| Author | Message | ||
     Kc_zombie |
Only one tuber on eBay... https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-Buell-Lightning/1539 32270251?hash=item23d7140aab:g:vLIAAOSwiwdeMI6f Looks like the end is nigh.. (Message edited by kc_zombie on May 20, 2020) | ||
| Captainkirk |
Yes. I noticed the same. This is largely due (IMHO) to the butchery of chopper hacks that cut them up during the custom built phase. They all wanted the Buell Thunderstorm motors. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
and the only reason that thing is still around is because nobody is ever going to pay that price for it. | ||
| Shoggin |
Haha, when I lived in Stuart Fl, I bought an orange SS from them that they were using as a shop bike. Decent place with some good custom work around when I was there, but I found so many BS 'fixes' on mine I would worry. After I fixed and cleaned everything. I still have brake dust nightmares from those orange wheels  But I'd do it again I loved having an Orange Ss.  | ||
| 89rs1200 |
He wants nearly $12,000.00?!?!?! He is nuts!! | ||
| Court |
That’s an attractive S1 with an inferior front brake and a gorgeous piece of Art tank from Holt. It’s a wonderful $5,500 bike. I’ve also put over $20,000 in an S1 but was smart enough to know I was doing it for fun. It was the very first Buell to lap Daytona (Erik borrowed my bike to do a parade lap) and I did . . . .indeed. . . . Derive TONS of fun from it. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/91225889 2552774/ I feel like theres a handful of tubers on facebook. Maybe people are just migrating away from ebay. | ||
| Kc_zombie |
Maybe people are just migrating away from ebay. Good point. | ||
| Captainkirk |
I generally avoid eBay for bike shopping, favoring Craigslist instead. I'd rather get a firm asking price than a bidding war...but to the point; I'm seeing the same trend on CL. Punch in a hundred mile radius from your locale and see how many Buells pop up...tubers especially...not many. | ||
| Falloutnl |
I’ve also put over $20,000 in an S1 but was smart enough to know I was doing it for fun. What did that look like when it was done? | ||
| Falloutnl |
double post (Message edited by falloutnl on May 22, 2020) | ||
| Falloutnl |
Also, I wonder how long it'll be before they start tearing these apart to rebuild Buells.  | ||
| Shoggin |
That's one of the 'better' versions of those abominations... | ||
| Court |
——>>>>> What did that look like when it was done Incredible. Cycle World and Battle2Win both had articles on it. I bought 2 S1 Lightnings . . . . One of them, before the starter even got pushed for the first time, got torn down to each and every piece. Every piece of the motor ..... rods, crank, pistons, heads, cylinders and hardware were done with the best available parts. Buell factory took the custom carbon fiber bodywork and a new helmet and painted it to look like a purple (Parkway Blue) water balloon had hit the bike. Barney was a Buell legend. | ||
| Captainkirk |
"Also, I wonder how long it'll be before they start tearing these apart to rebuild Buells." I do notice it's conveniently parked in front of what appears to be a dumpster... | ||
| Falloutnl |
It's sold with one of those appraisals by an 'expert.' Anyone care to take a guess at the estimate :P Incredible. Cycle World and Battle2Win both had articles on it. Cool! Can you remember which issues? I wanna see if I can hunt down a picture | ||
| Court |
Try this ..... I’ve no clue where the articles are .... but here’s some info. I still have a file with all the receipts. I went crazy. I’d done the same thing with a 1987-1/2 Sportster and a 1989 Buell RS1200 that ended up, far and away, the 2 most expensive bikes I’ve ever owned. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/305970.html | ||
| 1313 |
Here's the Battle2Win issue: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f83b4dmidya5x7c/AAAXrcA F7C59RCmH1jHT46xya?dl=0&preview=B2W+ISSUE+1-1.pdf | ||
| 1313 |
Funny what Google finds... | ||
| Court |
 | ||
| Falloutnl |
Dear god, what a gorgeous color. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I think another factor to less inventory out there is, the tubers that are still around...have found their "forever homes" and simply aren't for sale. People own them because of what they are, not just because they wanted a cheap bike. I know that's MY situation, anyway...and not just for my tubers. | ||
| Court |
Kinda the same deal with what I have left .....the old Buells, Cushman and MG .....frankly ..... I find a 1952 Cushman as much fun as a 2020 911 Turbo. I confess a bit of a fascination..... however with the C8 and GT350 Cobra. I love nostalgia ..... but, vehicles have never been more amazing. 700+HP convertibles ??? | ||
| Upthemaiden |
and don't forget all the people on this forum who have 8 of them in their garage... | ||
| Falloutnl |
Yeah, between my dad and I we have 6 of 'em, three of which are tube frames. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Three for me: two S3, one RS 1200. One S3 trike conversion owned by the spouse. Daughter has: one S2 and my first S3. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
I love the bikes, so I get it if someone grabs them as a collection. In general though, there are just so many great looking bikes out there that if I'm gonna have a few bikes, I'd want to branch out a bit. I could see owning an S1 and an S2, or maybe a tuber and a newer model. Otherwise there's KTMs and Indians and a couple 90's bikes I really need to own at some point. | ||
| Falloutnl |
In terms of 90's bikes. I do miss the YZF750 I had once. And I feel the pull of a 900ss or a 916 sometimes. The 916 is purely a looks thing. Had a 998 for a hot minute and riding that thing was mostly agony unless you could really wring it out somewhere (a rarity ofc). Which is to say that, theoretically, yes, I'm with you. I would also want more and more different bikes. But that's not what I ended up getting. Couldn't help myself :P. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Upthemaiden, I wish that I could follow your example. I would if I had the money, resources, and space to park them all. Additionally I perform all my own maintenance, which speaks to the resources, that is the need for special tools and parts, different for each make. Reasons I ride carburetored Buells: * I have spent a life time in the computer industry. The last thing I want on my motorcycle, which I must depend upon during a long ride, is a computer. Therefore I want simple and analog. When a failure occurs, I can easily diagnose and fix it without a computer. Also no fuel pump, multiple sensors, additional wires and connectors, and injectors. I once stopped to help a stranded rider on a (KLR650?) 80 miles from Tonopah, NV, 150 miles from the nearest motorcycle shop. He was stranded by a bad MAP sensor. I was unable to assist, and continued on with a dead alternator. Yes! Las Vegas to Reno, NV, 450 miles on a single battery charge. That would not have been possible with a computer controlled motorcycle. * The S3 Buell does all that I need for short and long rides: 62MPG hwy, 4.5 gal of usable fuel, maneuverable, stops well, plenty of storage, (with an added Ventura bag). * The RS 1200 is pure joy to ride. Handles much differently than the S3. Once in a corner it wants to stay there. The one Buell short enough my wife could ride. * Sticking to the Buells I have, means my inventory of spares, 450 line items, is quite manageable on one rack in my garage. * Yes, I have an S3 spare. Will never have non-riding day due to a broken motor. Parts can be swapped, or just gas and ride the spare. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
900SS is definitely on my list! along with an early 90's gsxr750/1100. 89rs1200: That makes perfect sense. I hadn't thought about maintenance/tools/parts. I definitely agree with a preference for carbs. I understand FI is easy if you are half decent with a computer, but I'm just not interested. I've had FI bikes, and if they're newer and in good shape, I don't worry about it too much, but I really don't have interest in ABS and traction control and quick shifters and every other modern miracle of technology. I'd put up with it on a Super Duke, but that's only because they don't give you a choice, and you can't buy that bike with a carb haha. | ||
| Court |
All I want is a concours CL77.  |
