| Author | Message | ||
     Newfie_Buell |
As you all know I have a 98 S1. I assume this came with the Lightning Heads and not the T-storm ones. I am thinking of installing the T-storm heads & pistons. Can someone please confirm this | ||
| Bads1 |
Bill I know that 98S1 White Lightning had thunderstorm heads.I wouldn't think they would do different on your bike.But still good ???? | ||
| Smoke |
newfie, look at your owners manual and your vin. the code for s1 is ss, straight lightning. i dont remember the code for s1wl, thunderstormed. it is some where in the knowledge vault. they made both types in 98. tim | ||
| Bads1 |
I had a feeling that some one would tell us that. Learn something new every day. | ||
| Sparky |
Visually, the 98 S1 Lightning has aluminum color heads while the White Lightning has painted black heads. Also your dealer or BMC Customer Service can identify it by its VIN. | ||
| Court |
>>>BMC Customer Service can identify it by its VIN. Dat's a FAC JACK ! If your VIN sounds like 4MZYS11JXW3xxxx64 or 4MZYS56J4W3xxxx10 (California) then, Dude, your living la vida loca in WHITE LIGHTINING LAND. If your VIN looks like 4MZSS11J0W3xxxx97 or 4MZSS56J8Wxxxx005 (California) your a plain Jane, AS IF, S1 Lightning land. The key, needless to say, is that "Y" hiding in there. Clear enough? And hey.....BUY A SERVICE AND PARTS MANUAL ! Court | ||
| Jrh |
Newfie I,m fairly sure the 98 S1W was the first of the T-stormed,and the 98 S1 came with lightnings,but i could be completely wrong or maybe someone already T-stormed yours?I think the T-storms were always black.The rear head on my Y2000 M2 which came with the T-storms stock has cast(raised)numbers; 16835-98Y on top of the head. Oops, i guess you already got the answer in the last few minutes. | ||
| Littledog1 |
Bill, I also have a '98 S-1 and it does not have the Thunderstorm heads. I am running the race ecm, race exhaust, re-jetted the carb, and it pulls just fine. I'm at 12K miles and I've had no base gasket or rocker box leaks so there may be some benifit for being slightly less stressed than the Thunderstormed versions. Of course, I am planning on going to a 3 13/16 big bore, with either 4 valve heads or Nalin's Stage II....oil's cheap. Mickey | ||
| Kcbill |
New Fire. Little dog is correct. You can bolt the thunderstorm parts right on it if you choose. You have the lighting heads. They are better than stock Sportster heads. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
According to my vin #4MZSS11J3W3.......... I am in Lightning Land, Thanks guys and I will be thunderstorming, I want more. | ||
| Bads1 |
Newfie you might as well go one step futher and go Nallin heads and pistons,whada ya say???? | ||
| Spiderman |
Or you can get that new Hemi head and piston combo. I wanna see what that can do. It is promising some major gains. | ||
| Buelliedan |
FYI, All 98 S3s came with Thunderstorm heads. | ||
| Aaron |
Newfie, the Lightning head is basically a small chamber version of the XLH1200 head. The small chamber gets it to 10:1 with flat top pistons, the XLH1200 head nets 9:1 with flat tops. The Thunderstorm head has a bigger chamber like the XLH1200 head, but it also has bigger valves and a better port design. It needs a small dome on the piston to get back to 10:1. If we can help with your project, just let us know ... | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Thanks Aaron, I only wish the Canadian Dollar was closer to the US one. Some days I think Monopoly Money is worth more. The exchange rate really sucks. The other problem is that you V-Twn engine Gods are thousands of miles away. But 6 mths of winter really give you time to do these things. This year I am going to basically T-storm the engine then next year possibly have some more stuff done to it. | ||
| Lornce |
Newf-budd, As a fellow Canadian who also feels the pinch of US purchases, here's what I'd do: Sell your Lightning heads and pistons (assuming they're in good serviceable condition: i.e. guides, ring lands etc. in spec) to someone looking to spruce up their 883 Sportster. Use the $$ to help take the sting out of a set of new T-Storm heads and 1st over pistons. Have your stock jugs bored to suit the 1st over T-Storm slugs. I understand a pair of T-Strom heads, including valves, springs etc are about $500US from American HD dealers. That's an amazing performance bargain, if you ask me.... Lornce | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Lornce, I fugure I can do the conversion for about $1000 Canadian (after selling the lightning stuff)getting the parts from the Local Harley dealer. I have a possible sale for the lightning stuff just waiting on a confirmation. After I have the T-Storm motor I can work on tweaking the T-storm stuff next season. Take it a step at a time. On another note you should come east next July for the regional rally. | ||
| Lornce |
Newf-budd, Sounds like you've got it covered on the T-Storm reconfig. Go with taller gears and enjoy the stonk. "On another note you should come east next July for the regional rally" I'll keep it in mind. Where and when? Lornce | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Lornce, Here is the link for the rally. 14th Atlantic Regional HOG Rally I am going to post over on the Storm Front section . I am attending the rally (seeing I am the local HOG Director) then I want to head to Ontario for a couple of days. I think it would be a blast to get a bunch of Buell Riders from the Northern US and Canada together in Toronto or area for a day or so. New thread/post in Storm Fronts "Newfie & Buellers take Toronto" | ||
| Lornce |
Newf, The idea has merit. How about we meet in Pennsylvania instead? Not too far from Toronto, and the riding's worlds better. Beautiful area to really enjoy a Buell. The Ontario chapter of the Airhead's Beemer Club has begun an annual August tradition that we like to call "The Pennsylvania Backroads Blam". How'd you like to plan to join us? Don't worry about the brand conflict, the Airheads are getting used to my Buells. The savvy among them have even started getting Buells of their own.... best, Lornce | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
The problem there is I can be in Toronto for July 14 or 15. I can't be gone form home for a month, two weeks is going to be my limit and I already have plans for the Atlantic Rally. I may just end up in Toronto far a day or so anyway, I have family in Ontario and could always make an excuse to visit. |
