| Author | Message | ||
     Psychsurf |
Hey guys, I'm going to go look at a 98 M2, and just wanted to find out if there's anything specific I should be looking for in terms of problem areas. I've had my share of motorcycles, but never an air-cooled american V-twin, so it's kind of foreign territory for me. It has about 10k miles, and looks and sounds as if it has been taken care of and loved, so that's a good sign. I'm also wondering, is there any easy tail swap for these? I've been wanting a buell since I first saw one, but my tastes run to the more short and sweet tails like the S1 and X-bikes. I'm having a hard time with the vast expanse of plastic on hanging out past the rear tire. In fact, if it weren't for that tiny little detail, I'd probably already have it home... I've just been chewing on that to make sure it's what I really want. I saw the thread about the S1 swap, and the cutting/welding is something I'd rather avoid if possible. Is there a bolt-on solution? Thanks for the info guys! | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
Well to get the s1 tail you will have to do some cutting or it will not fit. The only other option for cleaning up the back end is a company called airtech. The things to look for would be making sure all the recalls are up to date, and check the normal things that you would check for on any bike like leaks and stuff like that. | ||
| Fuzzy |
do it! +1 on airtech! but a lot of guys just cut the plastic down. tube frames should be shown off!!! airtech xr750 tail, no cut, no weld, stock tailight, some fab:   | ||
| Psychsurf |
Thanks! Glad to hear there's not any particular gremlins associated with this model. That "manta" tail at airtech looks pretty nice, although they're awful proud of it, $$$-wise. Hey fuzzy, do you have a profile view of your bike? I've always liked those minimal cafe-style tails. | ||
| Fuzzy |
manta tail is bigger than it looks too, S1 on craigslist out here right now, not sure what tail that is: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/973157440.html kinda dreary out right now, so pics ain't much:   | ||
| Hippyjoe |
98 M2, and just wanted to find out if there's anything specific I should be looking for in terms of problem areas. I've had my share of motorcycles, but never an air-cooled american V-twin, so it's kind of foreign territory for me. Can you spin wrenches? How much is the bike? 98 had quite a few recalls and not all bikes got goodwilled. Rear shock, front brake rotor, front isolator, exhaust hanger, rocker box gaskets, primary chain tensioner jump to mind. 10,000 miles isn't bad but by the time you're around 15k you'll need to be thinking about things like oil pump drive gear, possibly cams, drive belt, rear isolators, clutch spring plate, and probably a few others. Those are the major things, may also be some minor ones. Also the 98 tubers had the steel swingarm and were lacking a frame brace up front, and didn't have Thunderstorm motors either. Glad to hear there's not any particular gremlins associated with this model. Keep in mind nobody said that above. You'll always get enthusiastic responses here as to why buells are great, but if you get an older one you should honestly either have some solid wrenching skills or else a buddy with a shop. Also knowing what you're looking at compared to the various models across the spectrum can save you money and time, not to mention hacking things up in trying to make bike A more like bike B... why not just start with bike B up front? It's currently a buyer's market. Just my .01. |
