| Author | Message | ||
     Mambopalace |
I have a '98 S1W and I need a shock as the bike has the original shock on it. Any ideas and does anyone have one for sale that would satisfy the recall? Motorcycle has original 2600 miles on it. | ||
| 34nineteen |
I have a 16.5 shock for sale in the classifieds. I'm not sure of the specifics of the recall, but my shock does need a rebuild at very least. You may be able to use it for the recall? | ||
| Mambopalace |
The recall dates back to 6-28-99. Buell Bulletin B-024B. I think it was a replacement of Buell Shock eye. That recall was never done on my bike. It has the original shock on the bike and I've been told I shouldn't ride it. | ||
| 34nineteen |
If its a valid recall, it should be listed on the NTSB or NHTSA website with details. I'm sure at some point, its time to let this go. Twin motorcycles has a great replacement shock for a good price. | ||
| Mambopalace |
100% valid recall. I have it in printout from HD and a very well known Recall amongst Old School Buellers. | ||
| 34nineteen |
Let me know how it works out. I dont know if you saw the listing for mine to see if it will do the trick. I'd be surprised if HD still has these shocks sitting around for 20+ years... but who knows? | ||
| Edv |
Mambo I have 2 S2 and an S1 all with the original White Power shock on them. Combined they have almost 300,000 miles on them with no shock failures so I would not worry about riding your S1. Enjoy your motorcycle and don`t worry about the scare mongers | ||
| Mambopalace |
Well, Buell does scare the Hell out of you stating the shock eye could fail and send you flying. I wonder how many bikes were actually affected by the faulty shock. Same thing with the Swing arm...it does cause concern. | ||
| Court |
The recall was valid. There are likely 100 threads here with intricate detail of the various shocks and viable replacements. I was one of the people, . . .who while test riding for Buell . . actually had a shock break in two at 95 mph. The story behind how it happened, the flawed shock manufacturing, is amazing and I still use it as an example of how QA/QC should work The problem was immediately documented and all the recall data is on the NHTSA website. Of the population of "bad" shocks (those included in the recall) only a small percentage are likely at risk of breaking By the way . . if it fails . . you will not "go flying" . . the bike will drop . . . the rear tire will contact the rear inner fender . . you will leave a smoke trail like the Blue Angels . . and the tire will get so hot, rubbing the frame and oil tank, that you will leave a black mark (mine was about 850' . . . on the pavement. When you get pulled over . . you will be shaken and try to put the kick stand down. Caution. . . the bike, now separated in the middle, is now a low rider and the kick stand will not deploy. Yep . . . and I had the presence of mind to take phones. | ||
| Mambopalace |
I knew the recall was valid...I had 2 of them done at Knoxville TN Dealer many years ago. Now, I've just come up with a '98 S1W that has NOT had the recall done. I imagine getting it done 20+ years after the recall date will be near impossible for lack of parts and HD dealers frowning on Buells to begin with. So, if I were to replace the shock, what would anyone's suggestion be? Of course trying to keep costs down is a factor. I am 72 years old, so my "hot rodding" days are over. Thanks for any suggestions. | ||
| 34nineteen |
This was my point ^^^^^. I had heard of the recall, but when I said "valid", I probably should have said "in effect". I looked on the NHTSA website and didn't see anything. I assumed the ship had sailed on this, being that this recall is 20 years old. I have the Twin Motorcycles shock on my S1 and think it does a fine job. I'm in the same boat and do not "hot rod" my bike around either. The only caveat I found with the Twin shock is that it didn't fit with the stainless factory muffler on my S1. If you look in the classifieds, you can see the muffler I'm referring to in one of my ads. | ||
| Court |
I suspect operator error in researching . . .  | ||
| Court |
There are rules and procedures that govern recalls. To the best of my knowledge (Screamer would know for sure) they do not expire. As a practical matter . . . it's going to be quite difficult to assert a credible claim at 22 years past the "public notification" and input much urgency on Harley-Davidson. The recall, at the time it was issued, was widely disseminated . . likely the "story of the day" in most motorcycle publications when Buell issued a bucket of recalls on everything they even THOUGHT might not be right. It was sweeping. In addition, all registered owners got letters from Harley-Davidson. Your best strategy now is likely luck and and the good news is that there are a couple viable alternatives. I kept my first recall letter from Buell Motor Company in 1987 and saved the replaced part. I still have them sitting on my desk 33 years later. The good news is . . you have a really fun motorcycle and one that was deemed perhaps the best handling motorcycle ever. | ||
| 34nineteen |
Yep,nothing seems to come up under that recall number on the website.  | ||
| Mambopalace |
Yes, I have the recall and it as posted by Court. But I don't have an official document from Harley and neither does the previous owner. Campaign 0817; Bulletin B-024B; Campaign start date 6-28-99. The local Harley dealer is looking into it for me but I don't have much faith in them as one of the mechanics bitched when he heard it was a Buell. | ||
| 34nineteen |
Here is the Harley/Buell bulletin (B-024B) https://www.pdffiller.com/jsfiller-desk15/?project Id=496526446#62a7b3eda89b4e6f5b0b8ce285fc8961 | ||
| Mambopalace |
Court says: "The good news is . . you have a really fun motorcycle and one that was deemed perhaps the best handling motorcycle ever." I say: But not if it's not advisable to ride it with a shock that may fail. | ||
