| Author | Message | ||
     Socal |
Recently I have replaced the primary chain tensioner with the updated one, replaced the rocker box gaskets with the metal ones, dismantled and cleaned the cv carb and installed new intake seals. The S1 runs very nice now. Crisp throttle response, tight shifting, no more leaking oil, no more puking from the crankcase breather. Does anybody have any tips on making the stock cylinders and heads sharpen up a little bit? I'm still removing the burnt-on oil stains from various places and man are those a pain in the ass! Especially on the exhaust flanges and stuff. Also the ceramic-coated pipes are suffering a little . . how do I sharpen those up? Do they have to be re-coated maybe? I was getting disgruntled with the collection of issues for a bit, but after spending some time fixing these things I began to realize that that's part of the fun of owning this bike. It is very satisfying to spend a weekend in your garage taking apart your bike and then putting it back together, and having it run better than it ever has. Commitment, persistence and attention to detail pay off. A side note: when you plot one of the exploded assembly images from the Adobe service manual on an ANSI E size sheet (44 x 34), it don't look half bad! From as close as maybe 5 feet the pixelation isn't that bad. The text isn't that great though, it'd probably be better to erase it and create it again within whatever software you're using. Don't know why this might be useful information, but who knows - maybe somebody wants an E size sheet of the exploded view of the CV40 on their garage wall or something!  Rock and Roll. Tony | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
I have my S1 partially dismantled as well. I am thinking about the primary tensioner as there is now 19300km on it and I plan to do a lot of riding this year. I have also replaced the rocker box gaskets. I JUST LOVE MY S1 Where did you find a service manual on Adobe as I would love to have one? I have the service manual that I find great. On the burnt oil, I had one of the breathers leak oil onto the head, I have used Kerosene and a fine hard bristle tooth brush to scrub the cooling fins and found it works good. How did you stop the puking as when I removed the air filter cover to clean the K&N filter I noticed a bit of oil on it? | ||
| Socal |
Yes - do update the tensioner! The service manual can be downloaded here: The UK Buell Enthusiasts Group click on the "downloads" button On the puking, maybe I should say it dramatically decreased! I have an aftermarket intake and the crankcase breather is set up with 2 hoses that tee together right under the intake and end in a small K&N breather. Previously, when I'd pull up to a stoplight, after the bike had been run for a while, I could look down at the breather and see smoke huffing out of it! Now there is no more visual sign of puking, although I'm sure some still exists. I plan on routing the breather hoses to a catch can eventually. Thanks for the tip on the brush and Kerosene. | ||
| Rick_A |
All I ever get is water in the catch tube after a humid night. I hope it stays that way! My S1 has been great as of late. I couldn't be happier...except I'm yearning for more power. She really seems to shift rough and vaguely after it's set out in the cold, though. It usually clears up once the tranny builds some heat. | ||
| Socal |
I've read almost all of the archives on this site by now, and I'm pretty sure I didn't come across this particular issue yet:   1. Why is oil seeping between the crankcase halves on my bike? 2. The service manual says to "Apply a thin coat of DOW CORNING SILASTIC or 3-M 800 sealant to crankcase joint faces" when the motor is being put back together. Does this stuff go bad or have a life expectancy? 3. Does anybody else have a similar problem?
Dreaming of a little "Nallinization" myself . . .  | ||
| Anonymous |
Southern California: This is the classical case of when the remedy is worst than the disease. Just ride it. If it bothers you be prepared for some expenditure. You might while at it rebalance the lower end for the new piston weight you'll be using. You might get a little less vibration and a bit more power and , yes, no oil seepage. | ||
| Littledog1 |
Tony, Looking at my 1998 S-1, I don't have a seepage in the front, but I do at the rear of the cases...I suspect this is real common with any vertically split case because the expansion rate of each half will not be exactly the same, eventually causing the joining compound to fail...the more heat cycles, the greater the probability of seepage. Redesign the cases with a stepped mating surface and/or insert seals could probably fix the problem. In the mean time I used Power Purple to clean mine up. Mickey | ||
| Socal |
Aww man . . I have such a sweet motor built on paper! Including a completely balanced S&S lower end matched to the Wiseco pistons via Nallin's 1430cc kit! And other goodies too! Just need another  Mickey, just looked up that Purple Power stuff – looks interesting. I need something like that or a good citrus cleaner – the brake cleaner and contact cleaner sprays get the garage pretty smelly! Glad to know I’m not the only one with this problem then! | ||
| Rick_A |
I was thinking of going the same route...but then I could leave it factory from the cylinders down and add a mild shot of nitrous along with my Stage II heads...buahaha  . An extra $2100+ (over ported heads alone) in parts and modifications alone for around 25 more HP is tough to swallow...especially when you're poor to begin with...all the work, too. I'd hate to be without my ride for long. It's nice to dream, though. I'm thinking rebuilds down the road, too. The stock stuff is relatively inexpensive in comparison. There aren't a whole lot of split cases using seals or gaskets. The fit can be made more precise using a sealant. | ||
| Budo |
$100 per hp is about right. You reach a certain point and that is what it costs. | ||
| Tripper |
SoCal; Iv'e got that too and it drives me nuts, but all the HD guys think I'm being too picky. The seepage shows up after extended 80mph rides. I spray Simple Green on it at wash time and it takes care of it. | ||
