Custom Buells Part 2 - Sunbeam XB9 Special Buell Motorcycle Discuss Custom Buells Part 2 - Sunbeam XB9 Special in the Harley Sportster & Buell forums; Hi All Read the custom Buell thread with interest. just thought you might like to see mine which my mate and me built this side of the pond. It was ...

Hi All

Read the custom Buell thread with interest. just thought you might like to see mine which my mate and me built this side of the pond. It was built in a shed with basic tools. I started off with a 10 Pound frame and the Buell engine was 575 quid

I wanted it still to look like a 1951 Sunbeam but with modern engine, brakes and electrics.

Paul

[Catmechanic]

Paul,

Excellent job on the bike! I'm assuming the frame and forks are original Sunbeam? I like the belt drive. What brakes do you have on it?

Love the classic look!

Jim S

Hi Jim

Yes both the frame and forks are original Sunbeam parts. We strengthen the backbone to accommodate the XB9 engine The lower part of the frame was twisted so as part of our repair we used the engine as a stress member as it would have been in the original Buell. This allowed the bottom half of the frame to be detachable which makes working on the engine a lot easier

The brakes has been upgraded to disc's I used Harley rear calipers for both front and rear. The front forks have been swapped around to allow me to use the hub mounting bracket for the caliper.

The digital speedo I think is a nice touch. I only had to take about 2mm off the rim to get it to fit in the sunbeam headlight.

[milindh]

Very very cool Irishman. I really dig the creativity that it took to come up with something like that. Real thinking outside the box. It looks a Vincent in sheeps' clothing. The only thing I'd change is the tires. What you have on there do give it a nice vintage look but personally I'd have to slip on some nice Avons or Metzelers and go hunting for prey.

Still...Off the Charts!

[evoKENevo]

Hi,Irish
Gotta agree with everything milindh & others have said here..'cept maybe for the tire part. I mean if those are the Conti K-112s they look like, I'D put them up against just about anything out there...and they look perfect IMO on that bike...be proud !!!

Hi Guys

Funny you should say that. I took her to the Sunbeam Owners Annual Rally, thinking I would get a lot of negative comments but the only one was to change the front tyre to a modern one, it would improve the handling

P.

[shovelmike]

Very nicely done bike, Irishbiker.

[HarleyCruiser]

Very nice, like it better than the bike OCC did for Leno. Where did you get the digital speedo?

[Tbone]

I think that is one great lookin' bike. I wish I was able to do things like that. Oh well, stock bikes for me, I guess.

[Catmechanic]

Paul,

I love the speedo! When I looked at the first pic I assumed it was an ammeter or voltmeter.

Great idea on the frame, that's the nice thing about the Buell & rigid mount Sporty motors, they're made to be part of the structure.

Looking at the front tire (Sorry, tyre for you guys over on your side of the pond!) I gotta ask, is that a split in the sidewall? If it is I'd say go with new tyres but stay with the same style.

Jim S