| Author | Message | ||
     Generalcuz |
I was going for an 1125cr but what fun would that be without growing through the next few years. Figured I would start out with a stock 99 X1 that is unmolested for $2500.00. So my question is what are the quirks and things to look out for on this bike? It will not see a track day, only the daily commute to work and some canyon carving in the Colorado rockies. Input?? | ||
| Harleyelf |
Your cam position sensor and/or head temperature sensor may fail intermittently. Neither will throw a trouble code when it does. The fuel cap will not tolerate having the nut inside overtorqued. The front brake rotor should be upgraded from the one with nuts and bolts holding the rotor to the rotor mount to one with nine hollow supports. The muffler should have the upgrade yoke-type mount to replace the front upper steel one. Buy a factory service manual and a ECMSpy cord to hook your laptop to; the old ECMSpy program will work with your bike. | ||
| Preybird1 |
Lots of recalls on that year. Primary chain tension-er, rear shock, upgraded Y hanger for exhaust. And i can't remember all the rest but others will chime in. In it's stock form it is great. If you plan on modding it or any upgrades then it needs more work. But i have thoroughly enjoyed the bike so far. Buy a parts and a repair manual. And by aftermarket parts if you can. Harley parts are junk. | ||
| Robr |
A common bit of misinformation, no shock recall on '99 X1s. | ||
| Hootowl |
Or the primary tensioner, though it should be replaced. | ||
| Matrim |
If they haven't already been replaced, the rocker box gaskets will blow at some point (mine did in the first 4k.) Might be a good idea to have two of those around for when it happens. | ||
| Alfau |
Sadly this bike is going to teach you how to be a mechanic.. You will have fun but the X1 is a bit of a dud. Plenty of information here to help which is a good thing but you are in for the ride of your life in more ways than one.. | ||
| Psykick_machanik |
keep an eye on your fwd engine mount bolts, make sure they dont break off. also check the exhaust nuts for getting loose. Alfau- X1 a dud? now them is fighting words! | ||
| Buellistic |
BIT OF A "DUD", "i" say that if you were a technician or do not have a "CLUE" ... "BUT" if you are MECHANICALLY inclined or a MECHANIC, you will love working on your BUELL !!! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Bit of a dud, eh? My 2000 X1 made me laugh inside my helmet like a little kid three times yesterday on a short ride to a few stores. LOL. | ||
| Alfau |
I might not have a clue but one thing is for sure, you will need to do your own mechanical work because you will never have your bike at home if you were to rely on your local trained authorized Buell mechanic. If trained mechanics through the Harley Davidson network have a hard time tweeking these things what chance have we got? The knowledge bank is testimony as to how good these things are. Just about everything that could possibly go wrong does! You might notice that I have attacked no one. The bike is the focus of my dissapointment,not people with bad manners! | ||
| Buellistic |
Alfau: BUELLschitte, it is just a frame with a EVO SPORTSTER ENGINE in it !!! Have a 1997 S3T with 111,049.7 miles on it as of the last ride ... Still running the OEM stator, rotor, and voltage regulator, "BUT" "i" have replaced a few batteries ... Up-dated the oil pump drive gear to the -06 oil pump drive gear and the -98 oil pump ... On my second DRIVE BELT and CLUTCH CABLE ... TOP END HAS NOT BEEN OFF !!! NOW, is the any information "i" can help you with to make your BUELL the BEST ??? | ||
| Two_seasons |
I own two X1 Lightning's. Great bikes! I also know how to do my own wrenching, so there you go. | ||
| Alfau |
The 1999 X1 is a prototype introducing fuell injection. Many,many expensive lessons were to follow for the unsuspecting consumer. Like it or lump it. If the many modifications necessary are not done you will be sitting on the side of the road before you can blink. The workshop manual is a formula for disaster all by itself hey 101? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
All 99+ model years should have the updated front brake rotor. Try not to run a fuel injected Buell out of gas. It bungs up your ecm and then you're gonna need that ecmspy cable mentioned above. The X1 is a blast to ride, especially if you like to run at the top of the rpm range. I personally prefer the M2 cams a little better, having more torque down in the lower rev range. But with a 1200 motor and the Thunderstorm heads there's plenty of pull, regardless of the model. Sounds like a great price, be prepared to swap some gaskets, and maybe tires, and any basic wear/maintenance items (brake pads, battery, fluids, maybe a worn primary tensioner) at that kind of a price. One really nice thing the X1's have that other tube framed Buells lack is the removable side plate in the right side of the frame, for replacing drive belts. | ||
| Jramsey |
Quote from Allen's profile. "Still a sorry excuse for a so called sports bike. About a 250 cc two stroke equivalent with a earth shattering noise." I wonder why he still owns it if its such a poor excuse of a motorcycle? | ||
| Alfau |
X1 couldn't beat any 250 two stroke..it might win if you dropped them both off a cliff! WHY DON'T YOU TRY? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Why don't you sell that bike you hold such a grudge against and find somewhere else to troll? | ||
