The Evolution of ‘Buttercup’!
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The Evolution of ‘Buttercup’!
Recent talk of adapting older Evos, to be something they never were expected to be, has got Buttercup all excited! She is after all an Evo of sorts, although as a Buell her kith and kin don’t often get a mention in here. I took her to Normandy in France for her first overseas trip last summer, visiting a few of the WW2 battle field sites and it was one heck of a challenge to squeeze on enough luggage for a long weekend. 
Her carrying capacity to date has been bijou, to say the least, even though I have the factory saddle-bags and tank bag – a pair of my shoes will only just squeeze into any one of them, leaving little space for anything else. Much mention of qd tourpaks in here got me thinking, so I had a rummage around in the back of my garage and found a few suitable bits ‘n bobs, including a second-hand pillion seat and a grubby Givi hard case. After a clean-up and a remarkably straight-forward conversion I am pleased to report that Buttercup now has her very own detachable ‘tourpak’!
So fanfare of trumpets, here is Buttercup in both her stripped bare Road Warrior and new Spartan Touring forms:
Her carrying capacity to date has been bijou, to say the least, even though I have the factory saddle-bags and tank bag – a pair of my shoes will only just squeeze into any one of them, leaving little space for anything else. Much mention of qd tourpaks in here got me thinking, so I had a rummage around in the back of my garage and found a few suitable bits ‘n bobs, including a second-hand pillion seat and a grubby Givi hard case. After a clean-up and a remarkably straight-forward conversion I am pleased to report that Buttercup now has her very own detachable ‘tourpak’!
So fanfare of trumpets, here is Buttercup in both her stripped bare Road Warrior and new Spartan Touring forms:
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
You've sure have a better back than I do to be able to ride that all day. Even a couple hours on my 1200C got to be a bit challenging last summer (but I have survived an 8 hour day on it). Bet The Buell's a blast to ride on twisty European roads. And yes, I'd call that little trunk Spartan touring, too! 
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Thanks chaps. I've ridden sporty bikes since before I bought my first Harley, so my Firebolt is just the latest in a long line. I've ridden around 350 miles on it in one day but that was more than enough and I certainly wouldn't want to do it again the following day! It's a great thing to ride, with so much torque, the power doesn't matter! A Glide with the same torque/weight ratio would be interesting!
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Originally Posted by Tee⋁13605248
If you load up a backpack (ruck sack???) Where will Mrs. B. sit?
Tom
Tom
I'm working on improving the luggage capacity on that too.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 119
Likes: 11
From: savannah georgia
I had a Buell xb9 lightnin and a xb 12 lightning they were two of the most fun bikes I have ever owned. They make a right side air scoup that matches the left it makes it a lot cooler on that right leg
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Thanks for that John, I don't recall seeing one so will take a look around. Actually oop here in the UK heat isn't much of a problem, but it is still an interesting idea.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
That doesn't make sense at all, now does it! I have just found that St Paul H-D sells a kit based on stock Ulysses parts, for anyone who might be interested, currently showing on US Ebay.