Buell S1 LIGHTNING problems & recalls
NHTSA records for 1996–1998: 8 recall campaigns and 13 owner complaints. Pick a model year.
By year
What owners complain about (all years)
Recent recalls
Fuel System, Gasoline #99V105000 · 1999 · 12,321 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. these motorcycles were built with a fuel tank vent valve assembly that could become plugged.
Risk: Under certain conditions, this could cause the carburetor to overflow fuel which could result in a fire. this condition could also prevent sufficient fuel flow, which could cause the engine to misfire or stall.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank vent valve assembly.
Suspension #99V107000 · 1999 · 8,950 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. these motorcycles were built with a rear shock absorber front eye that could break.
Risk: If the shock eye should break, the underside of the vehicle will drag on the ground possibly causing loss of vehicle control.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber.
Fuel System, Gasoline #99V104000 · 1999 · 10,556 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. these motorcycles were built with a fuel tank mount system that could, in the event of a crash, allow the fuel tank to separate from the motorcycle.
Risk: This could result in an explosion or fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank mount system.
Suspension #99V106000 · 1999 · 8,950 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. these motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break.
Risk: If the swingarm should break, loss of vehicle control could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the swingarm.
Unknown Or Other #99V097000 · 1999 · 10,255 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. these motorcycles were built with a sidestand switch that could become inoperative
Risk: This condition can cause the engine to stall/quit when riding.
Fix: Dealers will replace the sidestand switch.
Electrical System #99V095000 · 1999 · 3,878 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. motion of the battery cable can lead to breakage of its terminal.
Risk: This condition can cause the engine to stall/quit when riding.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and/or replace the negative battery cable.
Suspension #99V086000 · 1999 · 5,208 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. the front isolator mount system can lose clamp load and possibly break.
Risk: This could lead to an unintended distraction to the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front isolator mount system.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic #97V153000 · 1997 · 2,820 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. the e-clip which retains the drive pin on the front brake rotor and carrier can separate from the drive pin allowing the pin to move out of position and come in contact with the front brake caliper.
Risk: This condition can prevent the front wheel from rotating increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair these motorcycles.
Want the full repair deets? Get the service manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the S1 LIGHTNING.
Motorcycle-specific service manuals with step-by-step procedures (Clymer is part of Haynes).
Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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