2003 Buell Custom Rigid

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

Low cost, leverage parts I pulled from my 2006 Dyna Wide Glide that were lying around (wheels, rear caliper), and keep it clean. The more I got into the design and build, the more I wanted to make a statement, so my costs went up about $5K more than I originally intended to spend, but in the end, I am glad I invested the additional money and time.

What motivated you to start your project?

Wanted to build a custom bobber, and attempt to do so on the cheap. Found a deal on a wrecked Buell XB9 that had a good engine. I figured not too many people put XB engines in rigids, so I thought I’d give it a go. Connected with Bitter End Old School Choppers to build me a custom frame, and designed the bike around what I liked with what I saw coming from the likes of Will Ramsey and Faith Forgotten Choppers.

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

Put a Buell XB9 engine (from what was essentially a crotch-rocket bike) into a hard tail, rigid frame and made a kick ass bar hopper out of it, that is way fun to ride and great to look at! Most folks think an XB engine is essentially a Sportster Evo. In some ways it is, but the mounting points for the Buell engine are completely different than that of a Sportster Evo, which means that the only frame that is not a stock Buell XB that will work with this engine has to be custom built from scratch. That is where I connected with ‘Big Al’ Wilkerson of Bitter End Old School Choppers in Iowa. He did a great job on the frame, then shipped it to me in Oregon where I worked w/ a local fabricator/bike builder to assist me with the mock-up and required fab (tank, rear fender, etc.). Additionally, the paint design is somewhat unique, especially with splitting the paint on the frame and springer front end.

What are you most proud of?

Doing something – as an amateur builder/designer, that most established and reputable builders do not pursue.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

It’s bad-ass, it’s unique, they love the paint job and color scheme.

One Comment

Walt Garvock says:

December 6, 2019 at 1:38 pm

Nice! I have a frame from War Eagle with softail and its a softail.
Also have a Buell XB9 motor for it.
could you send some close up pictures of the motor mounts for this? I would appreciate this tremendously.

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Submitted by: Sean G

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Specifics

Make, Model & Year: 2003 Buell Custom Rigid

Fondly known as: Green Machine

Time spent: 1 Year (too many hours to count)

Motorcycle cost: $2K for wrecked Buell XB9

Money spent: About $18K

Engine: 2003 Buell XB9 engine, with new larger cylinders and pistons (from 900cc to 1050cc). Went from original fuel injection to carb and electronic ignition.

Intake: Sporty intake for Harley CV carb.

Exhaust: Custom straight pipes, wrapped with heat shield and brass tips/ends.

Transmission: Stock Buell/HD 5-speed.

Frame: Custom BEOSC (Bitter End Old School Choppers) rigid frame for Buell XB engine.

Suspension: DNA springer front end. Rigid frame with single air shock for seat.

Wheels, tires and brakes: HD laced ‘profile’ wheels from 2006 Dyna Wide Glide.

Finish – Paint: Frame and body finishing/molding by owner and Wes Donnelly of South Auto Body (Ashland, OR). Paint design by owner; powdercoating by Stan’s Powdercoating (Eagle Point, OR).

Accessories: Additional accessories include GMA master cylinders; Wilwood front caliper; HD rear caliper; Drag Specialties headlight; 3 gal custom gas tank – modified for ‘Frisco’ mounting; LaRosa seat w/ air shock mount; DNA polished sprocket; Joker Machine handlebar switches; 12″ mini-ape handlebars (powdercoated gloss black to match rear springer fork – also powdercoated gloss black); Avon grips; owner-designed/built custom wiring harness.