| Author | Message | ||
     Jd110033 |
by the way...what is the shoe part number? im trying to find it online and i cant seem to find it. | ||
| Carlost |
Has anyone put on some clipons like the Woodcraft clipons... http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com/Scripts/prodView.asp? idproduct=17273 I can see that the whole headlight mounting bracket would have to be loosened and lowered enough to expose the top of the fork tubes enough to allow for the clipon mounting. How about other considerations like clutch/throtle cable length and controls? Thanks! | ||
| Johnnymac |
Nice. I love the two piece brackets and they look extremely light. | ||
| Sikablast |
I've been trying to research the safety of riding a Buell Blast vs Vespa 250. I recently passed an MSF course on a motorcycle and the Texas motorcycle license exam. I am not in a big hurry to get a bike, but I would like to get my information straight. I know they are different rides and for different purposes, but both seem to be recommended for in town use as a small run about. Any advice appreciated. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome SikaBlast! The Blast is a real motorcycle capable of almost 100mph and handles well at all speeds. The Vespa 250 is a scooter. I doubt you'd want to do a 100mph on it or feel comfortable zipping down the highway through traffic on it. They are different rides. I like them both. The Blast is a step up from a scooter. A moped, for instance, would be a step down from a scooter. What do you really want (no wrong answer)? If undecided, what do you want from it? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Those clip-ons are nice and you wont need longer cables. You may have tank clearance issues (you may not be able turn turn the bars to the lock position). Dropping the fork tubes is not that hard, but those will make life easier especially if you think you may switch back and forth between the two. It is a very radical riding position though (compared to stock or superbikes). Okay sitting in the garage, tiresome sitting in traffic. Plenty like that position though! | ||
| Sikablast |
Thanks Gearheaderiko! I'm going to be looking for secondary transportation mainly for small runs, rarely on highways, but I don't want to be restricted to small roads. I like that the Blast is pretty much in the same weight class and has a two year warranty vs one for a Vespa. Also a Blast is easier on the initial purchase price. I guess my last and only real concern is if either is considered to be safer in terms of handling over the other. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Motorcycles are generally considered safer than scooters, as far as handling goes. If you're really on the fence, I'd definitely try to talk to more scooter people or people who have both. You could be happy with either. (I'd only be happy with having both. LOL!) FWIW: I dont think the new 'monster' 650 scooters really count in the equation. I'd find it difficult to compare a Bergman 650 to a 250 Vespa. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Shoe pt# 39922-00Y | ||
| Rainman |
OK guys,one question if anyone can answer quickly, I'd appreciate it. I'm doing my primary fluid change the Swampy way, though the drain hose. Unfortunately, my suspicious, anal nature makes me worry. the hose I'm looking for starts at the top of the primary, rolls up over what appears to the be the starter or something, joins with a bunch of hoses and then runs up into the frame near the seat, facing upward. Is that correct. Then just 32 oz through a funnel (after draining, of course) and replace the hose? I'm ready to go, just paranoid. The good thing is, after I've done it once, I won't keep bugging everybody. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yes, that is correct. Its also the only hose that doesnt connect to anything, just runs up the frame rail, unplugged. Best drained hot, drain it on its kickstand, then drain almost straight up. If you can, measure how much you drained out. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on October 09, 2008) | ||
| Rainman |
Cool! Thanks. | ||
| Carlost |
RE Clipons Thanks! I wasn't talking about dropping the tubes but about dropping the headlight mounting brackets. The reason I'm thinking of this is that I just installed some Banke rearsets and the position is really awkward with the stock bars...like leaning forward but hanging on to apehangers...  I also have a flatter superbike bar that would be a little less extreme... | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Try flipping the superbike bars over, before you spend the money on clip-ons. They are very close in profile, just not as far a reach. Adjustable clip-ons are they way to go. And I was talking about dropping the tubes to install traditional clip-ons, which the Woodcrafts save you the trouble. I knew you were talking about the headlight  | ||
| Wolffsoul |
Sikablast, did you know you can demo ride the Blast? | ||
| Rainman |
Something always goes wrong: For whatever reason, my drainplug on the primary will not come all the way out and that reason appears to be the muffler. So, I know have 30 oz of harley's finest 20-50 rolling down the muffler and into the drain pain/carport. Is there a step I missed, like loosening a muffler bolt and moving it? | ||
| Sikablast |
Wolffsoul, thanks, I did. I really want the Blast, but I need to be able to explain the benefits to my wife. I have a feeling that she may have gotten the idea that a Vespa is a safer ride, but after being in the MSF course, I don't think it makes any difference. Both require the same type of safety equipment and basic skills. Both come in a yellow color which would be a close match to our mellow yellow MINI - side issue, but I like being visible. Thanks for the comments! | ||
| Rainman |
