| Author | Message | ||
     Duckbuell |
Howdy, I am a bit nervous and excited, because tommorow I will be purchasing a pristine 2001 S3 with 2500 miles! I made the deal over the web, and the owner is delivering the bike via trailer. I have wanted a Buell for a year, and did the demo-rides of a Ulysess, CityX and XB12R. My twin brother owns a 2001 X1 and wich I have ridden too. Why am I going for a Tuber, rather than the XB12R? Even though I may always wonder what I am missing by not owning an XB12R, the S3 appeals to my love of unusual, quirky, and beautiful motorcycles. In the 1980's I owned a coulple Moto Morinis, a Guzzi Lemans and a Royal Enfield so you can probably understand what influenced my decision. I love the idea that it is the result of one mans obsession and dream, and I intend to spend many wonderful miles on it with my wife (when she is not on her 620 Monster). I am really impressed with how much information is available on Badweb, and look foward to sharing my ownership of the S3 with all of you. I wonder what kinds of spare parts I should start to aquire (sensors, isolators, requlators, levers, ect.) Because I tend to own my bikes for a many years! Does the bike look all correct and proper for 2001, and is the low mileage too good to be true? Cheers, Patrice  | ||
| Dave |
Yes... that's a beautiful S3 and even has the stock muffler and PM wheels. '01 and '02 were good years for the S3. Updated shifter, front rotor, engine temp sensor location, and more I'm not even remembering I am sure. That color combo should be one of just a few. Nice! DAve | ||
| Duckbuell |
Thank you Dave, It being a 2001 also influenced my decision to purchase, because of the various factory improvements. I expect to make the purchase tomorrow afternoon and will keep y'all posted. Cheers, Patrice | ||
| Naustin |
Looks a lot like mine... Except cleaner! Nice! Nick | ||
| Joesbuell |
Very nice Buell Patrice there a great bike | ||
| Duckbuell |
HI Nick, That is a very handsome S3! I hope you can get to the cause of the bucking and lurching at low RPMs. Can I ask you if the bike has met your expectations and what lead to you purchasing it? What do you like most about the S3? Did you also consider a new XB, like it did? Cheers, Patrice | ||
| Hotrats |
Duckbuell, you'll enjoy the S3. That color combo looks good! I had a xb9r, still have '02 S3T & '99 X1. My S3 had about 4k on it when I purchased it summer last year. Like you, the tubers appeal to me more - nothing wrong with the XB's. I've only put about 5k on the S3, most of that going to homecoming & the race at Elkhart - 2800 miles, no problems. I've had a problem with the front brake rotor/caliper, but thats all. Let us know how it goes hth andyh | ||
| Hapi2bhere |
Hi Patrice, I purchased a 2001 X1 2 years ago and it has officially become my favorite bike. I've owned quite a few bikes over the years so that statement means a lot. Here's a picture of mine while at the Tail of the Dragon in NC.  | ||
| Iamike |
Duck, I wish my '99 still had nice blue paint like that. I hope to get it repainted this winter. Mine was pretty bad at low RPMs and I had 3 different dealers tell me that "They all do that." Then after 3 years and 30,000mi. I was replacing the intake seals for routine maintenance I notice the boot was missing off the throttle body that is for the California model's evap cannister. It was letting raw air in. After I installed a boot it ran quite a bit better. Another thing that I have noticed is that If I let it warm up for a couple of minutes before I take off it seems to run smoother right away too. | ||
| Duckbuell |
HI Dave, Naustin, Jodie, Andy, Alex, and Mike! The bike is home! WOW it is incredible! Only 2100 miles, and it even has the funky stikers about not overfilling the gas tank and how object in the mirrors are closer! I can't remmember the last time I had such a huge grin! I was dancing a jig after riding it! The bike just involves you in so many ways while riding it. Total sensory overload! Love It, and even more I Love My wife Sarah being so supportive and accepting of my motorcycle....umm hobby! I only got one key with it, and it is pretty worn out - seems odd, but there was large fob on it? Slight flat spot at about 3000 rpm, but no biggie. Tires are too old to be trustworthy, so I will get Pirellis that have the dual compound (harder in the center tread). I am gonna polish it, change all oils, check various nuts and bolts.. When do you consider the motor broken in enough to run %100 synthetic oil? Can't wait to show up at our local Buell club meeting! Cheers, Patrice.    | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
Because of the odd color frame means it was one of the last for that year. Pirellis that have the dual compound (harder in the center tread). Which tire are getting . I guess I should get the same ones you are I like the center to be harder. thanks and NICE BIKE! | ||
| Iamike |
