| Author | Message | ||
     Hustler_s2t |
Hey guys, I picked up a silver 96 buell thunderbolt s2t about 2 months ago. Its got 10K on the clock, looks mostly stock except a corbin seat, k&n air filter, and a supertrapp muffler as far as I can tell. Riding this bike so far has been a real fun time. It gets compliments and is comfortable to just set out to ride on without hurting when I return. I was in the market for a bike and was wanting a katana 1100 from 89-93 and then randomly found this bike sitting in a used car lot and it stuck out like a sore thumb in there! I took it for a test ride and found out he wanted 3K for it. I liked how it rode very much, and LOVED the sound...screw getting that katana haha. I worked with the guy a little on the price and got him to take $2300+tax. It was more than I wanted to spend on a bike, but considering what I saw these going for online I think I got a deal. ok, first question, I've seen some of the T models with leg fairing extenders down the sides of the motor. Mine did not come with these, and I was wondering did they come on all and mine were just lost in the mix? If they didn't come standard, are they hard to find? I think they look pretty cool. Second, what kind of things can be done on a budget to get some power gains from the engine? I was wondering if there were any tricks to this, as I've found a quick cheap one in my nova a long time ago with a vacuum advance distributor spring kit...My mr2 turbo was easy enough to get very noticeable power from with bypassing the factory boost controller. Anything this painfully easy to get into on a buell to get some noticeable power? I'm not really all that into dropping big bucks to do get major engine work done. Like I said before, I've got a 73 nova and a mr2 turbo that require their fair share of my money haha. I've read a few posts on here about guys swapping heads and then some opting to go back to stock. Why is this? Third, I get some popping out of my carb especially when its cold. I was at a harley shop and the guy at the svc counter said that he suspected intake seals. I got a set of seals between the intake manifold and heads, and the intakes to carburetor to try to remedy this. Any other known causes or is this the usual suspect that you guys know of? I'm not all that versed in working on bikes (never really done much to one), but do work on cars for a living so I plan on doing the work I can without special tools, just need to pick up a service manual. First thing I need to do is fix my leaky front fork seal (never done this before). Then replace the front tire, its close to needing done but not just yet. One thing for sure, this bike doesn't look that fun to lift up to get tires off! Thanks for reading, I look forward to talking with you guys and reading through this site...There seems to be a lot of info to take in! Brad | ||
| Gowindward |
Brad, You did get a great deal on the bike. The T models came with the lower fairings. There is a pair on ebay right now. The selling has a couple of other pieces with them, but I would bet that they are not for an S2. They need paint, but they do not come up that often. If your bike hits a rev limiter at about 5300 to 5500 rpm, there is a different ignition module that raises it to around 6800 rpm. Swapping the module sure made me happier with mine. Mine is cold blooded too, and coughs when cold. I figured it was just the nature of the beast. Go see American Sport Bike for a special Allen wrench for the intake manifold. It's short and bent. It will make the job go much easier. Come to Texas in May for the S2 Roundup. All the cool kids will be there. LOL | ||
| Easy_rider |
Congrats! And to think I paid $1500 for a basket case and was happy to get it! The intake seals seem reasonable. You could always squirt some water (why does it seem like that's not the right material?) around the seals at idle and see if it changes. Get yourself a service manual. The old part number is 99489-96Y. There might still be some at LSHD1.com. If there are any sponsors here that know they have one hopefully they will pipe in. Which fork seal is leaking? No matter what, it's not too bad. The farther down you go the more you may want to plan ahead in terms of getting a couple of tools. My "special tools" were a piece of pvc, a piece cut from a beer case, and a heat gun, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Oh yeah, find Frank Skinner and let him know what you've got... | ||
| F_skinner |
Brad, welcome to S2 "T" ownership. I am kind of partial to the Quicksilver Metallic S2T (I have 2 of them). The S2 and S2T have a great history. Take a look around and see the threads on the Ownership List and Signature Series stuff (all S2s and S2Ts are signature Series bikes). I would also recommend the Buell History book "25 Years of Buell" that has some stuff on the S2 (not enough but that is ok).  If you wish to be added to the S2 owners list (how many Buell models have owners list? that tells you how special they are) send me a pm or email me at f_skinner at yahoo.com with your complete VIN. There is a lot of info on performance mods on this site and you can find a few things using the search function. As with any motor modifications you can reach a limit that reliability is sacrificed. The guys on this site can advise you better than I can on such things. Also you will need to post a picture. I think it is required.  If I do not respond to you right away please be patient with me as I have some other things going on at the moment. Frank Buell Enthusiast | ||
| Ebutch |
Welcome Brad!! Her http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/9-18A-BUELL-S2T-Thu nderbolt-Touring-leg-fairings_W0QQitemZ39011088761 8QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories? hash=item5ad46bbec2#ht_693wt_958 e are those leg-sheils | ||
| Easy_rider |
