| Author | Message | ||
     Jolly |
I posted this in the S2 section but wanted to get the most visibility....so posted here as well: I've already got three tubers but I really want to add an S2T to the mix, however, these are really getting hard to find with bags. what are my options if I find a really nice S2 without bags and want to add bags? anyone know if there are aftermarket bags and racks that will fit? hepko-becker or givi or anything? or tracking down s3T bags (probably just as tough to find good s3t bags?)and a mod to mount to the s2? any help or parts availability would be greatly appreciated! thanks | ||
| Jolly |
I meant to add that I would like hard bags instead of the "slingover" soft bags and still want a passenger to be able to ride with me...did I just significantly limit my options? | ||
| Ratbuell |
No association other than it's on my (er...OUR) local CL: http://york.craigslist.org/mcy/3695715910.html Good luck  | ||
| Jolly |
Thanks for the link Ratbuell, the perfect version would be a blue or red with white frame...NOW I'm just being ridiculous...want, want, want...never happy....which kind of leads me to the question of "what if I find the perfect one but it doesn't have bags - what are the available options?..." I found a beautiful blue with white frame and wheels...no bags though.... Since I'm 3rd in line for Spideys, I'll have to check into this one, it does look like its worth investigating... | ||
| Jumbo_petite |
Jolly all the S2Ts has the gray frames the standard S2s had the white frames. but adding bags is not uncommon | ||
| Essmjay |
You can either try to track down the conversion bracket that lets you use S3 bags, or haunt online auctions and craigslist looking for a S2T bags and brackets. Modifying a regular S3 bracket is tough because they point the wrong direction. Could be done but you will need to be a skilled welder. I ended up buying a conversion bracket because I already had S3 bags to use. The bracket was around $400 something, I tried to forget quickly how much it cost. I don't believe there are any other bolt on alternatives. | ||
| Ratbuell |
JP is correct - my bike, for example, is a 95 S2 with "accessory" T bags and drop peg mounts. And a white S2 frame. S2T's were all gray frames. | ||
| Jolly |
thanks, that certainly clears up a lot for me and sure makes the search easier. it sounds like 400.00 for a bracket then hope to find bags on line that no one else seems to want....maybe another 400.00 for a complete set, which will undoubtedly be the wrong color. so now its off to the paint ship...it could be an additional grand for bags or more just due to my color preference. I shot the guy with the "grey" bike a note...I'll see where that leads. | ||
| Jolly |
Ratbuell - your bike is exactly what I am looking for, but probably couldn't afford.... | ||
| Ratbuell |
...and its not for sale...  | ||
| Screamer |
Technically there were no 1995 S2T models. However, there were some 1995 S2 demo fleet models that were fitted with S2T decal'd body pieces and bars and pegs. They were sold off the demo fleet with those S2T parts installed (we got two in a group of demo bikes we bought in late 1995). Some customers that may have purchased a demo bike of that same configuration may be correct in stating "I have a factory built 1995 S2" even though no official build records exist. | ||
| Screamer |
Forgot to include that those demo bikes also had the bags... | ||
| Jolly |
do you have the part number for the conversion bracket to mount s3t bags on an s2? are s3t bags even still available? | ||
| Essmjay |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/17/ 379442.html The pdf link in the conversation appears to no longer be valid. | ||
| Jolly |
thanks, Im finding the same thing...the full kit with all pieces are no longer available, but the bracket is still avail. close to 400 bones for it though, then find bags....found a set on ebay (OUCH!!!! DATA CALL...anyone got a set of S3T bags for sle that doesnt cost me body parts??)..I may have to try and snag them even though I dont own the bike yet but I WILL get one! perfect combo would be either Red with White frame or Blue with white frame...by the time I piece the bike and bracket and bags together, I will have spent enough to buy something newer and ..... but then it wouldnt be an S2! | ||
| Essmjay |
Eggzactly! | ||
| Jolly |
I checked the photo in your profile...man you have got that S2 loaded for bear!!!...as an s3 and an s2 owner...what's your preference? how much more anemic is an s2 motor? I love the lines, but have a small nagging concern about weak stock HD sportster motor... | ||
| Essmjay |
