Buell S1 WHITE LIGHTNING problems & recalls
NHTSA records for 1997–1998: 6 recall campaigns and 4 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.
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.
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 WHITE 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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