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View Full Version : can u lower a buell xb9sx



jerrythor
01-04-2011, 09:27 AM
is there a way other than getting a lowered seat to lower the bike..such as other oem shocks..etc.. thanks

BuellerPilot
01-04-2011, 09:29 AM
Yes, get XB9s low or XB12SCG forks and rear shock (and side stand). The XB9/12S front ends don't really allow the fork tubes to be slipped higher in the triples due to the dash/instrument and bars being in the way, you might get 1/2" lower if you go that route. You can get a lowering rear shock collar instead of a SCG rear shock. Have you tried loosening the pre-load front and rear all the way loose yet?

SEARCH, theres been PLEANTY disscuccion on this.

~Mike.....

redrider
01-04-2011, 09:45 AM
What year is your bike?

jerrythor
01-04-2011, 12:35 PM
2009 xb9sx and no i have not even played w the bike yet. all i did so far is replaced seat but not low enough

xtremelow
01-04-2011, 08:29 PM
Simplest way would be to slip the front forks about 1 1/2" and put an Scg shock in the rear.

But the Scg front forks will be much better in regards to riding since the S forks will feel soft having the bike low.If you swapped out the forks you would need to swap the lower triple tree too.

I am sure you could easily find a member to trade everything you need for the swap.

BuellerPilot
01-04-2011, 09:11 PM
xtreme, you cannot slip the fork tubes in the S models very far at all (like 1/2" for the newer model black forks, and like 1/4 for the older silver ones) unlike the R models, the instrument panel/cluster and handle bars hit the fork tops.

~Mike....

jerrythor
01-04-2011, 09:15 PM
i dont know how to do any of that swappin.. and sorry im jus getting into buells so this sounds dumb but whats a scg ands??

e3mcgrath
01-04-2011, 09:48 PM
my xb9sx with scg suspension. swapped out in a couple hours with a fellow forum member
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p24/rolemodelcc/05%20BUELL%20XB9SX/P1010697.jpg

RT Performance
01-04-2011, 11:37 PM
scg is somthiong center of gravity. aka LOW lightening.
you can find the low shock it is really simple to swap will gain about a 1/2" in the rear.
Like other said you can"t slip the forks much with the sx bars

delta one
01-05-2011, 12:28 AM
you will know the "low" shocks because they have yellow springs on them.

the S is the lighting designation (streetfighter)

XB9sl = 984cc lightning low
XB9s = 984cc lighting
XB9sx = 984cc lightning [city] cross
XB12s = 1203cc lightning
XB12Ss = 1203cc Lightning long (stretched)
XB12STT= 1203cc Lightning Super TT (supermoto)
XB12Scg= 1203cc lightning Center of gravity (low)
XB12Sx = 1203cc lightning [city] cross (EU only)

R is the Firebolt designation (race)

XB12R = 1203cc Firebolt
XB9R = 984cc Firebolt

X is the Ulysses designation (cross country/adventure cross)

XB12X = 1203cc Ulysses
XB12Xt = 1203cc Ulysses Touring


did I miss anything?

oh and the low designation was traded for the center of gravity not only because it sounded more sport oriented but because the lightning low read as XB9slow

xtremelow
01-05-2011, 12:36 AM
My bad BuellerPilot, I tend to forget about the S bars for some reason. Good call on me[up]

Bossanova
01-05-2011, 03:54 AM
Precision Engineering (http://www.preeng.com/xcart/product.php?productid=5&cat=8&page=1) sells risers that lift the bars up so when you slip the fork tubes, they don't hit the bars.
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5956_20110104214937_L.jpg

Also Wild Hair Accessories (http://www.whaccessories.com/LoweringKits.htm) sells lowering adapters that will drop the rear about an inch.
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5956_20100707071406_L.jpg

BuellerPilot
01-05-2011, 07:18 AM
Precision Engineering sells risers that lift the bars up so when you slip the fork tubes, they don't hit the bars.

But they'll still hit the dash/instrument cluster!

~Mike.....

jerrythor
01-05-2011, 04:45 PM
thanks i may go w the riser and lowering adapter unless i can find sum1 local who is willing to swap and help me do the work. n lots of new info i did not know about.

BuellerPilot
01-05-2011, 05:06 PM
All my post must be invisable? [confused]

~Mike....

jerrythor
01-05-2011, 05:31 PM
no its not that buellerpilot, its im really just tryin to see what my options are and id rather get suspension off the low model.. but i really dont know much bout workin on bikes. id like to lower the bike and not lose handling.but as of now i can only get 1 foot on the ground at a time. im not askin much but another inch id be fine..... i think..

delta one
01-05-2011, 06:11 PM
you will spend as much to slip the forks as you would getting low forks, and commonly guys want to trade.

to slip the forks you would also need an adapter that pushes your gauge pod forward so your forks don't hit it, the only one I know of is make overseas and is spendy, plus it will take more skill to slip the forks than it will to do it right, it is way to easy to improperly slip the forks and have them not be tight enough in the triple trees and end up dropping the front of the bike on the ground as the forks shoot up towards your face.

the clamping section isn't all the way down a fork its wider where the forks go you can damage your forks doing this or hurt yourself if you do it wrong.

slipping forks takes balls and knowledge, some guys have done it and not had any problems but these were guys that could take the bike all the way apart and put it back together.

