| Author | Message | ||
     Oopezoo |
Hey everyone. New Buell guy here. I just picked up a '98 S1 last weekend in a trade as a 2nd bike. I have a good bit of riding experience (well over 100k miles in the past 10 years), but this is a lot different than my current ride (BMW R1200GS). I have always done all of my own wrenching on everything, but this is my first V-Twin and my first carburetor in over a decade. Not really sure what I'm getting myself into, but it looks and sounds like a hell of a lot of fun so far. The bike seems to run pretty well so far, but I can't do a good shake down run until I get some things taken care of. I already placed an order for new brake pads, a choke cable, and a new SS front brake line from Americansportsbike. Once that stuff shows up, I'll have a better idea of what I'm dealing with Great site BTW.....kinda of a bitch to find anything, but WOW a lot of great info. Sorry for the crap pics, but its all I have until I can get some decent lighting  And next to its new stable mate  | ||
| Dannybuell |
Welcome! I have a 96S1 with 105,000 miles. Excellent choice using American Sport Bike! A Mikuni carb, dyno tune, a better rear shock, frame brace, frame to engine isolators and you will be good to go.. | ||
| Malott442 |
That frame/wheel como is not very common. Loooks like the tank has been re-painted, hopefully it was sealed well.... it appears to have been at least painted by a gun. Those shinko tires aren't bad if you don't plan on pushing the bike too hard. They grip really well, but have zero fade. They just turn to butter and shuck you in the bushes. Parts missing: 1. Lower belt guard 2. Front pulley cover 3. Rear hugger (carbon huggers available from time to time on here and ebay) Your rear shock is not the most up to date version, but if it holds, you should be fine. ( I would call your closest Buell dealer and run the vin for recall information) The gauge holder is already upgrades, so that is a plus..... The frame brace I agree with danny on. Good investment. The isolators need inspected at the very least. These should be considered wear item. There are two in the rear above the pegs, and one up under the neck. The shifter and brake controls are stamped steel, and would benefit from upgrading. Welcome to the world of Buells! If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try to help you out, or steer you in the right direction. | ||
| Oopezoo |
yeah, I'm a kind of bigger heavy guy (6'2" 225 lbs). Even once around the block told me that the rear shock was going to be an issue. It has the stock CV carb, a Borla slip on exhaust, and that K&N cone on it. It sounds good, but I'm not sure the neighbors will appreciate it if I decide to ride it to work at 5:30am. No idea what the jetting in the carb is yet. I'll have to get some miles on it before I decide if I want to really start screwing with anything. I have a good local mechanic with a Dyno available if I decide to go that route. BTW.....I know this is almost like an oil question, but what do you guys like running for tires? I have a love affair with Michelin tires and have run MANY PR2's and PR3's on my previous bikes. Is that a decent choice for the S1, or should I go with something more aggressive like the Pilot Power series? At this point, it is just going to be a fun toy for nice days. I'll leave the crappy weather for the GS. | ||
| Oopezoo |
Thanks for the heads up on the parts and potential upgrades. I'll look into it. These Shinkos can kiss my ass. The rear is shot, and the front is as hard as plastic. I already scored a set of paper manuals from the classifieds, so that was step 1. I also want to get this old school front rattly rotor off the front wheel. It is rattling and binding pretty badly right now. I have a bunch of replacement bobbins from one of my BMW bikes that I might attempt to install before I trash it, but I have a feeling I'll be shopping for a new rotor soon. I have a good dealer pretty close in Lancaster HD. I'll take a run out there once I get a plate on the bike and get her legal. They used to have a good reputation with Buell crowd. I almost bought a new Ulysses from them when HD canned Buell. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Rear hugger (carbon huggers available from time to time on here and ebay) I'll likely be putting a brand new OEM stock rear hugger on e-Bay soon. You're gonna love the S1 !! | ||
| Andy350 |
