| Author | Message | ||
     Swamp2 |
For reasons I still don't understand, our tax refund was larger than expected - and I got a little bonus money from work. This of course was a recipe for irresponsible behavior so I did the only logical thing and started tuber shopping. I didn't really want to spend too much so restricted my looking to sub-3k bikes. Found this '99 S3 on CL about 250 miles away - advertised for 2550. I called on it to find it was being sold by the parents of the owner who had recently passed away. This was a little awkward as they couldn't tell me much about it other than it was nice, 16.5k miles, had a few scuffs and needed a new rear tire. Also, that it had recently had > $500 of service including new TPS, injectors, intake seals, etc at a nearby Buell dealer. I asked what their bottom line was since it was a long distance deal - they told me 2200 so I figured good enough, I'll come down and check it out. Even though the CL pix were lousy, I could tell I loved the orange/black. Anyway, I bought it for the agreed-to price. Here's a couple pix since getting it home...   Overall, it's pretty nice. The scuffs were worse than I expected (under left mirror and back left rear fairing corner) and the lower left corner of the rear fairing is chipped off. The other disappointment was the rear shock is shot - no damping at all. But, it ran perfect. Mostly stock other than an oil cooler, Supertrapp exhaust and a K&N filter. I bought one of the new OEM (later Showa) shocks off ebay for $102 - have it already. A tire is "in the mail" as is the front shock bracket. Shouldn't take much to have a really nice bike. I don't know why it needed the TPS/injectors done, but I've got the receipt for the work and all I can say is it runs beautiful. Sounds nice too. The riding position is very comfortable, I think these might be the S3T handlebars. Maybe I should have spent a little more and got a cleaner one - but it is a really nice, unique bike for the money I'll have into it and it will satisfy my tuber lust. Anybody know where I can find some color-matched orange paint? | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Very nice 99 for the money! yes those are T bars. Good luck and enjoy! | ||
| Phelan |
In my opinion, you stole that bike. Very nice. | ||
| Gowindward |
Sweet!!! Great looking color The S3's are way under rated. They are real mile eaters. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
yea, you really did get a great deal on that bike. looks great. even the supertrapp is the updated model so you should get a lot of miles from that also. | ||
| Bernard |
Guess you paid about $2,200 . . . can't get more value for the money! Congratulations! | ||
| Ducxl |
WOW.Outstanding find.Congrats. I like your stock breadbox.leave it | ||
| 46champ |
Don't loose the old front shock bracket if you decide to up grade the shock it will give you more options. Good looking bike at an excellent price. (Message edited by 46champ on April 17, 2010) | ||
| Kdstang |
I got a similar deal on a 99 X1, the used market on tubers is crazy right now, if I had the funds, I'd buy everyone I could find, who else made American sport bikes? | ||
| Swamp2 |
Thanks for the comments. I was a bit upset about the bad rear shock when I got down there - but didn't feel like I could push further on the price since I'd endorsed their "bottom line" - and they said they'd turned down a 2500 "in person" offer a couple nights prior since they'd committed it to me upon my approval. Very decent folks really. Also, the deceased owner had left 5 kids, and this was going to his estate so I didn't want to be a jerk. But realistically, it was pretty hard to walk away from after a 4 1/2 hour road trip. Anyway, I was very happy to find the shock deal on ebay so am looking forward to fixing the issues and enjoying it! It's amazing what an awesome bike you can find for the money if you shop a little... | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Looks great and aside from the shock the problems sound to be cosmetic, I wouldn't count the tire as that's kind of a maintenance item anyway. The Supertrapp pipe is a great pipe on these bikes, counting the stock one I've had four mufflers and it's my favorite. One thing to check though is that rear strap on the muffler is the part for the stock muffler, so make sure it's holding the pipe securely and not letting it shake around, they are a bit heavier muffler and will strain your exhaust manifold studs if moving around. It's got the new front hanger so that's nice to have already done, and hopefully the oil cooler will increase the service life of the motor. Really a very nice find for you. Congratulations! ($2200 is a steal) | ||
| Swamp2 |
