| Author | Message | ||
     Interceptor |
I am waiting to speak to this guy that has a lightning that is supposedly very nice except it has a blown engine. How much am I looking at if I 1) do it myself or 2) pay someone to do it? any suggestions? I will update when I get specifics. | ||
| Rocketman |
Depends what he means by BLOWN!?? Rocket | ||
| M1combat |
LOL  . Too true. | ||
| Budo |
If it is a holed piston for example, I spent about $1k, but I went with Nallin pistons and stage 1 head work, replaced the oil pump, and got a deal on the labor. If on the other hand you have a bent or broken rod or need cases, well then you are looking at a bit of cash. | ||
| Budo |
What are the specifics? What year and model and how many miles and how much does he want? If the price is right, it would be worth it. Are you certain that the tranny is good? | ||
| Interceptor |
ok, I just found out this: 1997 thunderbolt with 6000 miles. This guy said the engine cannot be rebuilt due to a rod through the case or something like this. He said it needs a whole new engine, but the bike is mint otherwise. I think i will stay away from this one. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
 This would work. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Woah, crap that is huge! | ||
| Phat_j |
where is he at, and what does he want for it....... is it a lightning or thunderbolt? | ||
| Budo |
Again, if the price is right that might not be a bad way to go. It is not that hard to swap out a motor in that bike. Easier than a rebuild IMHO. How much does he want for it? | ||
| Interceptor |
Its a 97 Thunderbolt. He didn't give me any kind of asking price, I said I would give him $1000 and he said it would have to be much more. I would figure that its probably worth it for 2500 or less. I will give him a little time to think while i find a good deal on an engine. | ||
| Josh_ |
$1000 is reasonable depending on what is wrong with the motor and the condition of the rest of the bike. The 97 S1 is the least collectible of the tube Buells ... | ||
| Nemster |
The 97 S1 is the least collectible of the tube Buells ... Some people would say different there buddy!! BTW the Thunderbolt is a S-3 not an S-1!! | ||
| Interceptor |
Well what do you think a mint 97 thunderbolt with no engine goes for? | ||
| Phat_j |
i wouldnt pay over a grand........ a motor is gonna cost you at least 2500.00 on ebay (or i happen to have one) plus the labor to install it... so your lookin at 4k.... can u buy a whole bike for 4k? yup.... | ||
| 2000m2 |
This guy had some good used engine options when I was looking at replacing mine. I decided to rebuild instead. http://www.strokenwillie.com/default.asp?S=E3&Document=Contact+us&NID=1458173 Where is this guy located with his blown engine? | ||
| Interceptor |
The guy with this bike is on Long Island NY. | ||
| Rocketman |
From experience a broken rear rod doesn't have to cost a fortune to repair. Most stock motor parts turn up on Ebay often and they are not that expensive due to their lack of desirability. The greatest expense on parts would be a new set of cases. I don't know the US price but it must be under $1000. The best thing about new cases though, they come with new cam bushings, main tranny bearing and bushings, oil pump etc etc and all the little locating spigots for cylinders cases tappet blocks etc - all installed which saves a lot of messing when it comes to rebuilding. If you need to pay a professional to do the labour then you're not in the running but if you can do it yourself it could work out to be the best way. If you're patient and prepared to wait my experience waiting on Ebay has turned up lots of very cheap to me otherwise expensive after market items and I'm sure anyone else doing likewise could be just as fortunate. You need to know how much you can have that Buell for. If it's anywhere near a grand and you are capable of repairing it yourself I'd offer you have an ideal opportunity to build a more powerful reliable motor of your choosing for very reasonable money. The BadWeB is a treasure trove of knowledge and a great place to start sourcing stuff you need perhaps. Rocket | ||
| Newfie_buell |
If it can be purchased for a $1000 or so I'd snap it up in a second. Swap the S1 motor out and get one of those S&S 100" motors for the S1. or just find a sporty motor that can be built over time. | ||
| Interceptor |
Thanks rocketman, that sounds like the right way to do it. I may give him a call in a month or two and see what he says. Maybe try to get him to talk at 1500. If any of you guys are in the NY area and want this guys number, let me know. | ||
| Rocketman |
I'm in the NY area but there's a 3000 mile wide pond between us LOL Good luck. Rocket | ||
| Steveshakeshaft |
Hey Rocket, that puts us in the same NY neighborhood! | ||
| Rocketman |
Steve I'll leave the bidding war to you all the same!!!!  Rocket from off shore NY | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Sorry Rocket, I'm Closer!!!! | ||
| Rocketman |
Newf, you could probably swim from your neighborhood  Hope you and yours are well mate  Rocket | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Doing great Rocket, Myself and my good wife just picked up a small house and piece of land on the coast to use as a summer home. The house backs onto old abandoned railway beds that go for almost 100km with many other well established trails off the main one. My boys all have dirt bikes and with my DR650 we are going to be doing a fair bit of off road riding. Not to mention the two sandy beaches within 3km. We need to plan another Newfoundland Adventure and get more to come over. By the way - I am now officially SAAB Free and my wife tells me if she ever sees that word on another vehicle I bring home she will be parking it in a place where it will have to be surgically removed.  | ||
| Outrider |
Newfie...Your summer home sounds like something that will be really special for your family. It will provide all of you with the fondest memories, especially for your children. I know ours did. Incidentally, what did you do with your "Bad Wife?"  | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Ha Ha Ha, She beat me into thinking her way!!!! Well she is very supportive of our (myself and our boys) habits. Bikes.....Bikes.....and more bikes. Currently there are about 9 bikes in my garage. They range from 50cc to 1200cc. Two are street bikes which is he S1 and my DR650. The thing is that oceanfront properties are dirt cheap here on the island these days and make great summer homes. I have seen them for as little as $7,500.00 Canadian with great views. | ||
| Outrider |
Newfie...After reading that, you should give you bride a promotion to being your "Great Wife." | ||
| Leftcoastal |
You can't buy a wheelbarrow full of dirt in L.A. for 7G's! I'm movin to Canada! - it's warm there year 'round, right? AL | ||
| Kaese |
You forgot to add it never rains! | ||
| Rocketman |
Newf I can understand your wife's sentiments towards Saab. After more 20 years involvement with them myself that is why I offer a surgical removal service too - for those special customers. Mind you, it's bloody expensive. That said there has been the odd occasion when I've done it free of charge. Some customers are worth getting rid of! You're not one of them but at least you won't be clogging up my email anymore ..............will you? Rocket |
