Register Today SPRING 2008

"Ancient and modern racing posters covered the walls, and race parts were scattered about …" 16 register today SPRING 2008

The Buell 25th Anniversary celebration is coming up fast. See Page 6 for a complete schedule, then visit buell.com for more details and to register. But don't wait – it'll be here before you know it.

SOURCE ON TOUR WITH THE XB12XT

® THE LOWDOWN ON THE FARM BUELL

th e HAVING A BLAST AT BONNEVILLE A FAST START FOR MOTO-ST

MOVING? Fuell is mailed Standard and will not be forwarded. Please update your address in your owner’s profile on buell.com. Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Buell Motorcycle Company Buell 2799 Buell Drive, East Troy, WI 53120 buell.com

4 Buell Lines

5 Back Talk

6 Factory Buzz

FASTRACK

10 Salt Shakers How fast is your Blast®? Not as fast as the “Salt Chicken,” we’ll wager!

14 Go Moto The 1125RTM makes its racing debut in the SunTrust MOTO-ST series opener at Daytona.

GEARHEAD

20 Tour de Force The next Buell® Ulysses® XB12XT takes sport touring on a new adventure.

28 Masterworks The Blastard: naked, fast, and beautiful (though not necessarily in that order).

30 Ask Abe Abe hits “below the belt.”

STREETWISE

9 Streetfighters

16 Born in a Barn A look back at the (very) early days of Buell.

24 Alaskan Attraction A three-day ride in the “last frontier” was all it took to be hooked for life – on Buell. 16 A vintage look behind Buell factory doors.

Editor: Visit Buell Motorcycle Company on Fuell is mailed quarterly. Due to various circumstances, some information in WE CARE ABOUT YOU! Ride safely, respectfully, and within the limits of the Blast, BRAG, Buell, Buell Sport Minded, Cyclone, Different in Every Sense, Firebolt, Matt King the Internet at buell.com. this issue is subject to change. Buell, Fuell, Buell logos, and the Fuell masthead law and your abilities. Always wear an approved helmet, proper eyewear, and Fuell, Get On Get Off, Harley, Harley-Davidson, HD, H-D, Inside Pass The Ultimate are registered trademarks of the Buell Motorcycle Company. No part of this protective clothing, and insist your passenger does too. Never ride while under Track Day, Lightning, Own the Corners, Shark’s Tooth, Signature Series, Slay the Design and Production: publication may be reproduced for any reason without written consent from the influence of alcohol or drugs. Know your Buell motorcycle, and read and Dragon, Sportster, Thunderbolt S3, Thunderbolt S3T, Thunderstorm, Triple Tail, gsdesign.com the editor. understand your owner’s manual from cover to cover. Ulysses, Uniplanar, and ZTL are trademarks of H-D Michigan, Inc. All member submissions become property of Buell Motorcycle Company and will not be returned. Submissions may be published in Fuell. Fuell reserves the right to edit member stories for content, length, and clarity.

BUELL LINES » « BACK TALK

Readers are an integral part of Fuell.® Whether it’s praise, criticism, or anything else you want to share with other Buell® owners, we want to hear what you have to say about the magazine, your bikes, events, racing, trips, or just motorcycling in general. Send letters or submissions for the Streetfighters section to [email protected], or mail them to Fuell, 3700 W. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208.

® AB@33BE7A34/:: %fuell # I think the Ulysses is a great 0G;716/3:/::3<

You know those light gray lines on the map – the ones that represent a road is not necessarily paved? I want to ride those roads. Because they always seem to lead to the most intriguing, out-of-the-way places. Problem is, as a Harley® rider, I’m pretty limited in that regard. Oh, I’ve given it a go. There’s no rule (well, no law anyway) that says you can’t take an Electra Glide® down a dirt road. But you have to be so careful that it’s really not very fun. So when Buell introduced the Ulysses a couple years ago, it really caught my eye. It seemed like just what I needed to take my adventures to a new level, by getting off the beaten path here and there and deeper into the great unknown. And when I was offered the chance to borrow a Ulysses for a day trip, I jumped at the chance concept. But, call me a skeptic. to put Buell’s most versatile bike to the test. 47@AB7;>@3AA7=

But what about traction? I wondered how aggressively I could take dirt/gravel corners on this bike. I mean, without pushing the bike to the point where one of the tires starts to slide (something I was not keen on doing), how would I know when the bike reached its limits? I decided there was no need for me to figure this out right I received a copy of the Summer 2007 edition of I don’t know if you can help me or not, but my away, and perhaps I’d get a better feel for it as the trip progressed. So I took off to the southwest. ¬OTbS`OTSe[W\cbSa7abO`bSROW[W\URW`SQbZgOba[OZZ^]bV]ZSa PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HINES, MICHAEL ALLEN ® Alas, while I found the riding in Southern Wisconsin to be generally spectacular, I had a surprisingly hard time finding any dirt roads. I had a good set of maps, but they didn’t seem to indicate which ones might be dirt. Fuell, and before I got a chance to read it, my wife husband is looking for a road test of a Firebolt According to the legend, dotted lines represent “Unimproved Road, Trail, or Old Railroad Grade” – which, it didn’t take long to figure out, were generally impassable or off-limits to motorized vehicles. recycled it. Is there any way I can get another copy? XB12R and can’t find one. I have never seen one in What hasn’t changed in 25 years is our mission: I bought my XB12R in March 2007, so that was my Fuell magazine. Can you suggest a source? MISSING DIRT first copy of the magazine. I really wanted to check it Laura Gall I enjoyed the article “Pavement Schmavement” to build the best-performing, easiest to ride, out and have a real copy of the magazine (not a PDF Paddock Lake, Wisconsin version) to hang onto. in the last edition of Fuell. But as I finished it, I thought to myself, “Maybe it’s just as well he didn't flat-out fun motorcycles in the world. Please send me another one ... Laura, you might find what you’re looking for in the find any good dirt roads to ride on.” Seemed a little Charles Moreland “Buell in the News” section at buell.com. This page “convenient,” even. Has it been 25 years already? Sometimes, it seems like only yesterday that I was working at Harley-Davidson on the old FXR platform – Fort Worth, Texas features reprints of a number of articles from the I love Buell motorcycles, and I think the Ulysses® for my money, one of the the best-handling machines The Motor Company has ever built. That was my “day job,” as they say. popular motorcycle press reviewing the XB lineup, is a great concept. But, call me a skeptic. I’ve always At night – and whenever else I could fit it in – I was working on my own design concepts, trying to build a faster bike for my own racing efforts. Sorry, Charles, but to paraphrase your grade including a piece entitled “Group Test: Corner Kicks” kind of doubted that it can really do what it claims to But then again, sometimes that all feels like a hundred years ago! So much has happened since then, so much has changed. Even as school teacher, if we gave one to you, we’d have to that specifically evaluates the XB12R (against several do in the dirt road department. so much has stayed the same. What hasn’t changed in 25 years is our mission: to build the best-performing, easiest to ride, flat-out fun give one to everyone! And we just didn’t print enough other brands).

