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.
1999 brought several significant revisions to the Thunderbolt: fuel injection instead of carbs, increased adjustability of the fork/shock, and the cast-aluminum swingarm from the X1 Lightning.
This all complemented the heart of the machine, a 1200cc Harley-Davidson Sportster V-Twin with Buell’s “Thunderstorm” heads – good for 101 horsepower (a 2000 Sportster 1200 put out 60 hp).
This example is VIN: 4MZRS56J8Y3020033, Engine # RS56Y020033.
The odometer shows 10,685 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: Unknown
Engine Oil Quality: Unknown
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Failed
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Failed
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Belt Drive Old
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: 1 Bulb is out
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): No Rear Pressure
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 75%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: RH fork assembly is leaking
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 0112
Tire Date Code Rear: 4911
Tire % Remaining Front: 75%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 60%
Tire Press. Front: 36
Tire Press. Rear: 38
Battery Standing Voltage: No Battery
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.32
Running Condition: Running Well
Test Ride Completed: N/A
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
RH fork is leaking from seal
Repair Recommendations:
-tires
-no rear brake; Pedal was seized but loosened up, need to service master cylinder
-fork rebuild
-battery
-oil and filter service-
-front and rear brake fluid flush
-rear drive belt
-rear bulb replacement
Modifications:
In-fairing bags.
License plate brake light.
Pro Grip grips.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Angel tires with date codes of 4911 and 0112.
The sale includes one key.
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 on Planned Non-Operation (PNO) registration so there are no back fees.
Have any S3 Thunderbolt stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
