New guy with ‘07 Ulysses

[Brando4905]

Brought a 2007 XB12x with a tad over 12k miles home over the weekend. I’ve always wanted one, just never found the right deal. After owning several German ADV bikes over the last few years, I finally jumped ship and bought a sports tourer with 175hp and ever since have been missing our local forest service roads. So I started the search for an affordable Uly. Found this one and after a test ride and a look over, I rode her home on Sunday.

Huge shout out to Lunaticfringe! He’s been quite helpful answering a lot of my newbie questions and offering advice, much appreciated.

So far, over the past few days, I’ve found a super cheap Android tablet and got the Buelltooth and ecmdroid up and going. Replaced my rear wheel bearings with a set of FAGs off the shelf here in my tiny little town for $25. I did grab the HF blind puller set, and that and some heat made for fairly simple replacement. I’ve adjusted the clutch and primary chain. Waiting on a set of TKC80s that should be here today.

I had planned on doing plugs as well, but the AFV according to the Buelltooth, is currently at 100.2. Seems like no tune up really needed??

Lots of corrosion behind the rear bearings and the axle was white with it as well. Bearings were still very much serviceable and smooth, but after seeing all the rust behind them, I’m glad I went ahead with it. If I’d waited a few years, I may not have gotten them out.

There are signs of ecm connector cracks, and it does appear to have the added “nub” to help keep seat off. Runs good now, but I’ll monitor the performance in rainy or damp conditions and may wind up having to get a replacement.

It is missing the top Derby cover screw and after buying a replacement and already loosing it, I see that the hole is missing half its threads. Thinking about a helicoil kit from Autotune? Any reason not too?

Anyhow, glad to have found this forum and look forward to contributing when I can. Any pointers y’all can offer are welcome and appreciated!
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[Brando4905]

Looks like pics were inserted twice, sorry for wasting space. :)

Forgot to ask, I did see in the service manual when looking for torque specs on sprocket and rear rotor they recommend discarding the used fasteners. I have cleaned the bolts up and removed all old and dry thread locker, as well as chased the holes in the wheel to clean it all out of there. I plan on reusing the fasteners unless you guys have heard of any failures when doing so? New thread sealer of course. Bolts look great and not torqued to ungodly specs, so it seems ok to reuse??

[Brando4905]

Thanks! Was hoping I wouldn’t be the only one reusing the hardware. Copy that on thread locker.

Didn’t want the next pics to be bike on it’s side on the trail and me in the ER. :)

Helicoil in upper most Derby cover screw hole. Piece of cake.

Edit: Sorry for the pics. I hate it when they go sideways.

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[Cooter]

Good for you Brando, nice ride and looks like you got her well sorted:up: Time to ride!

I have a set of TKC-80's for my STT and they work ok for fire roading a heavy bike, but man they are terrible on the street:( I'm looking into Anakee's maybe next.

If it runs well and AFV is 90-110 you're GTG. Since you have the ability with ECMDroid, save your tune in case you need to replace that ECM body someday. If you get the common hesitation at 3-4000RPM, look for a Buell "race" tune (even for a stock muffler) it is a great increase in throttle response and power. Tim at IDSpd.com can get that program and even a replacement ECM to you.

https://live.staticflickr.com/4622/39781839324_ca0ec6bc5f.jpg

[Brando4905]

Nice ride, Cooter! Yeah, I’m familiar with the TKC’s on the street, this build is really just for off road. Well......you know, I might like it better than my Super Duke GT for street, but I’m not going to hold my breath. :)

I did run into a rather large snag today, should have known, it’s very unusual for things to go so smooth for me. I got the rear all buttoned up, new tire and bearings. Then on to the front is where the OMG comes in. The front bearings were seized, inner race just eating the front axle. Hot spot on both ends. Unbelievable that the PO rode it from Columbia, SC to meet me in Landrum, SC, then I rode her home to Marion, NC and didn’t take the short way home either. I thought it turned in kinda weird. I’m not a religious person, but I’m counting my lucky stars on this one. Could have been a situation, for sure.

