| Author | Message | ||
     Buellistic |
ATT: BLASTERS Has anyone in BLAST LAND thought of putting a FRONT Firebolt HEAD on their BLAST yet. Would think it would have better flowing PORTS????? Plus it would rev quickeg due to the lighter valve train!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In buelling BUELLISTIC and/or Hardley-Harley | ||
| Sarodude |
Thought about when I first saw photos of the XB motor as I'm sure quite a few of us had. As Aaron pointed out, the revised cumbustion chamber shape will require the use of the XB piston. Soo... Piston (rings, pins, clis, yada yada), COMPLETE head assembly (the Blast head the dealer ordered for me had no valves or associated hardware), front cams (1 & 2 or 3 & 4?), maybe pushrods, & what else? Someone mentioned some sort of isolator mount adapter? Who's got a parts manual? -Saro | ||
| Pgandeguy |
Wonder how the combo of a re-worked blast head, stock blast piston, and cams out of an XB would be? That would keep costs under a grand, which would be good. I put the dynojet kit in my Blast. Needs fiddle'ng with. It is a dog at full throttle at low speeds, and quick around 50-60. Main jet is probably too small at 155, but that is what they suggest, so it is what I started out with. | ||
| Dantheman |
I think that dynojet kit is a crock.. they tell you to lean the bike out as you increase the airflow thru the engine. I think there just trying to drum up some business for Buell service centers with Blasts that ping like crazy! | ||
| Ezblast |
You guys are yanking me right? stock is 42/165...sooo,if your running a good exhaust it can be uped 45/170, with a high amp coil 45/175, and with intake mods(a cleaned up Force)45/180 is a probability(have'nt got the intake yet to work it as sugested elsewhere. have cleaned up the inside of the air box and modified k&N filter).Blasting on the dark side! | ||
| Aaron |
PGE: compression would be too low to support those cams. | ||
| Ezblast |
hey anybody know how welll the quicksilver carb would work on a Buell and which one the 38 or 40? Blasting on the dark side!  | ||
| Pgandeguy |
Can you shave the blast head to up the compression? | ||
| Aaron |
Yes, but ... It's an angled squish band and a domed piston, and the angle of the dome on the piston doesn't match the stock squish band angle very well, an artifact of this motor's Lightning chamber/Thunderstorm piston combination. It's actually off in the bad direction, i.e. more clearance at the od. Doesn't cause a problem with the factory's clearance, but it could if you start milling and pushing the squish tighter. You potentially create a detonation inducing fuel trap pocket. You *could* get the squish band reshaped in conjunction with milling the head. But now you've spent about as much money as it would've costed you to just get the Nallin Blast piston, which is a nice forged piece that has a Blast compatible dome angle and raises the compression nicely. If you're going for every last little bit (hmm, wonder who might do that), removing the excess head deck and recutting the squish shelf is not a bad idea anyway, it does much to correct the core shift in these heads, which is pretty bad on all of them I've seen. There *are* shops that can do this service and do it accurately, I had Axtell do it for me. But like I said, this is for the anal perfectionist, and it definitely adds cost to the project. Nallin offers a good bolt-in solution. | ||
| Sarodude |
WARNING - NOT BLAST RELATED Aaron- I know this is a WAY different application, but when we wanted a bit of a safety margin in the 125 2 strokers, we'd cut a squish band that would leave the OD of the squish with more clearance than the ID. At least in our observations, that left the edges of the piston crown a bit cooler (while NOT making the most effective use of the intake charge). The edges of the crown are very common 2 stroke sticking points. We never noticed detonation, but from what I understand, winding up a motor so high either 1) makes it harder for detonation to occur or 2) makes it harder for one to perceive detonation. Anyway, that was thoroughly useless... -Saro | ||
| Sarodude |
OK... Is it supposed to take 4 freakin' hours to do the rocker box gaskets? * Those 2 rubber heavy duty pygmy condom things... How did YOU get 'em out? My compressor is out of action or I would've put pressure to 'em through a small hole. I had to cut 'em lengthwise on one side. * By the time I realized I missed the little blurb about dropping the front of the motor I was ready put my mouth to the fuel tank filler openeing and suck really heard. * What do you do to avoid the 1/4 turn scenarios with the allen wrenches? There wasn't enough room to put in a ratchet. * Why did that part of the motor smell like genital juice?  Next time it'll only take 45 minutes or an hour, but last night was not fun... -Saro | ||
| Rd350 |
Anybody have a used Vance and Hines Exhaust for sale for the blast? | ||
| Xgecko |