® ® I’d love to be convinced otherwise! What can you motorcycles in the world. The new Buell Ulysses XB12XT, featured on Page 20, is only the latest example. for the whole class. And, we commend you on your desire to help out tell me to help get me past this mental block I’m I hope you’re planning to join us in Wisconsin this July as we celebrate 25 years of Buell motorcycles. It’s going to be our biggest party No guarantees, of course, but you might try asking your husband in this way! It’s very thoughtful of you. experiencing? yet. You’ll find a schedule of events and registration information on the back cover. Please take a moment to look it over – and then sign your local dealer. If they can’t help you out, you’re We bet you would never recycle his back issues of up, okay!? I’d really like to see you this Fourth of July weekend. free to download a full-color PDF copy in the Owners Fuell, would you? —Ed. Steven Richards Also, for a little taste of how it all began, my old friend Dave Gess has written a nice piece on the early days in the Buell “barn” – section at buell.com (as you alluded to). We know, it’s Las Vegas, Nevada complete with a few pictures that haven’t seen the light of day in ... well, I’m not sure how long. But it’s been a while! not the same. But with a nice color printer and some just not fair Meanwhile, we’re finally starting to see a little green here. It’s been a very long, cold winter in Southeast Wisconsin. But that’s just tape ... well, see what you can do. —Ed. Well, for one thing, if you haven’t already, GET My love for riding started 12 years ago. Buell going to make this summer seem all the hotter. OUT AND RIDE ONE! Trying is believing, as they say. catered to us hardcore female riders with the intro of Hope to see you soon. And even if you don’t get to take it off the pavement, the Buell Blast.® In 2003, I traded up to a Lightning® when you see how sturdy the Ulysses feels; how much Low XB9S. It’s time for a trade-up again, and I have Best of roads to you, suspension travel it has; and get a good, close look at TM my eye on the 1125R. However, I find myself in a ® those Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires, I think you’ll get a quandary. None of the new bikes are available in good sense of its capabilities. (Visit buell.com to find “low” versions, and Buell springs can’t be cut to fit a demo event in your area.) those who are vertically challenged. Erik, please Short of that, check out “Alaskan Attraction,” the don’t let it come to this! What can I do? article that begins on Page 24 of this edition. And read Erik Buell Michelle Kirchoff how one man became a true believer. —Ed. Racine, Wisconsin

Talk Back to Us: Send us an e-mail ([email protected]). Submission of a letter constitutes permission to publish it in any form or medium. Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity. 6 fuell Spring 2008 FACTORY BUZZ Spring 2008 fuell 7

FACTORY BUZZ » Daytona Heat 1125RTM MAKES FAST DEBUT IN MOTO-ST

The Buell® 1125R made a promising racing debut in the opening round of the SunTrust MOTO-ST series, the Daytona 300, March 2, 2008. Shawn Higbee and Dan Bilansky of Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Racing ran some of the race’s fastest times and led several laps before some technical and radio issues tripped them up late, resulting in a 12th-place finish in the SST class. “It was a roller-coaster of a weekend for us,” said team owner Richie Morris. Sparks Will Fly “But we proved the potential of the new 1125R, and learned a lot that will help us at VIR and the rest of the season.” In the GST class, two Buell teams garnered podium spots after the two top- Spend this Fourth of July weekend making some real fireworks – by joining us at the finishing teams were disqualified during the post-race inspection for going over Buell 25th Anniversary celebration, July 2-6, 2008. Activities will include factory the 90-hp limit. tours, autograph sessions, great riding opportunities, food, technical seminars, The No. 70 James Gang/Hoban Brothers’ Buell XB12R ridden by Paul James Buell® demos, racing and a parade lap at Road America, and much more – even the and Jeff Johnson and the No. 7 Richie Morris Racing/Hal’s Harley-Davidson/Buell chance to hear Erik Buell and The Thunderbolts live and up close. (Maybe he’ll bust XB12R ridden by Clint Brotz and Tripp Nobles were elevated to second and third places, respectively. out that sweet guitar you see on Page 8!) “We have finished on the podium at all four MOTO-ST events held at Daytona so far,” said Paul James, James Gang/Hoban Brothers team principal. “It’s a credit to A complete schedule is below. Like what you see? our entire team, from bike preparation, to consistent riding, to excellent pit stops Then head over to buell.com to register today! and race strategy. It’s a total team effort.” SOLID START FOR THUNDERBIKE CHAMP

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 FRIDAY, JULY 4 Elsewhere at Daytona, defending ASRA Pro Thunderbike series champion Dave Estok overcame a last-row start to claim third place in the opening round of the Sheraton Milwaukee-Brookfield Hotel – Sheraton Milwaukee-Brookfield Hotel – Brookfield, WI Brookfield, WI (Host Hotel) 2008 series. Estok, riding for Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing, was ALL DAY Organized Adventure Rides leaving from NOON-4PM Arrival, Check-in, and Event Registration Host Hotel forced to the back of the starting grid when his Buell XB12R would not start for post-qualifying inspection. Blackhawk Farms Raceway – South Beloit, IL “I rode one of our Deeley team back-up Buell motorcycles in the race, and it 7:30AM-5PM (optional) 25TH Anniversary Track Day THURSDAY, JULY 3 (Limited availability. Pre-registration worked great,” Estok explained. “I worked my way up to third but by then the two required for this activity. $100/person) BMW riders were drafting together, and I couldn’t make up the gap on my own. We Sheraton Milwaukee-Brookfield Hotel – Brookfield, WI Summerfest Grounds (Henry Maier Festival Park) – came out of a tough situation with some decent points.” 8AM-NOON Arrival, Check-in, and Event Registration Milwaukee, WI The race was won by Nate Kern on a BMW, while five of the top 10 finishers BREAKFAST Morning Owner Club Meet and Greet TH ALL DAY 25 Anniversary Ticket Package includes were on Buell motorcycles. 11AM Group Ride to Buell Motorcycle Company a one-day (July 4) admission to the music festival grounds with free shuttle Congratulations, everyone, on an exciting start to the 2008 racing season! 6PM (optional) Dinner (buffet style), Seminars, and Q&A bus to/from the Host Hotel (Shuttles will

with Erik Buell and Engineers PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIAN J. NELSON start running late afternoon.) (Limited availability. Pre-registration required for this activity. $50/person) Buell Motorcycle Company – East Troy, WI NOON-4PM Factory Tours, Vintage Bike Display, SATURDAY/SUNDAY, JULY 5-6 TH 25 Anniversary Apparel available CCS/ASRA Racing at Road America – Elkhart Lake, WI for purchase 9AM-5PM Free Buell Demos on Street and 12:30-1:30PM Autographs with Erik Motorplex Mini Track YEARS BY THE NUMBERS 12:30-2PM Lunch 9AM-5PM Buell Hospitality Tent with 1:30-2:30PM Tech Seminar complimentary beverages and snacks, VIP parking 2:30-3:30PM Tech Seminar 6.5 50 146 178 2003 SAT (TBD) Autographs with Buell Racers Inches of front Number of RR1000 Horsepower rating of Top speed (mph) of the first First model year for the suspension travel on motorcycles produced the liquid-cooled 1125RTM official Buell motorcycle, “fuel in the frame” concept SAT NOON (tentative) Buell Track Lap the groundbreaking in 1987-1988, which motorcycle, introduced for the RW750, during and the XB platform, SAT 7-11PM Erik Buell and The Thunderbolts, Buell® Ulysses® XB12X, depleted the supply of the 2008 model year. testing at the Talladega introduced on the Buell Victorian Village – Tiki Bar introduced in 2005. remaining Harley-Davidson® Superspeedway in 1983. Firebolt® XB9R. XR1000 engines.

