UPDATED with New Pics! Buell Firebolt Mods

[Rogue]

Well, since I spent the better part of the afternoon melting in my garage at 100+ degree heat, I may as well show it off.    I did some more mods to my Firebolt to make it more suitable for touring, and then some.

New Buell bag.  This isn't really a touring bag because it's too small.  It is more of a day ride size bag.  What makes it significant is that it is specifically designed to fit the Firebolt with the velcro mounts being hidden underneath the pillion.  Much, much better than having bungee cords scuffing the paintjob!


Another view.  Notice the nearly invisible mounting.


A significant addition is the Helibars.  The Helibar triple clamp replaces the factory clamp and raises the bars 1" and pulls it back 1 1/2".  It's not a huge difference in riding position but it is very noticeable in adding comfort and leverage when counter steering.  The rise in riding position is complemented by the taller Zero Gravity ST windshield.  Sweet!


The Firebolt has some pretty high and setback footpegs, giving it nearly limitless ground clearance during hard cornering.  Buell offers what they call "Rider footpegs" for the Firebolt, which is basically the same footpegs used in the Lightnings.  These footpegs lower the pegs 1 1/2" and makes reaching down to the ground at a straighter, more natural angle for the legs much easier.


I'll be the first to admit, I like speed.  To counter the meter maids....ahem, I mean radar/LIDAR carrying cops, I've mounted a radar detector to the Firebolt.  I had to custom assemble a RAM mount for it because nobody makes mounts specifically for the Firebolt.  I'm sure other brands will work.  But I really like the sturdiness and ease of adjustment of the Ram mounts.


Finally, I updated my OEM airbox with one for the '07 XB's.  The new airboxes have larger and relocated holes plus additional openings.  I don't know if it adds real horsepower but it certainly makes the engine more responsive and smoother running.

Before (Old Airbox):


New, updated airbox with more holes (the main holes have been relocated to the left side where the air is cooler--the engine sits further away from it).


Here's another shot showing the left side, larger openings.


There you have it!  My Firebolt mods.

[GS1100GK]

How about a straight on picture or 3/4 view just to see how the whole package looks?

[Bueller]

Looks good Rogue,

Thanks for the Pics.  I can see the change to the 2007 Airbox.  At $35 the change look pretty cost beneficial.

What I like about your Helibars is that it brings control further back towards the top of the forks.  I hadn't thought about it before with the Firebolt, but my previous expeience is that you start to reduce control when you move connections to the steering ahead of the triple clamp.  I'll have to look out for these.

A few of the people I ride with keep the little feelers on the pegs, but many of us take them off because they snag bootlaces.  I usually wear riding boots, but when I have ridden in lace-ups snags have been common.  I wonder how many riders have touched them when cornering.  You still have another 6 or 7 degrees of lean after touching them you know.

I'll stick my GPS where you have your speed detector.  Detectors are illegal here now.  The GPS can at least be used to prove that the detectors or wrong.  Quite handy apart from the navigation.

[RedRocket]

Looks good Rogue.
Just so you know Passport 8500's also broadcast their squeal with an FM signal, so if you have a radio playing the radar will buzz in your speakers.

[Kootenanny]

Hmmm...aside from the radar detector, I did all those mods shortly after getting my bike several years ago (well, the pegs I did after breaking one of the stockers...and the airbox update I did was putting a stock 04 box on my 03).  

The Helibars was a great mod--and may help, now I think of it, with reducing the 'Bolt's tendency to "stoppie."  I was aware of them before I ever bought the bike, and planning to get some anyway, but I asked at the dealer where I was buying if they were aware of any other risers.  The sales staff were completely clueless, had never heard of "Helibars," and didn't really know what I was asking about...

On the "Rider" pegs (what I've always simply known as "Lightning" pegs) I took the feelers off, and mounted some round-head bolts that fit flush--I figure I'll contact at the same angle as I would have with stock pegs and feelers, that is if I ever lean it that far--my tires are scrubbed to the edges, and I've yet to scrape a peg!

Here it is:

[Mastros2]

Nice job Rogue!  Thanks for the pics as well.  I've been able to stay away from the farkle bug until recently when I bought a GPS mount.

[Rogue]

What I like about your Helibars is that it brings control further back towards the top of the forks.  I hadn't thought about it before with the Firebolt, but my previous expeience is that you start to reduce control when you move connections to the steering ahead of the triple clamp.  I'll have to look out for these.

You're absolutely right!  The leverage with the Helibars have increased and the bike now steers light than before.  I just finished a 400+ mile ride with all these mods installed.  I must say that I am 100% satisfied with them.  The ergonomic package is SOOOOooooo much better than stock.  It is in between a VFR and the stock Firebolt.  It is perfect and I'm loving it.  

