What Ross has very skillfully done is to combine some of the nicer features of Buells over the years into one model that’s so subtle at first it’s deceiving. Personally, I think it’s deceiving because it’s so well integrated that it brings together some of my favorite features of Buells into a model I wish old Erik was still making. I’m a big fan of the steel frame Buells over the ultra-high tech aluminum frame models for a couple of reasons. One is simply that the steel frame bikes are a bit larger and that spells out more comfort. The aluminum frame was designed around the dimensions of a 250GP race bike and those are tiny-tiny. The other is that the innovative aluminum gas-tank-in-the-frame bikes unfortunately covers up the pretty Harley,  err Buell, motors. Plus I just like the feel of the steel frame as it’s a very forgiving and pleasant to ride design even when you’ve got it pinned to the stop.

  Apparently Ross feels somewhat the same way and combined the steel frame with the beefier and better looking XB-series aluminum swingarm that also solves the problem of where to locate the oil tank. You probably remember that like the gas-carrying frame, the swingarm held the engine oil in its innards eliminating the need for a separate oil tank. This mod did involve a bit ‘o work remounting the monoshock so it’s not a bolt-on trick by any means. Ross also completely updated the front end by chucking on (yeah, I know you can’t just chuck it on) an XB inverted fork complete with its much lighter wheel and huge perimeter brake. In one fell swoop, he totally updated the handling front and rear along with better braking and a modern look.

   One item that Ross completely redesigned both for comfort and looks is the seat/tail section. Although it’s a much more conventional-looking piece than Erik’s wild looking and wildly uncomfortable stock unit, it just flows a lot better and doesn’t make my butt hurt just looking at it like the original. I don’t know for sure, but I gotta think that Ross channeled Mr. Buell’s so-far-over-the-top-it scares-most-people late ‘80s Buell RR 1200 Battletwin when it came time for replacing the front fender. It’s a cool touch and a tip of the hat to the history of Buells. One area of the bike that got no past love or any historic recognition and was a piece that only the EPA and DOT guys would love was the gigundus original air cleaner. Yuk! That thing was ugly and huge. Ross replaced that with a simple round unit that unobtrusively does its work unlike the government mandated piece.

  Showing good taste and an experienced eye, Ross didn’t go the crazy ass paint palette of many of Erik’s stockers, but let the newfound lines quietly speak for themselves in a tasteful gray paint. Really a great way to go and shows the intelligent restraint and good taste of a guy who builds homes for a living. You gotta wonder how nice his homes must be.