8 fuell Spring 2008 FACTORY BUZZ

on buell.com RESISTANCE IS FUTILE STREET FIGHTERS Not an owner – yet? Don’t fight the urge. Check out the Get Yours section for a variety of tools to make your purchase easier, including a payment calculator, credit application, dealer locator, and more.

Stay Ahead of the Curve Miles to Milestone Not getting Buell e-mail? Sign up today Sure, my 1997 ThunderboltTM S3T is fitted with extra-large saddlebags. I have them at buell.com to be among the first to get for when my wife rides with me, which is often – I didn’t log 100,000-plus miles all the latest Buell news, updates, and riding back and forth between work and home! I achieved the 100K milestone Friday, November 2, 2007 at 2:10PM on I-75 Exit 309. Moments like that don’t happen inside information. often, so I thought it best to log exactly where and when it occurred. The owner ® of Harley-Davidson/Buell of Lakeland, Florida was there to congratulate me. Some FAST FUELL of those miles were logged on pilgrimages to Daytona Bike Week, Biketoberfest,® Download complete past issues of Fuell at Sturgis, and Deal’s Gap; others on various trips to Kentucky, Texas, and the Carolinas the Owners section of buell.com. Owners – all on a healthy mix of Interstates; and back roads. As Director of the Buell club in only, please. If you haven’t Lakeland, I preach riding at all times. But I only use words when necessary. already, create your owners "THE BIKE WENT RIGH T THRO UGH IT LIKE IT LaFayette Jenne’ » Lakeland, Florida DIDN ’T EX IST!" 16

20 profile today! 1997 Thunderbolt S3T SUMMER

"WITH VISION S OF SH SOURCE OT ® GUN PELLE ERIK ROCKS! TS WHIZZI NG OVER MY HE AD, I HI T THE TH ROTTLE E BUELL ..." 24

RIDEABILITY MEETS PLAYABILITY

SOURCE ® Buell of Duty

E BUELL TH Erik Buell has teamed with Queensrÿche guitarist Mike Stone and the Peavey In Iraq, the soldiers thought a lot about things we missed back home. For me, it Custom Shop to create an exclusive custom guitar. was my family … and motorcycles. So, I had a picture of my S1 posted on the "THE RACE BE CAME A FI ERCE BATT LE … THEY WEREN’ T SURE TH EY HAD EN OUGH FU EL TO FINISH “I’ve been friends with Mike for a long time,” says Buell, an accomplished ." 14 bedroom wall of the converted Iraqi army building where I lived. I also had a picture

20 EXPO HOME SING TH guitarist himself. “And one day he asked me if I had ever thought of designing a ® SPRING

E 1125 COMING HIGH R WALT SIPP LIGH of my wife, Susan, BattleTraxing on her Blast. Sharing the room with a couple other TACKLE TS SOURCE ® S TH HANGIN' E 20 OUT WITH 0 guitar. I was like, ‘Are you kidding me!? Of course!’ I jumped at the chance.” E BUELL BUBBA TEAM TH X-TREEM guys, one got so interested in bikes, he bought an X1 when he got home and was FLIPS OU TM TEST T EXING TO LERANCE The result is the Peavey Mike Stone Signature MS-1 guitar. The new axe CELL FO ING WITH R DIRT THE MA INSIDE immediately hooked on Buell. Last year, Susan took a demo ride on an XB12Scg CHISMO MA PASS™ CHINE features a set mahogany neck (with Buell-designed inlays) and an original contoured – just to get a free messenger bag offered as part of the deal – but she was so mahogany body shape developed by Erik to meet Mike’s design goals. impressed with the ride she wound up trading in her Blast for a Lightning! ® Now “The MS-1 is a very sexy, extremely well-balanced guitar you can play the hell RA she and I frequently hook up with Mike – my buddy from Iraq – and we carve the CE-READY MOTO YOUR XB -ST MOVES AH TWO CO EAD NTINENTS ON A out of without wearing yourself out,” Buell explains. “It’s the same philosophy that’s ANDY HAMB ULY LIN ROARS BA Colorado switchbacks together on our Buells. CK behind our motorcycles: They’re fun to ride, this is fun to play. And they both sound incredible when you crank them up!” Scott Farrell » Colorado Springs, Colorado 1996 Lightning S1

Cool and naked Don’t Pass up I love my 2004 Buell® XB12S. My goal was to make my 2004 XB12S – the coolest ™ air-cooled naked bike there is – even cooler. And not just visually, but in the Inside Pass perfomance and handling department, too. So much, in fact, I decided to make the coolest air-cooled, naked bike even cooler. I upgraded to forks with 43mm legs, then stuck them into a pair of CNC-machined triple clamps (two pinch bolts at the top, three The Buell Inside Pass Track Day program is back at the bottom); added a pair of conical black anodized aluminum handlebars; graced for another full season, with nine dates remaining the lower triple with a steering damper; and completed the suspension package with for 2008. This premium program offers riders an a rear shock with a remote reservoir. The seat rails, headlight modules, and shaved unparalleled track day experience, with unmatched taillight assembly were all powder-coated to match the frame. The control levers and amenities at some of the greatest tracks across the footpegs were anodized black. All these and a slew of other improvements have United States. turned this bike into the eye candy – and muscle – I’ve always dreamed of. For a complete schedule or to register, visit Bradley Gast » Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania buell.com. But don’t wait! Spots are limited and are 2004 Lightning XB12S filling up fast. ARE YOU a Streetfighter? E-mail your high-resolution photo, along with a few paragraphs about you and your Buell, to: [email protected]. All Streetfighter submissions become property of Buell Motorcycle Company. 10 fuell SPRING 2008 FASTRACK FASTRACK SPRING 2008 fuell 11 SALTSHAKERSSALT SHAKERS JDEES PERFORMANCE MAKES RUNS FOR THE RECORD BOOK

“The Hindenburg” was listing. Ready to Salt and Batteries blow. Well, not “blow,” exactly – more like The “generator story,” which recalls the team’s latest visit to Bonneville Speed Week last August, has become one of the team’s favorites sputter to an undignified halt. Right there – and provides a glimpse into the not-always-glamorous world of motorcycle land speed racing. on the road between the Bonneville Salt Though the team’s core members – Jesse Dees, Bill Pari, and Kevin Kedinger – all work at the Harley-Davidson Product Development Flats and the town of Wendover. Center (PDC) in Milwaukee, theirs is not a factory-sponsored effort. Not even close. In fact, they sometimes have to take steps to put some distance between themselves and The Motor Company. (Especially now that the Hindenburg is getting some publicity.)