My S2 has Thunderstorm heads and pistons ans SE cams. It pulls hard from 2500 all the way to 7000, although I have the adjustable rev limiter set at 6400 to be easy on it. It doesn't rev up as fast as a stock S3 because of the heavier flywheel, but has close to the same horsepower and torque. The torque feels more tractor like, like you could pull stumps with it. I used to have a '99 S3 and have my wife on a '02 S3. The S2 the way it is set up is comparable to both of those S3's in their stock configs, but I did a 1250 top end on my wife's bike and it is definitely faster than me now. The main reason I switched to the S2 is that I like to do long rides and on the S2, if I break a belt I can fix it myself most anywhere. The S2 is more like a Corvette and the S3 is more like a Porsche. I like the heavier flywheel for twisty roads as I do a lot of compression braking, seldom touching the brakes. It is really easy to work on that motor since it IS a stock Sportster motor, there is all the performance aftermarket that will bolt right on. The FI on the later S3's is nice if you change altitude a lot as it adjusts for that and gives better mileage, but I prefer a carb. I used to have a '94 Sportster, I put 110000 mile on it and never had to touch the carb after the initial rejet. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'll chime in too... My S2 was stock mechanically when I bought it. It wasn't bad, but...when I had a headgasket leak I followed the old mantra - "don't just fix...UPGRADE". So I too have a thunderstormed S2, mine has X1 cams and an S1W ignition box. Still has the heavy flywheels, isn't nearly as rev-happy as my (also stock) S1W...but for a sport-tour bike, it's about perfect. I have an S1W pulley set that I've thought about using to gear it lower...but then I get on the highway and it's so tame, and calm, and relaxed...that the pulleys never come off the shelf. The S2 is more of a musclecar - and I don't want to put 1125 levels of HP in that chassis. It's a very capable setup just the way it sits, but it would be very easy to "over-power" the balance of it all. If you're looking for a capable, complete package (power, torque, handling, braking, comfort)...do some mild upgrades like the T-storm top end and/or a cam swap and enjoy. If you want a powerhouse that will loft the front end with every twist of the wrist...get a Ulysses. But then, as you said...it won't be an S2. *side note - I do have an S3T Defender that isn't in running condition...yet. Hopefully later this season I'll be able to do some comparisons, since the Defender is a '98 and a factory carbureted thunderstorm bike. | ||
| Jolly |
youre killing me...I know exactly where this is going.."cart before the horse"...try and buy the bags off ebay, then the conversion kit while its still available...THEN find the right s2 and start building it...bag conversion, paint to match, fix all the niggles, slightly breathe on the motor, tweak it to make it mine...in the end I will have twice in it than what I paid to buy the bike, could have bought a ducati s3t or something else that is ready to go and still have a 95 or 96 sportster motor....SIGN ME UP!!??? | ||
| Ratbuell |
...or just get an S2T, strip it, and PC the frame whatever color you want...guarantee that would be cheaper in the long run. Not "original", but if you document the process it should hold the bike's value because it will show you didn't change the frame color for any reason other than cosmetics. Then, while the engine's out, you'll have easy access for pulling heads, swapping cams and pistons...  | ||
| Jolly |
oh I can hardly contain my excitement.... ouch. I just spent all day on my S3t with the fiancé, we road up to Harpers Ferry, across Whites ferry on some nice back twisty roads with a few friends of ours, the group was made up of us old (in our 40s) married folks on sport touring bikes, a ducati st3 and a concourse...had a great time on the s3t, kept thinking about the s2 and what plan...just buy an s2t and "accept" the grey frame or buy an s2, convert bags from an s3t...that makes the bags about 30% of the purchase price of the bike....then read the note about PC the frame, change pistons and cams while motor is out..and all I could think about is the 07 thruxton in my garage on a stand all torn down to do a big bore kit on that, head work, cams, 11.5:1 pistons, heavy duty clutch, and then my s3t started showing me that the leak may not be the base gasket, it may actually be the rear cylinder exhaust push rod tube leaking at the base..... all in all...a great day!! still undecided on what route to go on the s2(t) though.... | ||
| Ratbuell |
Damn dude...next time you're riding in the area, come by for a visit! I live 500 yards from Fort Ritchie, MD (easy POI on a GPS), in Cascade. Awesome riding roads around here...always got burgers for the grille, too (and you *might* scam a test ride on an S2...) | ||
