| Author | Message | ||
     Brother_in_buells |
Not mine ,but the reason it has to go is because it can't defend anymore against all the rubbish. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buell-Thunderbolt-1998-bue ll-s3t-defender-/191050384891?forcerrptr=true&hash =item2c7b7d85fb&item=191050384891&pt=US_motorcycle s Damn ,why is it so hard for people to clean up their mess!? | ||
| Buelljunkie |
Holy crap! He couldn't find an empty field or a parking lot somewhere to snap a few shots? My guess is all that rubbish goes unnoticed on a daily basis. But someone definitely needs to save that bike. | ||
| Lynrd |
Those pictures look an awful lot like (bad) scans of old chemical type photographs...I agree, though - this one needs to be saved!, but at the same time - I would plan on bringing a truck, because I bet there is a lot more going on than the rear brake....I'd also want RECENT pictures. | ||
| Buelljunkie |
I would plan on bringing a truck, because I bet there is a lot more going on than the rear brake Almost goes without saying. Safe to say it's not someone who takes care of their stuff... | ||
| 1313 |
Wintertime in North Dakota, I'd expect whiteout conditions... Seller informs me those are not recent pictures and promises to take some new ones and send to me in the next days. FYI, 1313 | ||
| Ratbuell |
Hmmm...his has more OEM decals on the bags than mine does...wish I had some new decals...   | ||
| Buelljunkie |
Brankin - I hope it works out for you. Let me know how it goes.. +1 on the decals, Rat!  | ||
| Loose1 |
Anybody know how many defender were made and how many are left? If this bike was a little closer or cheaper I pick it up. It's 6 hours away. I'm looking for a s3t but preferable a F.I. bike. Matt | ||
| Ratbuell |
Brankin would know...but I want to say 12 built, and with this one popping up I now know of four in existence. Mine, another badwebber's whose name escapes me, this one, and one on display in a dealer (Hal's?). Not sure if you've ridden a DDFI-I bike Matt, but for the money...I'd go carb all the way. That first generation DDFI just had too many hiccups for my riding tastes. My carb'd thunderstorm tubers are rock-solid and hiccup-free in all weather. But to each his own, I suppose  (and I am partial, since I do own a Defender) | ||
| 4speeder |
Did someone from here post this? http://bike-urious.com/excuse-photos-1998-buell-s3 t-defender/ | ||
| 1313 |
Rat, Just you and Buelljunkie (sorry if I outed you/your S3T...) that I'm aware of. The one I sent you pics of at a Columbus area dealer is an M2 Peace Keeper (complete with red and blue lights). Seriously I don't know how many were built - when we were building them, they were just interesting bikes and I never thought to inquire how many were made. But my gut is telling me something like 12 is a realistic number. I got some more pics of the Defender in question and it's a painful decision. EVERY body part either needs to be replaced or - at the least - repainted. Fairing lowers are MIA, both lids SCRATCHED, tank paint is bubbling (but has the 3D decals) and scratched, front fairing is cracked on one side and scratched on the other. Perhaps the front fender is OK. The cam cover is either stained or has oxidation. Seriously, about the only thing it's got going for it is that it IS a Defender. For some, that might be enough. But I'm thinking if the $2,500 opening bid would get it to my door, I'd be all in. I've never shipped a bike personally, but I'm pretty sure that don't happen for free... (If anyone has any experience/recommendations, please PM me.) It would definitely need a full restoration and would likely sit and gather dust in my garage for some time. Even though I've always wanted a 'project bike', I'm not sure if this is the right time for another bike that will just take up space for a while. 4speeder, On a whim I Googled the VIN this afternoon as was quite surprised at the handful of other websites that had cross-listed the eBay ad. Not sure who, but maybe it's a 'thing' that those websites do. At least it's not listed on another site looking for a quick, cash sale. Definitely some head scratching/soul searching to do on this one... 1313 | ||
| Court |
Brankin: Let me know if you buy it. I can help. I'l give you a call. Figure $500 to ship. Court | ||
| Ratbuell |
Sounds about like my Defender, Brankin...needs a wholesale restoration. My situation, though (as you know), was finding it locally, driving an hour to the guys house, checking it over, riding it (!) up a ramp into my truck and handing him the cash. Will it be a while before its done? Yep. But one of 12(ish)...DEFINITELY worth it to me. It'll get there. It'll get done correctly. And its in good hands - nobody's going to chop it or strip it. It will be brought back. Eventually | ||
| General_ulysses |