Good observation on the rear muffler clamp, that is a bit of an issue. It's too big and does not hold the muffler securely. When I picked up the bike, it was cocked back so part of the clamp was up over the rear edge of the muffler. I thought it looked stupid so I pried it back over the lip and it's now like you see it - but it's loose. I now realize that was the attempt to actually have the clamp "doing something". What's the proper way to fix this? Is there a clamp available that's the right size for this muffler? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I ordered new straps from Al at A.S.B. if I remember the source correctly. You may be able to order directly but they may only supply to retail sellers. Use two stainless straps with the stock hardware including the "Z" bracket. New straps are a bit of a pain to install so close them up a bit before bolting them on. I've got the one that came with the muffler if money is tight you can have it for the shipping, I bought two new ones when I mounted mine (you can use just one but Supertrapp indicated two to be used so I went with that). | ||
| Mark61 |
Looks good to me! I paid $4k for the same thing in 2004 that had 1600 demo miles on it. 3 problems I had so far were minor. Headlight seemed too yellowish to me. Changed to a glass bulb for a 4 wheeler with angle iron adapter mounts. Original battery just quit after 6 years-go figure! And the license plate holder cracked at the angle. I suggest you glue or weld some bulk on the inside to keep that from happening. mark61 | ||
| 46champ |
Americansportbike is the place to get the clamp. You don't get just the clamp when you order it comes with the bracket too. Don't cheap out without the correct strap you will break some thing else that will cost a lot more to replace. | ||
| Swamp2 |
Well... I did send an inquiry to American Sport Bike... here's Al's reply... Not in stock..was $11.50 each last I got them from Supertrapp. They black powdercoated one with the built in T-Bolt clamps has been discontinued by Supertrapp (like the .bmp picture attached). The ones I could get now would be just 2 loops that have a bolt at the top to bring them together, like the other attached picture. So, I guess I'll still work that angle but it doesn't sound like "the right answer" is available any more. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Just use the dual straps, the ends are bent, one at a 90* and the other at a bit sharper angle. I had to face one strap one way and the the other the uh... other. I'll put some pics up for you later. They'll snug up fine, you just have to line them up with the "Z" bracket. I suggest you check the hardware securing the endcap, the disks, and there is a single screw on the bottom of the muffler that holds the core in, make sure they are all intact. You don't have to remove the pipe, just lay next to the bike and it's accessible. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Here's what it looks like mounted up. the factory Z bracket is mounted using rubber bushings, the straps can mount solidly to the Z bracket. Mounting this way is very sturdy.  Oh yeah, these pipes polish up beautifully! | ||
| Swamp2 |
Hey littlebuggles, thanks for all the help. I'm awaiting a response from Al to tell me exactly what to order. He sent me a pic of the straps that look like the ones you have. That is one mighty shiny muffler you got there! Mine doesn't look much like that at the moment... | ||
| Swamp2 |
I finally got my new shock put on - also got the proper Supertrapp clamps from Al. I have to say, it's a MUCH nicer ride when your rear suspension has some damping. And, those 2 clamps do indeed provide a very sturdy mounting for the can. Thanks for the advice... Still need to get the new rear tire mounted but other than that we're in pretty good shape. | ||
| Hootowl |
Congrats on a really sweet looking ride. My only suggestion would be to put the 2001 shifter on it. | ||
| Swamp2 |
Gee, I don't know, I kind of like my bizarro shift linkage... | ||
| Ebutch |
Steve:Ive had great luck in touch up,wet sand #400. In your color.I use NAPA base coat,1999 Ford Performance Red( Shermam Williams) Brush straight out of can on small touch-ups,it,s watery and when dirty red shop rag and lighter fluid cleans nice and no clear coat. Nice BIKE and Great Price Compare color in my user name on my S2T.The S3 is a mile Eater Deluxxxxxx With Balls And Handling!!!!!  | ||
| Swamp2 |
Ebutch, thanks for the paint advice. I'll see if i can find that. Although in your pix, I think your red looks more red than my bike, mine is more reddish-orange. | ||
| Ebutch |
Go to parts store and look at their samples.They have tones of them.  Ps Putting new rear iso,s in my S3 and I,m tired. |
