| Author | Message | ||
     Roosey |
vin is 4mzys11j9w3226941 order number: 0592365 year: 1998 model code: s1w Model description: White Lightning S1W color: Ice white (092) Wheel: Cast (220) This is what i know thanks to HDnet. So..let me just say i absolutely love this thing. I'm a huge car guy but new to motorcycles so bear with me. here's the story, picked this bike up from a dirt bike shop a couple months ago. in the ad the owner said it was a s1 that he took in on a trade and just wanted it gone. after some research and getting the vin turns out this bike was a s1w so i jumped on the deal and took it over a m2 that was local. drove the hour and a half to get it no problem but upon arrival the bike had some undisclosed issues(ended up being a broken detent arm and return spring)...no biggy, ended up getting him down more on price($2400). Now, from all the research I'm coming up with I'm realizing a lot on this bike is not stock nor the way it came from the factory. i have some questions and here's a bunch of pictures. if you see something out of the ordinary let me know. I'm looking to restore this bike back to original. 1. this bike has a nuclear blue frame. from my understanding all s1 white lightnings came in all white(ice white pearl) if they didnt they were just s1 lightning's not the "white" lightning. I'm getting many different mixed answers on this and really would like to get this cleared up. 2. i know the intake is aftermarket and the exhaust/muffler definitely isn't stock but is the header stock for a s1w? anything else you notice that isnt stock please chime in! 3. the seat looks very similar to a corbin one yet there's no insignia anywhere on it. also the thread pattern looks a little different and it has Hideous yellow tubing/trim on it. 4. also noticed almost all white lightnings came with a single tail. as you can see mine is a twin tail. where can i find out if it came originally with the twin tail. 5. paint code for Ice White Pearl or anything pretty damn near close? being my least favorite color, i cant deal with the yellow it looks too obnoxious. i feel like its a riced-out honda in it's current stage and i'm a purist so it's gotta go. *dont mind the primary cover in the process of putting in a barnett clutch today*        | ||
| Phelan |
Not all S1Ws were white. You could order them in several frame/body color combinations. White Lightnings came with the higher output motor (different heads, pistons, cams, ignition? and header) and the larger Manta tank. Other than that and the decals I don't think they were much different than S1s. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Buell was doing a lot of crazy stuff during the 1998 model year. They had a "build your bike" program (sorry...don't remember the exact name) for the S1W. The "original" run of bikes were all white on white. They later had a "custom" order system where you could order your S1W in an number of frame and body color combinations. Here is a press release regarding the colors: "MILWAUKEE - That blizzard on wheels known as the Buell S1 White Lightning will be coming down the road in a rainbow of colors in 1998. Buell Motorcycle Company, which designs and manufactures American sportbikes, is offering new color options for its special edition White Lightning. The White Lightning will keep its name, but will now be available in four body colors and four wheel/frame colors that can be mixed and matched for a total of 16 color combinations. Customers can order the White Lightning with a black, titanium, white or nuclear blue frame and wheels, and the bodywork in any combination of ice white pearl, carbon black, billet metallic and molten orange. Polished metal wheels are also available. "This is new for the sportbike industry. Offering Buell SI White Lightning motorcycles in a wide range of color options allows each owner the ability to give a special personality to his or her bike. It adds a whole new dimension to what already is a very exciting motorcycle," said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer of Buell Motorcycle Company. The White Lighting won instant kudos when it was introduced for the 1998 model year with its 101 horsepower, 90 foot pounds of torque and wildly aggressive styling. The first of these special models came only with distinctive ice white pearl bodywork, white frame and wheels. Other features of the S1 White Lightning include a 5.5 gallon contour gas tank and a Pro Series solo seat. The White Lighting retails for $10,599. The Nuclear Blue frame is available for an additional $200." BTW....LOVE the stainless steel oil reservoir. That is the only part that I wish I had on mine. | ||