ramblings and observations. I got a call from my Parts Guy thursday evening. My Avons came in. I talked to the service department andthey were happy to fit me in first thing in the morning Friday. I picked up the bike at lunch and rode the obligitory slow, non agressive 50 miles to get ride of the mold release. Yesterday I had some errands to run which involved way to much hiway time so I didn't get to "explore" the Tires until after diner last night. I chose Honolulu's best twisty road (which happens to be about 3 miles from my house) Mt Tantalus. The Avons hold very well...at least as well as the Pireli's maybe a bit better though someone better than me would have to make that determination. What I found interesting was that I found it very difficult to get the bike really leaned over. Actually maybe that's not the right way to say it. I was able to get through corners as fast as I was before but without leaning in so far. This puzzeled me for a while and then I remembered that I haven't ridden this road since I changed to the Clubman bars. I guess the front end loading that these bars make allows for better cornering so I may never know how much better or worse they hold. Anyway the Pireli's F/R lasted 9000/4600 respectively. I wouldn't recomend pushing these tires that far but other than some squirreliness when their cold they were quite good even at the end. | ||
| Ezblast |
Is the Blast front axle 17mm? Blasting on the dark side! | ||
| Prof_Stack |
I found a way to improve the Blast's handling with no cost and just a minute of my time: check the tire pressure. The last two times out, my Blast didn't feel right. So when I checked the tires this morning, the back was 30 psi. Okay. The front was 20 psi. Whoa!, how long has it been since I checked? So, just a reminder to those busy people like myself who don't always think to do the obvious... ---------------- Anyway, 70 great miles today. 67 mpg on fillup. Nice twisties and I was leaning the thing like I haven't done in a while. Who needs a Firebolt, anyway? | ||
| Prof_Stack |
Mobil 1 15W/50: Another cyclist told me that when changing from Harley oil to Synthetic Oil that one must treat the engine as if it is just being broken in again. Yikes! Please comment. Any truth to this? ------------- My Pirelli MT75's have 3400 miles. The back tire is good for another 1,000 or so. The front looks as if it can stay on when I have the back tire replaced. | ||
| Pilk |
Norm, Negative. Pilk | ||
| Ezblast |
Right on Prof - I keep my tires at f-32lbs and r-35lbs-knowing you own buell's second best handling bike does lend a little more confidence to the leans  Blasting on the dark side! | ||
| Ltlboybuell |
 I was enjoying a nice weekday ride when I noticed that I suddenly went from 50 mph to 0 ( atleast as far as my speedo was concerned). After checking all the connections I found everything in order and went to the dealer. They DX'd the problem as a bad speed sensor. Has anyone else experienced this? There was only about 350 miles on the bike when this happened. Thanks, Rich | ||
| Dust_Storm |
Not here, personally I wish Buell would have put a tach on the Blast. Even it the speedo failed, you could still tell about where you were with a tach. Just more incentive to mount one of those digital ones, eh?  [Ds] (Oh yeah, and while I'm at it, I updated my info, it only took what... 4 months? Geez....) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Rich... it is a somewhat common problem on the other Buells. I think the Blast uses the same part as my Cyclone, and there is an updated version. I have not heard of any of the updated units failing. I lost sensors at about 3500, and 4200 miles. The last (old version) unit I put in was protected with a couple of cheap electronic components, and it is holding together well. Probably not necessary though if you get the updated part. Lots of info in the knowledge vault about this... | ||
| Mapes |
Obviously a newbie question but...Does anyone else have difficulty reading the dipstick when checking the oil? I know that it is within the safe level, but other than that, I couldn't tell you. Any hints on this one? Oh yeah...I hit the 500 mile mark this weekend. | ||
| Blastin |
Rd350- I know of a guy locally(Milwaukee area) that has a Vance and Hines that he might want to sell. I'll have to ask him, and get back to you. I finished installing the White Brothers pipe and rejetted the carb this weekend. My Butt-O-Meter says that the midrange has definetely improved. Mapes, Checking the oil takes a bit of practice to get it right. Here is how I do it. Go for a ride, at least 3 to 5 miles to get the engine warmed up to a steady operating temp. Keep a shop rag or paper towel handy(I always keep one in my tank bag) and don't forget the funnel if you do have to add some oil. Making that hole with a cross wind can be very tough. After your short ride return to a level surface, shut off the engine but stay on the bike to keep the bike upright (not on the kickstand) Get your