In the back of the big, windowless gray “A lot of times our competitors assume that we’re a factory-sponsored team, but we’re not,” explains Bill Pari, a powertrain engineer at the PDC by day and the team’s chief performance engineer ... on other days. “Obviously, we have some knowledge that we gained through van, the JDees Performance team was our regular day jobs. But we have no more money or anything than anybody else out there. We all have to take vacation time to do it. And running a gas-powered generator ... which 95-plus percent of [the money] comes out of our pockets. The sponsored stuff is very small.” powered the battery charger ... which in turn kept the nearly dead battery cranking out just enough juice to keep the van’s motor running. “We all Finally, about a mile from town, where a have to take new alternator awaited, the Hindenburg vacation time went down. Not in a ball of fire, but in a to do it.” collective sigh of frustration. And later – much laughter. 12 fuell SPRING 2008 FASTRACK FASTRACK SPRING 2008 fuell 13

The team’s name comes from Jesse Dees, the team manager. Jesse is in charge of bodywork, component design, gearing calculations, and engine oiling systems. A powertrain engineer at the PDC, his background is in component design and M O T O RCYCLES development. “I’m mostly focused on oil and breathing these days,” he says.

Also a part of the core team is Kevin Kedinger, “master mechanic, chief fabricator, JDEES PERFORMANCE and primary rider.” And though Dees may be the manager, the team describes CURRENT RECORDS Kedinger as the “driving force” behind JDees Performance. SCTA “We were sitting around talking about it, looking at the rule book, looking at P-PP 500cc 116.004 mph (2003) what’s the oldest record,” explains Dees, a veteran of the off-road scene in New M-PG 500cc 121.903 mph (2003) Mexico, where he grew up. “We saw 500cc pushrod – who makes one of those? MPS-PG 500cc 124.358 mph (2003) Wait a minute, we’re working on one! So why don’t we go after that? MPS-PF 500cc 126.959 mph (2007)

“But it was Kevin who really got the ball rolling. So we got in gear and went after it.” P-P 1000cc 144.626 mph (2003) MPS-PG 1000cc 169.209 mph (2003) The 500cc motorcycle in question, of course, was the Buell Blast,® a motorcycle that had just been introduced that year (2000). “It had just reached production,” AMA 2001 Buell® Blast® 2003 Buell® Pari says. “And we had all been associated with the development of it, so we knew M-PG 650cc 120.292 mph (2004) Firebolt® XB9R its potential.” MPS-PF 500cc 120.553 mph (2004) This bike, known as the Salt Chicken, is “a hodgepodge of eBay parts,” Dees says. It features Also known as “Anna,” this sleek speedster The team built the bike that would become known as the “Salt Chicken” and “None of us has a custom subframe and a lengthened (by six features bodywork designed with help from Mick headed to Bonneville full of hope and high expectations. They got as far as Arizona inches) swingarm. The bodywork is an Airtech Sneak and Erik Buell, based on the Buell RR1000. before one of the vagaries of salt racing curtailed their effort. ® time to give it 100 Harley-Davidson XR750 fairing long-circuit copy Other than the shortened rear shock, the chassis is and the tail section is from a Suzuki GSXR. The stock, as is the flywheel assembly. The engine runs “We got all the way to Arizona before we found out the event got rained out,” Dees percent all year, engine is mostly stock but modified to run at a the same valvetrain and cam modifications as the explains. “So we came home.” 13.8:1 compression ratio. Modifications to the team’s Blasts, to allow the engine to safely produce … So we give it 200 ignition system and valvetrain allow it to reliably power up to 9,000 rpm, with a compression ratio But the experience didn’t dampen their enthusiasm. If anything, the setback may spin at up to 9,000 rpm. This required titanium of 13.8:1. have helped them prepare for their true inaugural effort the following year. The percent for valves, collars, keepers, and custom-ground cams results suggest as much, as the team bagged two records on their maiden voyage to ensure safe seating velocities. The flywheel on the salt – in the M-PG (Modified-Pushrod Gas) 500cc and MPS-PG (Modified three months.” assembly is stock, and the engine carburetion is Partially Streamlined-Pushrod Gas) 500cc classes. handled by a 51mm Keihin.

Bogged Down The “sister” to the Salt Chicken features the same swingarm and engine modifications, but The thing about the salt (one thing, anyway), is that the speeds, on paper, tend to “Most people’s mental image of Bonneville is probably But that’s just fine with them. After all, they all have does not run with the XR front fairing. It uses the look lower than you might expect. The team’s fastest bike, a modified XB9, holds Speed Week,” Pari says. “It’s like the Daytona 500 of regular lives to lead – and “day jobs” to tend to. stock subframe with mounting tabs for the GSXR the record in the MPS-PG 1000cc class, clocking two runs through the “flying land speed racing. The records that stand in the SCTA tail section. mile” at an average speed of 169.209 mph in 2003. have been around since the 1940s and ’50s, so you’re “None of us has time to give it 100 percent all running against the best of the records. They don’t have year,” Dees says. “So we give it 200 percent for “One of the biggest things people say is, ‘That’s all the faster you went? We’d go world record status, but they’re typically the hardest to three months.” TEAM MEMBERS faster than that!’ But with the altitude and the salt ....” achieve because there’s so much competition.” In 2007, that 200 percent effort – even while doing Jesse Dees – Team manager, bodywork, component design, vehicle gearing calculations, engine oiling “At sea level, on asphalt, it would probably do 180,” Dees adds. The team also took part in the International Motorcycle battle with the dying van – resulted in yet another systems, and mechanic support Speed Trials by BUB, a newer, American Motorcyclist record for the Salt Chicken, in the MPS-PF (Modified Bill Pari – Chief performance engineer and crew chief The conditions on the salt are not as ideal as you might imagine. The salt isn’t Association (AMA)-sponsored event. The team claimed Partially Streamlined-Pushrod Fuel) 500cc class. It’s as hard and smooth as most people imagine – and its texture changes with the two records there in 2004, but for now the event doesn’t just one of six SCTA and two AMA records the team Kevin Kedinger – Master mechanic, chief fabricator, and primary rider mean as much to them as Speed Week does. currently holds. moisture content. It can be almost like running in wet sand when it’s damp. And Dan “Chuck” Hurda – Calibration engineer, parts procurement, general assembly, and backup rider the temperature (which varies a great deal throughout the day) and altitude have a significant effect on engine tuning. With long waits sometimes required before “Right now, you’re running on a lot of open records,” Pari Preparations will begin soon for the team’s 2008 Steve Krause – Primary engine builder and machinist a run – with the air temperature rising throughout the day – jetting the engine explains. “You show up, you run, you have the record. assault on the record books. With so much recent Kemp “Tater” Asbeck – Mechanic, fabricator, and motorcycle setup properly can be a real crapshoot. But it’s growing.” success, the biggest question may prove to be: Can the Hindenburg make another voyage to Utah without “A lot of people show up and think that because their bike can do 150 on a And there’s always the matter of financing. With gas going up in smoke? racetrack, it’s going to do 150 on the salt,” Pari says. “But it doesn’t work prices high, it can cost upward of $1,000 just to drive SPONSORS the Hindenburg to Bonneville. It also costs $350 to enter Oh, the humanity! that way.” fuell Keihin Fuel Systems a class – if you register in advance. Registering on site Miller Lite and WOW Distributing will set you back $500. So the team can really only Several different sanctioning organizations hold events at Bonneville. JDees Competition Driveline Service afford to go to one event each year. Performance concentrates primarily on Speed Week, staged each August by the Dunlop Southern California Timing Association. Regina Chain Alpinestars www.jdeesperformance.com TM GO MOTO Shawn Higbee puts the 1125R through its paces at Daytona (see Page 7 for more information).