Bossanova
01-06-2011, 04:20 AM
All my post must be invisable?
BP and Delta are correct. I wanted to get home and look at mine before jumping back in and posting bad info…
I actually installed risers a while back on the Scg in prep (fork slip) to lower it for my wife. After installing, it appeared it was close but would come up ~ .5 inch. I have been holding off doing it because she isn't riding it yet, I am. When I got home last night and looked again, WTF was I looking at before?? Maybe .25 but it would be touching. :(

Poking around behind the flyscreen it appears it can be spaced out to provide the clearance but is it worth it? Seems like there are some weird tamper-proof fasteners that would need to be pulled and replaced. F it. Shes gonna have to wear thick sole boots...

upthemaiden
01-06-2011, 06:42 AM
I started out with the 9 Low, and eventually collected all the parts to make it a normal S. I think the easiest way was definitely browsing ebay and the forum and just picking up the right shock/forks/sidestand. You could get that adaptor for the rear shock, but it probably costs more than I paid for my whole used shock. It's not hard to find them for no more than $50 shipped, not to mention you're going to have to go buy a spring compressor anyway to get it on. The forks are obviously the most expensive part, I think they usually go for around $200. I've heard that the normal S forks can have shorter springs put in them to make them shorter, but I'm not too sure about all the details on that one.

Is this your first bike? I only ask because when I started riding I thought all bikes were too tall/big. After I rode for a while it feels perfectly normal. I'm only 5'8 and 145lbs, but I though the 9sl was way too low for me. I currently have the normal suspension and the low seat, and I'm still hoping to pick up a normal seat by spring. I do have the tallest SX seat too, and I can ride on it perfectly fine but I just think it's too uncomfortable(and ugly). If you KNOW what height you want then do whatever, but if this is your first bike and it just seems too tall, I'd definitely recommend trying to buy a 2nd pair of forks and a shock so you can swap back if you decide you want it higher later. You sacrifice a little bit of the functionality when you go to the shorter forks, it's a noticibly harsher ride, plus why front wheels is so much harder to get off the ground. That last part could go either way, but I considered it a negative.

jerrythor
01-06-2011, 05:19 PM
its my 5th bike i believe but im only 5'2i can barley kick out the kick stand cuz my legs so short! lol.. last bike was 07 gsxr 750 but stock i could get both feet on the groud..(well tipy toe). i just wanna be super comfy.also i really appreciate all this imput.

upthemaiden
01-06-2011, 08:04 PM
Go for the low suspension!

E3mcgrath, that header wrap job is amazing. I've seen a ton of xbs with header wrap and I haven't cared for any of them, but yours looks great how it is. Does it drop the heat any on the right side of the frame and seat?

cb750
01-09-2011, 04:58 AM
thanks i may go w the riser and lowering adapter unless i can find sum1 local who is willing to swap and help me do the work. n lots of new info i did not know about.

Where do you live?

I have an Scg and would be willing to swap.

cb750
01-09-2011, 06:31 AM
After doing some research on this you'll have to swap the lower triple clamp also.

jerrythor
01-10-2011, 03:17 PM
thanks cb750 but i may have another guy who may be interested.. btw i live in wisconsin ill let u know if he does not wanna trade tho.

twoguns
01-10-2011, 08:07 PM
jerry thor... my missus is 5'2" and she has a lowered 07 xb9Sx now noted as a xb9Sxcg...

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/mr2guns/Lowering007-1.jpg

was easy to convert... took us about 3hrs in total

here is a vid...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBVG9FQB6gE

twoguns
01-10-2011, 08:17 PM
we also fitted her with a xb standard seat from my old xb12 lightning. so you can either work with that as you will get both balls of your feet to touch or you can as well use a xb lowseat option as well.

jerrythor
01-11-2011, 04:54 PM
dang she looks good...bike and ur misses.. i apreciate the pix. im sure ill be way more comfy now

twoguns
01-11-2011, 09:52 PM
mate... they both are damn fine. she likes the bike now soo much thta she wont ride the back of mine!

good luck with it.

delta one
01-11-2011, 09:59 PM
mate... they both are damn fine. she likes the bike now soo much thta she wont ride the back of mine!


I think that means it was all worth it :D

LOL

Bryan_03XBS
05-25-2011, 03:45 PM
I have a 03 XB9s that I want to lower and convert to a R model. My forks are currently the standard forks and the standard spring. The left fork does leak. I am willing to trade parts or buy parts anyone has what I am looking for. I also need firebolt handlebars.