| Author | Message | ||
     Czdavec |
Hi all. I ride an XB Firebolt and am looking to purchase a tuber to go with it."Love the look" What advice and or recomendations can you give me?I have a line on a X1 in mint condition but think the asking price is a bit steep."5000.00" I also think that I might like to stay with a carb instead of fuel injection.Any input will be most welcome. | ||
| Mbsween |
Cz, The X1's after 2000 were good. The 01 and the 02 in particular, they didn't need any upgrades really (well okay the exhaust and intake, but that's optional). The FI is no big deal. You can buy the VDSTS software (around 200.00) or use ECMSPY for the cost of the cable (make your own) parts to do the TPS reset. That's really the only thing you need it for, other than to "look around" if there are sensor issues. You want to look to make sure any recall work is done. The Showa shocks turn into pogo sticks on anything with more then 10 -15k miles. Then it's down to the motor condition. A compression gauge will help there. I have 40K on mine. The ugliest repair I've had to do is the primary side crank seal. The procedure is well documented in the Knowledge Vault. It's reasonably simple, just takes awhile (2 hrs or so) Also check out American Sport Bike, cuz you'll be going there for the excellent service and great selection of tuber parts | ||
| Kyrocket |
I've been hearing this FI mumbo jumbo for years and understandably bikes are going to have some issues but my '99 FI Lightning has never once even stammered as far as the fuel injection goes. Other than the rocker box gaskets it's been pretty much trouble free and since I've put Cometic gaskets in the rocker boxes they've not leaked since. $5000 does seem a little high but if it's mint like you say and you know how it's been treated and been kept inside it might be worth the peace of mind. Most of them I've seen selling are going for between 3 and 4.5 usually. | ||
| Chasespeed |
My 99 has been trouble free... only issues or repairs I have needed to make... Crank Seal, and a few other non-EFI related things... Completely trouble free... over 55k on mine in a few short years... FWIW, dpeendingon the condition of the bike, whats been done, etc... 5k may or may not be too high. To each their own. Chase | ||
| Czdavec |
I am not afraid of the EFI I just have more experiance with the carbs.I restore and race vintage motorcycles and have a lot of carb tuning parts.My XB hasn't given me any problems. I like the Tubers because of the mechanical look and feel of them.Closer to the vintage stuff I work on. The advice you guys are giving is great. That is what I need, what to look for,what to expect from the bikes themselves in terms of maintenance etc. i will check on the recall stuff for the bike i am looking at.It has low miles but I am don't think it has ever been back to a dealer for upgrades. | ||
| Buellistic |
"IMHO", if "i" was to buy a TUBE FRAME it would be a M2 or any older model with a carburetor ... "OTHERWISE" you need to learn/have and buy the necessary implements to do your on mapping(TPS resetting) ... "AND" buy a FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL and PARTS BOOK for the YEAR/MODEL to learn do your own wrenching ... | ||
| Kyrocket |
If he's restoring and racing vintage motorcycles I'd say he's turned a wrench or two. These FI bikes can and have been switched over to carbs if that's your pleasure but I personally wouldn't buy a mint bike and go cutting it up, I'd find one with a little more "use" but it's obvious you know what you're doing. Good luck. BTW have you checked e-bay lately? There's a nice looking 02 X1 in the PA area. | ||
| Kyrocket |
Just saw in your profile that you're in Cali. Pa might be a far stretch. Have you gone through the classifieds here? Someone had a sweet M2 that had a lot of work done to it. IIRC they were asking around 7 for it. The deals are definitely out there to be had. | ||
| Rick_a |
