Taking the 2007 Buell Ulysses down a notch

The Buell is a special bike - no doubt. It's a disunion by some accounts; imagine a harmonica seated amongst a symphony orchestra. I'm sure it's been done but it's not all that common. It's refinement;  electronically controlled fuel injection, fuel housed in an Italian designed frame, and advanced Japanese suspension, and it's antiquated; dressing up the seeming characteristic heart of a 40's tractor - wherein lies the appeal...at least for me.

 I've taken issue with it, however, and needed to correct something. It's tall. Very tall. A claimed 31.8 inches. I've tried a Corbin seat but still too tall. I found a system by Mizu. A lowering kit which for the Buell means a one piece kit. The collar lowers the seat of the rear shock spring. But why try to explain when I can show it in pictures:

The kit (next to the K&N filter)

 Place a jack under the jacking point under the exhaust so the lower shock bolt can be removed easily.
Remove upper and lower bolts.
Cut the zip ties at the top of the shock, one on the preload hose tied to the harness on the left and another tying a breather hose on the right for egress:

 Unbolt preload unit. 2 bolts can be found up under the seat pan. Then remove the screw for the shock reservoir clip. Unbolt ECM so it's out of the way. The lower nut for the ECM will escape to those hard to reach places if you don't get a finger on it from underneath.

Shock can now slide up and out.

A spring compressor would work well at this point but I didn't have one. I used 2 ratchet straps on either side to compress the coil spring to remove the original spring seat and half moon washer setup and make room for the lowering kit. This takes some strength and proved difficult but effective none the less. I had read of this method on the web, of course.

 As you can see in the below picture, there is the original seat and half moon washers above the single unit lowering kit.

 The shock now has the lowering kit installed.

 Throw that puppy back onto the bike. But wait for it: the problem with mail order parts...there is no mention of the lower mud guard in the way of the now lowered coil spring and collar. I had to drill a hole on either side and file a small cutout from the guard's lip. Note: I used the full manual for remove and replace instructions. This is necessary as there are torquing specs involved. Also, I use lock-tight on everything.

And here are the results - BEFORE:

And AFTER:

Obvioulsy not flat footed but a significant difference. This is very evident while "walking" the bike around when in the saddle.

Now I'm waiting for the snow to clear out and the weather to improve. I've got time for the oil change and filter...

The great waning

Snow, once again, covers the ground. In fact, it covers over the heaps of snow already on the ground. For 50 yards of my street & a mere 20 paces up my driveway I'm trapped, my bike confined to the garage until it melts off the road. Yet I can practically spit on the road past my street that is...rideable. I'm well aware the snow has yet to wane. But the temperatures are climbing. I expect to see a robin soon. Albeit prematurely.

It's time to prep the Buell with the usual oil change & filter. This time though, I'm adding a lowering kit.

Stay tuned!!

 And I have made minimal progress on the KZ 650, but some attention among the copious tasks at hand. This time round I have cleaned up some of the electrical. It would be nice to revamp it all entirely but time and money is limited. What I thought would be a prototype tray for some electrical components became an acceptable alternative.

Winter blahs

There are many questions on my mind of late: why am I always so tired? Why don't I pick up the guitar that's to my immediate right more often? Why is my garage so cold that I no longer want to work on my old machine(s)? Why do I like pickles now after a lifetime aversion to them? How does one overcome a general malaise induced by winters' darkness?

 What if...the bike was loaded onto the trailer and the truck hooked up and pointed south. Stop when there is no longer frost on my windshield. Plug in the heated vest.

 Ride the 101 South from Seattle to Northern California. It would rain. It might be fogged in. I would get a lot of coffees along the way.

 And I would be riding and twirling my thoughts in my helmet like a school girl twirls her hair with one finger.

What a day

I turned down a job today. I'm staying put for now. It was a golden opportunity. I'll stick with the silver medal.

I'm one arm typing. Here's the reason:

I'm careening down a different path these days. I'm hanging on for dear life and the crests and bends in the road try to shake my sensibilities loose. Cross that bridge when you come to it; make the moments last; knock yourself out. Take us to warp speed, Mr. Sulu! 

Poor metaphor aside, I have 3 wonderful reasons I haven't been riding - one is above and two are below:

Oh, and the coils are on the bench and ready to get the heart beating on the KZ again.

Still waiting for coils...

 You see, it's not all about riding. It's about escaping. Creating. Putting on Victor Frankenstein's gloves and messing with this and that until it's the way it suits you. There's value in working with your hands. I still have to read:

 http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Class-Soulcraft-Inquiry-Value/dp/1594202230

We're not alone, us fidgety folk.

Ride Report from a heck of a summer trip

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=700143