| Essmjay |
YES, DO THE TEST RIDE! | ||
| Jolly |
Joe, you're killing me, I accept your invitation! we get out to that area quite often its a great ride on the back roads...well I say back roads...from Waldorf Md, especially coming up the back way and crossing whites ferry into Leesburg, then finish the ride out to Harpers Ferry. its a great "lunch ride" that if I am riding with a group of couples takes all damn day...but still a great ride! I will offer the same, if you ever find yourself in the Waldorf Md area looking for a nice route to Annapolis for lunch or ride around the port tobacco area, weve got some very nice local roads here as well and burgers or something on the big green egg! Ill trade you some time on an S2 for some time on....a Goose? V11 sport, or 1100 sport or..... your choice! I would caution you though, if you don't own a guzzi a test ride on a v11 sport or an 1100 sport will push right off the cliff! | ||
| Jolly |
Ratbuell, PM sent - | ||
| Reducati |
jolly pm sent. dan | ||
| Jolly |
don, PM received, thanks for the note. are there still racks available for s2 bags? I was heading down the road of s3t bags because I know the conversion rack was still available. are racks for s2t bags on an s2 still available? I just lost out on a set of s3 bags on ebay...grrrr.. | ||
| Reducati |
i dont know, but if you win the bid, ill take care of you as best i can. dan | ||
| Jolly |
thanks,, Im actually going next weekend to look at a pearl white s2, its about 150 miles away so its "close enough" to go check out. seems to be in good condition and the guy I talked was a nice older gentlemen..oldr than me anyway..and a really nice guy, just too old to ride hunched over...so it could be a nice bike to view...oddly enough its pearl white! so the bags wouldn't have to be re painted. side note for the duc fan, I took a short hop on my moto guzzi v11 sport with my buddy on his 999r, traded bikes for half the ride...man what a switchblade! that thing is a killer ride! | ||
| Ratbuell |
David - got your PMs, been out in the garage all night. S2T will have (different than S2): 1" drop peg mounts bags lower fairings taller bars. The drop peg mounts are rare as hens teeth. you think *bags* are pricey?? lol... Tall bars...same. A PO on my bike added bags, lowers, and drop pegs...but not bars. I had the pleasure last season of restoring a friend's one-owner S2T (less than 10k miles), and I gotta tell you...the tall bars are NICE. I'm 6'4", 36" arms, 34" inseam, and while I'm not UNcomfortable on my S2....the T bars were schweet. In my mind...if you have access to a T and all you have to do is a color change...that's the way I'd go. You're gonna pay the same amount for a color change as you are for adding bags, peg drops, and tall bars...and until you take it apart to do the color change, you can STILL RIDE IT. With bags. And drop pegs. And tall bars. | ||
| Jolly |
the fiance and I were discussing the potential purchase of bike number 11, and she wanted to know why.....and why another Buell...and why another sport touring Buell, I gave her the 25 years of Buell book to read and commented that if I needed to I could sell her Triumph to help keep the bike numbers down, followed with dont you just love your wedding ring? well I just love my...oh you havnt bought me anything to show off that I am getting married yet, and the bike you are about to buy me is cheaper than the ring...( thing she will fall for it?) we may have an understanding!! she wnats to keep "her" triumph and her ring....I guess its all perspective... I am going to try and get out this saturday for a road trip, go look at both S2 versions that are sort of in the local area....its funny though, if its shopping or a place for dinner I dont consider anything longer than 30 minutes to be local area, but to go look at two different Buell s2 bikes, 175 miles is considered local area right? both bikes owned by really good people, one is a true s2t with bags both wide and narrow, quick silver color, the s21 is pearl white with a white frame and a little bubbling or blistering in the paint...common even on s2 versions with a fuel cell? was it something in the cure time for the fiberglass before being painted? Joe, good advice, I look forward to seeing both bikes this weekend.... bike 11 begs for an even dozen though...right? I mean I dont own a ducati...and I have enough skins and body parts to rebuild a rough S1 into a beautiful bike...and it would be nice to reclaim some shelf space in the garage and get tanks and skins onto a rolling storage unit... so thats a bakers dozen?? maybe she is right, where does it end? better give my sponsor a call and see if he can talk me down... |