| 34nineteen |
Mambo, I replied to your PM. My shock should be the middle one.  | ||
| Oddalloy |
Hey Rich... small world my friend! It's not inexpensive but if the twinmotorcycles.nl shock is still available, take a look at that. If you find one and are up for changing it yourself, I'm willing to wander up there and assist you with it. Best Regards... Scott | ||
| Court |
>>>>But I don't have an official document from Harley You're in luck they are the most public of public information and pasted all over the internet. | ||
| Court |
OK . . . I gave my self 60 seconds to search . . .    | ||
| Mambopalace |
I mean I don't have a Written Recall notice from Harley addressed to me. | ||
| Court |
Didn't have time to search the other 174,000 hits but thought it was pretty awesome . . . 4 complaints . . not bad for thousands of bikes. If your mechanic whines . . it tells me a lot more about your mechanic than the Buell. Be mindful . . you're talking to a audience of folks who have worked on them. They are about a simple as a Schwinn. | ||
| Mambopalace |
I know, I've owned 8 of them. Problem is if the recalls are settled with the dealer then I have to trust & rely on those mechanics. | ||
| Mambopalace |
New, who's new? I've owned in excess of 300 motorcycles in my life, 8 of them being Buells. I'm just trying to find shock solutions for the S1W that the recall was never completed on. I had all of the Recall info before I posted my first initial question. | ||
| Screamer |
Do you want the recall performed and closed, or do just want to replace the recalled shock? The only way to technically “satisfy” an open 0817 recall (exposed spring WP shock) is to have an authorized dealer perform the replacement with one of the two kit solutions offered for the recall - and the dealer must submit a recall warranty claim on that particular VIN. Only then the recall will be “satisfied” - meaning closed. Replacement via other means (owner replacement or replacement by a non-authorized dealer) will not close the recall - even if the risk has supposedly been removed. If you want to just replace the recalled shock, either of the recall kit shocks would work or there are multiple reputable aftermarket shocks. | ||
| 34nineteen |
Thanks Court! I was putting the search terms in the "search bar" in the upper right hand side of the screen. On the lighter blue bar below the search bar is an option to select recalls. I did that, but failed to see the next option next to VIN called "vehicle". I typed in 1997 Buell Lightning and came up with the results you did. | ||
| Court |
No worries . . . ALL Buell recalls are in a database and they are EASY to access as are ALL complaints and correspondence with the NTHSA. Buell established itself as a leader in catching things and volunteering recalls light years before they became a problem or anyone has to threaten intradiction. I recall 2 in particular . . . and in one case the entire cost or replacing ALL the recall parts on ALL the impacted motorcycles was less than $50 but Buell went ahead and declared the recall to ensure that any impacted owner, in the years to come, would have an absolute right to have the situation properly corrected. Tidbit: Not one of the effected bikes had yet been sold and we were able to do the recall at Trev Deeley's in less than an hour. I've known Erik Buell very well since 1987 and I would challenge anyone to find a more honest individual or anyone of higher integrity. He not only lived it but demanded it from anyone who worked for, worked with or was around him. During the years I worked for Erik . . . Lord knows I brought him some heartache and headache providing some "innovative solutions" (ask me about the front rotor pins in France sometime) but it was clear that he ALWAYS had my ass as long as I was honest . . . I could break all the rules I wanted but you did not do anything dishonest. I suspect he's that way to this day . . . it wasn't a trait or a habit it was pure character. The same holds true for the folks at Buell Customer Service. There used to be a lot of friendly banter along the Buell vs. Harley-Davidson lines but when it came time to let the BS go and make things happen Screamer and his team were the best of the best. I know there were times that they wanted to take a hit out on me . . . but, as long as I was honest . . even shattering a few Harley-Davidson rules . . . I alway had complete and total support. I still have cases of "no clue how you did this" (when I snagged a bike off the assembly line, put it in a Ford F-150 and drove it to an Owner on the East coast so he could go on vacation and then I flew Dan Lang in an had the owners own bike completely rebuilt) letters and e-mails printed out. Great memories are made by GREAT PEOPLE. For the old timers here . . that was Henrik's bike and how I met him the first time. (Message edited by court on July 17, 2020) (Message edited by court on July 17, 2020) | ||
| Williamscottrobertson |
The “cheapest” thing to do is buy a busted 14” off of eBay for under $80 and have it shipped directly to racetech for $260 rebuild. You’d need to buy the 14” shock mount and expect a seal rebuild every 2-4/yrs. Second cheapest is twin motorcycle. $650. All the other options will be over $1k. I have seen one recall kit installed by a dealer in the past few years. So there are some NOS recall kits out there somewhere. Just a challenge to get a dealer to cooperate, HD will cooperate. | ||
| 34nineteen |
What about a busted 16.5 shock off the badweb classifieds for $50 shipped?  LOL | ||
| Court |
If it were me . . . 1). If I had a HD dealer I had a good relationship with . . I'd ask politely. Perhaps see if they could poll H-Dnet for a recall kit somewhere. Can't hurt. 2). Then, if I were intending to ride, I'd go with whatever option worked best for me. Bottom line is . . there ARE options. |