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIAN J. NELSON 20 fuell SPRING 2007 streetwise SPRING 2008 fuell 17

The modern Buell factory is an impressive place. It’s well lit. Each work area is clean and organized with necessary tools and parts readily at hand. There’s a nice break area with a good selection of food (usually) and convenient restrooms. The employee parking lot is paved, with well-marked parking spaces – including special spots for motorcycles. It’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The first Buell factory had none of this. Affectionately called “The Barn,” it was really just a small outbuilding (about 500 square feet) on the farm Erik Buell rented in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Across the drive was a real barn that was used to store parts. It also housed an office in what used to be the milking room. Technically, however, the first factory did not produce the first Buell motorcycle. That history-making bike was built behind Erik Buell’s home in Milwaukee – in one stall of a three-car garage Erik turned into the race shop for his roadracing effort. It was barely possible to have one bike in the garage at a time; two would have left no place for anyone to work. There was also the problem of noise. Starting up a 750cc race engine in the City of Milwaukee was likely to have annoyed the neighbors, who, for some reason, didn’t care for the sweet sound of a high-revving two-stroke on the pipe. When the RW750 moved from being Erik’s personal race bike to an actual production motorcycle, the garage had to go. So Erik rented the farm and moved the entire operation west. The farm was ideal in many ways: Noise was not a big issue, and there was enough space for the limited production planned for the RW. It was, however, severely lacking in amenities. Consider the heat. In one corner was an oil-burning furnace of uncertain vintage and doubtful safety. It put out a decent amount of heat, but pails of oil had to be carried from the outside storage tank and poured in the furnace’s belly to keep it running. The same was required for the heater in the office. When it was really cold, dealing with the furnaces would be the first chore longtime Buell employee Henry Duga would face when arriving for work. Within an hour or so you could work without your coat and gloves. Restrooms were another matter. There was just one, in Erik’s house – which sat clear across the yard from the other buildings. In the summer months, this was not a big issue. But when the cold Wisconsin wind whipped across the cornfield in January, the long trip across the field was to be avoided. For as long as you could stand it. Despite its primitive amenities, the barn was a special place, one guaranteed to quickly raise the temperature of any serious gearhead. Ancient and modern racing posters covered the walls, and race parts were scattered about seemingly at random. A lathe on one wall and an old milling machine in the corner were BORN IN A BARN surrounded by tools and unfinished parts. (I’m not sure, but these things looked like By Dave Gess THE FIRST BUELL FACTORY WAS primitive in some ways, perfect in others 22 fuell SPRING 2007 G e ar H e aD streetwise SPRING 2008 fuell 19

they may have been used to make parts for 1953 Studebakers.) Add in the rolling tool box, the welding rig, and the variety of motorcycles, and it may have been the ultimate fantasy shop. Of course, if your idea of the perfect shop involves a freshly painted floor and one of those tool-hanging systems with an outline for every tool – the kind of place were the toolboxes shine like displays at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ... well, you’d be disappointed. Personally, when I see one of those showroom garages I want to grind a cigarette butt out on the floor, just to make it feel “lived in.” I much prefer the creative clutter of Erik’s old shop. Moving on Up In 1988, the factory moved into the Village of Mukwonago. While it was a huge improvement over the barn, it still was not fancy. The Jefferson Street facility was really three buildings just kind of “stuck together.” Up front was a small red brick office building with a cinder block shop attached. Out back was the Quonset hut – yes, an actual World War II vintage Quonset Hut, which had somehow been grafted onto the back of the office and linked into the cinder block shop. It was not going to win any design awards, but it had a real heater and even EVERYONE WAS a pretty good air conditioning system for the office. It had plenty of room to support the production of four motorcycles each week – and a restroom you could reach without going outside! On the downside, the truck repair shop that previously occupied the facility had left a layer of grunge on the floor so thick that ice scrapers 100 PERCENT and a pressure washer couldn't completely remove it. FOCUSED ON MAKING INNOVATIVE MOTORCYCLES.

Buell’s modern “improvements” included used metal shelving and plastic parts bins, and a makeshift assembly line set up in the Quonset hut. The bike would begin as a motor resting on a wooden bench with wheels, where the chassis would be attached. This assembly was then hung from straps attached to the ceiling while the swingarm, wheels, and suspension where added. The bike was then lowered back to the bench and rolled to the next assembly area. One employee would build a bike from start to finish. Meanwhile, the cinder block building housed the machine shop and R & D area. Many of the small pieces for the RR and RS bikes were made in this shop. One example is the rear chain guard, originally from a 1960s-era Sportster.® Buell purchased unfinished stampings from Harley-Davidson, then cut and welded them to the desired size before sending the finished piece out for powder-coating. In 1990, Buell rented a small building on Swan Drive in the Mukwonago Industrial Park and added a fiberglass shop. The supplier of bodywork had gone bankrupt, so Buell was forced into manufacturing these parts. Between these two locations Buell had 11 employees. Visiting the Buell facility today, it’s sometimes hard to believe where it all started, 25 years ago. Looking back, it seems crude and primitive, but we didn’t see it that way at the time. Everyone was 100 percent focused on making innovative motorcycles that were “different in every sense.” We succeeded. And in that respect, the facility was absolutely perfect. fuell