I think this is where the old bike, low mileage scenario rears it’s ugly head? Sitting too long in one spot? Front axle torqued too tight? I’m not really sure, but I did remove the grease seal on one and they looked new! Just the turning part wasn’t working. :)

So a new front axle will be here Friday from St Paul and I’ll pick up a set of 6006 bearings in the morning. Bummer, cause I was really ready to take her out. I reckon she’ll sit on the jack for a few days.

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[njloco]

The pictures usually start off upright then depending on how the job goes and how long it takes, the amount of beer consumed makes the pics go sideways.
The Shinko's 804 and 805's are way ahead of the TKC 80's on and off road but they don't make them in a Ully size ! Too bad, I really wanted them on my Ully.
Shinko's 705's come in, front-120/70r17, rear- 170/60r17 would these sizes work on our rims ?

[Cooter]

Ouch, thats a hot axle! Make sure the aluminum bearing spacer (a rare few are steel) didn't get squished by some ham handed person. 20ft lbs, back off and 40 ft/lbs for the front, 25 then 50 for the rear). Over-torquing it just once can squish the spacer and then side load the ball bearings. That will make them catastrophically die soon. WHY they aren't tapered roller bearings I'll never know.

Someday when my free time is greater than my project list, I want to look up bearing specs to get tapered roller bearings to fit in the wheels (won't even need a spacer).
IIRC the front wheel bearings are 6005-2rs, not 6006-2rs (that's the rear size).


NJ, I'm an old off-roader so TKC-80's are the motorcycle version of Swamper Boggers. They aren't the best at anything, but dayymmm look at 'dem bad boys!! :applause:
https://live.staticflickr.com/4424/36887910796_a6105891d0.jpg

[njloco]

My truck, can do that, in my dreams !

[Brando4905]

NJ, I’m not afraid of Shinkos, some are for some reason, I guess they think cause they’re cheap they suck? I’ve ran 705s on heavier bikes than the Uly and never a problem. Hard to beat at that price!

Cooter, yeah that axle is too small in spots now. New freshy from St Paul will arrive tomorrow, only $36. I ordered another spacer as well, but I just swapped out those frozen front bearings a few minutes ago and reused the old spacer, it was still mint. I sourced my bearings from a local shop that had them in stock right here in my tiny town. FAG’s for $25 for both rears and $20 for the fronts! Made in Korea and seem decent enough for this application. I agree, tapered would last forever. I have an old ‘73 BMW R75/5 with those type bearings.

[Brando4905]

Axle came in and I got her all put back together. Bearings are now turning on the axle, amazing how much better it turns! Lol.

Didn’t get far on the first run due to idle hanging up high after it warmed up. I returned back to the shop and jumped online to this trusty forum and read what to do. Seemed I had the idle set too high after TPS reset, I missed a crucial step on reset and didn’t have the bike warmed up. After adjusting the idle down, all was well.

I bee lined for my favorite local FS road and hit the trail. Man......these things handle pretty sweet off-road! I was honestly surprised just how good it feels. Fun bike, for sure.

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[Cooter]

...Bearings are now turning on the axle...

Love me a happy ending! Glad it's all together man.

But the inner bearing race should not be spinning on the axle (thats what the rollers in the bearing are for). The axle should capture the inner races together with the spacer to make a solid tube to torque against. The reason your axle got hot is because the inner races were spinning on the axle=bad.

I get the feeling you know this ^^^, just clarifying if someone mis-reads this later:)

[Cooter]

I agree with ya Lunatic.


I get the feeling you know this ^^^, just clarifying if someone mis-reads this later:)

[Cooter]

i'm throbbing

Stop it:upset:






:)

[Brando4905]

Hahaha!! Yep, poor choice of words. Thanks for corrections! I was still reeling with excitement from my little shakedown cruise through the woods, throbbing if you will, Mr Lunatic. :)

I feel left out not meeting the mall security guard yet.

[njloco]

I'm deciding on tires for my "little ully" now, I do go on the roads a lot so it's difficult to decide. The 805/804 Shinko's would be the choice but, they don't make them in our size so, it looks like it will end up being a mix of two different mfgs or model tires.