Vespas are cool, but a Blast can be had slightly used for a lot less, it's easy to work on (unless you're me) and it gets darn near the same mileage but will roll 85 on the freeway all day. Uh, don't ask how I know that. As for safe, I prefer the larger tire, the more stable feeling I get on a cycle as opposed to a scooter. I'd go with the Blast. (Message edited by Rainman on October 09, 2008) | ||
| Reuel |
I had that same problem the first time I changed my primary fluid. Now I don't have that problem at all for obvious reasons. | ||
| Rainman |
Now I can't get the @#$% primary drain plug to go back in.... is there a secret or can I move the muffler? | ||
| Reuel |
Back in is the easy part! You have to have 2 small nimble fingers, first. Otherwise, break the muffler loose. Are you saving for an aftermarket exhaust? | ||
| Fast1075 |
Rainman, that is precisely why I ditched the stock muffler and went to a Jardine just to get easy access to the drainplug. | ||
| Bubs |
I drained my primary fluid today, and I filled it up just like the manual said; through the clutch inspection cover. It says the capacity is one quart, but it doesn't seem quite right. Does it really only take one quart of fluid? | ||
| Rainman |
OK, this is a complete disaster. I'm trying to ditch freakin' Greenpeace and the EPA and the local HazMat team who after the oil slick that I caused trying to drain the primary. Then I pretty much ruin a butter knife using it to hold up the drain plug up and flat against the case to make the thread right and let my fingers move the damn screwbie-thing around and around and around only to realize that I AM TURNING IT THE WRONG WAY. 10 more minutes of frustration and thing is on. Of course, by now the carport is oil-slicked and I'm sliding around like a pig on ice trying desperately to not fly ass-over-tea-kettle off the carport and to the backyard about a story below. A banged up shin and oil in my eyes mean nothing to me, the Buell Enthusiast, however. I forge ahead, pouring dram-by-dram the oil into the vent tube. The tube, I decide 15 minutes later, with 12 ounces to go, is not really meant to be an entrance for anything larger than an Oxygen molecule. With patience, however it is complete, even after I had to wrap duct tape around the hose and funnel because oil kept finding its way up and out and onto my hands and the bike and the carport. By now, I've got a half quart of slick on the ground and every ground insect for a block trapped in it. I feel like freakin' Vlad the Oiler as I watch them writhe in exquisite agony in my own little Exxon Valdez scenario. So, I replace the hose into the frame, tighten everything up, put the clamp around the mass of hoses, place the little lock nut on the little stud to secure the hose and blip.....it flops off and falls somewhere into the innards of the blast. I can actually see it, flat on it's back beneath a wire and totally out of reach of even my little grabber thingy, which I absently squeeze against my nose while curse words flow out like endless rain into a paper cup. Now it's dark, I can't see doodily or diddily-squat, I'm walking on the carport like Michelle Kwan on Olympic ice and there's no way I can finish the damn bike tonight to go for a ride like I planned in the morning. I know that when I'm done I will have the satisfaction of having done it myself, but tonight I'm thinking, "how much does it cost to have the dealer do it?" (Message edited by Rainman on October 09, 2008) | ||
| Rainman |
Dear Bubs, I hate you. Nothing personal. Love, Rainman | ||
| Bubs |
Dear Rainman, Sorry to hear about your troubles. We all have bad days. Stick through it! Love, Bubs. | ||
| Swampy |
Rainman, it will wiggle back in, trust me it will, it just takes a little wiggling. If the stock muffler ever has a reason for coming off, that is it, even if you have to put it back in again, take a big hammer(My favorite tool) and make the primary drain plug indent in the muffler bigger! If you do take the muffler off, weigh it, I don't know how something so small and simple weighs soo much. Also, about scooters, They Are Man Killers, I don't care how cute they look, those miniture tires and steep steering angles are just screaming for disaster. The proverbial "Kick ME" sign. When one of those "Things" experience something unsettling they fold up like a jack knife and the running boards act as jaws on a mobile metal brake ready to bend ankles and slam heads to the ground. Get a real motorcycle, get a Blast. Try a 400 mile day on a scooter, it isn't going to happen, compare the brakes on a scooter, substandard, try anykind of high speed turns, a scooter just doesn't measure up. | ||
| Rainman |
I'm pretty good at wiggling it. All I'm waiting for now is tomorrow and the hardware store to open so I can get another 3/8th locknut. Maybe 3. She's all oiled up and ready, otherwise. Next time I'll try the factory method. I'll probably need to buy some fool tool wrench thingy to get in there. I had to buy a 16mm for the drain plug. I have a 13,14,15,17,18,19, but no 16. I do now. PS: Do you have to rejet if you put on a new muffler? | ||
| Reuel |
Michelle Kwan is HOT! Rainman--you'll need a U-joint and a 6" extension. I can't remember if the nuts are 14 or 15 mm. Spray a spot of PB Blaster on them first. You'll only need to do it once, and never again. The third time you do it the manual way, you'll find getting that foot peg bracket is quite easy. Just don't unscrew the nuts all the way. Leave enough threads on the nuts so the bracket moves, but doesn't come loose. Rejetting is a good idea, since the Blast already runs lean. Freer flowing in or out makes it leaner. (Message edited by reuel on October 09, 2008) | ||
| Swampy |
Rainman, yes you will need to rejet, to make it run really really good, with out any danger of running too lean and melting things down. Ship it to my house next summer, ride up here, we can put it on, rejet your carb, put a couple of new tires on and go for a ride up north somewhere. |
