Well it is about time I started using some protection while riding the mistress, but until some warranty issues were resolved regarding the Buell’s exhaust everything was on hold. Though after speaking to my local H-D dealer (Dublin Harley-Davidson) they were kind enough to take in my Buell Ulysses XB12XT while I toured the USA for a month over July/August (more on that in future posts), they preferred this as it allowed them to do the work in their own time. Once this was all done I could get on to adding that much desired protection. The dealer carried out the following warranty work;

-> EMC replaced (due to fault)
-> Exhaust replaced (due to corrosion and then new one camcoated)
-> LED for alarm (had not worked since wiring loom replaced)

Camcoated Exhaust

In previous posts I had mentioned that I had ordered some parts from Touratech, these had been sitting on a shelf in my garage since May as I was waiting for the exhaust to be replaced. So naturally the very next day after getting the Buell home I was straight into the garage to fit the new parts to the bike. Note also that earlier in the year I replaced the existing front mudguard with a carbon fibre front fender and carbon fibre upper front fender from Trojan Horse, in the same style as the standard Ulysses (XB12X). I prefer the upper/lower mudguard appearance and the carbon gives the bike an stylish looking front. So the parts to be fitted from Touratech were:

-> Large engine guard Buell XB12X Ulysses
-> Small engine guard Buell XB12X Ulysses
-> Protector for oil filter Buell XB12X Ulysses
-> Oil cooler protection Buell XB12X Ulysses

The Touratech Parts

The Touratech parts seem to be of very good quality and they supply all the fittings required. The instructions could be a bit clearer, but they provide enough information and a bit of common sense will get you through the process easily. The first thing that needs doing is the removal of the spoiler. Note that in the photos below you can see the new camcoated exhaust.

The Large Engine Guard

Fitting the large engine guard is straight forward. You need to assemble some mounting parts within it first, then it just slides up and into position. When you place it into position do not tighten everything up just yet, also at this stage the oil filter protector can be fitted. This is just a matter of fixing one screw, a cable-tie can also be used to further secure this.

Small Engine Guard and Oil Cooler Protector

Next the small engine guard is fitted to the front of the exhaust/engine. Now this is slightly more complicated as the mounting bracket for the top of the guard requires some trial and error to get it just right. Hence some tightening and readjusting will be required. Assembly of the various bits could be made clearer in the instructions, but that is my only complaint regarding the entire process. Once I was happy with the location of everything it was all tightened up.

Finally the oil cooler protector was attached, this was the simplest to do as all it requires is two nuts to secure. All done in a matter on minutes! With that I just rechecked all the other fittings and tightened them all up. Then time for mandatory brew and to sit back to admire the work done.

I have been for a few rides with the new parts fitted and all seems to be going well. Have checked the nuts have not loosened up while the large engine guard has already proved its worth as I came around a bend to find a particularly bad pothole in the road. Sat the bike up but could not avoid the whole…and felt a ‘touch down’. Getting back to the garage and having a look under the bike the guard had indeed been scraped, probably saving my freshly camcoated exhaust. Go to my Flickr page for more photos of the parts fitted and how the Buell looks now.

The Buell now with the parts fitted

So far so good! I am very pleased with the new parts and the overall look of the bike now. It was my intent to fit some small spotlights (PIAA’s or similar) but I may need to wait for some time as another trip to the USA is on the cards within the next 5 months. So will shall wait and see with regards to them…but I am not complaining under the circumstances.

As always, keep the rubber side down!