| Phelan |
The header looks stock but ceramic coated, the bike has a Meramachex oil tank, crossroads footpegs, what looks to be an aftermarket belt, polished rear pulley or chrome cover, chrome rear brake reservoir, among the obvious changes. | ||
| Phelan |
Lake, that oil tank is polished aluminum. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
The footpegs are probably a Buell "Pro Series" part. I have the same ones on my S1W. The pulley cover also looks like a Buell accessory. But I can't tell for certain without zooming the pictures. I'm guessing the factory rear fender was chopped. Most were at some point (including mine). That exhaust is throwing me for a loop. It almost looks custom. I don't see any clamps where the muffler would meet the header pipes. Turn signals are also aftermarket. Also on the factory pearl white paint...it was produced by Sikken. They no longer make that paint. But I'm sure it can be duplicated. It's a 3 part paint process because of the pearl coloring. | ||
| Harleyms |
 I work for a PPG distributor, those are the PPG paint numbers (brand code) straight from our computer. If someone wants to grab that image and host it in the knowledge base they can, the space I have it on likes to randomly delete my stuff...but it's free. (Message edited by harleyms on July 11, 2014) | ||
| Court |
4MZYS11J9W3226020 was built on 6/3/98 but it sat around waiting for some parts (the twin tails were running slow from a vendor) and didn't ship until the afternoon of 6/22 98. It shipped in the Ice White Pearl bodywork with the Nuclear Blue frame and was built, not later modified, as a Twin Tail as noted on it's build sheets. | ||
| Jayvee |
wow, really nice bike. It kinda looks like a twin-tail Corbin seat on a single tail rear-end. I'd guess a unique suite of enhancements. Somebody spent a lot of time/dough to get it to look like that. | ||
| Court |
>>> all s1 white lightnings came in all white(ice white pearl) if they didnt they were just s1 lightning's not the "white" lightning. Wrong >>>They had a "build your bike" program (sorry...don't remember the exact name) for the S1W. Not for the S1WL, for the S3 only. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Too bad that rear hugger was cut. I still like the original look. Looks like the rear pulley on both of my X1's. K&N oil filter. That is about the ugliest seat I've seen on any Buell. Get a solo seat and remove your rear pegs! Never been a fan of the hypercharger either. Me, I'd put a forcewinder on it. If not already done, make sure you put a catch-can on your breather lines coming out of the heads. I could be wrong, but the belt looks like a bar/shield belt. I'd change all the fluids. All of them! I use HD Formula+ in the primary. Seems to do the trick in my three tubers. Nice bike you got there! | ||
| Mighty_mouse |
So what would I look for in the VIN if I wanted a true S1WL or not? MM | ||
| Court |
4MZYS = White Lightning 4MZSS = Lightning | ||
| Harleyms |
Court you're awful handy with the build sheet action...I need to email you with my VIN so I know more about my beast lol | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Court...if I have time, I'll dig up the "color wheel" brochure for the 1998 S1W. I believe it showed all the possible frame & body color combinations. | ||
| S1owner |
Not wise to argue with court on these issues | ||
| S1owner |
Does appear to be mostly stock. Def coated header with custom pipe, and a few pro parts, could that seat be a two up pro series??? I like the hyper charger i run one With that pulley gaurd it makes me wonder if the rear isolators have not been updated Nice bike Do some searches on this site you can go through the entire bike from here and goto yhe knowledge vault and print a manual! | ||
| Roosey |
WOW. you guys F-ing ROCK!!! thanks so much for clearing all my questions up and way more! i shouldve came here first rather then going harley dealership to harley dealership looking for anything i could get. yes the seat on it now isnt the best looking thing haha i believe its a corbin thats been reupholstered? the tail is definitely a twin tail though. also i have changed all the fluids so shes all ready to ride. just buttoned up the new clutch a few minutes ago so ill be taking her out tomorrow for a ride. Jayvee, yes they must have spent a lot...now i have to spend a lot to get it back to how it should look haha also thanks everyone for your input on this and the kind words! i was embarrassed at first posting this because i didnt know a whole lot of the bike but this gives me a solid background now. | ||
