My 08 Lightning Makeover

[shawn8184]

Well, it’s taken some time but the makeover is complete (for now anyways). I bought the bike about three months ago here in Atlanta, lightly used with only 4,000 miles on it. With Buell closing the doors I was having a difficult time finding a lightning so I couldn’t be too picky about the color.

With that being said I really wanted a black bike so it was time to get out the tools…

Here are my before and after's.


http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100406134520_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100406134533_L.jpg
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100414114814_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100406134630_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100407135836_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100407125232_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100414114736_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5881_20100414114757_L.jpg

[Nuage420b]

OMG did you pain over a kickash airbox?!?!?!?! i hope my eyes are deceiving me lol. I would of traded you my cherry bomb and you could of painted that!

BTW i love the black frame with the silver forks. I'm getting all the silver powder coated the 08 graphite grey to even stuff out and finish the darkening. Sick bike man[up]

[JOEL9]

so did you painted the frame & swingarm on the bike? how'd that go?

[fwkapaun]

One sick looking bike![up]

[poorboysspot]

nicely done man.

Pimp my Ride (http://poorboyspost.com/ebay)

[dorado29]

Was the frame done professionally or did you do it yourself? Is it powder coated? I've always wondered how that works.. The black frame looks so natural on the bike, I always thought it was a stock option (like you can choose frame color when buying a new xb)

edit: heh I'm about to buy an 06 xb9sx with exactly 4000 miles on it

[shawn8184]

Thanks everyone,

It wasn't a simple task but it was worth it and I personally had a good time doing it.

I removed all the parts myself and brought them to a custom shop for painting. Basically I had nothing but the engine sitting on a motorcycle jack in the end. I ordered the paint from Hot Rod Flatz. They have a pre-flattened black that has the 30-degree primer look to it. You just have to mix in the hardener. I had the tail section, rear sets, and trees powder-coated. I was going to powder coat the swingarm and frame but chose not to because touch-ups are not easy with powdercoat. You have to re-paint the whole part. So i figured paint would be better just in case it needs a touch up.

[Fock347]

nice +1

[shawn8184]

Thanks, I coated the exhaust and header with bake-on ceramic. Its held up great and actually matches the frame color perfectly.

[lightningbolt]

looks great! would love to see a front shot with the mask on. nice work[up]