| Author | Message | ||
     Twintalon |
Hey everyone. I'll be looking to get back into the Tuber world relatively soon, and I wanted to start doing some research so all my ducks are in a row when the time comes. What, if any, are the differences between the three years of S1? From what I know at this point, a 98' S1W sounds like the direction to look, but I'm planning to go through the bike pretty thoroughly and spruce some things up, like a flatslide, head work, cams, NRHS 1250, maybe even a Darkhorse crank (more for reliability than anything else), X1 swingarm, etc etc, so the OEM hotrod aspect of the White Lightning isn't critical. At the end of the day, I want an S1 that's just this side of terrifying, but reliability is more important than outright Hp/Tq. Anyway, my real question is what to aim for between the years available. I'll have plenty more questions before purchasing time comes, so I'll definitely be back to ponder out loud to you fine people. | ||
| Hootowl |
Other than the engine, they were all pretty much the same. If you're going to do all that to the motor, I think any old S1 will do the trick. However, I think the headers weren't the same (diameter) on all years, but you'll likely want a custom exhaust anyway. There are several folks here who can make you anything you want. | ||
| Phelan |
If you're doing motorwork, just find one that fits the look and has the upgrades you want outside the motor, like shock, paint, Banke parts, etc. Finding one that already has Thunderstorm or XB heads is a nice plus as well. '98 S1Ws had Tstorm heads factory, many others were upgraded to them by previous owners. | ||
| Robertb1958 |
I have a '96 S1. Others might provide more detail, but there was possibly an issue with the original rear shock failing, that led to (eventually) the "2nd recall short" rear shock that was retrofitted to my bike at some point prior to me. So, I would look for an S1 that does not have back shock issues since aftermarket replacements are kind of pricey. The earlier "Lightning" head is not the one to spend $'s on from what I hear, but it is pretty easy to pick up some 04 or later Sportster/XB heads for your project. | ||
| Tod662 |
They are all pretty much the same except for the 98 s1w's having a different top end -( black heads- "thunderstorm Heads") cams and I think a 2.5" exhaust without the bend, there was also 98 s1's. If your gonna punch it out and do some customization anyways please don't desecrate a S1w, look for aS1 with a 2.5" race exhaust (header bends back wards, as 2" regular exhaust has the 90 bend in the muffler). Shocks smocks the whole issue has been blown out of perportion from day one, just don't buy one that leaks. As phelan says, take a little time and find one that has most of the mods you want. There are a couple nice originalish ones for sale right now, I would recommend if you buy a unmolested one to keep all the original bits and be able to convert back to stock. I can't speak from experience but 1250s seem to be little bang for the buck, 88" though will make er scoot! | ||
| Phelan |
1250cc is mostly utilized for a couple reasons: -Fresh, better, and longer lasting ring seal than stock pistons and cylinders -deeper valve pockets for higher lift cams -biggest you can go on stock cases -switch to different style pistons for desired shape and compression, usually in conjunction with headwork and angle squish bands Factory style pistons and no other changes, a 1250 kit is not a great buy. But if you're looking to make more power by changing cams, heads, etc, then a 1250 kit becomes a very good bang for buck swap, as you're likely tearing down the top end anyway. 88" and 90" kit are not only more expensive up front, but they require case boring ($375 at most places) and usually new bearings in the cases as well, which gets pricey. | ||
| Ratbuell |
There is no 98 S1. Any 98, is an S1W. Early bikes (96) had PM front calipers. Maybe some 97s. 98s have Nissin. S1 = small tank. 2" header, pointed back. Lightning heads. Typically twin-tail. S1W = manta tank. 2.5" header, pointed across. Thunderstorm heads. Typically solo tail, unless changed by a PO. | ||
| Blks1l |
Both my 96 & 97 S1's are single tail with a 2" header that ends in front of the engine, and have the PM caliper. I myself prefer the small tank on the S1 I think it makes the bike look realy streamlined, after a 100 miles I am ready for a fuel stop anyways. | ||
| S1owner |
96 S1 with manta tank and X1 swingarm  | ||
| Oopezoo |
"There is no 98 S1. Any 98, is an S1W. " Not sure where you heard that, but it isn't true. Mine is a '98 S1. Nissin caliper, single tail, 2" bare stainless steel exhaust, with a small tank. | ||
| 1313 |
There is no 98 S1. Any 98, is an S1W. As Oopezoo states, that statement is patently false! Yes there were 1998 S1's! 1313 | ||
| S1owner |
Correct me if I am wrong but 98 was the only year of the S1W??? | ||
| 1313 |
Correct me if I am wrong but 98 was the only year of the S1W??? You are correct. 1998 was the only model year for the S1W. What a year 1998 was... 1313 | ||
| Court |
>>>There is no 98 S1. Any 98, is an S1W. That is inaccurate. This is a "cut and paste" from the Master Build Sheet for 1998. This sheet includes the "specials". EDIT: PHOTO DELETED - CONFIDENTIAL What a year 1998 was. . . Court (Message edited by Court on March 24, 2015) | ||
| Blackm2 |
What could possibly be confidential from 1998 and a now non existent motorcycle company? Really?  | ||
| Possumtrot |
96 s1 had lighter fiberglass tail section , not plastic and different top triple clamp with separate handlebar mounts, like s2 clamps with holes drilled for handlebar clamps | ||
| Ratbuell |
My mistake. I thought all 98 s1s and s3s had thunderstorm engines, making all the s1s into w's. I stand corrected by people smarter than I  (Message edited by ratbuell on March 26, 2015) | ||
| S1owner |
Rat not smarter just diffrent info your smarts out rank mine on most subjects! | ||
| Oopezoo |
Yup......not smarter, just different shit sitting our collective garages | ||
| Jolly |
As pointed out above the 96 model had a few nuance differences from the the rest of the S1 models that closed out in 98. The top tree is thicker (than the later model with the cast in saddle/risers) and uses bolt in risers The 96 used different brakes than the 98 The coil mount point on a 96 is drilled through the frame, by 98 they had a tab welded on to mount the coil. The handlebar control swicthes used a different plug-in to the harness and are not (with-out modification) interchangeable. and other even more negligible differences like the drive arm support was cast as a single piece with the spacer included, whereas by 98 they are cast as an arm and a spacer... the brake pedal is different in regards to the travel stop up through 97(?) motors were finished as cast, no paint or powdercoating which is why so many earlier models look so rough in the engine finish.... thats all I can think of..... these are all things I learned along the way while building my 96 after building a 98.... (Message edited by Jolly on March 26, 2015) |
