BUELL REPORT--We've discovered a custom oil cooler designed specifically for Buells. These CNC machined aluminum oil coolers for Buells are made by Ron's Bike Shop and offered by German custom parts supplier Speed-point. Sold in pairs, they mount on the frame tubes below the gas tank and are available in a choice of polished or black anodized finishes: speed-point.com

Mikuni For Sportsters And Buells

Mikuni HSR42 for Sportsters and Buells: Mikuni's new HSR42 'Easy' carburetor kits for Sportsters and Buells now work with the stock throttle cables, making the HSR42 easier and quicker to install. They are designed with an eight-roller bearing flat throttle slide assembly, which allows an unubstructed venturi at full throttle to flow more air and make more peak power, as well as carbureting more precisely at all throttle settings to provide additional power, torque and fuel economy gains across the entire power band. The roller bearing throttle slide offers smoother throttle control and allows the use of a lighter throttle return spring: Mikuni.com.

Breather and Pipe Kit

Hit a 105 mph coming up the 4-lane on ramp over the weekend. The Buell race breather kit and the Vance / Hines pipe really improved the response on my 2000 M-2.

Installed a pair of Napoleon bar end mirrors to get rid to the stock mickey mouse appearing units. The mirrors install in 10 minutes and cost $30 each. Had some interference with the lever ball ends, so I cut the balls off (neutered) my brake and clutch levers.

Next project is the installation of the carbon fiber X-1 style chin fairing. The fairing and hardware are sold separately. After the installation will provide you with a hardware list.

--Agent M-2, Anson

Carb Mods On your carb. Start by drilling the slide to .109 this is a nominal/fraction size drill bit. Use the Dyno jet Spring or cut 2 coils off the stock spring for starters. Use the 88 Sportster needle first. A spacer may or may not be needed. I use a .010 spacer under the head of the needle, but my heads have been reworked and flow better than the stock Thunderstorm Buell heads. Also my CV carb is bored. Start with H-D # 45 slow jet which it may already have. For the main jet start with a stock H-D #185 size. Don't use a Dyno jet Kit!! They cost way to much and it ruins your gas mileage. I know you have heard me say this before. But you should call Trock about boring and setting up the carb. I would do the mod's said above first. Then if you have the time Dyno the bike. Actually Dyno it before you do anything for a baseline!! Keep notes on every change you do. Then you know what is working and what made the biggest change. I know time is always a problem. But there is really only one way to see whats going on. Oh yeah make sure your Buell has a idle speed adjuster cable with a small black knob. It should be by the frame and air box on top. If you don't have it get one!! Makes setting the idle mucho less painful than with out it. Try just taking "L" tube inside the airbox out. Put in the plastic Venturi ring from Screamin Eagle. Also a K&N air filter for the Air Box. I know the Air Box looks Funky to most people, it does grow on you after a while. What's good about the thing is it's really a good still air box!! Ah, yes the brakes. As you may have found out the rear brakes don't do a hole lot. So you have learn to front brake. The front brake is one of Buell's best features. You don't really need 2 rotor's/calipers for the street. I do agree with you though, it looks trick with a dual disk setup. PM makes the calipers for a dual setup. They are spendy though. Ferodo makes really good rotors and pads, also spendy. Both these guys are in your extensive "Link" page.

Shock mount recall, well actually Bartels can run the Vin and tell you. Visually the recall has a alum. split bell shaped looking cover w/2 clamps at the rear of the shock. At the front of the shock there is a "U" shaped bracket that goes around the shock "Eye" and is held in place by a serious 2 pc. clamping bracket. All this is designed for is to keep the shock from coming apart if the ends of the shock break. Which is very very rare. It's that abuse thing again.

I forgot to mention air/fuel mixture screw on the CV. It's located on the bottom of the carb behind the float bowl under the rear spigot. I drill a small hole (.078 DIA.) in the side of the boss about .100 from the bottom of the boss. This puts me just above the alum. plug. and below the threads of the mixture. I then take a Snap-on curved pick (hook) and stick it in the drilled hole and push out the alum. plug which I save.

Start by turning the screw in lightly till it bottoms, not too hard or you will fuck-up the screw. Back it out about 2 1/2 turns to start. If this is good push back in the plug in the boss and stake it. Then silicone up the small hole. If the mixture screw gets lost or screwed up. A "Kowalski" Vulcan CV carb screw can be used. Don't have the P/N here, it's at work.

-- Paul

Stoppys

Stoppys are front braking rear tire wheelie's. If you really need to do this, try doing them starting at 20 MPH. Grab alot front brake you'll feel the rear come up. Be ready to let go of that front brake fast!!! Be really careful!!! I do not recommend any wheelie on a Buell. It is really hard on the Rear shock and the front fork neck bearings! I like to check my neck bearing's at the 2500 mile service interveral's. I have replaced alot of these and its usually do to abusive riding. Also the rear shock front mount bolts to the engine case. Lots of stress when you beat on the bike.

A first just start by grabbing alittle more brake than usual at a normal stop. You can feel the rear of the bike lift up. You gotta remember the front brake on a Buell is very powerful and stops you like right now!! If you feel comfortable try them at 20 MPH. Also just put Charlotte, NC. and drop the Charlotte H-D. Don't need the phone calls that might come from this info.

Headwork

Also explaining that reworking the heads is really part of the total package but can be done later. This will put them in the 90+ HP range. 90 to 100 HP on a Buell is truly a rush!! Hope all this helps. Would like to see the "Buell Report" be a success. For what it's worth if your in Phoenix look up Scott Jensen. He is the service manager at Glendale H-D. He is a Road Racer. Has raced Buells. He is the guy in Phoenix to see if you need help, ideas etc. on Buells. That's it for now. Later, Paul