Award-winning photographer and writer Dave Gess first met Erik Buell when he purchased a used car from him in 1983. Gess spent the next 10 years not only promoting Buell but documenting the birth of the company photographically. These photos are part of his vast collection, many of which are includeD in his new book 25 Years of Buell from Whitehorse Press. 20 fuell SPRING 2008 GEARHEAD GEARHEAD SPRING 2008 fuell 21 designedforthelonghaul. newTheBuell Back in the day (you remember “the day,” don’t you, when Buell® motorcycle frames were tubes instead of fuel tanks?), the Buell ThunderboltTM S3T sport touring motorcycle ruled the roads. Loved for its performance, handling, and practicality, the S3T held a special place in the hearts of long-distance Buell riders. And it left a void when the last 2002 model rolled off the assembly line. In 2005, those riders cheered the introduction of the Buell Ulysses® XB12X as a big step in the return to touring glory. With a big, comfortable seat; long suspension travel; and spacious, durable cases optional – not to mention its dirt road capabilities – it quickly became a popular option for the touring crowd. Today, that crowd can cheer even louder as Buell introduces the Ulysses XB12XT. A true sport touring motorcycle for the serious two-wheeled traveler, it doesn’t so much fill the S3T void as it creates a whole

® new touring category. Ulysses

Brotherly Bonds The XB12XT is proud of its Ulysses lineage. It’s built from the rider down for the serious road warrior, one who calls the open road home and considers the end of a 300-mile ride a good time to stop for lunch. Rugged. Reliable. And flat-out fun to ride.

® And though the XB12XT is built on the Ulysses platform, it’s not simply a modified XB12X, explains Buell XB12XTis Marketing Manager Greg Heichelbech. It offers much more in some ways – a little bit “less” in others. It has its own unique identity, like a fraternal twin with its own way of looking at things. “Some of the characteristics certainly carry over,” Heichelbech explains. “Such as the ‘in-command’ seating position. The great seat. The wind deflectors. The convenient electrical outlets. The Triple Tail,TM which would be a fine addition to any touring motorcycle, whether you use it as a passenger backrest or a platform for carrying items. There are a lot of things the core Ulysses platform offers to build from.” Where the XB12XT separates itself is in the area of creature comforts. Like the tall windshield. The lower seat height. The touring-tuned suspension. And those great, big, roomy side and top cases. Optional on the XB12X, they are standard equipment on the newest member of the Ulysses family. Designed in conjunction with Germany’s Hepco-Becko, these rugged cases offer the largest capacity of any luggage available in the sport touring class – and often surpass that of traditional touring motorcycles. (Mounting the muffler underneath the bike instead of on the tail section frees up space for larger cases. Advantage: Buell.) 22 fuell SPRING 2008 GEARHEAD GEARHEAD SPRING 2008 fuell 23

Cases The Ulysses top and side cases were POWER OUTLETS designed in partnership with a world-

class supplier: Germany’s Hepco-Becko. Accessorizing is simple and theareaincreatureof comforts. is separatesitselfXB12XT the Where Handgrips Optional on the Ulysses XB12X, the easy with two standard power Standard heated handgrips, with cases come standard on the XB12XT. outlets: one front and one the help of the wind-blocking hand Large enough to hold a full-face helmet rear. Perfect for GPS, heated deflectors, keep fingers warm and (top and side), they provide more clothing, an intercom system, nimble on long, cold rides. packing space than some “traditional” and more. touring motorcycles.

Windscreen The tall windscreen helps lessen the effects of the wind for both rider and passenger during Seat those 500-mile (or more) days. The 30.7-inch-high rider’s seat offers spacious long-haul comfort. The elevated rear seat provides plenty of passenger room, with a backrest (Triple Tail), and grab rails for added comfort and security. The XT, however, is a purely pavement sort of vehicle. So if you’re the type who likes to occasionally dart off down a dusty back road to see what hidden treasure may lie at the end of it, stick with the XB12X. “The suspension characteristics of this bike are designed for riding on the road,” Heichelbech explains. “We changed the way it’s tuned. We shortened the travel. So it gives you more of a plush ride. It provides a nice sport handling feel, but it doesn’t have quite the suspension range that the Ulysses has. It doesn’t need it.” The rear suspension features a new dual-rate spring, more suited to fully loaded or two-up riding. It also has a new compression bumper, which increases rider and passenger comfort by cushioning the blow in the event the suspension gets fully compressed. The tires are different, as well. The XB12XT is equipped with Pirelli® Diablo Strada tires, which offer a higher- FRONT SUSPENSION mileage compound for longer life on high-mileage adventures. A new triple-rate front fork “But it’s definitely a sport-performance tire,” Heichelbech says. “It provides high stability, a very neutral spring inside the fully adjustable 43mm Showa® inverted fork response, high mileage. And it’s great in wet conditions. The tread is designed to channel water to the side of delivers excellent feedback, the tire and out, providing excellent grip and braking, even in the rain.” handling, and ride quality. Of course, the Ulysses XB12XT includes all the innovative performance features you expect from a Buell, such as fuel in the frame; oil in the swingarm; underslung exhaust; and the smooth, powerful performance of the 1203cc air-cooled V-Twin Buell Thunderstorm™ engine. “The Thunderstorm engine makes a great touring motor,” Heichelbech points out. “The horsepower-torque combination is perfect. Because of the wide power band, you don’t have to constantly shift as you maneuver on the highway. And the torque curve is very flat, so you always have power, right from the bottom all the way to the redline.” That redline, by the way, has been increased on 2008 models, from 6,800 rpm to 7,100 rpm, providing even more versatility than ever. The low-maintenance offered by the Buell XB lineup (no valve adjustments, no chain adjustment or lubrication, no coolant to worry about), along with its proven reliability, makes touring

Becasue of the wide power band, you don't have to to have don't band, you power wide of the Becasue on highway. the maneuver shift as you constantly even easier. Not to mention a whole lot more fun. fuell

REAR SUSPENSION A new dual-rate spring in the rear spreads out compression forces for Electrical outlets front a smoother, more comfortable ride. and rear make it easy to An easily accessible remote dial add accessories such as makes it easy to adjust “on the fly.” a Buell Quest™ Portable Tires Navigation System (GPS) The hybrid construction of the Pirelli Diablo Strada tires provides pictured here. the grip you want for aggressive riding combined with the long- wearing, wet-traction performance of a touring tire. 24 fuell SPRING 2008 STREETWISE STREETWISE SPRING 2008 fuell 25

ALASKAN ATTRACTION Barry Hansen, Salt Lake City, Utah (photography by the author and chris howell) 5:3<

>/:;3@ /<16=@/53 D/:23H It started simply enough, with an e-mail I received in early summer 2006 from my friend 6=>3 E67BB73@ Chris in Washington state: “Hey, do you know of anyone crazy 6=;3@ enough to go ride bikes in Alaska with me for a couple days?”

