| Author | Message | ||
     Jespo_m2 |
Hi, Does anyone know how many 98 White Lightnings were made with Nuke Blue frames and pearl white body work? I just bought one and would like to know how many exist. Thanks in advance. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Below are some quotes I found on sporttwin.com, another Buellish forum (our very own Court was the source for the wordier second quote, dated way back in '02): ...98 S1WL 1,258 Ice White Pearl 378 Carbon Black 295 Orange 138 Billet Metallic I have never heard of a Liberace or Elway. There were 1129 White frame/white body S1 White Lightnings produced. There were 234 Blue frame / Orange body S1 White Lightnings produced. I have ignored (it's a bitch to count) Californina models. The program was called "Rainbow Paint". There were four colors (White, Black, Blue and Titanium for frames and White, Black, Titanium and Orange) for body work. Ergo, there were 16 combinations. I have all the original "ad slicks" (we shot pictures of all the various combinations) depicting each. Some colors, in my PERSONAL opinion, worked better than others. I have ignored deducting test mules, bikes for DM's, BZM, photo bikes and voided VIN's. In other words, there will be some number slightly less than the one I provided that actually live in the real world. There was never a "maroon" iteration of the S1WL. There was a RED S1. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Jeremy, i've got a pristine large-format full-color 1998 Buell brochure which includes, of course, the White Lightning, that'll be going on the Matt Ware auction later tonight, in case you're interested. FB | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
Thanks for the replies... Hmmm... it sounds like the my bike was a special ordered. I havent seen any pearl white with nuke blue frame. I was able to find this: Buell Motorcycle Offers New Colors For 1998 White Lightning Buell Motorcycle Company, is offering new color options for its special edition White Lightning. The White Lightning name will not change, but is now available in four body colors and four wheel/frame colors. February 10, 1998 MILWAUKEE - That blizzard on wheels known as the Buell S1 White Lightning will be coming down the road in a rainbow of colors in 1998. Buell Motorcycle Company, which designs and manufactures American sportbikes, is offering new color options for its special edition White Lightning. The White Lightning will keep its name, but will now be available in four body colors and four wheel/frame colors that can be mixed and matched for a total of 16 color combinations. Customers can order the White Lightning with a black, titanium, white or nuclear blue frame and wheels, and the bodywork in any combination of ice white pearl, carbon black, billet metallic and molten orange. Polished metal wheels are also available. "This is new for the sportbike industry. Offering Buell SI White Lightning motorcycles in a wide range of color options allows each owner the ability to give a special personality to his or her bike. It adds a whole new dimension to what already is a very exciting motorcycle," said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer of Buell Motorcycle Company. The White Lighting won instant kudos when it was introduced for the 1998 model year with its 101 horsepower, 90 foot pounds of torque and wildly aggressive styling. The first of these special models came only with distinctive ice white pearl bodywork, white frame and wheels. Other features of the S1 White Lightning include a 5.5 gallon contour gas tank and a Pro Series solo seat. The White Lighting retails for $10,599. The Nuclear Blue frame is available for an additional $200. | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
Jerry... do you have any picts of the poster? | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Jerry... do you have any picts of the poster? yeah, sure do, didn't get 'em posted last night, sorry about that, will get 'em up tonight. it's a sales brochure, not a poster, large-format, excellent full-color photography, pristine, last one i have in my collection. i'll get you some pix tonight, sorry for the delay. FB | ||
| Ryker77 |
The 98 S1w were some of the best looking bikes ever. Had an All white S1w for three days.. Damn old lady. | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
Thanks Jerry... I'm very interested... I was going to sell this one but I think it's a keeper... Only has 7k miles, excellent condition... and runs VERY strong... Pictures coming real soon. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Thanks Jerry... I'm very interested... roger that, Jeremy, thx. i'll be sure to get pix up on the auction tonight, and post a link here, as well. on behalf of Matt Ware and his family, thx for your interest.  FB | ||
| Court |
Jerry: See if THIS is what you are looking for. I **think** (it would take some digging) that I still have a box of these posters somewhere. There are 4 each (each poster has one of the four frame colors showing it with each of the four body work colors) in a snappy special envelope. It seemed like a good idea at the time but never really took flight so you won't be finding a lot of these floating around. I sent a bunch out to folks last year and **MAY** (subject to afroementioned digging) be able to dig one up now that finals (Hooooray) are over. Court | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
here's the poster that Court linked to above:  nice. | ||
| Sleez |
i want one!!!!!!! | ||
| Court |
Actually it's a set of 4 and they are AWESOME. I used to have . . . and you guys are getting me curious . . some left over White Lightning camp shirts (short sleeves, collar and pockets) and some of the canvas White Lightning tote bags. Now ya have me curious as hell as to what I can find. I actually, not long ago, wandered upon all my e-mails to and fro as the "Rainbow Color" program was designed and deployed. . . | ||
