| Author | Message | ||
     Sid |
Hey all I own an 1996 S1 lightning, bought it from new, totally orignal apart from the upgrades that were done.(never did put on the upgraded tank bracket, had teeth from hell that would dig into the tank) Will this year buell become collectable you reckon?, I always thought they would be, being the first S1'S ever made. | ||
| Nocompromise |
I'm no expert, but I doubt it. From my observation it seems that the White Lightning represents the 'pinnacle' of the S1 series and seems to be the most desirable for most people. Personally, I just don't care for the all-white treatment on the S1 (I think it looks great on R1's or other bikes though). All the indications that we have now don't point towards non-classic status. I think it will be way too many years (if ever) before any Buells achieve collectible status. Bottom line - forget saving it for a museum piece or investment. Ride it like Erik would want you to! | ||
| Jos51700 |
First or last typically has had very little influence on the actual collector value, unless there were less than 10 produced. Personally I think the tube-frame Buells will garner a collector status in the moderate future with values directly reflected on the number produced. The current chopper market is sending many tube-frame Buells to their graves, and the rules of supply and demand become more significant with fewer numbers. It's like the old musclecars. They were just cars, and were crushed in the hundreds of thousands. Now, most are notably uncommon, with some being downright rare, because they were regarded as disposable. I see the rarest of the Tube-frame bikes being the ones that have survived in unmolested status, still requiring recalls. the sheer volume of modified tube-frame bikes makes unmodified units a rarity. The lowest production number of S1W's was Billet Metallic (Excluding COV's). There was a Billet Metallic S1W parted on eBay recently. The guy didn't know it was an S1W. I think the colored S1W's will be the rarest of the rare, because most folks don't even know they exist. They think all S1W's are white. The collector status will also improve with increased popularity of the parent company. So: increased value is probably related most to rarity of color, model, condition, recall status, number produced. Obviously, the early, pre-HD Buells will be (and probably already are) the most collectable. | ||
| Werewulf |
they crushed the fords and restored the chevys....this could be interesting in a few years, to see which category the tubers fall in... | ||
| Sid |
yeh i was of the opinion the 1996 S1's would be one of the models that would be become collectable in the future, as they were pre-harley (weren't they??), they didn't roll out many of them each week in production and like you say alot of the early ones will be chopped, modified or wrecked. I can see the S1WL color models being collectable, more so than the white ones. As you can see I'm trying to talk myself into keeping my good old 1996 s1, heheh, I bought it to keep, so whether it becomes collectable or not, I might as well stick to my plan, It'll be hard to find another one owner bike where I am. (Message edited by sid on January 23, 2008) | ||
| 80rs427 |
There was a brief article about this written in Battle2win magazine, issue 15, spring 2002. The article named the 1996 S1 (any color) as having the most potential to be collectible. They named the 1998 S1W (especially the Ice White Pearl version) as being second on the list of two. Listed as a possible candidate was the 2001 Millennium edition X1. Even though they liked Thunderbolts and Cyclones, they stated Enron stock would be a better investment. | ||
| Court |
Yes | ||
| Reducati |
i collected one this year...and it aint going anywhere without me....  | ||
| Jos51700 |
"There was a brief article about this written in Battle2win magazine, issue 15, spring 2002. The article named the 1996 S1 (any color) as having the most potential to be collectible. They named the 1998 S1W (especially the Ice White Pearl version) as being second on the list of two. Listed as a possible candidate was the 2001 Millennium edition X1. " The only issue I have with that is that so many people keep the distinctive ones, "as collector bikes", and so there are more of them out there, in great shape, than other bikes. How many people are sitting on new, unridden Vrods, waiting for them to become collectible, because they were the first of the Vrods? I know of at least 8, with 3 still in the crates. Ditto a 100th anniversary Harley..... It's typically the ones that nobody expects to become collectible that become collectible (out of regular-production vehicles). Go to a flea-market, and start looking for Harley Ken and Barbie Dolls and that will answer any question. They're everywhere, and they're all priced 3 times over what they sold for new, because they're "collectible". But, they're everywhere.......... | ||
