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.
In the mid 1990s, Erik Buell was finally starting to get mainstream support for his vision of an American built sport bike. After years of producing small batch, hand assembled machines, Harley Davidson purchased 49% of Buell and helped bring the company’s first large scale production model to market: the S2 Thunderbolt in 1995. Two years later, Buell introduced the evolutionary S3 Thunderbolt.
Buell offered the Thunderbolt as both the S3 and the S3T – the latter got several upgrades to become the American firm’s first sport-tourer. Features included taller handlebars, fairing lowers, taller smoked bubble windshield, “comfort” seat, soft storage inside of the fairing, and saddlebags.
The model was introduced in 1997, but a year later Buell made several upgrades – the 101 hp Thunderstorm engine (up 10 hp from 1997), Nissin brakes front and rear, deep saddle bag lids as standard, a redesigned fairing with new windshield, and the addition of a clock and ignition switch to the dash.
This example is VIN: 4MZRS11J6W3000151, Engine #: RS11W000151.
The odometer shows 15,264 miles.
The seller acquired it from Kaplan Cycles in Vernon, Connecticut. Before they sold it, they claimed to have performed over $5,000 in repairs/upgrades:
– Carburetor rebuild, jetting, and tune
– New fuel lines and clamps
– New throttle cable
– New choke cable
– New Buell clutch cable
– New Barnett clutch
– New transmission main shaft and bearings
– New 8-bolt stator rotor
– New primary chain tensioner
– New SuperTrapp stainless steel exhaust
– New factory Buell 3rd-generation rear shock
– Fork rebuild with new fork oil and seals
– New front and rear brake pads
– New brake fluid
– New front rotor bolts
– Wheels stripped of powdercoat and restored
– New Michelin Pilot Sport radials
– New show-quality paint job
– High-quality metallic black basecoat/clearcoat
– Clear coat over painted Buell emblem (no sticker)
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, change the engine/transmission/primary oil, replace the final drive belt, and install a new battery. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Good
Engine Oil Quality: New
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
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: 80%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 80%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 1717
Tire Date Code Rear: 0117
Tire % Remaining Front: 80%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 70%
Tire Press. Front: 23
Tire Press. Rear: 24
Battery Standing Voltage: New Battery 12.7
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.6
Running Condition: Runs Well
Test Ride Completed: Yes
Test Ride Distance: 2 Miles
Modifications:
Supertrapp exhaust.
Gustaffson windscreen.
Aftermarket Rider and Pillion foot-pegs.
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires with date codes of 0117 and 1717.
The sale includes three 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 with registration not currently due. The bike is believed to be on Planned Non-Operation registration status.
Have any S3 Thunderbolt stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
