| Author | Message | ||
     Naustin |
Super-Cool! Someday I'd love to be able to find a track where I can go out and have fun like that. Learning to get the most out of the Blast as it is means that when you do get some more power - you'll right up there in your class. There may be some guys passing you now only because they have better speed in the straights. But, it sounds like you have developed your skills in the corners to make up for your power disadvantage! All you need now is a little suspension tuning and some more top end. That's what all that $$ from your day job is for.  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
MMelvis: have you found someplace to sell you tires cheap? We talked to the Pirelli guy at the track and he can only get race tires. He did say that he would M & B any Pirelli's we bring him for $10 each. | ||
| Mmelvis |
I normally get them through my dealer around $56 mounted each, sent you a message with a vender. | ||
| Ezblast |
James - could you please post a link to that earlier Blast racer - he used Works suspension - even with that he spoke of achieving best handling results by sitting further back in the seat - my question was always is there a way to dial that out - a half inch lower on the forks - I dunno - just thinking out loud - he mentioned that constantly - reminding me of the old Cafe racing crouch - lol GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Jprovo |
EZ: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=20164&post=521648#POS T521648 Is there a way to dial out high speed in-stability? I think so, Erik's bike is fairly well balanced. Of course, I sit really far rearward in the ultra high speed 100+ MPH turn 8, and I have adjusted my riding style for the bike. Things you can do: Get the suspension set up right with enough pre-load, and fork oil weight. We're using a ton of pre-load, and real heavy fork oil, but that's what works for the track. Ride the bike on a track and experiment, to see what works for you and your riding style. Personally, riding at 10-20 over the speed limit, on the street, the Stock Blast is more than adequate. You just have to trust it, and be smooth. James | ||
| Jprovo |
Highlights of last weekends races: Best lap time ever of a 1:53.973 - that's right! a 1:53 - average speed of almost 79 mph over the 2.5 mile course!!! Finished 7th out of 8 in my first race (Jim's bike didn't make it), and survived my second race. I'll post a more deatiled report tomorrow if I can. | ||
| Manomako |
ok, so i'm just an observer when it comes to this racing stuff, but i'm really curious...what the hell are those covers that are over the tires in those pictures posted above? i see some sort of wire or hose coming out of them too. and who decided on the hot pink and blue colors?haha curious george | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Tire warmers! So you hit the track with a warmed up (sticky)tire. You can also use them to slow down the destructive heat/cooling cycles. | ||
| Manomako |
well i'll be damned, now i've seen everything! do they make sweaters for them too?hahaha d | ||
| Ezblast |
Thanks James! | ||
| Diablobrian |
"do they make sweaters for them too?" Actually the tyr sox brand does have what you could call sweaters that go over the warmers. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I'll have to check into that.(Tyr sox) Are you thinking about getting a Blast to flog on the track? Ground..sky..ground..sky..medivac-Pretty durn funny!!!(see his profile) (Message edited by gearheaderiko on March 28, 2006) | ||
| Diablobrian |
I have a 13 yo old son and am starting to look at options for when he hits 16. He is thinking Motard. Wasn't someone building a motard blast project? Either that or maybe a blast/firebolt. If you come to the CCS/ASRA races you'll usually see him as part of our pit crew. Mid-America H-D/Buell Ex#56 orange and black xb12r  here is kyle handling one of the tire "sweaters" The warmer is the yellow thing wrapped around the tire. I'm the guy on the ground on the right, My brother is in the grey leathers.  This is diablomichael at speed at Daytona. Kyle is our gopher, puts on and removes tire warmers and operates motorcycle stands. The kid pulls his own weight or I wouldn't be looking already. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Without much work the Blast is a cheap bike to flog around the track and takes a crash well (read cheap). A 'safe' bike to get some track time. Of course its more fun if you've got a few other like bikes to run with(which we do in SoCal).Of course there are cheaper Jap bikes to run but I assume you run a Buell for a reason. I dont remember who was building a motard (or just a 'poseur' motard), but it'll take a bit of work to do to the Blast(which from your profile doesnt seem to be a problem). James and I were discussing the point last weekend that it would be cheaper to buy an XB Lightning or Firebolt and turn that into a single cylinder than trying to build the same with a Blast engine. They're also running motard XB's already and the tires will fit without modification! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS actually there are a few guys here building combinations of motard/Blast/XB hybrids. Most recently someone stuck an R1 front end and wheels on a Blast. CMatty has modified a Blast with XB front end and to run XB wheels. Try a search to locate the others here (there are more). Many times people just realize how much money they're spending and realize they can get better for cheaper and abandon their Blast projects. Truly, Blast modification is a labor of love (or sign of insanity).  | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'm planning ahead a little and looking at options. I think a bike titled as a blast, but sporting an xb frame might be a great way to go. How much HP are people getting out of big bore blasts? Might be a fun father-son project. It should also meet his desired performance envelope. Of course he wants more power, but understands the need to moderate until he gains experience, not to mention insurance, and repair costs. It would also give the option of an easy upgrade to a bigger motor in an afternoon of work. He's pretty slick though, he was pitching the idea of a motard to his mother a little while back. He actually did a pretty good job. he listed off a bunch of good points and has her half convinced it will be a good idea. She has not completely warmed back up to the idea of riding again herself since "the" accident. She was on the back. She supports me though and has resigned herself to the fact that Kyle will ride, and the best we can do is encourage good habits. Not that it will take much encouragement, he is well aware of the risks involved with riding, even when you do everything right, things can still go wrong. He's almost as bad as I am, yelling at what I consider improperly attired riders in the car. We can't help but picture what will happen to the guys passing us at 110 wearing a wife-beater and a dot approved yamika (sp?) I have no doubt he'll try his hand at stunting a bit, but he'll be wearing full gear if he does. ACK! this is beginning to ramble. Insomnia sucks. | ||