Your bike looks like it has the taller handlebars than the standard S3. I have seen some that way. Many oil experts say that you can even break an engine in with synthetic. I started using it at 2k mi. The stock muffler causes a flat spot in midrange. The aftermarkets sound, look and make the DDFI Buells run better. If you change the muffler make sure that it also gets the race ECM. The ECM helped an occaisional miss at highway speeds on mine too. Talk to Al at American Sport Bike for suggestions. I have owned a couple and ridden several types of bikes since I bought my S3 in '99. It has an allure that no other bike seems to incite in me. | ||
| Dave |
Nice! Mmmi_grad: I'm curious ... Please support your statement "Because of the odd color frame means it was one of the last for that year" DAve | ||
| Crashm1 |
Patrice, Mike has it right get rid of that stock muffler, get the race ECM and air filter and ride that thing. I've put 18,000 miles on my X1 and still grin everytime I ride it. I like the Supertrapp mufflers although this new D&D is growing on me just because it sounds so evil. | ||
| Court |
The frame color has nothing to do with when it was built. I like that color combination. | ||
| Duckbuell |
HI Scott and Court, My Twin Brother has 15,000 on his X1 and is crazy about it! I plan on ditching the pipe, but have to get new tires first. I have to fold in the mirrors all the way in to get the bike through my studio door. Its kind of a pain to do that, one mirror does not ratchet back as easy as the other. Will this eventually wear out the mirror mounts? Has anyone replaced the fairing mounted mirrors, with standard handlebar mirrors? How long does the drive belt last on the S3? Cheers!  | ||
| Dave |
On my '99 S3, I have 45k on my original belt. (knock on wood) Keep it on the loose side otherwise parts like isolators and bearings may fail. I think you'll not have to worry about a belt replacement unless you travel allot of gravel. Those S3 mirrors seem to be durable, though I don't fold mine back often. They have withstood a couple tip overs. Mirrors from an X1, M2, etc should all fit. Aesthetically tho ... You can spend days researching tires and everyone has an opinion. You mentioned dual compound Pirelli's and I'd have to agree with that choice and your priorities. I kept the stock muffler for 6 months after I installed the Race ECM. Keep an eye open and I'm sure you can score a complete tuber race kit at a good price. Love that color combo! DAve | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
There is a allen head bolt on the mirrors that you can adjust to the right tension for folding. Not to loose though- otherwise they fold back on the highway! I fold mine back at the strip- it's good for about 1/2 mph! | ||
| Naustin |
Duck - I love my S3T other than the gremlins in the DDFI system. I fault my dealer more than the bike for its poor state of tune. My wife and I did 290mi yesterday 2-up with 3 dozen apples and 2 pints of home-made carmel in the saddlebags on the way home. The bike was perfect. It only does that occasional miss when I ask for full throttle going through around 4K rpm. And the low end surging I'm just getting used to riding around for now. A new bike wasn't in my budget, or I would have bought a Uly. The S3T fell into my lap. I had a blast and went to the dealer for a quart of oil and there it was, hidden away in a corner of their storage building... It had cobwebs on it. A week later I traded in my blast and brought the S3 home. | ||
| Bookyoh |
Duckbuell: Love your bike, of course I am partial because my '01 S3T is the same color scheme except I have the orange wheels. I got mine in December 2005. My bike came with one key too. It is very simple to get a replacement, just take your key to a Buell dealer. They will pull off the plastic cover and there will be a key number. I think it cost me about $10 for 2 keys. I have decided to stick with the stock muffler, ECM, and intake. Only exceptions are I opened up my stock muffler and replaced the paper filter with a K&N. I tried a Wileyco muffler and found it too lound for long distances, even with my ear plugs. I still have the Wileyco and now run it on my M2. I am kicking myself on the ECM though. I was at Toledo HD/Buell back in February and they had one on the 75% off table which I DID NOT BUY. Bought a bunch of other stuff at the time but not the ECM. Don't know what I was thinking because at 75% off I could have resold it on e-bay if I decided I didn't like it. Enjoy your new bike and ride safe. Mark | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
there is nothing not to like about the race ecm- it makes the bike run the way it should have with the stock ecm..... | ||
| Sleez |
great looking bike, i love my 97 and will love it even more when i get it finished! | ||
| Bookyoh |
