never thought to call a Honda (car) dealership to find common parts, but apparently that works

Also, fuck Bike Bandit

11/5/2010 9:27:35 AM

Dropped my shit last night thanks to all the leaves collecting by my front curb

11/11/2010 9:16:12 AM

I to have got wrong shit from bike bandit a few times. Dennis kirk has always been pretty good tho...

11/11/2010 10:06:20 AM

^^doh

did it fuck up you or the bike bad?

11/11/2010 10:23:14 AM

My '73 cb175 started the day like this:





Because of this:






Which happened because of this (PO's fuckup):





So it ended the day like this:




[Edited on November 12, 2010 at 3:50 PM. Reason : Sorry for the shitty cell pics]

[Edited on November 12, 2010 at 3:52 PM. Reason : .]

11/12/2010 3:49:15 PM

Haha, I did the same thing, but I got an extra 1.5 hp by switching to longer plugs. These hemi heads love 'em. I did check clearances first though.

[Edited on November 12, 2010 at 5:54 PM. Reason : Think you'll have it back together before next year's riding season is over? ]

11/12/2010 5:53:34 PM

never going back together.

11/12/2010 8:03:35 PM

Man, fuck y'all. I love wrenching as much as I do riding so I hope to bring her back in a lot better shape than she came apart in. The parts for old sub-350cc CBs tend to be stupidly cheap and readily available so I should be able to get her back in good shape for a less-than-ridiculous sum of money.

11/12/2010 8:35:42 PM

Gasket kit
Valve Job
Valve Stem Seals
Piston
Piston Rings
Timing Chain
Timing Chain tensioners
Oil/Filter
Fork Seals
Fork Covers
Seat Cover
Steering Head Bearings
Swingarm Bushings
Wheel Bearings x2
Drive Chain
Paint/PowderCoating
True Rims, Tubes, Rimstrip, Tires
New Spokes once you break one truing rims.
Brakes
Tank Lining
Plugs Wires Points Condensors
Grips
Carb Rebuild Kit
____________________
Total $3265

Just a quick freshening...priceless.

Nah man, I'm just screwing with you. Don't cheap out on the engine rebuild though, it sucks to have to tear back into it later for some dumb reason like oil leaking

[Edited on November 12, 2010 at 9:28 PM. Reason : .]

11/12/2010 9:26:31 PM

haha, everything is in pretty damn good shape, so I don't need many new parts. The engine rebuild will probably cost me $200-300 before it's over, but that is by far the priciest section. The tires/brakes are good, as are the chain and sprockets. I think most of the cables are in solid shape, but I'll replace the brake and throttle cables anyway, for reliability's sake. I've already rebuilt the carbs and I have an gasket set on the way. By my calculations, I shouldn't need more than $500 in it when it's all over. Famous last words, right?

I'd actually appreciate it if every once and again, some random garage folk pm me and be all, "WTF Catzor, get your pale ass out there and fix that gatdamn motorcycle!"

[Edited on November 12, 2010 at 9:44 PM. Reason : .]

11/12/2010 9:41:16 PM

looks like I'm replacing the transmission or motor on my track bike. It completely locked at CMP today and I fucking ate it on the plus side, I learned what my body position was missing and gained about 10mph entry/exit speed on most turns. probly gonna get new leathers or get my zipper replaced. the bike doesnt even look like it highsided, probly because it landed on me

11/13/2010 5:48:49 PM

How did you lock it up? Clutchless upshifting and did it hang up?

Catzor just giving u a hard time. I am always wrenching on my and my friends stuff now a days it seems. Good luck with the rebuild looks like fun

11/14/2010 1:28:35 AM

R.I.P. CB175



Good night, sweet prince

[Edited on November 14, 2010 at 12:26 PM. Reason : Seriously, though, did you pull the engine by hand? How much does that thing weigh?]

11/14/2010 12:19:55 PM

^^The extra long spark plug did all the work for me. I bought it, made it run that weekend, and took a 1/4 mile test ride, then boom, no compression. You can't really tell in the pic, but the piston smashed the plug and some pieces of the plug bounced around the head and presumably fucked up the exhaust valve. I've disassembled everything now and there's no obvious damage to the valve or seat and no damage to the rings or piston liners. I'm scratching my head a little, but I guess an exhaust valve wouldn't have to be scored or bent too dramatically to completely ruin compression figures.

^Yeah, I pulled it alone. It came out of the frame really easily and wasn't too heavy to carry on my own. It's probably 80-100lbs.

[Edited on November 14, 2010 at 5:28 PM. Reason : .]

11/14/2010 5:26:42 PM

I picked up a Triumph Speed Four last weekend. Still working on trying to find a new stator and regulator.

11/14/2010 8:50:30 PM

clutchless upshifting and the occasional downshift and 7000+ track miles just added up I guess. there were many times I rode the rev limiter to say in power and shifted at 14k

11/14/2010 10:30:27 PM

Lol that engine weighs less than my cars transmission. Of course you can carry by hand

11/15/2010 12:48:04 AM

Quote :

"Still working on trying to find a new stator and regulator."

are you sure that it's not just a bad rectifier.

what makes you believe either is bad and it just has a bad battery perhaps

11/15/2010 9:17:54 AM