So the time is coming for me to strip and rebuild the forks on the Ully, seals have been waiting to be fitted for a while but they were never leaking enough for me to pull it off the road to sort them!

While im in there is worth me changing the springs, i do find the front end quite soft so a harder spring would be better as well as some heavier oil.

Any suggestions on either the springs or the weight of the oil? Its a first year bike and i have read somewhere that they improved the springs the following year, am i better getting those or aftermarket?

Im also intending to replace front and rear tyres and wheel bearings at the same time, any recommendations on bearings?
Tyres I still need to look into, its used for fun only but I will do a few long distance motorway journeys on it so im probably going to go for the Avon Storms for tyres as I fitted those to the last one and remember them being pretty good!

Many thanks all....

Hi Neil

I'm not technically adept enough to answer all of your questions but I can help with the fork springs.

They were updated from the dual rate springs in the 06 models to Tri-Rate springs in the 07 models. I found that they made a really noticeable difference to my old Ulysses. Back in the day they were quite reasonably priced, I think RRP was around £70. They're probably double that now but Rider's of Bristol will give you the best deal if you quote UKBEG.

Steve

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Back on the road again!

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

Thanks, really useful thread that! just looked on Jersey HD and the springs (part number J0113.2AK which i found in one of Pash's posts) are £24.20 each which seems a bargain!

IF they actually have them... Jersey HD are quite adept at taking your payment and then informing you that they have no stock... erm allegedly. Ask me how I know.
My advice would be to call them rather than ordering online. What price did Riders of Bristol quote you?

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

Jersey H-D are twats and by using them you are undermining the only Buell friendly dealer left in the UK ie. Riders of Bristol

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Bought a new drive belt for my mates XB12 scg from Riders of Bristol a few weeks ago, very helpful and arrived quickly also got the discount, highly recommend.

never had an issue with Jeresy personally but have heard that from a couple of others about taking money for things not in stock.....

Ill make a few calls later, ideally if Warrs have them (im not far from them) if not I shall go to riders

Thanks all

Riders will mail to you and give a 13% discount if you mention UKBEG.

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

none in Europe so on back order from riderrs, be here end of the month £60 delivered which is a bargain can get the head stock and wheel bearings ordered while im waiting and do them all at the same time

thanks all

Head bearings you'll have to get from Riders but dont buy wheel bearings from a dealer.
Fronts are 6005 2RS, rears are 6006 2RS.......buy SKF from any decent bearing supplier.

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Thanks Maz

At long last I have now done all of the work!

New fork seals (all balls racing)
new fork dust seals *all balls racing)
2007 springs
rock fork oil (20w) not everyones choice i know but have used it many times and prefer it...
114mm air gap
new wheel bearings front and rear, they were both well past it, shocking how bad they were!
brake fluid drained, flushed and filled, calipers checked over and all good
new pads front and rear
set of pilot road 4's


I knew one leg was leaking worse than the other but upon stripping them the right leg (brake side) had barely an egg cup full of oil left in it compared to a almost full left leg.

Took it for a little spin in the damp for 5 mins today to try and start bedding things in and good god.... so much better.....should have not left it so long and to be honest the forks were very straight forward. having never rebuilt a set of USD's i was concerned. I needn't have been!

Fork rebuild took no more than a couple of hours, and the wheel bearings where easy enough to replace, I used a blind bearing puller and they popped out easily enough. By the looks and state they were in I would say they are the originals!!!!!

thanks all for the advice!

worth noting that i checked the head bearings and they were as smooth as can be so i left them, bike now has 26k on it but its never been used in bad weather and I know Warrs did a 20k service on it all be it some time ago!

where did you get the 114mm air gap info from

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08