A design flaw caused the front brake to completely lock up due to excessively loose floating front brake rotor that was grinding against the brake caliper. Nlm
The worst 1996 Buell S1 Lightning problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
Recalls 6
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank mount system.
Recall number 99V104000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank vent valve assembly.
Recall number 99V105000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the swingarm.
Recall number 99V106000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: shock absorber
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber.
Recall number 99V107000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and/or replace the negative battery cable.
Recall number 99V095000 · Recall details
Unknown or other
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the sidestand switch.
Recall number 99V097000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning
Defect investigations
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.
PE03043
What 1996 Buell S1 Lightning owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Received recall notices 99v095000/99v097000/99v104000/ 99v105000/99v106000, and 99v107000 in the mail. Had contacted a motorcyle dealership. Was informed had no parts for motorcycle. Do not know when parts would be available. Owner upset*ak.
The negative battery lead for the s1 models is too short. There is not enough slack to allow for movement due to vibration. The effects of the lead breaking is total loss of power, causing the motor to shut down and lights to go off.
Compare the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning
Other model years
Questions about the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning
Is the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning, close to a typical S1 Lightning model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning?
Brakes, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning have?
6 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, suspension and electrical system.
VIN decoder
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