| Ezblast |
An XB framed Blast would be the Bomb! Especially with that suspension set up! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Sarodude |
I still think the whole point of racing the Blast is CHEAPNESS. A 17" wheel conversion, reworked suspension, etc don't necessarily up the fun factor but can kill the price factor. Too high a price and too many complications and the fun goes out the window. Keep Blast racing cheap. -Saro | ||
| Jprovo |
I agree with Saro on this, The Stock-framed Blast is simple, easy and fun. It seems to handle the stockish horsepower well, and is competitive against other production-based single cylinder bikes. If that's what you want,Don't bother with the XB frame. If you want an XB framed Single, you're better off just buying an XB, putting in a Blast crank (or a one rod Sportster crank) and Blanking off the other cylinder. Salvage XB is like 3500-4000, and a used Blast is like 1500-2000 for a rough bike. By the time you get all the XB parts together (wheels, frame, forks, Swingarm, Shock, Bodywork...), get done modding the motor to fit the chassis, modding the motor to get more power, and gettting all the fiddly bits sorted out, you'd be done if you started with an XB in the first place. Now if the factory would do it with a 600cc engine... That's a different story. James | ||
| Diablobrian |
I ended up on this thread because of the tires sweater question. I was cruising the thumper forum because i was considering bikes for my son. I'm not trying to ruin blast racing...honest. Just looking at options and asking if anyone has tried them. I've owned a lot of different bikes and you never get back what you put into any performance bike. That's a given. I didn't mean to offend anyone or offer heretical scenarios up for consideration. Part of the plan is a father-son build up to help him get more confident turning wrenches and get familiar with the machine. This should also ingrain a little respect for the vehicle and what goes into building one. There are a number of bikes out there that could fit the bill, but I was trying to see if we could keep him in the family, (but off of MY bike) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Oh, I dont think you offended anyone! It the usual circle of thought we go in. We're always up for new ideas. Part of the debate comes from proposed rule changes at a local racetrack permitting all kind of modifications to the Blast to race (as well as any other single competing). But the idea of the class was to keep it cheap and limit the modifications. There is a formula class for highly modified Blasts (singles)already, so there isnt any real point in changing the 'stock' class. It always comes down to how much money can you put into the Blast and just have bought a better bike for the same money or less(XB). We'd love to hear about or help you with a future Blast project no matter what kind of Blastphemy it is!  | ||
| Jprovo |
Diablo, No offence taken, and I'm sorry if I sounded offended. A Blast would make a great father-son project. I was just trying the state that a stock-framed Blast makes a decent little streetbike, where and XB-Blast is a lot more work than it appears at first glance. I don't know of anyone who has actually built one, but Steve Slaughter is/was working on one with Bartells, maybe he can post an update on his. If it was me, and I was building a Blast for a novice rider, I'd probably start with a stockish Blast, They just survive parking lot tip-overs much better than XB's and their low seat height makes them real easy to ride.... Then again, your son mike be an avid dirtbiker, with lots of experience, and not need a "learner bike". (not to offend the thin If you're a made in the USA type of guy, another bike to look at is an older ATK 605, or a new ATK 450 they make good motards and are made in the USA. | ||
| Sarodude |
Yeah - No offense whatsoever. We're all an opinionated bunch and have no problems giving your our $.02 worth - plus interest! Believe me, we all wanna mod the crap outta the Blast. I wouldn't wanna do this stuff to a 500 Singles race bike - but it would be a fun project nontheless. When we talk about limiting Blast mods, we're really talking about keeping the race class rules rooted in the intent of the class. I guess that assumption was made 'cause this is the Blast racing forum. -Saro | ||
| 17blast |
I built my Blast for street and track days. So, there was no consideration for track rules and I don’t know if this will help.  I have drawings and sketches of all the machined parts and I’m willing to share if you are interested in any of the mods I made. If you have the resources it’s not that hard of a project. I have $2000 in parts on my bike, most from e-bay. If you would like to see more pictures visit http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/20164/173113.html?1142694824. | ||
| Diablobrian |
We visited TNT H-D/Buell in Quincy IL this weekend. They had several Buells in stock and on the floor. My son got to sit on a bunch of different bikes, pretty much everything but the Uly, and that was only because he didn't feel comfortable with a bike that tall. He absolutely fell in love with the City-X. There are things he wants to change of course, but he loved the ergos of the bike. He was not as pleased with the stock Blast's ergonomics so I may be on the right track with the hybrid, or I might be better off just helping him find a used city-X. The boy has a mind of his own. He went there believing that the R would be the bike of choice. He actually apologized to me for liking the s/sx bikes better. I had to laugh. I told him (again) it is far better to know his own mind than to follow the path you think others want you to follow. (big surprise coming from a badwebber huh?) | ||
| Jprovo |
The City-X is a great bike, I really like it's ergo's too. A Blast set up with rearsets and Superbike bars is close, but the City-X is much taller. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
The XBlast. The absence of the rear cylinder is hidden by the frame. He turned lap times almost as fast as the class leader with it. It has a Mikuni (I believe) carb, an SE ignition, exhaust, but I dont know what else was done to it (that cylinder is not a factory color!). I dont know if the lap times were better because it handles that much better, has more power or because he races a twin cylinder XB just like it. Either way it works! Looks real good too-factory!   Correction-he turned lap times as fast as the leader in the production class, but this bike really qualifies as a formula bike. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on April 18, 2006) | ||
| Mmelvis |
Makes me wish I had one | ||
| Naustin |
How much does it weight compared to a stock blast? Wouldn't a stock blast be lighter? | ||
| Ezblast |
I Want one! GT - JBOTDS! EZ |