My advice is: Hooligan machine/short distance commuter...S1-preferably '98 S1W Sport-tourer...S2 (all years) or S3 (2000-up) Thunderbolt. I really like the S2's. They're my 2nd favorite Buell. Gorgeous bikes. S3's are ok...a bit more refined but don't have the same charm. All-rounder...M2-preferably 2000-up Best compromise...X1-2000-up. It has some of the character of the S1 but in a wider, cushier package. It has the tightest steering head angle and most agressive geometry of them all. If keeping with a carb is a priority the M2 and S1 are the only choices. Carb conversions with the FI bikes are fairly easy. The M2 shares a frame with the S3 so it has mounts for the S3 fairing assembly. The 2000-up bikes have a lot of upgrades and come generally sorted from the factory. The older bikes are ok if you don't mind. All of the '99 bikes got Thunderstorm heads, forks and shocks from WP to Showa and in '98 all the oil pumps got upgraded...brakes got switched from PM and Brembo to Nissin, a upgraded primary chain tensioner, 2000 bikes got better cranks, a better 2nd gear ratio, Dot 4 brake fluid,more durable lifters and lifter pins, high contact cam gears for less noise...etc, etc. I made an emotional decision and purchased a '96 which I slowly upgraded as I broke stuff. | ||
| Buell78758 |
CZ, I have a 2000 X-1 Lighting with 26,000 miles on it. Burns hardly any oil, my buddy road it on a 2,500 mile trip a bunch of us took, not a hiccup the whole time. It runs great, no problems with FI or the motor, except the usual leaking rocker box gaskets. I have a race ECM and Vance/Hines slip on. A mint X-1 for around 4,500 would be a fair price. Some X-1s are pretty trashed, and run hard with out much maintenance. Also, having one that is all stock, is best, or at least any mods done are not permanent. Another option is Cyclone, the are really under-rated, and usually cheaper. A low miles Cyclone for $3,500 would be great too. Good luck! CN | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
"97" M2 is the best bike Buell American Motorcycles ever built. | ||
| Mbsween |
You've been hanging around Court too much  We all know the molten-orange nuke Blue X1 was the coolest Buell ever  | ||
| Guell |
97 m2's kick ass | ||
| Skntpig |
S1 for the most fun | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I would say any tuber you buy is a good one because it keeps it from becoming a chopper. It kills me to see that happen to so many of what are already rare motorcycles. | ||
| Ratbuell |
+1 on the M2 for all-around usage and performance. My first bike was a 99 M2 and I still miss it. If you're the hooligan type, go for S1 or S1W. But beware, the bike will make you do things your rational mind tells you are bad ideas. If you're a tourer, S2/S3 are awesome. Competent, quick, comfy, great ergos (and I'm 6'4"), and dead-sexy bodywork on the S2's. I did put a Thunderstorm top end, Lightning cams, and race ignition for S1W on my S2, though, for a little more grunt. With an S1W, S2 with "T" fittings (bags, lower fairings) and the engine work mentioned above, and a UlyX in the garage, I can safely say I have all the bikes and all the characteristics I will need for the forseeable future. She is comfy on either the Uly or S2 for 2-up riding, they both have bags, the Uly will take me places I probably don't need to be on a motorcycle..and if I need to go out on my own and have some fun the solo seat S1W is a great cobweb-clearer As mentioned above, though....if it's a tuber, it's in good condition, and you like it...you're a winner! | ||
| Blackm2 |
Czdavec- take a look at the Las Vegas craigslist, there is a guy selling a nice 2002 X1 white lightning with low miles for 4200 bucks. Could be worth the 3-4 hour drive. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
"We all know the molten-orange nuke Blue X1 was the coolest Buell ever" ^ Ditto. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Not a bad piece of advice in the whole lot! That said, find yourself a '02 M2 and ride the snot out of it. Buell had the '02's sorted. | ||
| Czdavec |
This is exactly the advice/input I was looking for. Hearing your thoughts on the best model and what you have and ride.I just need to find the right one for sale.I am open to picking one up that needs repairs just because I love working on bikes. I also agree with Firebolt020283,I hate seeing the Buells being robbed of the engine then being parted out.There are not enough of them around as it is. | ||
| Eshardball |
The S-1 is going to be the closest to the vintage stuff that you work on. It is by far, not the most comfortable but for sheer joy of corner carving, very hard to beat. The shock will have puked on you and will require replacement if it has not been done. Same for the front isolator. When you feel clunking in you footpeg, the rear iso is shot. Call the motor company with Vin# for recalls. They will tell you what has been completed, rear swingarm, battery cable, turn signal flasher, front iso. At least are what came up for my 98 S-1 | ||
| Jstfrfun |
