It's nice to see another Buell being rescued! I've got a 25th anniversary, 08 Buell xb12xt, such a 'blast' to ride. It's rare to see others riding these awesome motorcycles, keep it up!
Thanks for watching Mark! I've been working on the parts list for this thing as it sure needs a lot but is such a cool unique bike. I feel it deserves the attention
Hey there, This video has so much going on. (for my Bandit project)~ Yada Yada Yada ~. Now soaking the exhaust bolts with that "Blaster" stuff. Got a nearly new and pristine set of pipes and exhaust ~ complete. With travel to Springfield MA. ($50). As I picked it up ( ~ the guy had to dig into a mess in the attic of his tiny garage there in the Puerto Rican neighborhood). Anyway the guy said "yea these have been up here since 2009" ~ crazy. No rust, just dust. So I am putting the whole thing on my bike. And then I suppose someone will want the whacked almost new exhaust set up that's still in good shape currently on my bike. This whole thing has stretched my skills with fb MP. I'll tell ya. The work you are doing on this bike is an inspiration. Thank you. Steve ~ from New Hampshire.
Very good video of a cool bike! Your presentation skills are great and you're not afraid of showing some hiccups... this channel deserves more subs and views 👏
Around here there are 2 Ace Hardware stores that have nuts and bolts and bushings. It will take looking around and some hand made items to rescue the bike. It is good to see you working on the Bike. I have made many upgrades to the Buells I have, and helped many other bueller's along the way. Kinda lost count over the years so many bikes so little time as it goes. Post up the sound bite of the exhaust when you get it ready. Been using 20W-50- AmsOil in the Engine and 20W-50 in the primary and it works really well. Other oils really don't work well in the Air Cooled Engine. I have used AmsOil for 40 years . Most riders use something else till (oh no) happens thats where someone like us comes in. No Fram oil filters Please.
Hey James, yea I just need to make more time to work on the bike as I usually only give myself Sundays to work on my own projects. I'll get there though. For oil, I won't get into a discussion as I don't buy spendy oils when I have luck elsewhere. Nothing against it beyond the cost. I don't get to put many miles on any one bike as it is so my intervals aren't very per the book as much as its time based for me.
@@BrickHouseBuilds Everyone has their own way with the cheap oils. Air cooled engines of all displacements need the one thing that protects and that only thing is the oil. Plenty of Harley Davidson dealers with the less costly oil. Like the screaming eagle you have to change every 2'500 miles. Over priced except for fair weather riders that put maybe 2'500 and less miles per year. Depends upon the engine and the bike it's in. I race 3 different bikes, track and drag. My 2 street bikes I treat the same as the race bikes. Shop is too full of other bikes I'm fixing for customers. Fluids are everything, and town traffic destroys oil in air cooled engines. Especially the Buells , if there's no cooling fan for the rear cylinder. Even then the engine gets near and over 275 degrees at times with a cooling fan. At least that Cyclone Buell has a carburetor on it. Enjoy your builds. Good luck.
I had one of 6 Buell M2 special edition in Australia which got wiped out by an idiot. I had full American race gearing with a flatside and yhost power tube in the flatside. This thing absolutely was a monster and the only problem I had was the single outlet from the tank because it hated being leaned over. My Buell was Gun Metal Grey with Volcanic Orange frame and wheels. The fastest pig ever in Australia. Good luck brother. I still have original parts if you need.
@@BrickHouseBuilds Just saw your video now. This thing pulled over 280klm an hour and was street legal. It was one of the fastest pigs in Australia and almost got featured in a magazine. Cheers matey from the land down under.
Another great video series, well done on the videos and the bike fixes. I've got an 01 X1 and it had a lot of the same issues. It has the newer shifter setup, but the bushings wear excessively on the new one as well. I solved it by making my own, it wasn't too hard starting with a brass plumbing fitting. I used a lathe but chucking it up in a rotary fixture (a bolt or similar to clamp it in place and rotate) in a drill and running it across a sander disc or belt gives good results too. I made it a little too tight and it wore in beautifully. Not bronze but working great for now, zero slop and clean shifting. Long term will likely be the same in sintered bronze.
Thanks James! You should definitely like the next videos in this series. I did sell the bike to a friend but I did a bunch of work to make it safe and reliable
I've got an 01 myself, owned since 2009 or 2010 I believe. I actually just got her running after 8 years dead. The oil came out looking very similar, and you should've seen the chunky gas and dirty carb 😆
I actually just bought one of these. Unfortunately the front cylinder head is broke where it mounts.... to the mount. Having trouble finding a new front cylinder head replacement. Can't wait to get this thing going for a ride.
