X/XT suspension swap

[Justaerin]

So I'm getting a 2010 Buell XB12XT tomorrow. Yay for me! However, I wanted an X for the stance and offroad capability, plus for comfort (I'm about 6' 2"). There have been no Xs available here lately. Does anyone know the best way to get that greater suspension travel and higher stance on my XT? I don't think the forks are the same diameter between the X and XT, so it'd have to be a whole triple swap - if that's the best router.

Any ideas?

Also, if anyone wants to lower their X in Southern California, let me know and we'll have a day of it!

[ejbeert]

give the foks at american sport bike a call

[Justaerin]

I scoured their website, indeed many websites for new forks. But you're right, a call or email may be better. Thanks!

[pennswoodsed]

Please post how it goes ,curious to see any modification. To any brand ,for any reason.
Luck,Ed

[RealOldDualSportGuy]

We have an X that were are going to shorten to XT heights.

Interested in swapping rear shocks?

Give us a shout.

Regards

[RealOldDualSportGuy]

Pm Re-sent

[Justaerin]

I'll definitely post if I get to make the swap!

Thanks for the message, RealOldDualSportGuy. I'd be interested, but I'd also need to do the front fork as well. Let me know if you think we can work something out!

[Hughlysses]

I have a 2007 X; I'd be willing to swap shock, forks, and kickstand.

The only caveat to this is you'd be getting the 2007 X parts, and not the latest 2008-2010 parts. Buell changed the triple clamps in 2008 to allow more steering lock; the fork legs offset the rear axle to the rear to compensate and they're 47mm in diameter vs. 43mm for the earlier forks.

I've got parts on order to rebuild my forks (seals, bushings and fluid) so they'd be like-new otherwise.

[Justaerin]

Originally Posted by Hughlysses

I have a 2007 X; I'd be willing to swap shock, forks, and kickstand.

The only caveat to this is you'd be getting the 2007 X parts, and not the latest 2008-2010 parts. Buell changed the triple clamps in 2008 to allow more steering lock; the fork legs offset the rear axle to the rear to compensate and they're 47mm in diameter vs. 43mm for the earlier forks.

I've got parts on order to rebuild my forks (seals, bushings and fluid) so they'd be like-new otherwise.

I might be able to work out a full swap. Do you know if the differences will affect compatibility, or what it would mean for handling changes?

Thanks!

[Hughlysses]

AFAIK there wouldn't be any handling or compatibility issues, you'd just want to use the 2007 recommendations for adjusting the X suspension (and I'd want to use the 2008-up recommendations for adjusting my new XT pieces).

We'd just need to swap fork legs, rear shock assemblies, and kick stands. The fork tubes will swap between our triple clamps.

As I posted earlier, the 2008-up X's have triple clamps that offset the fork legs forward to allow more steering lock. The 2008-up X fork legs offset the front axle to the rear to compensate. They also changed from 43mm to 47mm fork legs. I believe this was done to compensate for the "eccentric" load on the forks caused by the axle offset, rather than any shortcoming with the original 43mm forks.

Just for info, people have installed the 2008 triple clamps on earlier Ulys to get the increased steering lock. Even though this changes the trail on the front suspension significantly, they claim no detriment to handling.

Let me know what you think and we can figure a way to work the swap.