If you don't like the Buells being parted out then quit whining about price! just pay it and save the cool classics. The bike I bought with the purpose of building a custom was a track bike that was for the most part mutated anyway, it was a mercifull ending and I paid dearly for the privalege of doing what I want with it . On the other hand, if you take a sweet S2 or other model in good condition apart for some kind of murderous abortion, then a good horsewhipping is in order. Most of our earlier machines are beautifully crafted and a pleasure to ride(most of the time), easy to service and fairly reliable. A little advice Dave, Al at American Sport Bike has a sweet S2 he will sell for the right price. I have too many bikes right now but if I were in the market, thats the man I would buy from. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
so what your saying is we are whining because we dont go out and buy every single tuber we see for sell. I'm so sorry if I can't afford to buy up every piece of history these chopper guys are destroying. Would I if i could? Yes I would. I love Buell motorcycles weather it is a brand new 1125 or one of the very rare rr1000's. All I was saying is it is better to see a guy who wants an older Buell for what it is and not some one who just wants to rob it of its engine. There are more sportsters in this world than tube frame buells and they have been around for a lot longer. I think the chopper guys should be out there robbing those of there engines instead. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
No one could possibly just buy up all early tubers to save them from chopperdome, I think you missed the point. These are machines and should not be sanctified,but apreciated for what they are. At the same time when these precious parts become available,price busting shouldn't be so quick. We can't devaluate the rareness of our bikes. If a guy wants 5K for a sano bike, don't be so quick to bust them down to 3500 because thats where your friend "john" got his(even though it needed 2000 in repairs). My 99X1 was close enough for me to be happy with the price I paid and I'm still not done with it, but you won't find it selling for 35-4000. At one point I was faced with the possibility of having to sell one of my bikes, after being told that my precious was worth 3500 "book value"(that prospective buyer hadn't even seen it)I decided the X1 will never see the market...ever,it'll go in the ground with me! I love my Old School Buell, But I'll never critisize someones intentions with there own machine. And this is why I love this forum! | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I paid $1000 over blue book value for my X1 - 10k miles, stock except for a race ECM and V&H exhaust. I've never regretted it for a second. Sandra's a cantankerous old bitch but she's got character! | ||
| Road_thing |
It is by far, not the most comfortable That, as Mr. Canfield would say, is "an accurate statement!" rt | ||
| Oldog |
I decided the X1 will never see the market...ever,it'll go in the ground with me! AMEN TO THAT!  }} | ||
| Buellsrule |
The '99-'02 tubers are the most refined for many reasons. Any of the fuel injected bikes should run just fine if the TPS is set properly and you do nothing more than a race ecm(highly recommended), exhaust and intake. If you're a carb. guy then M2's are the way to go. You don't get Thunderstorm performance but you're real close. The S3's and M2's are the most comfortable but the X1's are not uncomfortable. The X1's have the best frame geometry and handle the best but all Buell's handle well. There's nothing quite like a tuber and I really like both of mine. '99 S3T and '99 X1. Ride safe, Frank. | ||
| Buellsrule |
Hello all. The reason the "chopper guys" like the Buell engines is because of the Thunderstorm heads, lightened flywheels and stock cams. These engines rip in a light weight chassis. I don't condone mutilating our bikes but if you can't find someone who appreciates your ride, you have two choices. Keep it or sell it to the highest bidder. Ride safe, Frank. | ||
| Standingdeadwood |
I have an '01 X1 with 30,000 miles on it. Rode from Bentleyville to Cape May NJ a couple of weeks ago. I road it over 500 miles to southern Kentucky last year with 75# of camping gear strapped on it. I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere. I ride 30 miles each way to work in Carnegie almost every day. Make an offer if you want the bike. You don't have to pay the asking price. Make an offer. No, mine is not for sale. |