That's so funny I'm actually looking into buying a Buell right now. Started looking last week and had forgotten you bought this one. Parts are definitely going to be a difficult part but I do work in a machine shop. if you can take some measurements of the needs of the bushing I should be able to whip a few up.
Nice one, fun to see this project unfold. What color will you paint the bike in? Also, looking forward to see the riding! I just uploaded two videos of me on my Buell, nothing fancy, just some riding in the mountains 😎
Eventually I'd like to just do black as this bike looks so aggressive but I have no plans as to when that may happen. First ride goes up Friday and should be fun!
@@BrickHouseBuilds Black will look nice! I'm painting and extra set I have in Harley Amber Whiskey, an orange metallic color, run out of paint though so only half there 😬
Can't find a front brake caliper removal, and pad replacement anywhere for a m2 cyclone. I just completely took the caliper apart because it doesn't clear the friggin rotor and it all fell apart. Do you have a video on this? Thank you in advance.
Well this is a pretty unique bike by design and my only experience with a Buell so hard to say. For me, working on Harley engines tends to be frustrating as there is a mix of hardware, some stuff is hard to access, you can't remove the starter without removing the primary and clutch, valve train is always noisy with no adjustment beyond swapping pushrods, and just clunky feeling. The chassis though is great!
Congrats on 5k subs! You still looking for those bushings? You might be able to find them if they're a standard size on McMaster. If you can send material and dimensions we could collab on them! Oil impregnated bronze round bar is _expensive_ though.
Thanks Chris! I actually picked up some 5/8x3/4 bronze bushings from the local hardware store. I hand filed the peg to clean it up and used some sandpaper mounted on my drill press to open up the inside of the bushing juuuuuust slightly. Fits like a glove and shifts fantastic now!
It is cheap and not that bright. I wouldn't recommend it for safety reasons. My buddy was just commenting on how dim it was. Again though it was free and the goal is to sort all I can on a budget. It won't stay forever
How hard is it to replace the belt on those m2 cyclones? Mine just snapped the belt and I haven't had time to look at it because it looked like my whole rear end (swing arm included) has to come off to do that. Someone told me it's easy but I need to hear from people that have actually done it. And there's not a lot of RUclips videos about that specific model. Any help would be appreciated.
Per the manual once you have the rear supported and have the rear wheel off you loosen the right isolator bolt until you can spin the bushing and then slide a belt in that gap.
@@BrickHouseBuilds this makes me feel way better now man. Thanks a lot. I actually have the manual but the internet has made us all too lazy to remember about stuff like that because now RUclips exists 😅, I'm glad I came across your video 👌, I'm gonna go home now and fix that sucka myself 😊. Keep giving us more of that Buell stuff bro, it's becoming rare and hard to find any I go about these bikes and I'm glad you're doing it 👍. (newest subscriber to your channel) long live Buell 🙌.
I really wanted to love my Buell but constantly breaking drive belts made me have to baby it. Not what a 27 year old me bought a Buell for. Id probably have no issues with it now at 50.
@@BrickHouseBuilds maybe a tensioning issue but me feeling I had to have the front wheel off the ground at all times didn’t help. Your channel is very good, subscribing now.
@@BrickHouseBuilds gotcha, sorry. Recently subscribed and have been binging through the playlists as I have time hahaha love your stuff, you do great work
The stock rear shock are a known issue with these bikes, they tend to blow out and loose fluid resulting in no dampening. Unfortunately I do not think they are serviceable.
Thats what I've found. May or may not be serviceable depending on model. I need to confirm first and go from there. I just don't want to drop more for a shock than the whole bike lol
Had no idea that certain models were serviceable, I have the same issue with my 2000 M2. If you find out which styles can be rebuilt, please let me know.
I agree but the last 5 years Ive tried many machine shops and 100% of the time the 2 weeks they say is actually 6 months so I'm hesitant to even try anymore. This has cost me so much time and headache with customers.
I would agree with you but I had a couple things working against me here. Other videos for other bikes affecting the schedule and the fact I said NEXT video would be riding so I didn't want to break my word on that. I cut out other stuff to keep this under 30 minutes which I agree is still long.
Call Hammer performance and ask them that’s all Dan Norlin messes with is Buell motorcycles With their CNC machines they might be able to make you some bronze bushings he may have already made some for his own bikes I’m sure he’s come across this problem
It's nice to see another Buell being rescued! I've got a 25th anniversary, 08 Buell xb12xt, such a 'blast' to ride. It's rare to see others riding these awesome motorcycles, keep it up!
