| Author | Message | ||
     Mtndude |
Sold my '98 S3T last year and miss that thing something awful. I am now on the prowl again. Several nice, clean ones for sale but have high (25k+) miles. What should I be concerned about in hi mi bike?) How much extra would you pay for one with less than 5k? (worth $1000-$2000 more?) I'm not a wrencher, owned M2 and S3 Buells with <10k mi and have never had to have any serious work done. Kinda nervous looking at hi-mi bikes. What's worst case - (rebuild?) and the cost to have it done at a shop? Thanks in advance- John | ||
| Jim2 |
I wouldn't pay any extra at all unless the miles are less than 10, the bike was completely original and you plan on putting in a climate controlled collection for the next 30 years without riding it at all. With less than 5k all of the gaskets are in need of an update, all of the seals are probably dried out, etc. . A bike that is ridden regularly receives care and feeding. A bike that sits in a corner does not. | ||
| Imaposer2 |
I agree to a point. Then again I do see the allure of a bike that has little wear and tear on it. But to be perfectly honest, and not to put a damper on your love of a great bike, but... Personally, unless I was a "wrencher" or at least willing to learn to be, I'd probably be very reluctant to buy a bike with no remaining dealer or factory support. Especially since these bikes tend to have a reputation as requiring some "tinkering". With that said, I did just buy my first Buell, a '96 S1, and I love it. The one I bought had 20K on it and like you I was concerned about mileage at first too. But, in reality 20K isn't really that high mileage. But, I also bought it understanding that it would require some owner involvement and since I already do all my own maintenance on my other bikes, I was ready to learn what I needed to know to keep this one on the road for a long time. But face it, it's not a Honda and there isn't a dealer on every corner. In fact, from what I understand, a lot of the H-D dealers that used to also be Buell dealers, don't really want to fool with them anymore. Just something to consider... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
"high" miles is better in my opinion. My X1 developed most of its issues in its first year/20K miles. Low miles = odd issues turning up. | ||
| Thylacine |
There's really nothing that will wear out from mileage. Well, tires brakes fluids, but thats obvious . personally I would much rather have 1 with at least 20k. But ,it should be clean so you know someone took care of it. Mileage shows everything is working. | ||
| Mtndude |
Thanks for the helpful info. The higher mileage Buells I've been considering both appear to have been very well taken care of. I realize that there's no sure bet either way. I'm comfortable doing basic servicing but would not undertake a top end overhaul. I live close to a couple great shops who work on and appreciate Buells. Before your responses, II was very inclined to believe that lo mi = longer run time before costly repairs. Appreciate the help on this. -John | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Well, in that case, have fun with your new bike!  Here's mine. It did have 20K miles but also appeared to have been cared for...   | ||
| Buellistic |
Have a 111,354.8 miles on my 1997 S3T and hope to have 200,000 when "i" might sell it ... OH well then "i" will say 300,000 ??? | ||
| Mtndude |
That's pretty amazing! (And encouraging)  | ||
| Gixxer86g |
My X1 had 6800 on it when I got it last November. The base gaskets are leaking but the intake gaskets are good. The front iso is still good. Basically i think I lucked out on this one. The base gaskets can wait until winter, and I think I'll be doing a 1250 upgrade with it. It also had brand new Pirelli Diablos on it, but the battery was shot. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
If I was looking at two identical tubers priced the same, one with 25k, one with 5k, I'd take the 25k without a doubt. I'm generally that way with any bike, but especially tubers. In my experience, sitting in the garage for months on end is harder on a bike than being ridden daily. | ||
| Jolly |
My S1 was purchased with about 20K from "the original owner", I thought that would mean something, and normally it does on a bike like this, but not true in this case...even so, the only real issues were cleaning out the carb, replacing the fork seals and then updating the rocker box gaskets while I did the XB conversion. then the exhaust header broke at the collector, completely in half, so new header, ceramic coated then back on the road after taking the time to remove the cam cover and have it undercut..(no performance..just looks) everything else has been getting the bike back to a really nice looking bike. Now at 35k miles and still runs great, with no issues. my S3T that I just purchased has about 25k miles and the only thing I have done since I bought it about a month ago is a new front tire and brake pads. my x1 has about 15k miles and really havnt done that much in terms of upgrades since I bought it (cosmetic changes...lots!). The only critical change was one I learned the hard way. The chain tensioner broke while riding and got lodged in the chain and clutch pack...DANGER DANGER damage, thought I had destroyed the motor!!! broke the transmission mount plate...so an upgraded billet mount plate and a new chain tensioner..back on the road. and the exhaust broke at the front cylinder and the mount flange...compleltey in half...I purchased this bike brand new from the dealer in 99. the only consistent issues I have seen is poorly mounted exhaust that causes damage, easily fixed by application of money, leaky fork seals by kids doing wheelies on these bikes and slamming them down, leaking rocker box gaskets if the updated gaskets and XB conversion hasnt been done, and WEAK/DANGEROUS chain tensioner....and the front rotors are a poor design for the braking force applied, the 6 button floating design isnt enough to handle the force, the updated versions have 9 buttons and are a better design. I just did a wave rotor on my S1 and like it. All kinds of quipy crap that are listed in this forum on how to fix or trouble shoot but the basic bike killers are relatively simple to fix. By the way, now that I seem to be in a chatty mood, this place rocks!!! I also have a triumph Thruxton and went to a forum to sort of look around...those guys do not chat like the folks on the forum...clearly the interest and helpfulness of Buelligans is unfortunately unmatched by the new triumph forum community...Ive got a good shop I trust right around the corner and that helps keep me brave...a cold beer, the manual and the safety net of a shop around the corner and I am finding the time to do most of this myself. Its been years since I have had the time to work on bikes and though I have a garage full of tools, the skills have grown considerably rusty...so a beer, a manual, this forum, and the safety net of a bike shop around the corner.... | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Buellistic, any current photos of your S3T? I'd love to see what 111k looks like. Also, I know you mentioned around 100k that the bike still had the original top end. Is that still the case? | ||
| Mtndude |
Well all that said, this lo mi bike still looks tempting. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trks id=p3984.m1438.l2648&item=230809681335&sspagename= STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_500wt_1182 | ||
| Hogluvr |
Jolly, I have a '99 X1 I bought a couple years back that had the same issue, exploding chain tensioner. It is sitting in the back of the garage and I have been afraid to dig into it because I too am afraid the motor has been damaged. The PO started taking it apart and gave me all the damages parts and pieces, one piece looks like the corner of the trap door for the trans, which sounds like what you came up with. I am just scared because in the time it has been sitting it has been leaking oil, at first I thought it was primary fluid because the primary was damaged and is just sitting on the motor, but it has leaked A LOT and it is obviously oil, is there a way to tell if the cases have been cracked? Mtndude, sorry for the hijack! But these guys are right, these motors will go a long way and last a long time if taken care of with even basic maintenance, it is pretty obvious just from looking at a bike if it has been loved! Good luck!! |
