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.
Please Note #2: This bike does not currently run and it is being sold as a project. As such, there is no cold start video.
Erik Buell got his start working for Harley-Davidson, but he made his name when he built the Buell Battletwin, a racebike built to extract as much speed as possible from a Harley engine. His next go-around was the Buell RS1200, a bike that was offered to the public as Buell’s first streetbike.
Only about 200 were ever produced, and the half-faired, 2-up RS1200 showed off the Harley Sportster engine prominently. The engine was not modified, and was thus good for 70 horsepower. This was capable of pushing the 462 pound bike up to a a top speed of about 120 mph.
Complimenting the V-Twin engine were Marzocchi M1R forks with ACT (Air Control Technology) anti-dive, a Works Performance shock, Supertrapp exhaust, PM calipers, Buell’s patented Uniplanar engine mounting system, and a clever seat cowl that unfolded to double as a backrest.
MSRP when new was a hefty $14,795, but this bike was a revelation when it first came out. Per Motorcycle Classics: “Back in 1989, Erik Buell and his team of 12 built four bikes a week, the majority of them the RS. His original RR racer had perhaps been more typical of the man: superbly designed and crafted, and ruthlessly single-minded in its search for the holy grail of speed. But it was with the RS1200 that Buell really hit the mark. The RS1200 was expensive, as any small-volume bike is bound to be. It had a few rough edges, and didn’t sell in great numbers. But the RS was an inspired, superbly professional attempt at building a true Harley-Davidson sports bike. It will long be remembered as the machine that laid the foundations for Buell Motorcycles’ success in subsequent years.”
Manufactured in March 1990, this example is VIN: 1B9RS11G7L2133065, Engine Number: CAPL903790.
The odometer shows 4,423 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: Yes
Engine Oil Level: Need to Run
Engine Oil Quality: Need to Run
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Conditional Pass
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: Needs Service
Headlight High Beam: Unknown
Headlight Low Beam: Unknown
Passing Light: Unknown
Parking Light: Unknown
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Unknown
Brake Light (Front Switch): Unknown
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Unknown
Plate Light: Unknown
Horn: Unknown
Kill Switch: Unknown
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 4809
Tire Date Code Rear: 9110
Tire % Remaining Front: 70%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 20%
Tire Press. Front: 22
Tire Press. Rear: 18
Battery Standing Voltage: No Battery
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: No Battery
Running Condition: Crank, No Start
Test Ride Completed: No
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
-Chain looks dry need service
-Left caliper has fluids leaking around surrounding areas
-Primary gasket appears to be leaking
-Fuel is leaking from tank need to diagnose where the leak is coming from
–Intermittent electrical issue bike turned off while checking electrical functions
Recommended Repairs:
-Rebuild Rear Master Cylinder
-Clean left caliper and rotor
-Chain service
-Diagnose crank no start
-Carburetor Clean and Rebuild
-Top off Rear brake reservoir
-Replace primary gasket
-Diagnose gas leak from fuel tank
Modifications:
Corbin seat.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop K591 Elite SP tires that have aged out.
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 California title, and is currently on Planned Non-Operation registration status.
Have any RS1200 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
