Remember me
Regular readers will remember Mecabuell’s XB12R that caught our eye a few weeks back. Now, Hugo, the man behind the curtain, is back with a project that reaches further into the brand’s history, breathing new life into the iconic tube-frame era.
Based in Saint-Martin-de-Valgalgues, just a stone’s throw from the Alès motor racing circuit in the south of France, Hugo has turned a fifteen-year obsession into a vocation. Since opening his specialized workshop in 2021, he’s made it his mission to keep the spirit of Erik Buell’s defunct brand alive on French soil. Alongside his workshop duties, Hugo founded Buellmachine, a brand dedicated to developing high-performance hardware for these idiosyncratic twins. From billet components to engine mapping, Mecabuell is effectively a sanctuary for the American sportbike.
Their latest masterpiece, dubbed the X1R, started life as a 2001 Buell X1 Lightning. The X1 famously paires a 1,203cc Harley-Davidson V-twin, pumping out a healthy 102 horsepower and 86 ft-lb of torque, with a short 54.7-inch wheelbase. Weighing in at 441 lbs dry, it was famous for its Thunderstorm heads. It’s a bike that demands a certain level of respect (and a firm grip), and Hugo decided it was the perfect candidate for a total makeover.
Hugo began by stripping the X1 to its bones. The engine was completely disassembled and rebuilt with fresh top-end gaskets and new piston rings, ensuring the American muscle performed like new. The motor was then drenched in a textured black finish, punctuated by XB rocker covers and a Mecabuell oil vapor catch can. To keep temperatures in check during spirited runs at Alès, a Jagg oil cooler was integrated into the setup.
The air-cooled mill now inhales through a K&N cone filter and exhales via a Vance & Hines exhaust system. To make the most of this improved breathing room, Hugo remapped the ECU, smoothing out the power delivery while maximizing the Thunderstorm equipped engine’s torque-heavy potential. The result is a soundtrack that is pure, unadulterated Americana with a French accent.
The chassis wasn't left alone either. The stock subframe was tossed in favor of a custom anodized RRC short rear unit, which supports a custom seat embroidered with the Mecabuell logo. For the rolling gear, Hugo decided on a hybrid approach: the bike now sits on a Buell XB front wheel and a Mecabuell-machined XB rear wheel, paired with a custom Buellmachine pulley. Powder-coated in a searing red and wrapped in Michelin Power GP2 rubber, the stance is aggressive and decidedly purposeful.
Handling was sharpened by lowering the stock XB forks by 25mm and kitting them out with Hyperpro progressive springs. The rear hasn’t been neglected either, now featuring a THX unit to manage the V-twin’s improved potential for speed. To keep the front end stable under heavy throttle, a Matris steering damper was tucked into the cockpit. The stopping power is now as modern as the rubber, featuring an MXS 17.5mm front master cylinder mated to a ZTL 6-piston caliper and Probrake rotors.
Visually, the X1R is a lesson in less is more. While the stock fuel tank cover remains, the rest of the bodywork is custom, featuring an S1 windscreen, an XB front fender, and a sharp belly pan. The entire machine is drenched in a Fire Engine Red paint job. While multi-layer graphics have their place, this mono-color approach accentuates the trellis frame and the bike’s angular, brutalist features perfectly.
The cockpit is a minimalist’s dream. Buell race-style handlebars wear black aluminum bar-end mirrors for a low profile, while lighting duties are handled by a full LED headlight held by an LSL bracket. Barracuda indicators handle the signaling up front, with Rizoma units tidying up the rear. It’s a bike that honors the raw, vibrating soul of the original X1 while adding the technical refinement of a modern-day street brawler. Erik Buell would surely approve.
What would you rate this build?
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