Depending on what you want to do with the bike, considering its apparent rarety, restoring it may not be the best way to go. Old, collectible motorcycles and cars are usually worth far more in their original, unmolested condition than they are after they've been restored. Although it does depend on the meaning of “restoration.” Swapping out broken or worn parts with OEM NOS parts is almost always ok and preserves or enhances value. But if “restoring” involves taking everything apart, stripping paint, repainting/refinishing everything, replacing original decals, reupholstering original seats, using reproduction or non-correct aftermarket/OEM parts? Then you’re spending a lot of time and money on something that will actually reduce resale value later. Collectors almost always prefer their collectibles with the original parts, patina and wear intact. The wear and scars on the bike or car are a part of its story. Stripping it all off and replacing parts with new looking stuff sterilizes the collectible and reduces its desirability and value. Of course when a collectible isn’t very old (like this Defender), this rule is less true. Someone at this point might pay more for a restored defender than an original in less than optimum shape (like this one). But the more time that goes by, the less true that’ll be. | ||
| Loose1 |
Somebody buy it, because I might have to. I'm 6 hrs away and I need another Buell like a hole in the head. I wont bid on it if some one here is serious about buying it. If it doesn't sell I might make a cash offer on it. If it's in poor shape as Brankin describes I wont feel too bad about riding it until I find time to restore it to its former glory. Matt | ||
| Lynrd |
I have to go with the General on this...If it were mine (and it won't be) I sure wouldn't repaint the stock stuff no matter the condition. I'd just call it "Patina " , perfectly expected from a service vehicle like this. WHEN Buells someday turn the corner out of the basement of the market they currently languish in, that Defender will be all the more valuable and desirable if mechanically perfect but cosmetically accurate. I'd just make sure the recalls are done and the common fixes made, find a stock exhaust, tune it up, and just ride and maintain it. It would have to lead a spartan, farkleless life. | ||
| 1313 |
Alright, I've convinced myself. It's most definitely worth saving - there was no need in convincing me of this. What I've convinced myself is that it's either my last chance to own a Defender or my duty to save this particular example, maybe both. I'll be using my proven technique for the auction, so you'll likely not see any bids until you just about think it's over. I'm looking forward to Court's guidance and, if all goes well, by the end of the day tomorrow I just may be the proud new owner of this Defender. Let's see how it goes, 1313 | ||
| Joel |
Make us proud 1313. | ||
| Beardo |
Joel, good to see you. How's that shock? | ||
| Joel |
Well its still holding the S1 up as far as I know, how is my S2? | ||
| Beardo |
I don't know how your S2 is, but mine is coming along just fine. Though it could use a shock... | ||
| Buelljunkie |
Brankin - I apologize for being absent the last day or so. Just been crazy busy at work with outages, etc. Call me tomorrow and we'll talk. Anytime's fine...I'm on duty and will be up early. Whenever I have to make a decision about something and I find myself riding the fence, I usually remind myself of something I've learned over the years...that we often regret the things we DON'T do more than the things we DO. I seem to remember and think about the things I wish I had done but didn't more than the things I have done (but shouldn't have). | ||
| 1313 |
I won't be celebrating until it's safely in my garage, but I did win the auction. Thankfully for me (last minute competition), I didn't lowball it... 1313 | ||
| Court |
Brankin: This is good. I have most the decals we'll need, a new in the box front fairing as well as a collection of S2 stuff. This is SO cool . . . you and that bike were MEANT for each other. The friction' bike got lucky. Let's make it a show piece. Congratulations. Court | ||
| Two_seasons |
Congrats Brankin. | ||
| Bads1 |
Brankin, If Court gives you the decals. It may be wise to bring them to a Vinyl shop. They will be able to scan them and make duplicates. That way if for some reason a mistake is made applying them you have back ups. Just a thought!! | ||
| Two_seasons |
http://bike-urious.com/excuse-photos-1998-buell-s3 t-defender/ | ||
| Buelljunkie |
Hey congratulations, Brankin! And kudos to Court once again for being there when needed. Exciting stuff for sure. Brankin, if there's any hint of buyer's remorse...don't worry it will fade away, your bike is here to stay! I think you made the right choice. Court - if ever you need help I hope you'll ask US! Cheers! | ||
| Dutch_x1 |
congrats brankin this buell coudn`t have got a better new owner | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yes please, scan and duplicate the decals...we've had this chat already, just don't get all giddy and forget about it when the time comes |
