| Author | Message | ||
     Jersey_thunder |
SOME SAY 101....SOME 85.... TONY | ||
| Josh_  |
Both. 101 at the motor, 85 at the rear wheels. One more thing : capslock | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
oops....is that better?.  any major changes among the S3 line?.. THANKS JOSH!! T | ||
| Josh_ |
Thunderstorm heads in 98. (101HP and a carb) Fuel injection, saddlebag hinges, right fairing lower mounts and a clock in 99. Not sure if they ever made other big changes. | ||
| Grndskpr  |
I think one of the biggest changes occured from 97 to 98, when the 98 line came out a lip was added to the fron faring to preevent it from cracking, much improved design, and mine has been stable for some time, they also added a clock, and improved the dash area, 98-99(i think) they also added a better swing arm, however 99's seem to be the most problematic, mostly related to the fuel injection system, i have heard a race ecm solves most of the problems, 2001 is considered the best S3 with FI, and i think 98 is the best carbed model, think thats about it, other than the improved shock, which happened 2001 or 2002, not sure, nice bike, comfortable, easy to fix, perforamnce parts abound, one of my favorite bikes when its running right, most parts avaliable including narrow bags, but there not cheep(seems this has change in the recent past) Mine at 30k miles dyno'd at 82 HP on a brake dyno, prior to the rebuild Thats about all i can think of i am sure i miseed something R | ||
| Doughnut  |
My buddies 98 had a clock. I believe that the ignition moved from the left side of the bike to the dash from 97 to 98. | ||
| 1313  |
Grndskpr, The reason for the lip on the '98-up S3's was not to stop the fairing from cracking. Although it may have been a good side benefit from it, the actual purpose of the lip was to meet European regulations in order to be able to ship the S3 to Europe. It sure did give the S3 fairing a finished look to it though. Looking back it is surprising so much effort went into a product that didn't do so well overseas. The S3's were not available in Europe for the entire run of their production due to poor sales. 1313 | ||
| Grndskpr |
Thanks for the clarification, like you said it was a nice side benifit, considering the spare 97 has a crack that seems to start at the mirror mount and work its way toward the edge of the faring, and the 98 unit on the bike, has been drop, has some scratches and has no visable scrtaches, some times things work out to benifit owners in different ways Maybe you could mention all the other changes that have been missed since it is apparent that you have way more info than most owners on the site I for one would like to learn more thanks again R | ||
| Lake_bueller  |
Don't forget that in '99 they moved to smaller gauges. They also changed the speedo to electronic as opposed to the mechanical cable. | ||
| Josh_ |
I didn't think the gauges were any smaller, but I did forget the speedo. I added brake changes (hope I'm right). When did the Showa shock come standard? 99? So far we have: 97 - first year 98 - 101hp Thunderstorm heads (with 2.5" exhaust), clock, key in dash, lip on fairing, Nissan brakes? 99 - Fuel injection, lower mount change, bag lid hinge change, swing arm, stainless brake rotor 01 -much improved shock | ||
| Lake_bueller |
My bad..they were bigger. Seriously. Before I scavenged an S3T motor to build my S1W, I converted the front to look like an X1. I had to have a custom dash plate made to fit the gauges. | ||
| Steveford  |
'99 was the year of big changes. Frame, brakes, exhaust, forks, seat, etc. | ||
| Shanetbolt  |
To add a little more detail to Steve's additions. In 99 the seat became more comfortable and the rear exhaust now goes between the frame and engine. |
