| Author | Message | ||
     Hooptygoo |
My local independent bike mechanic is selling his personal S1W http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/1859648712. html and freely offered it to me for $4k. I took it for a quick spin and think I kinda liked it. Definitely a raw experience over my 2005 rubber ducky Sportster. I'm not new to sport bikes - I have a Ducati Hypermotard and have ridden many other Ducs so I'm used to the torque. I'm looking to sell the Sportster and thought this might be a fun replacement. What do you think? What should I look for? How long have you had yours? Issues? Problems? Or do you just flat out love it? Thanks - Jon | ||
| Fahren |
It's totally your call, if you like the ride. If you buy it, be prepared for way more attention than you get with your sportster. The bike looks awesome, and hopefully has been well kept by its mechanic owner. It has great mod's, like the intake, exhaust, front rotor, frame brace and steering damper, twin tail and single seat. You could ask him about other updates that should be done: new primary tensioner, maybe updated oul pump gear. It's a beautiful bike. The S1's do not have the Thunderstorm heads and the larger Manta tank. But they are incredibly torquey and tons of fun in the twisties. Some prefer the look of the smaller tank over the Manta. You can keep this bike going as long as your sportster, and it will certainly be way rarer than an XL. I say go for it, again - if you love the ride. The small, narrow seat is not known for long distance comfort. But you knew that! | ||
| Hooptygoo |
I'm not very familiar with the common quirks of this particular bike, but he did mention the oil system and that all the recommended mods have been done (one way valves in the oil lines?). Not sure about the tensioner, but I'm heading back today to pick up an air filter. What else should I ask? | ||
| Phelan |
I'd personally go after this S1 instead... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 560593.html?1279923574 | ||
| The4ork |
buy it, youll never want any other bike :P | ||
| Fahren |
Phelan's link is also a nice bike, but a higher level of nice, for someone who would really appreciate it. it all depends where your comfort level is - the blue/white one near you is plenty of bike for a lot of riders. Depends where you feel the right fit, coming from Duc's and a Sportster. One thing about these bikes - you are still buying a 14-year-old bike, so there will be normal wear and maintenance issues. How are the forks/when were they serviced? How are the front and 2 rear isolators, and has he replaced them at all? You may want to figure on bearings (steering head, swing arm, wheels) How is the shifting? How is the tuning with the mod's he did (carb re-ject, etc). Ons cosmetic issue that S1's have is that the paint on the plastic fuel tank bubbles up, often associated with the decal area. There's a lot of info on here about repainting (mine is repainted and has zero problems - knock on wood).You can just ask him if he has re-painted, and look carefully at the tank paint. Good luck with the process! You should be fine with almost all the stuff you might come across having to work on with this bike - much like a sportster. Good aftermarket support, (Message edited by fahren on July 29, 2010) | ||
| Hooptygoo |
Phelan's bike is super nice but you really do have to see this one in person. Fahren, it does have some of the things you mentioned... light bubbling in areas on the tank. Not a big deal. I checked the forks after my test ride, no sign of leaking though not sure when/if they were serviced. Isolators are in fine shape, and it has some billet frame braces. I know he's replaced the wheel bearings, and drive belt. He also said something about a Baker product somewhere in there - not talking about a 6 speed or anything like that. I think it might be the 5 speed smooth shift kit. It shifts a hell of a lot smoother than my 05 Sporty, that's for sure. From what I felt on my test ride, it sure seems like he's got the carb/exhaust tuning pretty well dialed in as it pulls like crazy. I don't know. This is tough. And I'm trying to cut back on the impulsive motorcycle purchases. I hate to pass this up but I might have to. I'm leaving for the weekend, but if he still has it next week I might talk to him some more. | ||
| Michelangelo |
Just make sure you torque every bolt to spec and put lock tite on everything! | ||
| Bartimus |
Fahren, I believe you are incorrect in regards to the thunderstorm heads. If I recall the '96 models had a stock sportster engine. The '97 models had "Lightning" heads and the '98 models had "thunderstorm" heads. the '98 S1W "white lightning" had thunderstorm heads, manta tank, and cams | ||
| Kalali |
I also thought I read the 98 S1W was FI unlike all other S1s. But I'm no expert... | ||
| Fahren |
Yeah, I'm no expert either. Def. no FI on the S1W, however. EFI started in '99 with the X1 and the S3. As to the heads, I don't know what '97 "Lightning" heads would be; all I know is that the T'storm heads are black, so it's easy to spot them even from a photo. | ||
| Guell |
lightning heads were slightly better than the stock sporty heads, they are grey, came stock on all lightnings m2's and s3's up til 98. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The only 98's that had Thunderstorm heads were the S1W, and the S3. They were the first Thunderstorm bikes. S1 for 98 was still Lightning heads. The giveaway is black heads (as noted above), versus aluminum heads on all the Lightning-spec engines. 99-up, ALL the Buells (except Blast) had Thunderstorm heads, whether carb or EFI. NO S1's (or S1W's) were EFI. The dawn of DDFI was the S3 and the X1 (which replaced the S1 family in '99). No M2's were ever EFI, either - it was the "gateway Buell" and left as basic as possible, with "normal" forks, lower-RPM cams, higher torque/lower HP, a great big cushy seat and a very basic value-leader sticker price  (not that I miss my first Buell, a '99 M2, at *all* LOL) | ||
| Badsix2 |
my 96 has black heads. i bought the bike used, it does have a lot of aftermarket stuff on it. i wonder if these are the later heads? is there any way to tell other then them being black? | ||
| Ratbuell |
Part number. It should be cast into the head where you can see it...I wanna say under the fin right above the exhaust port (easier to read if the head's upside down on a bench). That and they're non-highlighted (the edges of the fins are also black, not polished like an HD motor). | ||
| Jos51700 |
Send me a VIN on that CL bike, and I can tell you if it truly is one of one. |
