| Author | Message | ||
     Imaposer2 |
Ok, so I've found a bike that interests me, a '96 S1, and I've been talking to the seller for a bit now. The bike is around 5-6 hours from me and I've arranged to drive up to see and hopefully buy it this Saturday. This is my first ever Buell and I've never owned any bike with HD content so, while I do all my own service work on all my other bikes, I have a lot to learn about the Buell. I've downloaded the service manual and I've been reading and learning here on BadWeB, and I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions in the coming months as I learn more about these machines. The bike has just over 20,000 miles and the owner claims that he has just had the bike gone through by someone that is evidently held in high regard in his area, and the bike supposedly needs nothing. He's recently had the brakes done, including a new EBC rotor, and the carb was "rebuilt" along with fresh tires and battery and a general servicing. Now, I've been learning of things that needs to be checked for proper adjustment and that are often not done correctly by some mechanics... things like the primary chain and drive belts being too tight, etc. So, over the next while I plan to start with my manual, the service records for the bike (he has paperwork and a box of parts) and the info I glean from here and go through the bike with a fine tooth comb to check things over and see what, if anything, may need to be addressed. But of course this is once I get the bike into its new home and can take some quality time to get to know it better. BUT, as far as the uninitiated going to look at a used Buell for the first time, and not knowing the particulars about these bikes, what advice can you offer? I mean, I'm almost 48 and have been riding for over 35 years, am fairly mechanical and know bikes in general. But, is there anything specific to these bikes that I should be looking for? Anything that would be a red flag and should make me run  if I knew what to look for? Hell, I've never even ridden anything HD. I know they don't shift all that well, but how am I to know if it's normal for the breed or that it has a transmission issue? You know, just stupid stuff like that, that could make me better able to judge the bike's mechanical health before loading it on my trailer and handing over my cash. I normally research things to death and know it backwards and forwards before buying. This came on a little quickly and I've just decided, "what the hell, you only live once and from the pictures and owners description this one appears very nice..." I don't want to let this one go just so I can take more time and hope to find another that floats my boat, so I'm relying on you guys to help a Buell noob buy his first. Thanks in advance... | ||
| Dannybuell |
This shop won't steer you wrong: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-c atshow/buell.html pictures? the OEM/recall shock is lousy, sooner or later you will get a WORKS or Penske. The transmission is heavy, requires more pull when upshifting than most bikes. | ||
| Imaposer2 |
I'll be taking pictures soon. Hopefully I'll get some on Saturday but I'll at least get some good ones as soon as I have a chance. I'll post some when I can. And yeah, you know how a new bike is... already shopping for "goodies" before it's even in my garage.  In fact, I just ordered a #7 pin for my Pit-Bull front stand. I'll wait on other "stuff" until I've gotten more familiar with the bike and assessed its needs. | ||
| Buellistic |
Is the bueller on BWBers, if so what is his name and AKA ??? Could there be a BUELLer that lives close go check it out for you and take pictures ??? | ||
| Essmjay |
It would be a real plus if the base and rockerbox gaskets were not leaking. While it isn't a real big deal to do the the rockerbox ones, doing the head and base gaskets almost always leads to pricey improvements, as in "as long as it is apart...." or expensive mistakes with parts that haven't been apart in a long time. '96 would have had the old style gaskets, so either they have already leaked and been replaced, or they are not leaking yet so probably won't for a long time, or they have already been replaced. Either way, it would be nice to not have to start the riding season replacing any of those gaskets. | ||
| Ratbuell |
20k miles, I'd guess any leaks were fixed a while back. Common sense stuff. Rattles are normal. Engine bangs, tics, internal noises...pay attention to those. It's a paint mixer at idle - normal. Shifting isn't as "horrible" as the mags point it out to be. Higher effort? Yes. Jump out of gear or back to the last gear? Problem. Either adjustment in the primary (easy) or transmission clearances (relatively easy - trapdoor transmission). Basic architecture? Tractor. 4 cams, pushrods, 2 valves per head, nothing exotic. Use common sense, and follow your gut. They do have strong front brakes. If the handling isn't to your liking, don't worry - it's all adjustable. Spin it over 2500 rpm and the shakes keep to a minimum - I tend to keep mine over 3k. I second the idea that it might be close to a badwebber - check the BRAN and see if someone here can meet you at the bike to look it over with you. The S1 is an awesome, raw, rude, arrogant motorcycle. You're gonna love it!  | ||
| Essmjay |