towel out and unscrew the oil dipstick. Wipe of the dipstick and screw it back in. Unscrew it one more time and check where the level of the oil. Most people keep the oil midway between the high line and the low line. To see the dipstick better it helps to be in good light so that you can see the shine of the oil versus the dull black of the dipstick. In my experience it helps to keep in mind that the difference between the low and high line is just a few ounces of oil. I measured it once(bottle measurement markings) and if I remember correctly it was no more than 4 ounces of oil. Here's a really cool thing to see. Now I'm not advocating this and you should only do this if your comfortable with it. You can actually see the oil flow inside the frame if you want. While the bike is running, unscrew the oil dipstick and take a quick peek inside and you can see the oil flowing. Make sure you have good light. I have done this on a couple of occassions after very hard runs trying to keep up with the twins in the twisties or long (2hours or more) of 80 mph or better. I checked the oil to find that it wasn't on the dipstick. The first time I thought "Oh $Hit" Then I took a look in and saw oil flowing and felt better. At least there was enough oil to flow and lubricate. So does that help? Or was I just rambling. Jerry | ||
| Ltlboybuell |
 Thanks for the help DS & Bill. I feel better now knowing that I'm not alone. I was defending the performance and handling of our favorite little bike and stated the opinion that all the horror stories were a thing of the past and wanted to make sure my words weren't coming back to haunt me ....although I noticed the clutch cover had a damp spot at 6 o'clock but it hasn't returned. Mapes!! I was wondering what happened to you. Congrats on breaking 500. I made it there too this weekend (by rough guestimate considering the speedo broke). How's it going ?? | ||
| Mapes |
Jerry, Thanks for the tips on the oil. I will try it next time. Rich, Sorry to hear about your mechanical problems. So far, so good here. I made my first non-intentional ride in the rain this weekend. I did OK though. I still get a little freaked out once in a while (mostly when I am NOT riding...go figure), but am getting more comfortable at higher speeds and riding as much as I can on the weekends. I've also been spending lots of time in the parking lot...it's amazing how much that is helping my confidence. I found a new parking lot where I can set up several exercises at once. My U-turns are getting much better. The Blast continues to amaze me at how easily it does tight turns. It was definitely the right first bike for me. Ride safe! | ||
| Rd350 |
I have a question. Has anyone looked at trying to put the M-2 tac kit onto the blast? It seems like it would fit with a little work. | ||
| Dust_Storm |
Mapes - You have nothing to fear in wet weather. My Blast is awesome in the rain, darn near a duck ( the kind with feathers, not the overpriced 90 deg twin..). What rain we get here, usually comes down in horrid amounts, but the Blast has always been incredibly sure footed. At any hint of severe moisture I lock up the Kawak, but I've driven through 10 inch puddles at 30Mph on the Blast without ever losing a smidge of traction. Sand is another story, but water? We got THAT covered... [Ds] -needs waterproof boots in the worst way.. | ||
| Joey |
Rain! I was riding down the highway in Missouri one day, enjoying the sunshine. I noticed a big black cloud up ahead, and as I got closer, the heavy wind. My new Pirelli was on order, as there wasn't much tread left on my Dunlop. Mind you, this was the first tire on my first motorcycle, so I didn't have a lot of experience. It was raining sideways when I got into the middle of this storm. I was soaked within a minute. Then, it happened. A gust of wind hit me just as I was on a smooth and wet spot on the road. The rear tire moved in a direction I didn't like. I survived, but spent the rest of the storm at the next gas station I found. I was thinking to myself that a little more tread on the tire might have saved me a close call. The Pirelli seems to stick to the road better, but I'm going to try for the Avon next time. | ||
| Prof_Stack |
Insurance - we Blastards seem to pay a whole range of $$ for coverage. Depends on marital status, age, state, driving record, etc. But some insurance companies have been treating the Blast as the same risk as the v-twin Buells, a laughable thought (have you been on an X1? I have ). My insurance company Guide One lowered my premium 12% from the previous 12-months. I wonder what I'll find at Progressive/Dairyland/etc. when I comparison shop. | ||
| Sarodude |
Been meaning to post this one since Friday... When I was swapping rocker box gaskets I noticed a part number sticker on the rocker box. It ended in -02Y. That means that part originated in 2002 (or 1902!), right? Is there some small detail change in the Blast rocker box? Someone's gotta know... -Saro |
