| Author | Message | ||
     Njbuell |
I've been told lately that my bike is pretty rare. Its a mint condition 1998 S1W white lightning in the Molten Orange Nuclear Blue combination. Anyone have any idea what its worth? I have about 8,000 miles on it.  | ||
| Jayvee |
'Mint condition' with a Vance & Hines muffler? It's really pretty bike though. Around here they go between $3K to $5K, not so often at the $5K end. | ||
| Ebutch |
I think Frank should give it the Seal-Of-Approvel!It has mine.AH heck I give it Two Seals!!!  | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Phil, your's is a nice looking S1. According to Summer 2008 Fuell magazine there were approximately 4,680 S1's built from 1996-1998. There were only approx 2,210 1998 S1W's built according to the same article (The Silver Collection). So if it's a White Lightning (S1W) you'll need to get a few things for it to restore it to mint (if that's your intention). In addition to the V&H your bike has got the small S1 tank, not the Manta style, larger capacity tank. You may be able to find data on the colors built in either the Knowledge Vault or Quick Board by doing a search for S1 models produced. There was a thread in the Fall of 09 on the Quick Board (if I remember right) where someone produced a poster quality image, perhaps from that Fuell edition. Anyway, there may have been more numerical data there. The subject or rarity comes up every so often here in the Old School section sometimes too, so a focused search in each of those areas may give you the information you want if no one has that where they can post it. While the bikes may be "different in every sense" (rare), their market value sure doesn't show it at this point. These bikes are built to be ridden, but I can understand wanting to preserve a rare motorcycle. | ||
| Njbuell |
I have the original pipe, airbox and carbon rear fender. Funny about the tank though...it has never been changed. Is it possible that they used both tanks on the white lightning? I've seen pics of other s1w's with the same tank I have in white and I've seen pics of the white ones with the larger tank. I've only seen a pic or 2 of the orange ones with the same tank I have. | ||
| Andymnelson |
All tubers are rare. None of them are worth much. Ride the piss out of it and enjoy it! | ||
| Court |
It was certainly one of the more striking color combinations . . and a combination with a lot of interesting history. They don't tend to fetch much . . the $3-5K is about on target. You'll never enjoy it more than riding the piss out of it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The Manta tank was standard on the S1W, at least from all the lit I've read, sources I've seen, and bikes I've had hands on (including my personal white/white/white S1W). When was the tank painted? OEM tanks on the '98 had decals under the clearcoat that liked to bubble ("recall" tanks like mine had the later style raised letters); I don't see any "BUELL" on your tank. I do like the color combo, though. Every time it's wash-time on mine, I wish I had nuke blue frame and wheels.... | ||
| Njbuell |
Thanks for all the compliments guys. Hey Court...its Phil from Liberty HD in Rahway. I'm not at Liberty anymore though. Sent you a PM. | ||
| Firstbuell |
Andymnelson sez, ".....All tubers are rare. None of them are worth much. Ride the piss out of it and enjoy it! ....." ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- oh, yez | ||
| 46champ |
Tubers are rare but not old enough to be worth a lot yet. 10 to 20 more years of chopper and bobber building then we who havn't butchered our bikes will have the last laugh. | ||
| Mick |
Looks like an S1W "lighting strike" they came out in that colour , came out with the small and large tank. | ||
| Njbuell |
Ive never heard of a Lightning Strike. Whats the difference between that and a White Lightning??? | ||
| Brinnutz |
There is some talk in this thread regarding S1 Identification... http://badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/5 59659.html?1272742100 | ||
| Charlies_s1 |
At the very end of the 98 run they did make the (S1W) in those colors and small tank, My brother has one and It was purchased like yours, Same colors. I also have a S1 in that color combo, Wish it was a S1W. I think there was something like 250+- or so were made in that way 100 or so went to Europe. Don't Quote me on these numbers but it the real numbers are out there just search. Want to sell it? LOL But it is KINDA rare.  | ||
| Snp304 |
"You may be able to find data on the colors built in either the Knowledge Vault or Quick Board by doing a search for S1 models produced. There was a thread in the Fall of 09 on the Quick Board (if I remember right) where someone produced a poster quality image, perhaps from that Fuell edition. Anyway, there may have been more numerical data there." I tried finding that thread with no luck. Anyone else know where it is....maybe post a link? | ||
| Court |
From Brankin:
The small tanks were also on some of the first bikes made that year. In 1998, for the first time and with much unhappiness, the Harley-Davidson District Managers were "made" to ride Buells as COVs. As a result we made about 25 extra above and beyond all the media, press, catalog, show, photo and tech pubs bikes. The Molten Orange benefited from the experience we had with High Voltage Yellow. The gorgeous yellow was . . well GREAT when it was great but the parts tended to fade inconsistently so when we'd replace a single body part we often ended up replacing the entire bike. There was a lot of body work on S-1's. So when the order came down for Molten Orange Mike gathered all the various oranges he had under consideration and a collection of recall tanks that had been returned were gathered and 2 of each . . .just like Noah's Ark . . . were painted in the various oranges. One of each pair when to a dark closet and it's mate went to the roof of 2719. About every couple weeks the two would be placed side by side for comparison. We needed to have a high level of confidence that we weren't designing another customer service nightmare. Somewhere . . . and only goodness knows where . . . I have all the Excel spreadsheets of every 1998 Buell built with the listing of all the major parts on the thousands of bikes and the exceptions and special bikes that were built. I've sorted it for various combinations before . . . it's fun to look and see how many of each combination were REALLY built. Anyway you cut it . . . it's a damn good looking bike that begs to be ridden. | ||
| 1313 |
S1W colors: White Frames:  Black Frames:  Titanium (color name only) Frames:  Nuclear Blue Frames:  My ideal S1W would either be an all black (like the S1 Black Lightning) or Nuclear Blue frame with Black bodywork, 1313 | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Oooohhhh!!!  I love those pages, that's the bike that drew me to the brand, before I learned what Buell was about I loved the styling. Thanks for posting Brankin! | ||
| Kyrocket |
1313 seems to have all the good stuff! Helped me out a while back with the carbon fiber Japanese models. I'd love to score a Japanese styled windscreen for mine. | ||
| Bandm |
From Snp304:
This one?  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/17/ 524959.html | ||
| Littlebuggles |
!!YUP!! Thanks for locating that too! | ||
| Buellish |
Brankin,I know where there is a Black frame, Black bodywork '98 S1W. It could be bought.  | ||
| Snp304 |
the way I read it, is that someone did the same idea above but with S1 models only. I definitely could have misunderstood what was being said... |