I wouldn't guess, not if I was buying it. That's like assuming that someone would hone the cylinders when they replaced the rings. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Id find out if it still has the stock pinion gear as well. If so, inspect it when you change the oil (drop the oil pump). Lots of threads on the topic. Do the inspection soon... | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Beullistic, I never asked, but he is a family guy that is selling the bike to fund a pontoon boat. For some reason I don't think he is really "into" bikes that much. Just a general impression I get from talking to him. He "had" the brakes done and to me, a real gear head "does" his own brakes. But maybe that's just me. I sorta doubt he is a BWBer, but I didn't ask. Essmjay, The owner did volunteer the first time we talked that it had NO leaks. Until I get there to look at it I can only take his word for it. He does seem like a straight up guy though. Ratbuell, Your description of the S1 is exactly the impression I have of them... I can't wait! I plan to be at his house around 11-12 am Saturday and he lives a bit north of Charlotte, NC. If anyone would like to meet up and go take a peak with me, I'd buy ya a lunch somewhere decent... you name it.  Reepicheep, I did ask about the oil pump gear and he didn't know. He bought the bike a couple of years ago with a little over 16K miles. He says he has a box of parts and service records though, so I plan to look through all of that to see what may have been done already. I also plan to check into the oil pump gear, once I figure out exactly what I'm looking for and how to tell. All I know for now is that the bike looks nice and that the owner is adamant that it needs nothing at all and that he's recently had it check over thoroughly. I know that that doesn't mean much, but he swears that if I see the bike I'll understand and be very happy with it. And he seems like a straight shooter. I generally do follow my instincts and my "gut" feeling about the seller is usually a good indicator to me. Again, if anyone lives in that area and would like to help me check out the bike that would be awesome. Just PM me. If it were a Japanese dirtbike, or most other street bikes I wouldn't feel so stupid about checking it out on my own, but I've never been a "Harley" guy and I've never owned a Buell, so I don't even know what sounds are "normal" for these engines, really. In general, I expect to have to do a few things to the bike to get it up to snuff, but I just don't want to buy one that is already a ticking time bomb with a serious issue that I'm just too ignorant to catch until it's too late. I suppose that unless someone with more experience can help, then I'll just have to go on my gut about the seller and the bike. I mean, I'm not a complete bike noob so my instincts are generally pretty good. | ||
| Dannybuell |
I would look for frame paint cracks and or rust at stress points, welds especially near the steering head. I have seen a couple where it made me think hard impact. | ||
| Jvv |
Im2......One of my favorite bike was a early S1. Super fun bike. Pretty much everything has been addressed. they require a little wrenching, but sounds like you are up to it. Adjust the clutch and primary chain properly and use redline trans fluid, it should shift fine. Good luck with the purchase and welcome. | ||
| S1owner |
Go with your gut glance at his other toys and cars do they look well kept! Its not always a good sign of someone ( gearhead) doing thier own work sometimes the super anal bring it in at every odd noise or creek! Or in my bikes case the owner did his own work and i just went through a complete overhaul because i couldnot trust anything he did! Check the frame vin and motor vin they dhould match to avoid title issues also once you have it call HD with the vin they will check and make sure all recalls are done if not you may have some freebies coming! Hope you do not mind people stairing rude, arogant, fast when stopped they draw attention i ride with a coupl gxers and hd the S1 is by far the attention •••••! | ||
| Akbuell |
PM sent. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Best of luck with it. More pictures, please. | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Harleyelf, It's been raining since I got it home last night so I only took one pic with it on my trailer and on the way home last night. I will be getting better pics once the weather clears up an I have time...  | ||
| Imaposer2 |
And just because I can't resist, and against my better judgement, I took some crap pics in the garage.       | ||
| Harleyelf |
Very nice! | ||
| Uwmad |
Awesome. I just picked up my 96' S1 Friday night! Mines Silver though but very similar. Enjoy! | ||
| S1owner |
Updated polished swingarm, updated pegs and rear brake, milled frame brace, milled front pulley cover, pm wheels, polished dash! Lots of nice upgrades! You will want to get the newer front exhaust hanger nice bike! | ||
| Imaposer2 |
COOL!  Well, lets see some pics! I saw a silver one posted somewhere and thought it looked very nice. Of course was all know that black is the fastest...  | ||
| Azrael_cervale |
What are the milled braces on the rear peg mounts? They don't seem to do anything but you don't make something like that for S&G. | ||
| 14d |
Appears to be a mount for rearsets in the last picture. Sweet looking S1, lots of nice upgrades on there! Race Exhaust!! (Message edited by 14d on May 14, 2012) | ||
| Terser |
You got a sweet ride. As was mentioned before, plenty of nice upgrades and looks well taken care of. I bought my 96 and it was a little rough and I am hoping mine will look as nice as yours by the end of the summer with help from this board, manuals, and plenty of patience. Congrats and welcome to the club. |