[pdksh]

I’m 100% street, michilen road pilots 5. Outstanding!! Wear like iron, stick good in the twistes and do well in the rain to boot. A little more expensive BUT a much better tire than the brigestones I cooked off in what felt like hours

Oh I ride an XT.

[optomist]

My tire discovery are the Avon Trailriders--I just put 2000 miles on them and they appear barely scuffed. Lots of rain, freeway, gravel and even wet grass. Best yet in my book

Opto

[Brando4905]

I'm deciding on tires for my "little ully" now, I do go on the roads a lot so it's difficult to decide. The 805/804 Shinko's would be the choice but, they don't make them in our size so, it looks like it will end up being a mix of two different mfgs or model tires.

I just put a Road 5 on the rear of my SDGT. I agree, fantastic tire.

[Cooter]

I also concur Road Pilot 5's are the street tires on my STT. LOVE them.

[njloco]

You put street tires on Stella ?

I've been using Michelin road pilot road trail 4's for over a year now on the Triumph, they're great in the rain but why they call them trail, is beyond me ? You need a decent knobby tire for dirt especially if you might encounter sand.

[Brando4905]

This may or may not help another member with K&N air filter that is concerned with dusty conditions off road......

I’m not a fan of K&N, but my bike came with a brand new one and purchasing a new stock Buell filter is out of reach for now since I’ve spent quite a bit getting my “new” old bike back up to snuff. So, I had no idea that K&N made an oiled foam pre filter until I started Googling for a solution. I found these.....

https://www.amazon.com/25-3900-Oiled-Foam-Precleaner-Filter/dp/B00062YI4G/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1K3B_ZPB5AIVU1uGCh3uD QO5EAAYASAAEgLHgfD_BwE&hvadid=322934293163&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9010305&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=14065245197150299278&hvtargid=kwd-147507190396&hydadcr=5704_9590293&keywords=k%26n+25-3900&qid=1567943308&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Thinking about trying one out. Cheaper than a stock paper filter. I know it will kill the “added airflow” that the K&N is known for, but I’m still running the stock ecm map and stock exhaust can, so I’m only running leaner with a K&N.

[Brando4905]

I'm deciding on tires for my "little ully" now, I do go on the roads a lot so it's difficult to decide. The 805/804 Shinko's would be the choice but, they don't make them in our size so, it looks like it will end up being a mix of two different mfgs or model tires.

NJloco,
For what it’s worth, I’m really digging the TKC80’s on this bike. I live in Western NC, so I don’t have any straight roads, and I’m finding the Conti’s handle great on aspault mtn twisties on the Uly. Superb on gravel. Haven’t gotten into any mud yet, it’s dry here.

Only downside I see to the TKC80 is a relatively short lifespan on the rear. I’m not so much worried about that, I change my own tires on a rim clamp machine in my shop. Rocky Mountain ATV has them in our sizes cheaper than most places. The price on these have certainly gone down over the years.

[Brando4905]

Wanted to ask you guys that have more experience with these bikes and the ecm protection needed, if this bracket looks like it’ll work?? I tried to fit the ecm between the battery and fuse box, but there really wasn’t enough room. I hacked up this KTM license plate bracket I had lying around and made this.....

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Looks a little ratty, but certainly should clearance the seat off the ecm?

[Cooter]

NJ: I have an extra set of wheels like all the coolest kids do:cool: I but the RP5's on for any trip over 1000 miles:) And they're surprisingly good on flat fire roads! NOT SAND:upset: Who knew? Duh.
https://live.staticflickr.com/1844/43638229654_1377504880_z.jpg

Brando, that pre-filter is a good idea for all the dirt riding you do and they are super easy to clean, while relieving the base filter of some dust duty:up: Just adding a K&N won't 'lean out' the bike, it is well within the ECM adjustment ability. An engine is a big air pump. You need total flow through the whole thing to increase the need for more fuel, like adding an exhaust. That ECM bracket is hack-tastic LOL, but looks good to me:applause:

[Brando4905]

Hack-tastic!!

[njloco]

Stella looks naked !