| Author | Message | ||
     Cheese |
I am sure I will be getting more information from the message boards than I give, but I just acquired a 1995 s2 that is a little rough, but I plan on bringing back to daily rider status. This will not be restored to concours condition, but instead be a clean daily rider. The good: 1. It is a 1995 S2 2. It has 16,000 miles 3. It has the original air cleaner cover 4. It has the original hugger and belt guard 5. It has the original aluminum oil tank. 6. It is a 1995 S2 The Bad: 1. The paint is not original (though it looks good) 2. The bike was dropped, likely not at speed. 3. As a result of 2 or of age - the weld on the left fairing stay is snapped 4. The fairing around the mirror mount on the left is broken 6. the front fender has a large crack. 7. The tank cover, around the fuel filler has a crack on the right side - it looks like age and fatigue and not crash damage. The indifferent: 1. It has a D&D pipe - a little loud (I would like a stock or maybe a Supertrapp) 2. It has a screaming eagle ignition box (might be good) I will be discovering more as I go, but that is it for now. I will be looking for advice. Thank you in advance, Cheese | ||
| Lynrd |
We're all here to help! Thanks for saving another S2. I imagine all of the damage you listed were the result of a kickstand collapse. Simply stated - you will quickly learn that putting a S2 on the kickstand is a bit of a ritual, not to be rushed, ever.... Rhonda came with the same broker left mirror and damaged fairing.... | ||
| Steveford |
Is there anyone here who has an S2 which has NOT toppled over on the left hand side? Mine went crunch when it was in a HarLee shop for a handlebar switch repair. | ||
| Cheese |
Thank you all for the responses. Any pointers on fixing the fairing? On fixing the bracket? On an improved side stand? I have already noticed that it I a touchy stand. I have had two other stands with awful side stands. My BMW r65 had one that would hold the bike up but it was pitched waaaay over. Fixed that with an aftermarket stand and it works great now. I had a Zrx 1100 that had a stand that was notorious for not supporting the bike. That was fixed when someone at work backed over the bike and totaled it (long story). However the destruction of that adolescent dream bike allowed me to purchase this adolescent dream bike. I will use this thread to post pictures of my progress and pitfalls: | ||
| Cheese |
  This is a photo from the ad and one on the day of arrival at my place. The plastic bicycle tire levers were to help get the fuel cap out of the tank. - It is a "precision" fit. | ||
| Cheese |
I am not sure I am going to pass inspection with the D&D on there. Anyone in southern Maine have advice on a good place to go for inspection? I am thinking about replacing it for a stock pipe if I can find one. At full rip it is very loud, and I am not a big fan of loud pipes. It does not look rebuildable either. I found some stock pipes from other early tuber Buells on line. I am just worried that the prior owners may have done more than thrown a pipe on there. It is the original CV carb, but I don't know what jets are in it. I know it does run well currently. Take care, Cheese | ||
| Lynrd |
Fixing the fairing is relatively easy, like any fiberglass. When I patched up rhonda, I ground down around the damaged areas about a 1" around externally using a small DA, then filled the cavity with good old fashioned Play-doh. Shape the Play-doh correctly to give some support, then hand lay matte glass fiberglass and normal fiberglass resin. As usual, I mixed my resin a bit "cold" and then used the sunlight to assist the curing process once I had it right. 4 laminations of cloth will be enough. Grand and sand until shape is right. Mine was just a quick patch up for now, so a "nearly the same red" rattle can job got her presentable. At some point I will come up with a good Red Snap paint and do it right, but, like your plans, I maintain her as a rider first. Very Pretty. Rhonda's race livery is that same shade of Orange and White. There was a thread in the S2 section on the side plates a while back - the debate is whether to bend the side stand, or do "*something* to the side plates. Me, personally - I ALWAYS make sure she is in 1st before I drop the kickstand, roll her forward until she stops, brace the kickstand in place with my left foot, and slowly lean her over. I have some ideas on how to address the issue that I will be trying out on Gloria. There also is a thread in the S2 (or maybe it was just in Olde School Buells) section about your precision gas cap challenge... | ||
| Lynrd |
Re: your pipe - measure the header and determine if it is 2" or 2.5" - the former owner may have changed it to the later 2.5". The stock pipe for an S2 was NOT a Supertrapp and not easy to find, but a slightly later muffler should bolt up depending on the inlet pipe. you just need to be sure you have the right inlet.. (Message edited by Lynrd on November 25, 2013) (Message edited by Lynrd on November 25, 2013) | ||
| Ratbuell |
The stock pipe for an S2 was NOT a supertrapp. They had black steel canisters on them just like all other tubers, the only difference being the straight (no elbow) 2" inlet for the S2. The only Buell that came with a supertrapp was the RS/RSS series. | ||
| Lynrd |
Sorry, my bad. Fixed my post so I would not look so dum | ||
| Court |
. . .and the RR. | ||
| Lynrd |
Oh, if only there was some sort of book IN PRINT that had these sorts of details...  | ||
| Rex |
S2 manual. I have a Super trap on one, and a vance and hines on the other. I have one with the updated plates and the upright stand. I have always heard to put it in first gear, and make sure it is leaning backwards, instead of forward. so far so good on mine. I do have an extra fairing that looks like it fell over, and broke where it was discussed above. | ||
| Rex |
There is an S2 gathering every year somewhere. This next year, I believe it is in Northern Cal. REX | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Repair the front fender, they are pretty rare. I've repaired some pretty bad damage. You'd never know it now. Just have the fairing stay rewelded. Make sure it's straight though. You see them pop up occasionally on Ebay. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Oh, if only there was some sort of book IN PRINT that had these sorts of details... I can loan you my un-signed copy if you want to torture yourself for a bit...  | ||