Thanks for watching Mark! I've been working on the parts list for this thing as it sure needs a lot but is such a cool unique bike. I feel it deserves the attention
Hell yeah I got a couple of Harleys gathering dust due to my M2 luv em
They're great bikes, and people always ask since they're so rare. I've got an 01 M2 I just got running again last week.
Hey there, This video has so much going on. (for my Bandit project)~ Yada Yada Yada ~. Now soaking the exhaust bolts with that "Blaster" stuff. Got a nearly new and pristine set of pipes and exhaust ~ complete. With travel to Springfield MA. ($50). As I picked it up ( ~ the guy had to dig into a mess in the attic of his tiny garage there in the Puerto Rican neighborhood). Anyway the guy said "yea these have been up here since 2009" ~ crazy. No rust, just dust. So I am putting the whole thing on my bike. And then I suppose someone will want the whacked almost new exhaust set up that's still in good shape currently on my bike. This whole thing has stretched my skills with fb MP. I'll tell ya. The work you are doing on this bike is an inspiration. Thank you. Steve ~ from New Hampshire.
They have got to give you a show on Discovery channel or power nation… You’re doing a great job thanks for the entertainment
Well thank you and that would be interesting but sounds like too many bosses for me lol
Very good video of a cool bike! Your presentation skills are great and you're not afraid of showing some hiccups... this channel deserves more subs and views 👏
I appreciate that! I'm of course always hoping for more but it will get there in time.
Around here there are 2 Ace Hardware stores that have nuts and bolts and bushings. It will take looking around and some hand made items to rescue the bike. It is good to see you working on the Bike. I have made many upgrades to the Buells I have, and helped many other bueller's along the way. Kinda lost count over the years so many bikes so little time as it goes. Post up the sound bite of the exhaust when you get it ready. Been using 20W-50- AmsOil in the Engine and 20W-50 in the primary and it works really well. Other oils really don't work well in the Air Cooled Engine. I have used AmsOil for 40 years . Most riders use something else till (oh no) happens thats where someone like us comes in. No Fram oil filters Please.
Hey James, yea I just need to make more time to work on the bike as I usually only give myself Sundays to work on my own projects. I'll get there though. For oil, I won't get into a discussion as I don't buy spendy oils when I have luck elsewhere. Nothing against it beyond the cost. I don't get to put many miles on any one bike as it is so my intervals aren't very per the book as much as its time based for me.
@@BrickHouseBuilds Everyone has their own way with the cheap oils. Air cooled engines of all displacements need the one thing that protects and that only thing is the oil. Plenty of Harley Davidson dealers with the less costly oil. Like the screaming eagle you have to change every 2'500 miles. Over priced except for fair weather riders that put maybe 2'500 and less miles per year. Depends upon the engine and the bike it's in. I race 3 different bikes, track and drag. My 2 street bikes I treat the same as the race bikes. Shop is too full of other bikes I'm fixing for customers. Fluids are everything, and town traffic destroys oil in air cooled engines. Especially the Buells , if there's no cooling fan for the rear cylinder. Even then the engine gets near and over 275 degrees at times with a cooling fan. At least that Cyclone Buell has a carburetor on it. Enjoy your builds. Good luck.
I had one of 6 Buell M2 special edition in Australia which got wiped out by an idiot. I had full American race gearing with a flatside and yhost power tube in the flatside. This thing absolutely was a monster and the only problem I had was the single outlet from the tank because it hated being leaned over. My Buell was Gun Metal Grey with Volcanic Orange frame and wheels. The fastest pig ever in Australia. Good luck brother. I still have original parts if you need.
That sounds like a mean bike! I actually sold this almost 2 years ago now to a friend so no need but thank you.
@@BrickHouseBuilds Just saw your video now. This thing pulled over 280klm an hour and was street legal. It was one of the fastest pigs in Australia and almost got featured in a magazine. Cheers matey from the land down under.
Another great video series, well done on the videos and the bike fixes.
I've got an 01 X1 and it had a lot of the same issues. It has the newer shifter setup, but the bushings wear excessively on the new one as well. I solved it by making my own, it wasn't too hard starting with a brass plumbing fitting. I used a lathe but chucking it up in a rotary fixture (a bolt or similar to clamp it in place and rotate) in a drill and running it across a sander disc or belt gives good results too. I made it a little too tight and it wore in beautifully.
Not bronze but working great for now, zero slop and clean shifting. Long term will likely be the same in sintered bronze.