| Tripper |
Oh, and in the archives somewhere, or maybe it wasn't archived, but Aaron described a way to attempt to fix this, having to do with silicone and a vacuum cleaner on the breathers. I tried it and my S1 smiled a stupid grin while the vacuum was running, but the oil kept coming. | ||
| Bads1 |
Mineral spirits works great to. | ||
| Littledog1 |
Tripper, Doesn't having a vacuum cleaner attached limit your range....long extension cord? Mickey | ||
| Rick_A |
Why don't you use one of those stop leak oil additives? the thought of that stuff circulating through my engine would make me loose sleep! | ||
| Ravnos |
Hey I just had that seepage problem. But mine got to the next stage of bad. So i had my cases resealed. No more problem. But yes it could be expesive. It's something like 20 hours of labor and then $200 in parts. Luckily I did most of my own work. Saved me from paying 16 hours of labor. | ||
| Socal |
Tripper - a fix having to do with silicone and a vacuum cleaner 'eh?!? Um . . do you have any pictures of the exact method?  Rick - instead of the stop leak additives I'm going to try a couple of things as sort of an experiment: First, once I've used up the remaining HD dino oil in my garage I'm going to switch to the new HD synthetic, and see what that does. I'm also going to add an oil cooler down the line and see what that does. I know your advice was meant as sarcasm, but in my high school years I did add some of that stuff to my El-Camino, man that stuff was weird, like pouring clear glue into the motor! Ravnos - If you wouldn't mind, could you list the parts you needed to do the job, and if possible part numbers? If I do have to tear down for this I'd like to know just what I'm getting into! Also - do you know which sealant they used when they put your motor back together? I was able to pull a bead of clear silicone type stuff from the areas where the seepage is - almost like it got too hot and worked its way out from the area! | ||
| Ravnos |
SoCal I pulled that clear silicone off and that's about the same time it got worse. The list of parts is small. A Top End Gasket kit. A new set of piston rings (it was time for them anyway) A primary Cover Gasket, 1qt Sport-Trans Fluid, 1 oil filter, And a couple qts of oil. The bolts that hold the Jugs down. I also replaced my oil lines because they were dry and cracking. They used Yamibond or something similar to reseal the cases. As for tear down it's not to difficult if you are mechanically inclined. Just make sure you remember how all the wires and hoses were routed and what connected to what. The manual is a little vague at times. I only pulled the motor out and tore off the top end. Any more questions let me know. Josh | ||
| Kahuna |
for all S1 experts - i'm eying a 97 snap red S1 with 5k mi on it. i'd like to complete my lighting series collection is there anything i should know about for that year? recalls, issues, problems? cheers K | ||
| Court |
>>>>is there anything i should know about for that year? recalls, issues, problems? Yeah...it's one of the funnest motorcycles you can get your hands on. Buy it, read the recall matrix on SportTwin, look it over and go ride it. Alternatively you can buy it, sell it for less than you paid, sue the manufacturer and spend your days and nights on internet bulletin boards bitching about how you got screwed and how the world sucks...and that you are the way you are today cause Mom dropped you.....etc.... Me?.....I'd just go ride the thing. Court | ||
| Jmartz |
Snatch it BK. The S1 has the best styling of any Buell model and is likely the lightest. According to the "experts" that wrote the now defunct B2W magazine, the S1 is also the most collectible (HD era issues). With the way Buell prices seem to be going any model is quite a good value. | ||
| Kahuna |
me bitch!? no way. i love buells! i have a feeling i should the companys spokes man in canada! people are starting to get tired of hearing it all the time! | ||
| Court |
Actually a fellow named Stewart Wells was singing the Song of Buell years ago.... Someday we'll tell all....  | ||
| Kahuna |
my dream bike is a 98 molton/nuke S1W! just like hein/PPiA's. i know there is one here in toronto somewhere, wish i could get my hands on it! | ||
| Socal |
I printed this picture and had it on my console on my way up to Seattle to pick up my first S1. I would look down at it . . . oh I dunno - about 5000 times!  | ||
| Court |
Yeah...wellI know where that one lives and you can forget that deal. But, I had a 1996 red S-1 with the gray frame, just like yours, and LOVED it! Court | ||
| Kahuna |
this is my favorite shot, i hope hein doesn't mind!  | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
What kind of rear suspension components are being used on the above S1? The perimeter brake is sweet as well. I just got to throw this comment in again. I rode yesterday for about an hour as that is all I could really bear and I was GRINNING from ear to ear long after I had put it back in the garage. The S1 gets so many looks its still unbelieveable. Misty Rain here today and I am considering the rain gear for a while. Take Care and you guys/gals who can ride - be safe. So Court when is the Ultimate Buell Book coming out????? | ||
| Court |
>>>i hope hein doesn't mind! He doesn't. He says one word, let me know and I'll embarras him back into hiding with a barrage of pictures. Book thing seems to be on lots of minds lately. I was going to wait for Erik to top himself. But, having waiting 13 years, I can see the challenge I'm up against. There are at least 2 projects under consideration and the only thing I can say with certainty is that I'd not do anything without doing it WITH Dave Gess. Imagine...that way you get the TRUTH and the way I saw it???? Too cool or what? Hehehehe....Dave is getting old, he's dull as a butterknife and he treats me bad. . . but he is twelve times smarter than he's ever deserved credit for. Sometimes ask me what the 4 page document hanging over my desk is? | ||
| Kahuna |
thats a Hyperpro shock, you can find it at ASB. here is the link, not cheap! Hyperpro Rear Shock cheers to my fellow canadian! K |