| Trojan |
A common bit of misinformation, no shock recall on '99 X1s Not a recall as such, but they should have had the shocks changed by dealers to the later 'short' type with matching front bracket. I still see a few riding around with the 'interim' clamps around the rear mounts, which should have been changed by dealers. 99 X1's in particular had an ECM problem that required an update, although it should have been sorted out on all bikes. It is worth checking in case this one slipped the net. | ||
| Jramsey |
Troll. (Message edited by Jramsey on February 21, 2012) | ||
| Alfau |
For the newcomer to Buell x1 Here is a fantastic webb site dedicated to help you keep it going. The X1_Files.. The page that cones up is the one I am using at the moment. http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/marriott/x1/#Elect rical I am getting close to reading this whole site. I don't know who he is but I do know he is aware of the problematic X1 and offers much really good advise. I recommend you read the FAQ #1 section. http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/marriott/x1/BuyABuell.htm Truth hurts. (Message edited by alfau on February 21, 2012) | ||
| Sdecp |
I got 99 questions but an X1 ain't one. Sorry, bad joke. | ||
| Alfau |
Littlebuggles.. Just looking at the picture on your profile..? Interesting, because a picture paints a thousand words. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Ha ha, let me explain that picture. That's the XB there, waiting to have the muffler put back on following rockerbox gaskets. Thanks for checking out my profile though, it's a little thing, but I take pride in keeping it up-to-date. I had to do that with my Suzuki previously as well, and paint rusty headers too. Oh, and fork seals, numerous tires replaced, and fork springs needed to be upgraded. And a few other repairs I'm sure I left off. Jetting was definitely not right from the factory. Mechanical things break, or wear out. This is normal. I am sorry your experience with Buell has been so unfortunate. I enjoy both my bikes. Working on them, just as working on my cars, Has generally been fulfilling. People who like Dodge, or Chevy, will give me a hard time about my Fords. They all break or wear out if stressed too heavily or are not properly maintained. HD tech's get intimidated and don't work on our bikes with clear minds. Some owners have similar issues as well. 99's were touchy, many newly introduced models of any manufacturer will see some new model growing pains that didn't come out in the product testing. If you go in with this in mind you'll be a lot more satisfied with your product. GEt to know your Buell, become comfortable getting your hands a bit dirty and the pride of ownership grows a great deal. These are not exotic Italian sport bikes where the tech's get tons of training to work on. Buell ownership must be far more personal than that if you are going to find satisfaction in it. | ||
| Dutch_x1 |
Alfau What are you trying to achieve with you're comments? Littlebuggles About ford: Know what you mean , i own a 67 Mustang. Same story as a buell  | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I should clarify that I meant vehicles all break or wear out, regardless of manufacturer. But I like Fords, I learned to work on my own car from my dad, and since I started on Ford I've continued to stick with them as they are what I'm familiar and comfortable with. There are Dodges and Chev's and VW's and many other vehicles out there that interest me, and I've driven a few of them with the intent of buying them. But then I go back to what I am familiar and comfortable with. Check out this thread on the quick board, someone looking into buying a BMW auto. There's quite a list of things that may go wrong, so what's the difference? http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/669607.html?1330381322 I've found the valve adjustment cost on my Buells to be much easier to stomach than the cost of those on the Suzuki through the dealership. That's just one of the things that led me to decide on the Buell above the Monsters and Speed Triples I was seriously considering at the time I purchased my bike. Allen, it is unfortunate that your bike came to you as it did. I suggest you sell it and move on. Life is too short and precious to sit on the internet and trash talk a bike you hold such enmity for; due to the emotions involved in your acquisition of the bike. Is it really worth your time? You seem like a smart man, I think you could be doing better things with yourself. Good luck and try to live happy brother. Back to the OP, 99's can have issues, try to get one that's already had all that sorted by the previous owner. Or get a 00-02, the 02's being the best and most sorted. The least problematic 99 Buell would be a M2 Cyclone due to the carb's instead of FI. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Sigh. Just looked at that pic and you're right, my garage is a mess! Gotta clean it up, it's full of cabinets needing varnish and install in my kitchen. Once I do that, well then I can get back to trying to figure out if I can cut the frame/sideplate section from the X1 frame I bought last year, and weld it on my M2. I'm going to have to replace my belt eventually and having a easier way to do it would be so sweet. |