| Roosey |
Court, the vin you posted is different from my vin(6941)? assuming that was just a typo. EXCELLENT information though. not sure where your getting the info from but would you be able to email the build sheets to me? if not, no problem, what you gave me is enough and helps me out tremendously!!! | ||
| Court |
I posted all the information for the 6941 but includes some photos and noted that one contained information marked confidential (it's a development program) so I deleted the post. Someone posted another VIN (I think it was Harleyms in the post immediately preceding mine) and that's what the info was for. | ||
| S1owner |
Court is an OB ( original Bueller) straight outta the factory. | ||
| Ratbuell |
It's a Corbin. TwinTail bodywork is different; going to a solo would involve new plastic and a new seat. I don't normally argue with Court, but...with the typo/VIN mismatch and the not-changed taillight location (twintail setups came with a bracket to move the taillight back to the end of the bodywork; this one is clearly in the solo tail position), I'd be surprised if it was a factory twin? Header looks stock for S1W but make sure it is a 2.5" collector, not 2". Should be 2.5". Ceramic coat is not stock. Also there is no bracket to the tab on the collector like there should be. Pegs are pro-series. Swingarm should be silver. Calipers should be silver. All rockerbox levels should be polished aluminum. Front pulley cover should be flat black. Front motor mount should be cast aluminum. That's...a lot of yellow powdercoat right there. If you like yellow, it's not bad... Factory ad, solo tail, stock fender:  TwinTail taillight extension bracket:  My bike - solo seat/tail, factory hugger, race kit (Buell intake, race header, race muffler), Works shock, corbin seat (have the stock "Euro" solo on it now), carbon fiber heat shield for right thigh (Buell accessory), all stock colors and finishes.  And yes, there were four frame colors and four body colors available. I have .pdf's of the posters on my other computer that I can post tomorrow. Nice save, glad another one will live to play another day! | ||
| Roosey |
Court would you be able to confirm mine is a twin tail from the factory? I might be misunderstanding what your saying but I missed the post with the information you had posted about my vin number. My s1w says on the frame is was also built in 6/98. Thanks so much for your help!!! | ||
| Jolly |
How many S1w bikes were produced as a twin tail ? Mine was, (at least according to everything I have) I have the scribbled notes on a brochure that were used to "build" the bike for the order at the HD shop. Bike was an original owner bike that I saved from his backyard.... Orange with black frame, twin tail, tall bars. I saved all the parts, but he wouldn't recognize his bike now! Black on black, short tail, custom designed parts, renthal fatbars... Just wondering how many twin tail white lightning bikes were produced since it's a topic of this thread. Nice bike!!! Glad to see another one gets to live on!!! | ||
| Andy350 |
Love your bike ratbuell, don't see to many with the stock rear fender. How do you like the corbin? | ||
| The4ork |
Harleyms: Any way you can get XB paint codes? specifically the amber wheels? | ||
| Ratbuell |
Andy - thanks for the compliment. My bike came with a cut down hugger...took me a while to find an original (thanks Frank!). HATE the corbin. I ride the stock Euro. The corbin was an experiment about the time I took the photo. Sucks balls. At least the Euro has some padding. And I don't hate corbin - I have two on my S2 (gunfighter, and gunfighter & lady), and I LOVE those. But the S1W is like...a barbed suppository. Decidedly un-fun. | ||
| Harleyms |
Sorry The4ork that's all I get when I put in "Buell" as the manufacturer in our system. I had assumed the amber wheels were a powdercoat anyway? | ||
| Phelan |
They are powder coat. Best bet is to go to a local paint place or even O'Reilly or Autozone that will let you take the paint cans outside to compare them with your wheels to find a close matching color. I found a near perfect match for my frame that way at O'Reilly. | ||
| Court |
Or simply call Classic Coatings. I think they did the wheels. Perhaps the wheel coloring was by the wheel mfg but I'll bet Classic would know. If not ..... I can check with Mike. He "discovered and owned" the color. |