Scott: Now I remember why I didn't buy that ECM back in February. That was about the time we had all those threads going around about the oil pump gear failures. I have no evidence of this, only an opinion, but my feeling is that high RPM probably contributes to premature wear of this gear. The race ECM let's it rev up to what, 6800 RPM and I know I would find myself bumping into that often. Anyway, that was my thinking back in February. If I were to find another new Race ECM on a 75% off table I would buy it and use a little more self control to keep the revs down. Mark | ||
| Dave |
Damn thread hijacking  For my riding style, the most significant gain from installing the tuber race ECM is it makes the DDFI perform soooooo much better. DAve | ||
| Naustin |
Wonder why it didn't work for mine? I have the Race ECM and still have problems.  | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
What Dave said- "race" is a misnomer. I believe that it is not epa approved because it doesn't pass a certain emissions test at a certain rpm like the factory one does. I suspect that a real test of emissions conducted over the entire rev range would show that the "race" ecm puts out fewer emissions. Don't well tuned motors usually pollute less? The "race" ecm does that- it tunes your motor the way it should be. The redline is the same and the rev limiter is intact- the bike is just a smoother runner! Ok, back to the regularly scheduled "I love my new bike don't you love it too" thread (yes I love it too) | ||
| Crashm1 |
I just put a set of SE536 cams in mine and looked at the oil pump gear, it was fine and I bounce off the rev limiter pretty regular and rarely shift at less than 6500 rpm. As far as the race ECU it does make a pretty big difference as does the race header. | ||
| Duckbuell |
Hi Mark, thanks for the advice on the ECM. So, if I keep the stock muffler, I can still install the race ECM and get rid of the flat spot in the mid-range rpms? Does anyone have a copy of the 2001 S3 owners manual, and factory service manual that I can purchase? Cheers, and thanks! | ||
| Bookyoh |
Hi Patrice: If you don't have any luck finding the manuals from someone here, the service manual and parts manual are frequently listed on e-bay. Owners manual seems to be a harder e-bay find. I looked for a couple of couple of months and then stopped. My 2000 M2/X1/S3 owners manual is close enough. If you are looking for some carrying space and want Buell stuff, American Sportbike still has large tail bags. I bought one a few months ago and use it on my M2 and S3T. Mark | ||
| Xb9er |
Duckbuell, WOW that thing looks pristein. congratulations on your 1st buell. You'll love it. That bike has to be on of the most beautiful s3's I've seen. Chris | ||
| Duckbuell |
Thanks Mark and Chris, I can't stop looking at my S3! I put a voltmeter on the battery terminals and it went from 12.5 volts to 14v. So I figure the charging system is working! I was worried that a bad charging system might have been the reason for the low miles. Say, all the plastic bodywork, likes to shake-rattle and roll! There are some places where it has rubbed the paint off the frame. Do you guys ever pad the contact areas with anything? Cheers, Patrice | ||
| Iamike |
I use some 1/16" rubber to pad mine in those places. One of the noisiest on mine is at the bottom of the tailight lens and the plastic bodywork. I glued a small piece of rubber in there too. How are your lowers attached on the right side? If they aren't cushioned in some way they are bound to break at the lower bracket. I took a rubber bushing and placed it between the plastic and the metal bracket to absorb the vibration. | ||
| Iamike |
Oops, sorry, I got you confused with Naustin who has the S3T. | ||
| Bookyoh |
Hi Patrice: Yes, watch out for those rub points. You might play a little with the idle speed to see if you get a little more or less shake. On my bikes, they seem to shake a little less below 1000 RPM. Like Iamike said on the bits of rubber at rub points, very helpful. You will want to check the hoses and wires that are touching any part of the engine. I first try to keep them permanently moved away by using wire ties or, sometimes, cutting the factory wire tie and relocating it. I have missed a few over the years and had a speed sensor wire rub through on my M2. I have seen some rub/wear marks on oil lines; specifically where they feed behind the transmission and the top line as it just comes out of the oil tank. I also put some rubber on top of the front gas tank mount where the paint wears off. Also, as you perform any future service, you will want to use locktite on the fasteners where specified. Mark | ||
| Blks1l |
Patrice, Glad to see you got an S3. I had met you a while back at Opals, I've got a green S3. You going to be out at Opals tonight? | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
Bike looks great Patrice!  I'll be at Opal's tonight too. Hope to see you and your new "baby" there! HellBuelly J | ||
| Duckbuell |
Hi Dudes! I am real eager to show off the bike! But, uggghh... I have to work late tonight. Plus I want to get the title transfered first too. I'll see if I can get to Opals next week. Are we doing a fall "Thrills in the Hills"? |
