| Author | Message | ||
     Harleyms |
After not having a bike for a while, I've decided it's time. A good friend has a basement full of goodies (including a road king, dyna, deuce, and a '98 Buell S1W) and has recently decided that since he hasn't ridden the Buell since 2003 that he'd be willing to sell it to me. So here's the skinny. 1998 Buell S1W White lightning, 2700 miles, Buell "race" exhaust header and muffler (very nice, thick stainless) Buell "race" ignition module, Buell "race" intake setup (he said it's a 41mm Mikuni carb, carbon fiber breather setup) a hugger carbon fiber rear fender/belt guard, and a Corbin seat for the "twin tail" (as he called it) It's white, of course, with a black frame and the PM wheels. Now for the reason it's been sitting for so long. He rode it the summer of '03 and noticed that it was smoking in the upper RPM range. At the end of riding season he pulled the exhaust and intake off and looked into the heads. On the rear head you can see what looks to be a trail of oil coming into the chamber from the exhaust valve guide. My friend decided he would pull the heads and have them redone and just never did. It comes with a factory service manual as well. Cosmetically the bike is nice but not flawless. There are some paint cracks in the tank at the front(these look like thy'd be a common thing). There are nuts and bolts with some surface rust, all the aluminum could use a good clean and polish. Nothing really bad, just time consuming. I know the bike will need a battery, all the fluids changed and tires (the ones on it have decent tread but I can only imagine how dry they are) We discussed this tonight as I looked at the bike. He told me what he wants for the bike, and I don't think it's an unfair price but I would like to ask you all for some educated guesses seeing as how I know nothing about Buells or their value. He and I were employed at a car dealership, he as a mechanic and I as a body shop guy (but I know my way around a wrench too) I'll be doing all the work on this bike myself if you want to take that into account. I've rebuilt a few "other" brands and there's always a hotrod project around. Since we were in his very full basement I wasn't able to get any pictures. I did look the bike over carefully and I didn't notice any glaring faults. btw all the "race" stuff, thats just what he called it. He said it came from the Buell dealer. He also doesn't have any of the stock parts for the bike... Any input would be great. (Message edited by harleyms on March 23, 2011) | ||
| Harleyms |
I also forgot, what type of valve seals are used and is that a good possibility as to the oil problem? If not can someone point in a good direction as to a reputable machine shop for a repair? He also said that since he has owned it, it has not had any recalls done to it. I noticed there were a few that were applicable....how far up the creek without a paddle would I be there? (Message edited by harleyms on March 23, 2011) | ||
| Fahren |
You are all good. Having sat since 2003, with your concern about the valves, it's a really good time to open 'er up and change out gaskets from the old, crappy ones to new ones that won't disintegrate. Things will have dried out a bit in the last 7 or 8 years, as you noted on the tires, so a bit of renewing will be good for you in the long run. The race stuff is good kit - highly desirable. Good score. You would have to not love your woman very much to use the twin tail for two-up rides LOL. World's smallest motorcycle seat. But it's not a problem if you ride the bike the way it was intended (evil grin). Sounds like a good project with nothing too very wrong, and just in need of a deep going-over to rejuvenate the bike. Considering the time and expense of the work and tires and parts, and the economy, and the sad state of Buell value currently, you should be able to talk a deal. If he expects too much, he can always try to get it on fleabay or c'list, but if he sells it off cheaply on Craigslist, it will almost certainly end up chopped (sad, tragic). For those of us who love them, they are priceless, but there is still a price to anything that you feel comfortable with. I spent $3000 for mine, and it needs some TLC but I was ok with that. Go through the old badweb classifieds and see what S1W's have gone for, you will get a good idea. | ||
| Harleyms |
Thanks for the input. Funny part about the deal is my friend wasn't trying to sell it. I've been asking about the bike for the last few years. He told me that the only reason he is entertaining the thought of selling it to me is that he knows I wouldn't chop it up or otherwise destroy it as a Buell. He said other than to me he's not interested in selling. After seeing his basement I'm wondering if I need to submit him to that "Hoarders" show lol He priced it to me at $2500 we've already talked about some horse trading for something I have that he wants plus cash. I'm thinking that it plus 1800-1900 cash should put me in the ball park I want to be in. on the twin tail....my wife gave me the go-ahead to buy it if I want, but she does not do anything on 2 wheels.....so the bike is all for me  where's the best place to buy a full gasket set? brand? I'm lost on the Harley stuff....I know Chevy, Harley...not so much. (Message edited by harleyms on March 23, 2011) | ||
| Spiderman13 |
Cometic on the gaskets. Check the advertisers here. Support BWB. I paid $3000 for my black 98 S1W. Needed a new primary gasket. Good bikes. | ||
| Guell |
1800-1900 for a s1w is a steal | ||
| Paint_shaker |
$2500 sounds like a pretty good deal to me on a running 98S1W. | ||
| Andymnelson |
That's a HORRIBLE price. What's his number?  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Maybe 1313 or Court can chime in here, but I don't think there were too many white with black frame S1W's built. Good score! Get a Cometic top end set, it should come with valve seals and all the gaskets you need. Oh, and...PICS PLEASE  | ||
| Rex |
good deal..what is his name? | ||
| Harleyms |
Ratbuell...the black frame threw me at first. Nearly all of the ones I've looked at have been white frames, and I think I saw a blue one too...but the VIN decodes as a S1W. I actually don't care for the white frame myself so it was a nice surprise. I've made the decision that the bike will be mine no matter what the accountant says, it might just be later than sooner lol and hopefully I'll be able to get some pics in the near future...they'll be posted as soon as I get some (Message edited by harleyms on March 25, 2011) | ||
| Bollox |
Your price above is just a dream for french buell addict .... See the price below ... and in Euro ... http://www.leboncoin.fr/motos/137928217.htm?ca=22_ s http://www.leboncoin.fr/motos/123475172.htm?ca=22_ s | ||
| Zaphof |
Sounds like a good buy to me. The Buell race stuff is very desirable. Don't let the grass grow under your feet with this one though. They are becoming quite scarce, and given half a chance, somebody else might just steal it from under your nose. | ||
| Spiderman13 |
I would like to know production numbers to. I was told my black S1W was rare. Mainly because of the W designation and being black. | ||
| Fahren |
Not all the white lightnings were white. Also, there were "Lightning Strike" models, which IIRC were for Europe. I am way far away from being any authority on that, though. Court is your best source for production numbers. And the search function. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Somewhere I have the poster...there were four body colors...and four frame colors... Black frame could have white, black, billet or orange body So could a blue frame. Or a white frame. Or a titanium (silver) frame. Four frames, four bodies...16 combinations. Court or 1313 would have to chime in with production numbers/relative rarity here. | ||
| Mrlucky |
still need a exhaust heat shield for my 98 S1W --- I was pointed to St Paul HD on Ebay but since I am a Canuck Bueller I would have to pay 20 for the shield 24.95 for s&H and get taxed at the border --- 50 plus for a heat shield WOW--- any body got a used laying around any condition I will repaint it Please and Thankyou MIKE | ||
| Buelltours |
Let me know if you pass on it. I am in St Louis. If you get it, let's go for a ride sometime!  | ||
| Harleyms |
Well the bike is mine, I picked up all the loose pieces tonight. Going back Tuesday to bring the bike itself home. Will post pics shortly there after  |
