16+ years from new, 63k miles. I've said many times I'd keep my Uly until it dies or becomes cost prohibitive to maintain, I'm afraid now that time has come. The bike has had a couple of knocks and front end collisions but has always come back strong. Of recent months, my consideration has been what to do about a small oil weep from area around base gasket/bottom of front push rod covers. However, after tracing a strong smell of petrol that started last week, I found this crack in the weld on top of the right side of the frame, just near where the fuel hose joins the injector rail

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Buell owners should be committed (but not for life)

Second hand frame or build a chopper

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Last year I joined a group for anti-social people
We haven't met yet.

or is it possible to get it rewelded ?
steam clean the tank , fill with nitrogen , then tig it ?

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Feros Ferio

All possible options but I don't want to lose out on riding time. I only have space for one bike and have to consider what's next to start swallowing money. I've loved the Buell experience and whilst I've spotted a couple of proper 2010's, there are other bikes to choose from.

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Buell owners should be committed (but not for life)

Considering you recently had the suspension all done and a few other jobs .
as Don has said welding is an option , but how far do you go on a 16+ year old bike with 63k miles ,same as the “small oil weep “ do you leave it alone for now or take engine apart to fix it and what else might you find that needs replacing once stripped ,piston rings , pistons, rebore . What is it like on oil consumption, if none or very little, then engine should be ok ,
Hopefully if you can get the frame welded , should be a cheap fix and buy you some time to think things over .

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

I suspect Maz has fuck all to do at the moment and you could have that back with a new frame in a week, no time lost and probably a cheap option.
Andy

thank you , very interesting read

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

Insurance claim.

There's a couple of options on eBay at the moment

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Last year I joined a group for anti-social people
We haven't met yet.

Good read, I didn't know about drilling the ends of the crack in alloy to stop it propagating but it makes total sense. Nice one.

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Ride Safe & Stay between the hedgerows.

Had a brief exchange with Maz last night and spoken with some others. Whilst I appreciate the advice on options to fix, I'm of the mind that I'd be starting down the road of chasing fault after fault and never actually being able to just go out and ride. I'm certainly not comfortable with things as they are as normally when we're out on the bikes, I've got Anne's daughter on the back.
How it didn't go whoompf! on Sunday with petrol dripping down onto the exhaust I don't know but am thankful it didn't. Lucky I was just warming it up.
If someone else wants to take ownership of the bike and responsibility of rectifying this, fair play and good luck to them.
16 years is a long time with one bike, which is tantamount to the DNA of the brand, the design of the Uly fulfilling my personal riding requirements, the skills of people like Maz to keep it going and a little bit of stubbornness from me to try anything else.
I've only got space for one bike and think I've found something to meet the brief and so, the Uly is available if someone wants to offer a price for "Spares or Repair".

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Buell owners should be committed (but not for life)

Crossed my mind

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Buell owners should be committed (but not for life)

Has putting that idea on an "Open" forum crossed your mind
.
If the bike is going to play on your peace of mind, get rid of the fucker!
You don't need "other things" running around in your head when you're out on the bike voice of experience

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I hate being strapped for cash....but it pays the bills

So what’s replacing it?

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Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler