1997 Buell S1 LIGHTNING: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 6 complaints (83.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Suspension: 5; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Suspension:Rear: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
2000: 6
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 860660 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V105000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0815/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860668 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V097000 AND MFR RECALL 0813/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860672 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V095000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0811/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860674 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MFR RECALL 0810./ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860678 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0810/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863997 · 2000-06-21 (June 21, 2000)
WAS UNABLE TO GET SIX MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES HONORED BY DEALER BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863997 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V153000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 1997-09-12 (September 12, 1997)
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V086000 · Suspension:Front
Reported: 1999-04-26 (April 26, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V095000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 1999-04-29 (April 29, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. MOTION OF THE BATTERY CABLE CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF ITS TERMINAL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V097000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 1999-04-29 (April 29, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V106000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V107000 · Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