Buell X1 Millennium Special

A modern version of the Vincent Black Shadow ( with much more power. better brakes. handling and electrics ) is how I would best describe this very special motorcycle.

You'll certainly find much cheaper but would struggle to find much better - which is why it isn't going cheap ( I don't need the money. )

I have owned my X1 Lightning Millennium ( only 800 made and this is number 070 ) special from new in June 2000 and it was the first of it's kind to come with an aluminium rather than black painted engine. It also came with silver painted frame and silver ceramic coated exhaust headers which are much better than the standard brushed stainless steel fittings which discolour horribly in use. Other improvements over the standard model incuded special alloy foot rests and a number of special details.

As with all standard X1 models. it has a 1203cc air cooled. vee twin and fuel injected engine which features Thunderstorm cylinder heads and. to those who are interested in such things. is rated at 101 bhp @ 6200 rpm and 90 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm. These are US spec figures ( they fitted a slightly larger exhaust header in the US ) but the breathing improvements made to my UK spec bike probably make the above figures realistic. Whilst the engine is visually similar to the Harley Davidson Sportster XL Evolution engine from which it is derived. relatively few parts are interchangeable in practice.

The improvements that I have made from standard include:-

Buell race ECU. Free-flowing stainless steel Scorpion oval exhaust can. "Forcewinder" air intake system utilising K&Nrace air filter with a very rare "Racewinder" carbon fibre air box. Replacement Buell S3 DDFI Thunderbolt fuel tank in Buell "Blue Streak. " Re-worked seat to match replacement fuel tank. Polished gear case. primary chaincase. rear wheel pulley. swinging arm. gear lever and rear brake lever. Reinforced carbon fibre rear wheel hugger. Chin fairing. front fender and headlamp fairing in Buell "Blue Streak. " Hand made "ace" handlebars which bring the grips forward an inch and down an inch from standard and make above national ( UK ) speed limit riding a little more comfortable.

The improvements that I have made to the intake. exhaust. ECU and handlebars were merely to make the bike more rideable and visually attractive. It has only ever been ridden fairly gently ( very rarely revved over 4000 rpm and usually no more than 3500 rpm on light throttle loads ) and has taken me to just north of Rome once and to northern Spain twice. It has never been deliberately ridden in the rain ( I did get caught out in northern France on one occasion ) and has been kept in a modern. dry garage when not in use.

It has had an engine oil ( and filter ) and transmission oil change in the past few months. Other than some of the alloy polishing ( which I got the supplying Harley Davidson dealer to do from new ). I have done almost all of the mechanical work and regular maintenance on the bike myself so it does not have a formal service history but I do have a good compliment of MOT test certificates showing the mileage slowly creeping up over the years. The standard rocker cover gaskets are prone to leaking and these. along with the rubber intake manifold gaskets. have been replaced in the past few years.

It is in mechanically excellent ( no faults that I am aware of ) condition and has been my pride and joy for 14 years but I've just turned 60 and have developed a problem with my right hand and will now reluctantly sell it on to someone who appreciates something a bit special when they see it.

I had a very low speed off ( white van man stopped dead in front of me ) on a roundabout about 2 years ago and had to grab a big handful of 340mm front dicc brake when it was still leaned over and it threw me off and went over on its right side. The stainless exhaust headers are slightly scuffed as a result but that is the only slight blemish on the bike.

Please note that the current registration number V2HLY of this motorcycle is NOT! included. I am in the process of getting it put on retention ( to be sold separately if you own a Harley Davidson and have deep pockets ) and for the DVLA to allocate an appropriate W prefix replacement number.

For security and other reasons and to dissuade tyre kickers and time wasters. test rides will only be available in the dry and where the potential buyer has brought ID ( licence or passport and proof of address ) and left a cash deposit for the full asking price which will be forfeit in the event of non-return or any damage - when the rider will be deemed to have purchased it.