Tpoppa

I read it a few years ago, just saw it again..still funny.

I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to pass the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of mountain road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the bends have warning signs that say "MAX SPEED 25 MPH". I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone. I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. Three corners later, I was on his mudguard. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another. Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out-power me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever. My only hope was to out-brake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good. But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror. Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him. Though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the mountain. I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedalled so hard in my life. And, some of the credit must go to Schwinn, as well. They really make a great bicycle...

Ninjas ride Kawasakis, Pirates ride HDs...I mean stand next to HDs at bike night.

The good news is that Buell manintenace (I'm speaking XB, I don't have any ass time on an 1125) is simple DIY. If you are mechaniclly inclined at all, there really isn't much reason to rely on a dealer.

Paul, maybe we can work out a trade for tire changes...I have 3 coming up.

Well that's ghey. It sucks to have to walk past 12 racks of Pirate Costumes to find the Buell stuff on the back wall. As a whole, HD's demographic is aging. It's in the dealer's best interest to get some younger blood in the door. Maybe if the sell & support Buell today they can sell you an Electra-Couch in 10 years.

Dweezel, I believe the mods are listed onthe Buell site. I'm guessing HD Church is the dealership...unfortunately that is the worst part of owning a Buell. I had one of the certified 'Chrome Installers' do some damage, now I do all my own service. Many HD dealerships just don't get sporbikes & have no idea how to sell them or appeal to riders. Buell has pulled out of many HD dealerships for that reason. I would love to see Buells for sale next to BMWs, Ducs, and Aprilias. Locally, Western Reserve in Mentor is one of the better Buell dealerships in the country. Lake Erie in Avon is coming around. I've heard good things about AD Farrow, but I've never actually dealt with them.

From a Buell insider that who just may be high up on the chain... "And celebrate that Taylor finished 7th in DSB and 12th in Superbike, meaning the 1125RR is on it's way. Not bad for the first outing for a modified 1125R that is still 20mph down on the field with about 160RWHP vs. over 200 on the Japanese bikes. I have never in my life seen such absurdity as has been circulating on some web sites. The 1125RR is an 1125R with a kit of parts that is available to anyone. For the price of what Graves or Erion will build you a DSB bike, you get a Superbike. The AMA wanted us to install the kits at the factory to make the bikes easier for a privateer to race, and since it was assembled and shipped from the factory kitted for racing, the bike had to become a new model to avoid EPA, etc. Y'know when Ducati was starting out, all kinds of breaks were given to them and everyone applauded. There were huge breaks for the Foggy Petronas and Benelli, all who had more money than Buell. Yet here we are with a tiny American company doing the same thing, and the haters come out in force."

not many possibilities...someone will buy it or it'll go on Craig's

Click.

The box says 20-100 ft/lbs. For 10 lbs, you would prolly want a lighter wrench that measures inch/lbs.

New in Box 20-100 ft. lbs. Lifetime warranty Husky sent this to me as a replacememt, but I already have another one. Retails for $75, I'll sell for $50. Local pickup, near Cleveland. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100050843

Superbike Planet is a bunch of bedwetters, Buell haters from day 1.

I read that too. But I don't think it was a coincidence that Eslick was further back in the pack in the races following the rule change.

Then go to Rockstar Makita and ask to buy one of Mladin's bikes. btw...U.S. MSRP is $39,995. Orders must be placed through the Buell Race Department and delivered through an authorized Buell motorcycle dealer.

There is no play in the tensioner. You could potentially make different tensioner pulley sizes, or some kind of adjustable tensioner, but the tension needs to be precise (note the rear axle does not move at all). It easier & cheaper to change gearing with off the shelf sprockets and chains.

Hmmm. 1. I'm sure Buell had pemission before they started development. 2. What favor? After Buell won a few, they made them add weight, which dropped them back in the pack. What is the difference if Buell makes a streetbike and then Buell Racing modifies it within the Suberbike rules vs. Suzuki makes a streetbike then Rockstar Makita Suzuki modifies it within the Suberbike rules? The only real difference is that the mods are made before/after the racing team actually gets ahold of it. I'm QUITE CERTAIN that RMS has at least $28k of mods on Mladin's bike. As much as I like my Buell...I don't really think Knapp is going to beat Mladin.

Not easily...belts are continuous. They would need to manufacture different belt lengths for each gearing combination.

Maybe I'm missing something. What exactly is the controversy?? American Superbikes all have direct roots to production street bikes and, not surprisingly, each eligible model represents the most powerful motorcycle available from top manufacturers such as Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Aprilia, Buell, Ducati and others. The big-bore bikes all produce at least 1000cc in engine displacement from a variety of twin and multi-cylinder powerplants. Four-cylinder, four-stroke machines have a minimum post-race weight of 375 pounds and are limited to 1000cc engines, such as the Suzuki GSX-R1000, Honda CBR1000RR and Yamaha R1. Two-cylinder, four-stroke machines must tip the scales at a minimum post-race weight of 390 pounds but can exceed 1000cc in displacement, such as the Buell 1125CR and Ducati 1098R.

Laguna was a joke. I've never seen a mess like that in any level of racing.

On the street belts are superior. On the track a chain allows for gearing changes.

That's great! I will do a trip like that someday on a sport tourer.

I would NEVER do that to my bike, but I would definitely do it to Pauly's bike in a heartbeat.

You should look into a 04+ F4i. The ergo's are near VFR-like, but it's much lighter and handles better.

U.P. It doesn't look like I'm gonna need the front stand. I have it disassembled and have the motor rotated down for service. It wasn't that complicated of a job. I took it slow to make sure it was done correctly. So far so good...