I quickly responded, “Well, I would probably need to think about that for a bit … (two-second pause) ... sure, lets do it!” That was all it took. After all, Alaska is the last great American frontier, the stuff of legends – not to mention all those great Jack London stories of my youth. In my mind it was more mythical than real, and I wondered half seriously, “Would there even be any highway to ride or is the place just frozen tundra?” The excitement started immediately – I was like a kid in a candy store. But first things first, we needed bikes. After some searching, we found Alaska Rider Tours in Anchorage (next door to the H-D dealer), where we lined up an amazing diversity of bikes: a KTM 950 Adventure, a BMW 650GS, a BMW 1200GS, and a Buell® Ulysses® XB12X. The lineup was a page right out of my dreams. This really was going to be FUN! We arrived in Anchorage late in the evening on August 10, and, as hard as I tried to get a good night’s sleep, I kept waking up to pinch myself to see if it was real. But it felt all too real in the morning when the day dawned overcast and very wet. (Did I mention that we picked the historically driest week of the year for our trip?!) After we picked up the bikes, signed all the paperwork, and warmed up our credit cards, they wanted to verify After gassing up in Glennallen (in Alaska, buy gas whenever you can!), we followed the incredibly picturesque our riding skills. As they watched us ride around the parking lot, one of the guys in our group launched a nice but lonely Highway 4 south, paralleling the infamous Alaskan pipeline, toward Valdez. I’m convinced this is the wheelie on the 950, and I started weaving the Buell between poles of a temporary tent cover. They threw their place where they take all those pictures you see in the road atlas books and magazines showing Alaska. hands in the air and wished us well at that point. I guess we passed the test! In 120 miles, I don’t think we passed a dozen vehicles! And since we were practically the only traffic on From there, we headed north and barely got to Palmer before the rain started in earnest. Time to don the the highway, it seemed like a nice place to let the bikes stretch out – or was that the throttle cables we were rainsuits! We had all picked a bike to start on, and I was on the Buell. After Palmer, we turned northeast toward stretching? I was blown away by the stability of the Buell at speed and the … yawn ... ease with which it crossed Glennallen and were pleased to find a bit of sunshine to highlight our first glimpses of the massive glaciers the century mark. sneaking out of the canyons along the Matanuska River. For lunch, we stopped at the Sheep Mountain Lodge, We stopped at Whittier Glacier for some hands-on time with frozen water and rocks that were seeing daylight where I enjoyed my first reindeer sausage sandwich. for the first time in thousands of years. We crested Thompson Pass and began descending the curvy valley Everybody was enjoying the new bikes, and I found myself playing with the white lines on the road, weaving in into Valdez with magnificent waterfalls spilling off the mountains on both sides. It looked like Hawaii to me! As and out and feeling the incredible rhythm I could set up on the Ulysses. “What are you doing?” my friends asked. we neared the coast, dropping into Valdez was like diving into soup, the clouds had settled in so low. And yes, “Having fun!” was my reply. “It just feels so good, and this suspension is unbelievable!” The Uly was starting to it was raining again. We still joke that Valdez is just a myth since we really never got to see it. get into my bloodstream. 20 fuell SPRING 2007 STREETWISE SPRING 2008 fuell 27

As we zigzagged through switchbacks climbing ever higher, I found the Ulysses to be a veritable tractor, nearly unstoppable!

We spent the night in Homer and after wandering along the boardwalks of the nearly five-mile-long “spit” the next morning for some photos, food, and trinkets, we headed back up the Kenai and headed west to Hope. We ventured into the back country to find some long, muddy, steep, rocky climbs leading to abandoned mines. Having extensive dirt bike experience, I was curious to see how we would E p i l o g u e fare with our side bags and gear on these full-size bikes. As we zigzagged through That was all it took to fall in love with the Ulysses! switchbacks climbing ever higher, I found the Ulysses to be a veritable tractor, The comfort, brawniness, confidence, and playful nearly unstoppable! Point it where you wanted to go, let the big twin just idle, and character of the bike so infected me that for the next it was almost unnerving how the bike would climb. year I watched online listings and visited my local As we put on more and more miles through the wet and verdant canyons, my Buell dealer routinely. I knew adding one more bike to faith in the bike’s capabilities grew. In fact, on the way down the canyon, I found my garage was going to be a challenge (there were at myself lofting the front wheel over all the stream crossings and grinning the whole least 14 there already – don’t ask!), but this one stole way, even in the continuing rain. my heart. I can’t remember ever riding a bike that From Hope, we had to retrace our path around the Turnagain Bay and back begged so openly to go out and play! toward Anchorage. As we rolled into town near 10PM in the dark, I had to laugh Finally, the chance came last summer. I even got at the spectacle we presented. The rider in front of me had a wake nearly six feet permission from my wife to have a “midlife crisis” as high on both sides as he split the standing water in the ruts of the freeway, and, for I brought home from my dealer a bike nearly identical a second, I wasn’t sure if he was on a jet ski or a motorcycle! We had just covered to the one that had carried me across Alaska, 1,200 miles, the temperature never rose above 53 degrees, and we had enjoyed complete with bags. Since then, I’ve had it on peaks the time of our lives. fuell over 10,000 feet; ridden through Jackson, Wyoming; and done the daily commute. But the capstone of the year was my first track experience at the Inside Pass™ event near Salt Lake City last September. H o t o n t h e T r a i l Words cannot do this one justice! I’ve ridden Day Two started abruptly. By accident and good fortune, we discovered (at 7:45AM) that the 11AM ferry to motorcycles for nearly 40 years, but I had never Whittier was cancelled due to mechanical issues. That meant we would have to catch the earlier, and much dared imagine that in my lifetime I would accomplish slower, one that left at 8AM! The alternative was to backtrack over 400 miles. It was an easy choice. what we did after one day at the track. As I entered Whittier is a bit odd in that the only way in or out of the city is by boat, or via a nearly five-mile-long single- Turn One of the new world-class Miller Motorsports track railroad tunnel, the longest one in North America we were told. Vehicular traffic is also allowed in the Park doing more than 120 mph, I couldn’t keep the tunnel (on the tracks!) but only once every 30 minutes, first from one direction, then back from the other. If you smile off my face! This bike was really mine and after miss your time, you have to wait an hour. After arriving by ferry, we elected to leave via the tunnel, where we laying it over in turns at ridiculous speeds all day were strongly advised to just stay in the center of the tracks as the rails were very slick with moisture. Some long, I would be riding it to work the rest of the week. in the group were extremely nervous about this part of the adventure, but we made it through without incident. My, my, my ... what a bike! It was creepy but fun – thanks again to the marvelous Uly suspension. One word of caution: If you try the Ulysses, prepare Our route from Whittier followed the picturesque Kenai Peninsula (and river) south through Soldotna and on to be hooked. It will likely steal your heart as it did to Homer. We found sunshine briefly about midway, but then the rain really got serious and the day got long as mine. We now have four Buells in the family, and I don’t we pushed to reach Homer before 10PM. I found myself pushing our speed faster and calculating how much think I could quit now if I tried! time I could shave off, as my feet were now soaked to the bone and getting seriously cold. The guards on the handgrips worked surprisingly well, and I was amazed at the grip the Uly had on the wet road. I didn’t understand why the rest of the group was so worried about needing to slow down due to the torrential downpour. I honestly wanted to go faster! But after trading bikes a few times during the trip and riding all the other machines, I understood their point. None of the bikes had a grip on the road like the Ulysses. I was starting to get seriously hooked. Got a great story about you and your Buell? Send it to [email protected]. Barry did! 28 fuell FALL 2007 GEARHEAD GEARHEAD SPRING 2008 fuell 29

Have a sweet custom Buell? Send a few snapshots and a brief description MASTERWORKS » to [email protected]. Your bike could be featured in Masterworks.

ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING

What started as a twinkle in the eye of its creator is all grown up now. And though her lineage is clear – she was born and raised a Buell® – somewhere along the way her DNA got a little ... twisted. The result is the sweet little love child you see before you now.

Meet the Blastard: 492cc of unnatural styling and power.

From the extended swingarm and polished 17-inch wheels, to the café-style bodywork and modified stock front end, just about everything about this 2000 Buell Blast® is custom. Modified frame. Exotic carb and intake. Custom exhaust. Custom seat and tail section.

Sure, she’s a looker. But the Blastard is no mere showpiece – she’s also wicked fast. Her custom-built race engine pumps out more than 1.5 hp per cubic inch. Already a land speed record holder at the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at Bonneville, she has her sights set breaking more records (not to mention a few hearts) before she’s through.

“As a long-time performance bike enthusiast, I have owned a number of Buells over the years,” explains Mark Triebold, one of a handful of men with a claim to parentage of the Blastard. “The torque is pretty addicting. But the Blastard may be my favorite.

“Plus – have you ever heard an open-piped Blast revving at 7,200 rpm? It’s absolutely RIDICULOUS!”

Just what we’d expect any proud father to say, Mark. But we believe you anyway.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HINES 30 fuell SPRING 2008 GEARHEAD

A Buell technical forum with Abe Askenazi, Director of Analysis, Test, and Engineering Process, ASKABE Buell Motorcycle Company

… we were able to deliver the next level of belt technology to the XB platform … BELOW THE BELT Q Hey, Abe! I bought the first XB9R in Northern Wisconsin and have been enjoying it ever since. I was wondering if Buell has an upgrade kit for the final drive, converting it to the lifetime belt system. I’m sure your loyal enthusiasts who have the 2003 models would love to get their hands on it. I understand that more than the belt and pulleys may be Ulysses Max Load required. Please advise. XBR/S Max Load – Randy Umbs, Firebolt XB9R A Randy, I’m glad to hear that you’ve had so many fun years on your XB9R. New Strength Relative to belts on Buell product, let me give our readers a brief review of the After Flex Test path we’ve followed in our recent history. I’ll start with why we believe belts After Mishandling Test 2003 MY 2004 MY 2006 MY Chain are excellent alternatives to other final drive systems (for a more in-depth 11mm Goodyear Improved Goodyear After Severe Debris Test look, please check out “So, What’s Up with the Idler Pulley?” in the Buell Tech 14mm 14mm section of buell.com): loading. So we collaborated long and hard with Goodyear on developing the » After an initial seating, a belt doesn’t change in length, making next generation belt to surpass the hard targets created by an extreme debris it possible to deliver a non-adjustable system that always holds test against a higher maximum load. As a result, for the 2006 Model Year optimum tension without the need of constant customer adjustment launch of Ulysses, we were able to deliver the next level of belt technology to (we want you to be out riding the bike, not maintaining it). the XB platform, retrofittable to the 2004 Model Year XBs (see chart). » Based on the above, a belt in combination with our patented idler More recently, in the development of the 1125R,TM we discovered that the system yields a lash-free, constant-tension drive system throughout high-horsepower duty cycle associated with this bike, coupled with the gritty the full range of suspension travel. environment of our Desert Proving Grounds test facility in Arizona, caused » Belts are always very consistent in length, tooth-to-tooth, eliminating long-term belt wear short of our aggressive targets. Once again, we teamed any drive jerkiness, such as is often experienced with a chain. with Goodyear to develop a belt enhancement that significantly reduces this type of wear, which was successfully launched on the 1125R. » Belts never need to be lubricated. This brings us full circle to your question, Randy. Because we determined A belt weighs significantly less than a chain or a driveshaft, and a » that Goodyear met our challenges better than our original supplier, we found good portion of this type of weight is unsprung. It also follows that ourselves having to change belt architecture from the 2003 to 2004 Model a belt’s dynamic inertia is quite low. Year (the original architecture was patented). Since partnering with Goodyear, When we launched the 2003 XB9R, we partnered with a belt supplier to deliver we work on making our improvements readily retrofittable, but, unfortunately, to our customers the best technology available to us in order to provide the fitting a Goodyear belt to a 2003 bike requires a lot of parts. However if you’re FOR THE UNCOMPROMISING RIDER, THERE’S DIABLO. benefits listed above. Yet we quickly learned that we misjudged how “easy” determined, you can do it using the following parts (plus related hardware): it would be for people not to follow the strict service handling guidelines associated with this belt, which unfortunately resulted in a number of situations G0500.1AAE Belt M0560.1AA lower Belt Guard The International Press and riders from all over the world say it: The Buell homologated where the belt’s strength became compromised. Therefore, we challenged our 40288-95 transmission Output Sprocket M0570.1AA upper Belt Guard supply base to come up with a significant improvement to the belt’s ability to G0400.1AA Wheel Sprocket H1522.1AA rEAr Brake Line Assembly Diablo T is the best tire in terms of grip, rider feedback and stability. Perfect for sport- be unphased by handling abuse. And although our original supplier was able G0604.1AAA idler Pulley Assembly H0205.1AA rEAr Master Cylinder oriented street riding, the Diablo T assures fast warm-up and equally impressive perfor- to make an improvement toward the end of the 2003 Model Year, we found G0555.1AAA Front Sprocket Cover ourselves partnering with Goodyear to better address this issue (see chart). mance in wet and dry conditions. Shortly after, when we started working on the Ulysses,® we knew that severe off- You’ll also need both the 2003 and 2004 service manuals to walk you through pavement debris would be the next challenge for the belt. We also discovered removal of the old parts and installation of the new ones. If in doubt, please that the Ulysses duty cycle yielded a 25 percent increase in maximum belt get help from your Buell dealer’s service department.

STUMP ABE! Got a technical question you think only Abe can answer (or might baffle him)? www.us.pirellimoto.com / www.pirellidiablo.com Send it to [email protected] with “Ask Abe” in the Subject line.