| Sleez |
ok...i want a SET!!!! and a tote!!!! put 'em on the auction and i'll fight for 'em!!! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
put 'em on the auction and i'll fight for 'em!!! what the SLeeZ said! | ||
| Court |
Jerry: Having some problem finding it. . . want me to keep looking? 9 more shipping cases to dig through . . .  P.S. - I did find something from a secret trip that was . . . dare I say . . PRICELESS! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Jerry: Having some problem finding it. . . want me to keep looking? whatcha think, guys: do we want Court to keep digging thru his vault of Buell unobtanium for us??? Court, just in case the general consensus is "YES!!!!!"... ...keep on looking. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
oh, almost forgot: P.S. - I did find something from a secret trip that was . . . dare I say . . PRICELESS! consider yourself reminded. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Jeremy, here are a few pix of the brochure:    FB | ||
| Ratbuell |
Aaahhhhh....INCREDIBLE!! If you end up with anything having to do with the 98 S1W, or a 95 S2...I'd love to have one | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
Very Cool!!! I can see my bike!!! Upper left on the Nuke Blue section... I would love to get one of these brochures. | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
Who turned out the lights? badweb was down yesterday. Court... I love looking at all the old photos... you should put together a website with all the pics... put some google ads on it and make some money for your work... and ole Buell fans can stroll down memory lane. I think I want an S2 now... and might get 1995 a S2 Signature Series Edition. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Jespo - I just got a 95 S2, red/white sig series (1365/1399). Quite possibly the best bike I've ever owned - it doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well, but it does everything very well. My FLHP is a big fat comfy pig; my S1W is ...well, it's just a blunt instrument, very effective but not all that refined. The S2 is quick enough, handles incredibly well, is comfortable (and I'm 6'4"), and has saddlebags. Perfect. I just wish it was all white like my S1W...but the red is growing on me  | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
I finally took some pictures of my White Lighning. http://blues.jpj.net/~jespo/1998_buell_s1w/page_01 .htm | ||
| Rocketman |
That is a Lightning Strike, designated S1W. A White Lightning is pearlescent white everywhere, and as such is designated an S1WL. I believe there are factory transfers on the seat unit of all White Lightnings that actually says 'S1 White Lightning', where as the S1W has 'S1 Lightning' only as in this pic............  Rocket | ||
| Court |
The "Strike" was not sold in the United States. Ice White Pearl was laced with Mike's secret formula of rose, blue and gold flaking. To insure it all reflected the same color, when viewed in the sun, special jogs were made to support parts, just as they would appear on the bike, for painting. | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
I put about 70 miles on my White Lightning... This thing should have been declared as a 'weapon of mass destruction'. This bike can be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. Accidental wheelies in second gear???? I've owned over 10 Buell's and none of them made as much power as this Buell. It doesn't appear that any engine work was done to this bike... but who knows. It reminds me of the statement in the first Spider man movie... With great power comes great responsibility. Thanks for the S2 info. I'm waiting for a call from a person selling a blue and white S2 signature series. I hope he calls me back. There is a nice white one on ebay for $3500 no reserve but will cost me over $800 to have it shipped to MA. We'll see what happens... | ||
| Rocketman |
Thank you Court. I realised my 'Strike' error after I'd left for work. But am I right in saying all White Lightnings had that different sticker on the seat unit? Rocket | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
hey Jeremey and SLeeZ, check THIS out!  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=885962#POST885962 | ||
| Ratbuell |
My S1W (white frame, white wheels, white bodywork) has "WHITE <block> Lightning <lowercase>" decals on the flyscreen and tail. The real giveaway is the actual "white" lightnings were the first thunderstorm motors (101hp / 90 lb-ft, silver cases and cylinders with black heads), and the first Manta tanks. The S1 had the standard motor and the smaller (frame-width) tank. Also on the memorabilia trip, in a recent office cleaning (for new wood floors), I found an old beer coaster. White fiber, top/front shot of a P3 Blast with "turn me over"...backside is "take this coaster for a ride / get on. get off." <c> 2000 Buell Distribution Corp. I'll have to scan it in so I can post it. I love the slogan. I'm sure it'd never pass muster with the PC crowd these days  | ||
| Rocketman |
The real giveaway is the actual "white" lightnings were the first thunderstorm motors (101hp / 90 lb-ft, silver cases and cylinders with black heads), and the first Manta tanks. Yes indeed. Ta for the clarification, re the graphics. Rocket | ||
| Court |
From the BLAST intro . .  | ||
| Garrett1998s1 |
Question I have a 98 S1white lightning when I bought it it was pearl white but the frame is purple not nuclear blue. Is this possible?  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Nuclear Blue *is* purple(ish). Judging from the pic, yours has a nuke blue frame and wheels | ||
| Court |
correct | ||
| Garrett1998s1 |
only prob is the pic looks blue you look at it here its purple wish it looked that blue |
