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1997 problems

FaultScore report

1997 Buell S1 Lightning problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning with NHTSA between 1999 and 2000. The largest single group is the suspension.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Buell S1 Lightning All 1997 cars

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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

How 1997 compares with every other Buell S1 Lightning

Click any bar to open that year's report.

3 11 11

96 97 98

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Buell S1 Lightning

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 7 63.6%

Other & Unspecified 1 9.1%

Fuel & Propulsion 1 9.1%

Electrical System 1 9.1%

Engine & Cooling 1 9.1%

NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE03043 Opened 23 Sep 2003 Closed 30 Oct 2003 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE

TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUELL IS RECALLING THOSE FUEL-INJECTED MOTORCYCLES THAT IT BUILT WITHOUT A THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL CLAMP.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE REFER TO THE MEMORANDUM ENTITLED THE SCOPE OF BUELL'S SAFETY RECALL, 03V-427 COPY ATTACHED.

Recalls on the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1999190 22 Oct 1999 284 units in Canada

Suspension

On certain motorcycles, the rear shock absorber eye could break. If the shock absorber eye should break, the underside of the vehicle will drag on the ground, which may adversely affect handling and could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Rear shock absorber will be replaced.

Recall 1999189 22 Oct 1999 290 units in Canada

Suspension

Certain motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break. If this should occur, vehicle handling could be adversely affected which could lead to a vehicle crash without prior warning. Correction: Swingarm will be replaced on affected vehicles.

Recall 1999188 22 Oct 1999 412 units in Canada

Fuel System

On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank valve assembly could become plugged. 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 may cause the engine to misfire or stall. Either of these conditions could result in personal injury. In addition, certain M2 Cyclone models may have a component that could restrict airflow into the float bowl of the carburetor. This could cause the carburetor to overflow fuel which could result in a fire. This could also prevent sufficient fuel flow which may cause engine misfire or stalling. Correction: Fuel tank vent valve assembly will be replaced. M2 Cyclone models will have the float bowl assembly inspected for proper venting and have the condition corrected if necessary.

Recall 1999187 22 Oct 1999 346 units in Canada

Structure

On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank mount system could, in the event of a collision, allow the fuel tank to become separated. Fuel tank separation could result in personal injury. Correction: Fuel tank mount system will be replaced.

Recall 1999186 22 Oct 1999 332 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain motorcycles, the side stand switch could become inoperative. This condition could cause the engine to stall or quit when riding which could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Side stand switch will be replaced.

Recall 1999184 22 Oct 1999 138 units in Canada

Electrical

Certain motorcycles were built with a negative battery cable that could break. This condition could cause the engine to stall or quit when riding which could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Negative battery cable will be inspected and replaced if necessary on affected vehicles.

Recall 1999183 22 Oct 1999 177 units in Canada

Structure

Certain motorcycles were built with an isolator mount system that could lose clamp load. Should this condition occur, it may allow the engine to move unexpectedly within the frame and cause unintended distraction to the operator, which could result in an accident. Correction: Front isolator system will be replaced on affected vehicles.

Recall 1998057 27 Mar 1998 150 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

Certain motorcyles do not comply with CMVSS 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. Failure of one or more turn signal lamps would not be indicated to the operator of the vehicle by a noticeable change in the flashing rate of the turn signal indicator light. Correction: Turn signal flasher unit will be replaced.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.