Nice bike, I like Dunlop Q2's or Q3's for tires. My rotor rattled pretty bad when I got my S1 and I found some O-rings at the hardware store to take up some of the play and it's been working good. I also took the belt guards and hugger off of my bike because I think it looks better without them. If your bike hasn't had the paper gaskets replaced in the engine with the updated ones I would plan on doing that too. | ||
| Akbuell |
Welcome to the madness! I envy you your new bike. With 2 X-1s in the garage, just can't justify an S-1, as much as I lust for one. And welcome to a whole new hooligan riding experience. Were it me, I would just replace the front brake rotor with a later model tube frame one, and be done with it. Brakes are not something I would skrimp on. Get with Al at American Sport Bike; he lists 2 different rotors that fit. I replaced both of my rear shocks with aftermarket ones. Pricey, but worth the upgrade. Metzler Roadtecs for the way I ride. Decent handling and good mileage. Hope this helps, Dave | ||
| Oopezoo |
I'm not sure its skimping. My old R1100RT had the same issues with the front rotor. The solution there was to replace the bobbins with an aftermarket solution from a UK company called Motobins. I replaced the ones on my RT and put another 30-40k miles on it before I retired it at 130k miles. I have enough of the bobbins and clips left over to do the same to the Buell. It will just depend if they are the same dimensions or not. If not, I'll pick up a new or slightly used rotor and call it a day. I ran a few sets of Metzler Z6 tires in the past as well. I always liked the handling, but I have had two rears wear to the chords in the center of the tire with no notice what so ever. More of a highway issue than a twisty road issue, but I always felt that the PR2's had the same grip and a better tread wear indicator. And Yes, all input helps. Thanks. | ||
| Jolly |
WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!! Some potential weak areas to be addressed: The stock oil pump drive gear is good for "around" 30k miles then you're expecting failure, replace the gear and kerf key with a hardened gear and you're in a lot better shape! The primary chain tensioner should be checked and replaced if needed with the upgraded one... WILL fail if it's the old one and it's damn expensive when it does... Been there!!!! Ouch!!! Most primary chains are set too tight.... Ask the high mileage guys what they are running but 3/4 in the tight spot sounds right without checking my notes first.... The final drive belt is normally set way too tight!! Upgrade the front exhaust hanger to a "y" shaped hanger instead of the stamped "L" bracket... Most folks have had poor luck with heat-taped header... I really like the Borla personally, great exhaust, have one on one of my S1 bikes... Recommend upgrading to XB rocker box covers, one piece metal gaskets under the rocker boxes, stock was a two piece paper gasket.... WILL FAIL/WILL LEAK! Potential oil leaks: Stator wire plug as it exits the left case... Use black silicone Rocker box... One piece metal gaskets Push rod tube assemblies... I like the zippers billet bases with collapsible push rod tubes and stock push rods Replace rocker box covers with XB style, get rid of the oil recirculation into air box/breather intake Just a few thoughts as you join the club!!!! WELCOME!! there are some brilliant, well experienced people here who will go to great lengths to help each other out, you are going to really enjoy your time here!!! | ||
| Jefc73 |
^^^^ I can second all of that too. Great info and awesome peeps here. Been here for a year now (damn that flies fast) and always a good place to read and get to know things about your bike and the "Buell way" lol Welcome to the Buell experience. | ||
| Mbsween |
Welcome to the club I have an 01 X1 and a 04 R1150R ,then some miscellaneous KZs. The Buell likes a lot more attention than the BMW cares for. But they're both a lot of fun. Once you get over the whole Oil level/leak thing, you'll be fine  my X1 dribbles a little from the clutch cable, but that's it now days Lots of great info/great people on this board. You're going to have fun. | ||
| Oopezoo |
No go on the brake rotor buttons. The ones I have are the perfect thickness, but are the incorrect diameter. I guess it's not super high on the priority list, but it looks like I'll be keeping an eye out for one of the newer style rotors. | ||
| Kmbuell |
I've got one in the classified section now. Good 9-pin with hardware, ready to install and won't rattle! Kevin |