| Jos51700 |
If you want hard to find, try to find a stone-stock, low mileage, mid-80's XL1200. Now look for a "moo-glide" softail.... They made thousands of Sportsters, only a few hundred moo-glides. I know where 3 moo-glides are within 100 miles of my locale. The Sporty is more rare, now. (I'm not saying it's more valuable, yet, I'm just saying it's more rare) | ||
| Ratbuell |
Rarity is definitely the factor. I bought a 78 Volare sedan, green on green, slant six engine, auto trans, factory air (ice cold), and 48k miles. Forced to buy it for $50 by a buddy who had to get it out of his townhouse parking lot before he moved. Yes, $50. Waxed it, put new brakes, exhaust, and a spare set of wheels/tires on it and drove it for a bit. This was in 2006. A guy saw me driving it and basically made me sell it to him. For $3500. Slant six Volare? Not rare, not in 78 anyway. Low mile rust free great condition example in 2006? Definitely rare. That's the one deal I actually made out on, LOL. Personally I could give two s**ts what happens to the S1W and S2 market. I'm not selling either of mine. I always wanted them, now I have them...and I'm keeping them. Just like the one of 15 built 89 Shelby CSX I own (50k miles, Carroll Shelby autographed the dash for me in 2001), and the one of 26 built Daytona C/S competition package that I bought new in 1991 that has 78k miles on it now. Gonna need a big damned coffin, LOL. | ||
| Tombo |
My vote goes to the 96 S1, it received rave reviews when it was launched and moved BMC to the next level. It also created the hooligan category. The small tank S1s look stunning, and they also have a few items unique to the 96, like the front motor mount. They also used the original Buell symbol (before Mobil made them change it). | ||
| Reducati |
just curious, i know they made approx 4200 s1 from 96 to 98...does anyone have a break down on how many per year are/were sold in the usa? | ||
| Sid |
"My vote goes to the 96 S1, it received rave reviews when it was launched and moved BMC to the next level. It also created the hooligan category. The small tank S1s look stunning, and they also have a few items unique to the 96, like the front motor mount. They also used the original Buell symbol (before Mobil made them change it)." Yeh I with you on that tombo, I have been saying to all the guys that these will be the ones to watch for those very reasons. They also had the different wheels and carbon fibre rear guard. I think the company was still owned by buell and not harley, they had shares though. I think there was around 1300 1996 S1 made. | ||
| Jos51700 |
I know there's a build chart for S1W's on this site. I'm not sure about S1's in general, but I think it's out there somewhere. What was the original Buell symbol? | ||
| Cecil1 |
I know there's a build chart for S1W's on this site. I'm not sure about S1's in general, but I think it's out there somewhere Could you point me to where this is? I can't find it but would love to see it. Tim} | ||
| Rex |
 | ||
| Jos51700 |
I'm trying to upload attachments, and having a helluva time..... | ||
| Jos51700 |
It's easier just to do this! Click on this Link. It's a site local to me, but it will allow me to post a picture bigger than postage stamp. http://www.swmosportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php ?p=221381#post221381 | ||
| Jos51700 |
Open the attached file in that thread. It's a build list I had Buell print up for me. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Hey Rex, do you have a better picture of the rear pulley? Did you mod it yourself? | ||
| Tombo |
Sid, I forgot about the wheels, but you are right, you could either get PMs or Marcessini (not the cast alloy knock offs). Rex, that looks like Jay Hawley's old S1? I spent an afternoon helping to tear that bike down so he could plate the frame. | ||
| Reducati |
one other question i have you guys, i have a 96s1, and if in the future i want to put thunderstorm heads/ pistons upgrade, can you give me a ballpark figure on labor and costs for this type of upgrade? thanks | ||
| Sid |
Yeh those Marcessini wheels are expensive I priced one around 6 months ago and I think they wanted $1300NZ, $1000US. The rims are very soft, I have roll out a flat spot on my rim. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Rex, is that a modified S1, or a modified S1W? | ||
| Blake |
His profile says 1996 S1. |