I'm not sure how cheap/easy you are looking for to get some horsepower, but there are a set of T-storm heads in the classifieds for $300. I don't think that's too bad. You'd need to buy a set of pistons to match the heads - yours won't work. Add machining (300?) and gaskets and such you're looking at about 20 horses (I don't remember what an S2 is rated but I think I'm being safe here) for $1K | ||
| Hustler_s2t |
gowindward and ebutch, thanks for the tip on the leg fairings. First things first though, need a front tire and to fix my fork seals before I go for cosmetic stuff. My rev limiter stops it right after 6K I'm pretty sure. I'll do another WOT run tonight and see just to be certain. Is your bottom end all stock and you spin it up to 6.8k? Thats pretty cool! I'll look into that wrench too, thanks for that tip. Same goes for the performance stuff too, easy rider, thanks for the tip on that. I'll have to do some research on those t-storm heads and see what before and after output is really like. Another thing, I'm not bored with the power my bike makes yet but its good to know things are out there to do to it like this. Oh also, I had a look around my intake seals and can see where there is wetness that has accumulated some dust around the heat mounting area...sign that they are in fact leaking even if its not causing my cough through the carb. As can be seen in my pics, its my right fork thats leaking lol. Nice special tools you have there! Frank, I saw some posts here about signature series bikes but didnt go through them yet. I thought it was a limited thing and didnt know ALL s2t's were included. Thats pretty neat. I'll get you my vin soon to get on that list as well. Here are some pics to see as too. They were the day before I got it (in the used car lot LOL) so nothing to artistic done yet. Just a few snaps showing that my bags need a re paint  Brad * all pics taken with a camera phone    | ||
| F_skinner |
Great looking bike. A couple of things to think about. You cannot get the turn signals anymore or the timing cover S2 plate. Those are items that are just not available anymore. It looks like you have the second recall shock (16.5 inches) there was one more recall that used a 14 inch and different mounts. It also has the recall front brake rotor. It looks great, I am kind of partial to the bike and that color. Good find Brad.  | ||
| Ebutch |
Frank: I see you have factory race muffler and what header,stock or race? What year race header?if so.Thanks. Brad those lowers are really hard to get!!!!!  | ||
| Phelan |
Ebutch, Frank had the Race header an muffler on THAT S2 lol. You'd have to ask him about the other 3 S2s as I don't know what's on them. And the lowers can be had new from Airtech (remakes, not original) for $80/ea and you have to drill your own mounting holes and get the hardware. Just a thought. | ||
| F_skinner |
Ross is right. I love that bike. It was my first S2 and will be my last. Number 95 of 498!!! | ||
| Ebutch |
I think Franks S2T in above pic is a 97,98 race-header?Forgot about Air Tec  | ||
| Phelan |
Yep, it is. I once called them and priced a front fairing in Carbon Fiber when I had my left side laydown. $1000 quote changed my mind pretty quick. | ||
| F_skinner |
97,98 race-header? Not sure on the year Butch.  | ||
| Gowindward |
Frank, the photo reminds me how much fun it was riding in Colorado this summer at the S2 gathering. | ||
| Essmjay |
Brad- you got a killer of a deal! The silver is my second favorite color after YJP Yellow. You are going to love that bike. It is an older bike that needs regular attention to maintenance, but the rewards are huge. She will draw looks and questions wherever you park. There is nothing, not even sex, that matches the feel of that hotrod screaming down some twisty canyon with the sound of the V2 echoing back through your head. Shane | ||
| Hustler_s2t |
thanks again guys. Nice bike Frank! It does look pretty sharp with those lower parts on it. How do they secure? I cant remember seeing a bracket on my bike with an open hole or anything. Thanks for any info on that. Also, about the recalls...When I got it I called a buell dealership and they ran my vin and said all recalls had been completed. Hope they were right! Brad | ||
| F_skinner |
Your dealer is wrong. The person you want to send you VIN to is Ratbuell and he can run a check for you. However, do not worry about the recalls. The lowers are attached with the screw on the front of each side of the gas tank cover then they use clamps to secure it at other points on the frame. Frank | ||
| Doug_s |
i would definitely recommend the t-storm head upgrade. i test-rode an s2 when they first came out - i was enamoured, except i didn't like the power - it wasn't up to the abilities of the ride i had at the time - an '83 honda interceptor. and, i am no totally speed-crazed freak, like some folks out there. just a little. when i finally got an s2, in 1998, i had the t-storm head kit installed before i took delivery - big improvement. the stock s2 was rated at 76hp; torque was also 76, iirc, but i may be off on that one. the t-storm heads give a factory rating of 101hp... doug s. | ||
| Phelan |
The S2 was 76/76 at the crank, but only put 50-60 HP at the wheel, depending on if the motor was built on a Thursday or a Monday. The Tstorm motors put out 101 at the crank, but it was a combination of the heads, pistons (10:1 comp w/ 15* squish instead of 9:1 w/ 0 squish), and .497 lift cams, instead of the .480s. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Don't forget the T-storm motors had the lighter flywheel assembly too. The difference is noticable - I have T storm top end and cams on my S2, and factory T storm engine in my S1W. I know the gearing is different...but you can still feel the difference in the way the engine revs. That said...I'm totally happy with just heads/cams/pistons/ignition in the S2 |
