Next on the chopping block were the Buell’s bulky cast wheels. It took extensive work to replace them: Excel rims (F19, R17) were laced to Canyon TT hubs. The hubs are actually made for modern Triumph twins, so Revival had to adapt them to fit, by reworking the axles and spacers.
They even built a custom front and rear sprocket set, chain tensioner and front sprocket cover to suit the overall design.
Of course, a dirt bike is only as good as its suspension—so Revival got busy. The stock front forks were modified with Aprilia fork lowers. This gave the setup more travel, helped accommodate the spoked wheel, and eliminated the Buell’s perimeter brake setup.
A custom front brake rotor adaptor was machined, allowing the team to fit a four-piston Discacciati caliper. That meant less weight, and more stopping power.
Out back, Revival re-sprung and re-valved the stock shock to prepare it for abuse. They also relocated the remote reservoir to tuck it out of harm’s way. The big XB now not only handles better on dirt, but sticks through corners better on asphalt too.
“This dirt bike carves up the street too,” says Alan. “We took it to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering in May of 2016, and it was flogged through hundreds of miles pavement to rave reviews.”
Revival managed to shed even more pounds by building a stunning new stainless steel exhaust system. The design is an obvious nod to the Harley board trackers of the early 1900s, and Alan tells us it’s not as obnoxious-sounding as you’d imagine.
The skid plate and high-mounted front fender are both custom-made alloy parts—and scrambler essentials. The headlight arrangement is particularly intriguing: it’s an alloy number board, with a dual headlight setup that’s removable via a quick-release system.
“We wanted the new owner of this machine to have the ability to ride all day at the track, or off road, and then ride it home,” says Alan. “So the lighting, license plate mount and street running gear is all tucked and out of harm’s way.”
The turn signals are equally discreet: LEDs built into the rear of the frame that double as a tail light, and small Motogadget m-Blaze pin LEDs alongside the headlights.
The cockpit’s stacked with top-shelf parts: LSL handlebars, a Domino throttle, CRG levers that have been powder-coated bronze, a Brembo master cylinder and Posh grips. The digital, all-in-one gauge—and the handlebar switches—are also from Motogadget.
Revival’s craftsmanship speaks for itself, so the color scheme is minimal. It’s mostly raw metal, with a couple of bronze highlights—including an accent stripe on the seat.
“Although we started this bike as a budget build with what seemed like some very tight parameters,” says Alan, “ultimately The Bueller ended up winning over most guys in the shop, who now have visions of their own Harley-based dirtbike!”
In a world where most ‘scramblers’ are little more than street bikes with knobbies and high bars, it’s refreshing to see a bike that properly lives up to its tires.
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