Thanks James! You should definitely like the next videos in this series. I did sell the bike to a friend but I did a bunch of work to make it safe and reliable
I've got an 01 myself, owned since 2009 or 2010 I believe. I actually just got her running after 8 years dead. The oil came out looking very similar, and you should've seen the chunky gas and dirty carb 😆
Another great and descriptive video. Sod’s law that you get pulled on a quick test run! Looking forward to the proper test ride…
The officer was really cool and let me go but yea OF COURSE I get pulled over IMMEDIETLY!
I actually just bought one of these. Unfortunately the front cylinder head is broke where it mounts.... to the mount. Having trouble finding a new front cylinder head replacement. Can't wait to get this thing going for a ride.
You may have to look into having it welded and repaired. I know there may be people on the buell facebook pages who could help.
I love what you do
Much appreciated 🙏
Well glad I noticed you mate.
Im hoping you enjoy the content!
Another stellar video man
Thanks much Chad!
That’s a beautiful bike
Thank ya!
That's so funny I'm actually looking into buying a Buell right now. Started looking last week and had forgotten you bought this one. Parts are definitely going to be a difficult part but I do work in a machine shop. if you can take some measurements of the needs of the bushing I should be able to whip a few up.
Beautiful bikes always loved the buell's. What's the top speed?
This was my first one. I think I've seen people report about 125/130 on these
1997 was going to by one but parts were hard to get and after market pipe was not made but still want one
@johnoconnor9331 It still seems like parts are harder to find but I'm spoiled by Japanese bikes and many sources
Look on grainger for a bushing that matches the OD then you can bore the ID. Go Buell
I ended up coming up with a bushing setup in future episodes before selling the bike. The bushings were such a huge improvement though
awesome.God bless.
🤘🤘
Did u ever find brass bushings for shifter linkage ?
Yes, just keep watching the series 😁
Nice one, fun to see this project unfold. What color will you paint the bike in?
Also, looking forward to see the riding! I just uploaded two videos of me on my Buell, nothing fancy, just some riding in the mountains 😎
Eventually I'd like to just do black as this bike looks so aggressive but I have no plans as to when that may happen. First ride goes up Friday and should be fun!
@@BrickHouseBuilds Black will look nice! I'm painting and extra set I have in Harley Amber Whiskey, an orange metallic color, run out of paint though so only half there 😬
Good stuff 👍🏼
Thank ya thank ya!
I always wanted a Buell, but I also always wanted a CBX 1000, a Kawasaki H2, etc...I just like bikes.
Thats the best attitude. I make it a goal to pretty much not own the same bike twice as to experience as many as possible
Can't find a front brake caliper removal, and pad replacement anywhere for a m2 cyclone. I just completely took the caliper apart because it doesn't clear the friggin rotor and it all fell apart. Do you have a video on this? Thank you in advance.
I do not have a video on it unfortunately
Make two sets of foot controls I'd buy the 2nd set.
It would be a cool project for sure
Very interesting animal, the Buell. How would you rank this build quality with Japanese, Italian, German, and British?
Well this is a pretty unique bike by design and my only experience with a Buell so hard to say. For me, working on Harley engines tends to be frustrating as there is a mix of hardware, some stuff is hard to access, you can't remove the starter without removing the primary and clutch, valve train is always noisy with no adjustment beyond swapping pushrods, and just clunky feeling. The chassis though is great!
She sounds healthy. Keep this one. Hell I don't have to tell you that. 😂
Yea she isn't too bad. Definitely some tweaking to do but it will get there
Just got parts in to rip into the buell I was given by my grandfather. Gonna be my daily commuter to school with these gas prices
That will be a great daily!
Congrats on 5k subs! You still looking for those bushings? You might be able to find them if they're a standard size on McMaster. If you can send material and dimensions we could collab on them! Oil impregnated bronze round bar is _expensive_ though.
Thanks Chris! I actually picked up some 5/8x3/4 bronze bushings from the local hardware store. I hand filed the peg to clean it up and used some sandpaper mounted on my drill press to open up the inside of the bushing juuuuuust slightly. Fits like a glove and shifts fantastic now!
How do you like that tail light? I’ve seen them online before but they seem super cheaply made. I can’t complain with yours being free though.
It is cheap and not that bright. I wouldn't recommend it for safety reasons. My buddy was just commenting on how dim it was. Again though it was free and the goal is to sort all I can on a budget. It won't stay forever
@@BrickHouseBuilds can’t argue with free. Thanks for the honest review though.
@@davehowie03 yea safety first on this one
How hard is it to replace the belt on those m2 cyclones? Mine just snapped the belt and I haven't had time to look at it because it looked like my whole rear end (swing arm included) has to come off to do that. Someone told me it's easy but I need to hear from people that have actually done it. And there's not a lot of RUclips videos about that specific model. Any help would be appreciated.
Per the manual once you have the rear supported and have the rear wheel off you loosen the right isolator bolt until you can spin the bushing and then slide a belt in that gap.
@@BrickHouseBuilds this makes me feel way better now man. Thanks a lot. I actually have the manual but the internet has made us all too lazy to remember about stuff like that because now RUclips exists 😅, I'm glad I came across your video 👌, I'm gonna go home now and fix that sucka myself 😊. Keep giving us more of that Buell stuff bro, it's becoming rare and hard to find any I go about these bikes and I'm glad you're doing it 👍. (newest subscriber to your channel) long live Buell 🙌.
@@Aye_Poi LOL no problem. After you asked I just grabbed the manual and summarized what it said
@@BrickHouseBuilds I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me that quick. You just got me back in the game 💯
Hey you got anything I'm just a starter for M2 cyclone
I really wanted to love my Buell but constantly breaking drive belts made me have to baby it. Not what a 27 year old me bought a Buell for. Id probably have no issues with it now at 50.
That has to be a tension issue to constantly break them. That would for sure be frustrating!
@@BrickHouseBuilds maybe a tensioning issue but me feeling I had to have the front wheel off the ground at all times didn’t help. Your channel is very good, subscribing now.
@@leebatt7964 haha these bikes have that effect on people! ❤❤
Stop light to turn signal should be a 4" gap. Minimum of 9" between signal lights. That's most states. Check before you pay.
A bit late, but if youve got a lathe or know someone with a lathe, see if theyll let you make a bushing?
I have a lathe now but this bike was sold almost 2 years ago to a local friend. He has been making improvements to it as well
@@BrickHouseBuilds gotcha, sorry. Recently subscribed and have been binging through the playlists as I have time hahaha love your stuff, you do great work
@13tucker45 no worries at all man! Just glad you're watching
@@BrickHouseBuilds absolutely! I just gotta be better at hitting the like button!
The stock rear shock are a known issue with these bikes, they tend to blow out and loose fluid resulting in no dampening. Unfortunately I do not think they are serviceable.
Thats what I've found. May or may not be serviceable depending on model. I need to confirm first and go from there. I just don't want to drop more for a shock than the whole bike lol
Had no idea that certain models were serviceable, I have the same issue with my 2000 M2. If you find out which styles can be rebuilt, please let me know.
I thought RaceTech serviced these shocks?
@@bernibeckmann9753 I believe they do but haven't called yet
May I get a link to that bronze boomerang upgrade please?
Check out twinmotorcycles.nl
What I did was use my own supplied bronze bushings and fit everything myself
Thank you so much!
Bushings and spacers... you need to find a friendly machine shop, that is the kind of stuff they can make quick and easy
I agree but the last 5 years Ive tried many machine shops and 100% of the time the 2 weeks they say is actually 6 months so I'm hesitant to even try anymore. This has cost me so much time and headache with customers.
@@BrickHouseBuilds i really wish i had a good lathe and knew how to use it. My one regret in my blue collar life!
@@BrickHouseBuilds You need a friend with a lathe and always pay more than he wants.
Yeah man that stock shock sucks. It’s probably past it’s life expectancy. I’m sure you’ll get her dialed
Yea it quickly moved to the top of the priority list for the bike to make it safe to ride after everything else I've done so far. I'll get it there
You totally could have made this a 2 or 3 part video, I think that is easier than committing to 1 longer video
I would agree with you but I had a couple things working against me here. Other videos for other bikes affecting the schedule and the fact I said NEXT video would be riding so I didn't want to break my word on that. I cut out other stuff to keep this under 30 minutes which I agree is still long.
That sir was an abused Buell...
Call Hammer performance and ask them that’s all Dan Norlin messes with is Buell motorcycles With their CNC machines they might be able to make you some bronze bushings he may have already made some for his own bikes I’m sure he’s come across this problem
Already fixed and the bike is long sold. I modified some bronze bushings to work perfectly
Take the bushings to a hardware store they may have stuff thats similar
I do have a local store that may have some bronze stuff I can make work so that will be a side project this week actually.
@@BrickHouseBuilds i always hit up hardware stores before i go buying expensive-ish parts like that...