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Father
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 03:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I am purchasing a 2000 S3T and I ran across this site while looking for info about Buells on the web. I am a middle aged father of 4 with a desk job who enjoys riding on 2 wheels when I can. I have owned and ridden Moto Guzzis, Hondas, Yamahas, and Suzukis. Took the S3T for a test ride and absolutely loved it. I intend to ride it a lot and for as long as I can. I am looking for tips from you guys on maintaining it. I believe in synthetic oils and have always preferred Mobil 1 oils. Is the Harley synthetic oil better? I live in Arizona (west of Phoenix)so should there be an oil cooler or cooling fan in my future to help the bike live through the summers here? Any advice on modifying the breather lines that come out of the side of the heads near the intake (previous owner says sometimes leaks a little oil there)? How can I tell if recall work has been done on my bike (can you post some pics of shock and throttle cable recall fixes) Are there any aftermarket mods that I should make to improve long term rideability and reliability? Does Buell publish an accessory catalog? Thanks !!!
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Father
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 03:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Another question. What brand of oil filters do you prefer?
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Koz5150
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 03:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Your best bet is to read through the Knowledge vault and Old School sections. For aftermarket parts check the sponsors like www.americansportbike.com All your questions will be answered.
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Whodom
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 05:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the board.

If you like Mobil-1 then Mobil-1 20W-50 V-twin synthetic is about the best lubricant you can buy. The HD Syn 3 appears to be good too, but some of us have heartburn with HD since they preached for years that synthetic was a waste of money, would void your warranty, etc. until they started marketing their own version.

You can check on the recalls by taking your VIN to your local Buell dealer and having them run it (they can tell what recalls have been performed), or check with DaveS on this board. His dealership sponsors the board and he's an excellent source for parts and info.

Three things worth upgrading on your bike for long-term rideability and reliability: (1) The front muffler mount (search for info on the Y-type front mount)- the original mounts were prone to breaking and this is an easy fix. (2) Improved primary chain tensioner- Buell came out with a heavier duty unit in late 2000; the earlier ones can break and hose up the primary chain. (3) The improved shifter. You can buy this as a kit for about $100; the same unit as used on the 2001/2002 tube frame bikes. All of these are relatively inexpensive and easy upgrades; they were the first things I did to my 2000 S3 when I got it.
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Ingemar
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 06:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Congrats and welcome to the madhouse!
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Henrik
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 08:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hi Jeff - welcome. You'll enjoy that S3.

Suggestions:
1) buy the Service manual and the Parts manual. Both are excellent for getting to know your bike better, and the exploded views in the parts manual are great.

2) make sure to check the belt tension as the first thing. Some have run them too tight (especially if service was performed by an HD shop tech - don't ask) and chewed out the transmission bearing.

3) The late model S3 seat, which is what you're getting, is ok for longer distances, but a Pro Pad insert greatly increases the range on the butt-ometer.

4) I would advice against buying a Corbin seat for that model bike.

Henrik
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Rek
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 09:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I would advice against buying a Corbin seat for that model bike

Why do you say that Henrik? I have the Corbin Gunsligner and lady on my S3T and absolutely love it, can't imagine putting the stocker back on.

Oh and BTW, welcome Jeff, you're in an exclusive club of 1156 '00 S3T owners. Our choice of bikes is the bestest and everyone else is the worstest

Rob
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Steve_mackay
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/109174.html
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Henrik
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 09:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Rek; I went through a long and costly ordeal with Corbin when I bought a G&L for my old S3.

First seat arrived after extensive delays in shipping - no one knew where the seat was or whether it had shipped or even been made; didn't fit the bike at all and the seat was not done to the specs in my order (via phone w/ service person). Not that it was anything special; just all black with no piping in the seating area. Seat back to Corbin on my dime for revision.

2nd try; seat still didn't fit on the bike, despite shaving down the rubber bumpers as per Corbin Service recommendations. The metal bar for the locking tang is completely blocking the tang. Seat back to Corbin on my dime.

3rd try; Seat still doesn't fit and now has a small rip in the leather along the edge of the seat pan. Extensive bumper modifications and seat lock bending allows me to finally mount the seat on the bike. Seat back to Corbin for leather repair.

4th try; Corbin has repaired the leather only. The (lackluster) fit is the same.

By now I'm out more than $75 on shipping since Corbin refused to pick up the return shipping cost. Overall the interaction with Corbin (so-called) Service has been an exercise in futility; rude, incompetent, unwilling to assist etc. etc. So I give up and use the seat as is.

I wanted the backrest for my wife, and used the seat for 4-500 mile weekend trips. Unfortunately it took all of 50 miles of riding before I was in agony - my 'rear" felt like I was about to be split up the middle ... spent a lot of time riding standing on the pegs.