[Rogue]

The Helibars was a great mod--and may help, now I think of it, with reducing the 'Bolt's tendency to "stoppie."  I was aware of them before I ever bought the bike, and planning to get some anyway, but I asked at the dealer where I was buying if they were aware of any other risers.  The sales staff were completely clueless, had never heard of "Helibars," and didn't really know what I was asking about...

Sport Rider had a long term '06 Firebolt in a magazine article last year.  They modded that one up with the Helibars and they really loved it.  The Helibars are available from American Sportbike.  They aren't cheap but just take a look at the quality!  It is machined from a single piece of aluminum stock and it is of OEM quality.  And fits like OEM too.  It went on so easily!  I highly recommend it to anyone with a Firebolt.

Be aware though that there will be a very slight amount of binding with the cables at full steering lock so a bit of relocation of the plastic wire ties that ties the cables and wires to the front of the bike will be necessary.  

[Kootenanny]

The Helibars are available from American Sportbike.

Bought mine from Appleton H-D/Buell, back when DaveS from the Baweb was still there.  Got 10% off for being a site member...

[Bueller]

Just looking at the reduction of overhang with the Helibars they have got to reduce the moment of the rider over the bars; so like you say Kootenanny I think they will reduce the rear wheel lift under brakes.  The stock bars contact the steering head not far behind the front axle.  This is putting weight a long way forward.

I have to add them to my shopping list.  I didn't find them on americansportbike.com for Buell parts, but maybe they are under featured parts.  I will look again.

Something I did see on americansportbike.com were hyperpro variable rate springs.  I'd been looking for these and thought they were a myth.  So much to buy.  

Thanks for the info Rogue

[Rogue]

Here is the Helibars from American Sportbike:  http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-prodshow/9023.html

One other caveat regarding the above.  The angle of the clutch lever and brakes will be limited because the wiring coming out of the bar mounted controls will hit, then limit, the angle at which you can position the levers.  The good part is now that you are sitting straighter, you won't need the added angle as much.  It didn't bother me and doesn't 'cause any discomfort.  

[Bueller]

Thanks Rogue,

You're right, they are a little pricey.

[Brad1445]

Rouge, By Chance do you have a photo of the front end with the new zerogravity?

[steve.ski]

Looking good, Jordan. Sorry I missed seeing it in person yesterday.

That said, I didn't melt from the heat...

 

[Rogue]

Picture of ZG ST Screen

[Brad1445]

Well done, that looks greeat!

[Bueller]

Here is the Helibars from American Sportbike:  http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-prodshow/9023.html

Hi Rogue,
I can get Helibars in Aus but the manufacturer's listing says that they are for 03-05 Firebolts.  The details American Sportbike list theirs as 03-07, but later say that although the 05-07 have wider forks, the diameters are the same at the triple clamp.  Are you able to check the Helibar part number for the ones you bought please?  The part number I have here is HC 0301. I would like to confirm before I order them.

[Rogue]

I will check the part numbers tonight.

I do have an '06 and it fits the forks.

[RedSaki]

Hey Rogue - I was wondering if you have put the radar detector to good use yet?? Has it helped yet?

How is it setup..?? I mean.. How do you know when the detector goes off?

I read this article a long time ago and it talks about a system called HARD that puts a visual indicator in the visor of your helmet to alert the rider when the system detects rader/laser.

http://www.stealthstreetbike.com/motorcycle-radar-detectors.htm

Just curious as I am considering a similar setup on my next bike.

[Rogue]

I just did a 400+ mile ride with my Escort X50 on my Firebolt.

It most definitely works just like it did in my car.  Except that I am unable to hear the audible alarms of the detector at speed.  I need to hookup an in-helmet speaker to allow me to hear the radar's chirps.  

I have looked long and hard at the H.A.R.D. system.  I even know someone who has it set up on his ride.  But the visual will take away the effectiveness of the Detector.  Because you will be relying on visual cues, which means you won't be looking were you're going, it poses a danger.  Also, the H.A.R.D. system is either on or off (ie sounding an alarm or not sounding).  Thus, you have no clue of the type of threat, how close it is without having to stare at the display for long periods.  I don't think this is an ideal solution while riding.

OTOH, hearing the audible alarm on the detector allows you to first, know the threat, because each type of frequency has a distinctive tone.  And each frequency is usually used by a specific LEO agency.  For example, the California Highway Patrol usually use Ka-band radar.  In addition, an intermittent tone means the threat is still far away.  An increasing tone means it's getting closer.  All this can be ascertained simply by listening.  So while you listen, you can scan the road ahead and/or check your six.  

Thus, for my bike setup, I need to use an internal in-helmet speaker (just one) that allows me to wear hearing protection yet still hear the detector's tone.  I have yet to set this side up but I'm shopping around for the speaker setup.