| Lornce |
My '95's been dropped on it's left side twice. Both times by friends at walking speed who were caught out by the limited steering lock. Snap Red bodywork is freshly repainted and ready to shine like a champ once more. My three year old already understands that one day it'll be his motorcycle.  | ||
| Cheese |
Hello All, Here is a list of items I plan on repairing or replacing after a superficial once over: 1. Fiberglass Repair and paint A: Front Fender - Repair or replace if unsuccessful. B: Fairing - repair mirror mount area. C: Fiberglass around gas cap - It looks like someone used something unforgiving to get the gas cap open and cracked the fiberglass right around the gas cap. D: Tail Piece (superficial chipping of afermarket paint over the license plate). 2. Metal Fabrication: Fairing stay - reweld (need to find a good fabricator in Maine or a reasonable distance) 3. Mechanical: (Most/All I will be doing myself) A. Change motor oil and primary oil B. Catch Can for breather hoses - right now it is vented to the belt - like some people do on chain drive bikes C. Backing Plate for air cleaner - it is cracked - seems a common failure D. Muffler - D&D is loud - trying to source either a stock muffler (hens teeth) or aftermarket alternative (new supertrapp?) E. Refresh brake fluids and any brake lines that appear aged, etc. F. Replace brake pads if appear worn - disks are in good shape. 4. Gravy - This will be my commute/daily rider so some modifications may be done to support this role A. Seat feels comfy on first sit and spin around the block, but will reconsider after long rides. B. Soft bags vs. tail bag vs. tank bag. I use a tank bag regularly now, but this bike does not have a metal tank. Will try to source a strap mounting system that will work or consider an alternative. I would love to source hard bags, but have read about the subframe modifications people have done, and I am not sure I am up for that at the start. I have semi soft universal bags, and may try those out. I will post my progress as it happens. Should be slow but steady. -cheese | ||
| Two_seasons |
Cheese, get to know Al and Joanne at American Sport Bike. Very knowledgeable about tubers. Edit: by the way, colors of your bike are excellent  (Message edited by two_seasons on November 28, 2013) | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Colby, Post a picture of the front fender. BTW, the 3rd CD is up.. I made a plaster of Paris mold from a spare fender and used that to rebuild the munched section on mine. It worked out REAL well. | ||
| Cheese |
Thank you Bluzm and Two Seasons. Here are the photos of the damage. The fenders: They have some form of cement on them now, and that is what is visible in the pictures around the cracks.   The tank around the gas cap:  The fairing around the mirror mount:  | ||
| Cheese |
Thank you Two Seasons. I am hoping the fiberglass repair doesn't ruing the paint too much. I think I can do things with small repairs and maybe some black or carbon fiber detail to cover up the repair spots on everything but the front fender. Here is my first question for the Cognoscenti: As I mentioned I have a D&D muffler and it is loud. I would like to repack it (which I have read is not possible) or replace it. Here are pics of the muffler:   The tip of the muffler has rivets in it. I have repacked a muzzy can before by drilling out the rivets, removing the core, and repacking. Is this not possible with these early D&D cans? There appear to be rivets at the tip of the can and fiberglass protruding around the tip. Secondly the inlet is 2". If I were looking for a replacement, any suggestions. The only stock replacements I have found have a 90 decree inlet. The supertrapp I was looking at is this one: http://www.supertrapp.com/product_sections/cat.asp?CatID=38 or could I get away with this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/SuperTrapp-449-2018-Muffler-S-C-Series-2-Inlet-4-Outlet-Steel-Black-Each-/331058507189?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d149fedb5&vxp=mtr Any others? An akrapovic street legal can by chance? Thanks again, Colby | ||
| Beardo |
I have a brand new, in the box Supertrapp for the S2. PM me if interested. | ||
| Lynrd |
header and all, or just the muffler? | ||
| Beardo |
It's a slip-on. To fit the S2 header. | ||
| Cheese |
Thanks for the heads up. I sent you a PM, Beardo. I think I found a thread where you have experience with the D&D pipe that I have on the bike now. Do you know if it is rebuildable? I have read on another thread that a D&D was not, but I am not sure if it is the same can. Cheers. | ||
| S1owner |
Cheese there is a trick with these gas caps there are several threads in old school there is even a kit made by a member to help fix it. I also shaved the plastic on the inside of the cap also | ||
| Cheese |
I just confirmed how loud my muffler is. 96 dB at idle. 101 with throttle blip. I am sure it gets louder at sustained RPM. Anyone have a link to dB numbers for other systems? | ||
| Buelljunkie |
The only info I know of was the Exhaust Test Shootout at American Sport Bike, but that was just for XB's and the 1125's. Still, a very extensive report. A lot of time and effort put in by those guys...support American Sport Bike whenever you can! Might give you some idea of the range you could expect by brand. I believe pgs 20 & 21 give dB ratings. http://www.americansportbike.com/Exhaust_Shootout. html | ||
| Cheese |
Thanks buell junkie. I am surprised the stock systems are so loud in their test. I am not comparing apples to apples though as my dB measurement was made using an iPhone app. When I call them the first thing inspection stations are asking me around here is if the bike has an aftermarket exhaust. I just moved back to the state, but I have been reading and seen a push in several southern maine towns to curb motorcycle exhaust noise. I just purchased a stock muffler for a 96 thunderbolt, and we will see how that mounts up and how the bike runs with it on. I think there has been some jetting changes with the carb. Currently there is a very free flowing muffler what I think are aftermarket headers, multiple welds at the bends of the headers, and the headers are safety wired to the heads. There is also a screaming eagle box mounted just behind the battery. It runs well now from bottom to top. Hopefully I don't screw it up to much making the sound tolerable. |
