Please note: This bike is a part of the Northern California Superbike Collection. The anonymous owner is well-known and a long-term friend of both Iconic and Bike-urious. All proceeds will go towards a foundation he and his wife run to further research for sustainable agricultural and agroforestry systems worldwide.
After designing the updated frame for the FXR in the 1980s, Erik Buell left Harley-Davidson to forge anew under his own banner. And here’s the thing — following a series of prototypes and limited-production models, the MotorCo wanted in on the action. Harley-Davidson purchased 49% ownership of Buell come 1993. In order to make his offerings more palatable to the masses, Erik Buell launched what was known as the S1 Lightning in 1996 – it was Buell’s second model and what Cycle World called “King of the truly demented road.”
Erik wanted to build a naked bike as early as 1989, but he couldn’t pull it off himself with the limited finances he had before Harley’s investment. But after the S2 Thunderbolt was released, Buell thought it was time for their naked sportbike, which we all know as the Lightning.
It utilized a V-Twin from the Harley-Davidson Sportster but Buell wanted more power for the Lightning compared to the Thunderbolt – the result was 75.5 horsepower at the rear wheel (almost 50% more than the Sportster) and 60 lb-ft of torque from 2,500-6,500 rpm. Keeping all that in check was improved brakes (six-piston units from Performance Machine), Marchesini wheels, and improved suspension (courtesy of WP).
“Long after the ride, you’re still thinking about the Lightning. It’s by no means a perfect motorcycle. Oil blowby dripped from the airbox; the seat was a board; the suspension-while well controlled-transmitted some harshness over square-edged bumps; the rear exhaust cooked your right thigh in stop-and-go traffic; the clutch pull took more than average effort; and the brake lever was a long reach from the handgrip. You think about those annoyances, and then you think about what the Lightning was like on tight and twisty Tepusquet Road. On that narrow and bumpy old asphalt, the Lightning could run away and hide from a machine as fast and sophisticated as a CBR900RR. You think about that, and the grin you wore under your helmet that day comes back. Maybe, just maybe, Erik Buell has expanded the envelope in a way that you have to have.” For more on the S1 Lightning, check out this review on Cycle World.
Manufactured in March of 1996, this example is VIN: 4MZSS56J7T3220086, Engine #: SS56T220086.
The odometer shows 5,596 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Low
Engine Oil Quality: Failed
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Ok
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level:N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Belt drive is old
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 0617
Tire Date Code Rear: 1417
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 34
Tire Press. Rear: 34
Battery Standing Voltage: No battery
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: N/A
Running Condition: Crank No Start
Test Ride Completed: N/A
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
Decals on tank coming off
Rear belt drive is old
Service all three oils
Tires are old
Recommendations:
-Replace Rear Belt Drive
-Oil Service 3x
-Clean Aftermarket Air filters
-Tires
Modifications:
Aftermarket bar end mirrors.
Aftermarket tail tidy.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Roadsmart III tires with date codes of 0417 and 1417.
The sale includes two keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Buell is offered on a clean Montana title. Have any S1 Lightning stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