The clincher was the 1000 mile trip to Home Coming in 2000 (I think) - 2 days of complete misery. I bought the '99 seat at Hal's while i was there and had the *&%#@?%% Corbin shipped home. At that point I think it'd had plenty of miles on it to be "broken in."

Since then I've refused to buy anything Corbin related. While their seats for other bikes may be ok, their S3 seat was never one of their best products - there is currently a thread here on Badweb about some of the issues I encountered with the fit of the seat. As far as I have read there, Corbin Customer Service has changed little in the 7 years since then.

Aren't you sorry you asked : D

Henrik
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Henrik
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 09:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks Steve - that was the thread I was referring to.

Henrik
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Rek
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wow. I must be lucky since my seat fits fine right out of the box. Although I did lengthen the stud a couple turns when I added a pair of vice-grips to the tool kit and needed a tiny bit more space below the seat.

If I had the problems you've experience I'd be pizzed too.

Rob
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Josh_
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 10:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Padre,
If the breather bolts are leaking, pull them and use plenty of teflon tape when you reinstall. Common HD problem.

I always used HD filters and Mobil 1VTwin.

Rek,
Check any moto board, Corbin seats are typically a more explosive topic than oil or tires.
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Whodom
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

One other good source of info for you is the "X-1 Files" page. He has photos and details of all the suggested mods above, as well as info on exhausts and other performance mods for tubers.

http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/marriott/x1/
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Shanetbolt
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 02:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

From a S3T owner to another. I have a 1999 model and just love it. I pretty much kept it all stock except for the race ECM which was to solve a fuel injection problem (1999 was first year of fuel injection). Plus for added insurance I installed an oil cooler and Buells after market fan kit. I run Harley's dinosaur oil and it seems to be doing the job. Otherwise it has been a great bike for 40,000 miles. Put aside the normal issues like rocker box gaskets leaking, plus I had an exhaust stud break on me. The stud probably broke due to the snap ring finally settled in and then caused the nut to be loose. That is the only reason I can come up with why the stud broke.

Anyway it has been a great bike and welcome to the boards.
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T9r
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 03:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

After having my 1995 S2 I then went out and got a 1999 S3 w/ Touring option. The saddle bags have each cracked and the Corbin seat I have on is NO longer comfortable. I've started using the Airhawk in conjunction with the seat to bare 120mi trips on the bike.

I got the extended wind screen, a nice feature to have. I like the race ECM and race muffler (sweet sound). I also went with a Ventura rack system, nice for 4 day weekend trips in conjunction with the saddlebags.

At 28k miles I now have a base gasket leak on the rear cylinder, I knew it would happen at some point the way I wack the throttle.

IT's a great feeling bike! ENjoy~!
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Josh_
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 04:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I put 46,000 miles on my stock 99 S3T seat before I sold it last spring. Did 960+miles days on the stock seat 2-up and never thought it needed to be changed.
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Bikerjim99
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 05:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just turned over 18000 miles on my 1999 S3T, best bike I ever owned. I use HD synthetic oil, Spectro gear lube, Flanders handlebars, Throttlemeister cruise control, Zero Gravity windshield, Corbin seat ( fits well and works for me ),Ventura rack, and the usual updates ( exhaust bracket, updated shock, updated rear isolators, etc ).
Keep the drive belt loose, and have fun!
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Johnnylunchbox
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 10:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Bikerjim - Having had no prior experience with adjustable drive belts on Buells, what would you describe as loose?
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Josh_
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 10:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

you want it just a hair tighter that "so loose it might fall off"

If a Harley guy says "damn that's too loose" then you're set. ; )
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Johnnylunchbox
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ok, gotcha. Are the specs in the service manual wrong? I haven't adjusted the belt yet, but should I trust the manual?
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Josh_
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 03:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Set it to the loosest in the range the manual lists per their test (I beleive they state the lower belt, 1/2 way between the sprockets and 10?lbs of force)

The issue is the front sprocket is not in-line with the pivot point and the belt gets tighter when the suspension compresses.
If the belt is too tight it becomes part of the suspension which will hurt the belt, isolators, handling, etc.
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Bluebuellxb9r
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 06:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Congrads on the new bike ! I got my 99 S3T last november and have really enjoyed riding it !
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Iamike
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 10:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have reached 52,000mi. on my '99 S3. Even tho I am looking around for another bike the S3 is staying. My wife has told me that I could trade it in on anything else but it is staying. The other day we sat on a Goldwing and she told me to get it. I told her that she'd have to get another husband because it just isn't going to happen. Did I mention that I'm keeping the S3?

I did buy the Buell custom seat but prefer the feel and looks of the stocker. The custom is too firm and sticky. I bought it because the foam was breaking down on the stock. Since I didn't really like the custom seat I cust out the bad foam in the stock and inserted a gel pad.

I recently installed a Works shock, man I wish I would have done that a couple of years ago. I'm just getting that bike the way I like it. I think I'll keep it for awhile.
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