| Author | Message | ||
     Gearheaderiko |
The backfire knocked it off. It may have just been coincidence that the bike backfired when washing it. The boot may have been too loose anyway. If the boot is now cracked, running it that way may cause serous engine damage as the bike may run too lean. If its not cracked, then a new one may or may not be necessary, but keep the old one as a back up spare. | ||
| Aleutian1 |
Has anyone tried the custom intake boot thats on ebay? If so, what did you think about it? This is the first time I've EVER worked on or tried to modify anything in my life, so I need all the help I can get  .(don't want to get ripped off....again) . Thanks for all the input. VERY helpful! Blast 56-there is a yellow windscreen on ebay. | ||
| Krjoseph |
I've just ordered one and I think EZ has them on both his bikes. Dan, aka "thumpe" here on badweb, makes them. Word is they work. | ||
| Ezblast |
So far so good with springs flapping in the wind! I peeked last weekend and both boots still look new with no pooling, cracks, or stress areas. My intakes are ultra light though, so I'm really curious of what folks with heavier styles think - pro-series, etc., but this really is a better clamping system than the two hose clamps, so even for a stock Blast, I would recommend it. EZ | ||
| Indybuell |
I have a Pro-Series, just trying to grab one a little cheaper than $50. Seams kinda steep since I already have a new boot in the package, and just need to figure out what the clamp is  BTW, supposed to be 53 in Indy on Saturday, maybe warm enough to get the exhaust cleaned/prepped/sprayed. | ||
| Ezblast |
He makes the clamp. EZ | ||
| Wardo |
Long time no see fellas. Fell asleep for the long part of winter, time to wake up for next season. Thumpers almost payed off, thinking of getting an 09 ninja650R. The big question, to sell or keep the blast..... | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Pardon my cynicism, but if you're going Jap (Ninja 650) why keep the Blast? And if you're keeping the Blast, why not buy another Buell? The American economy needs every dollar it can keep at home and any one of a number of different Buell models will fit the bill of a Ninja 650. and if you still havent gone over 70 mph, then I wouldnt think about a bigger bike just yet. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Yah know what??? one of the main things I like about my bike....it don't EVER need valve adjustments....That Ninja will cost you a MINIMUM of $300.00 to have the valves adjusted...and it can go way more than that depending on where you live and what else is done at the same time....and valve adjustments on a DOHC shim under bucket motors are best left to professionals...not that you can't DIY...it's the shim selection that you need that will drive you batty...'cause there are no "screws" or "adjusters"...you have to measure the clearance...REMOVE the cams...check the thickness of the original shim...figure out how much thicker or thinner the replacement shim needs to be...find a shim that fits the bill...install the shim...put the motor back together...remeasure the clearance...(hopefully it is ok at that point) ...and if ok...finish reassembly and go ride....or start over and refigure it all.... Back in the day...I made an obscene amount of money doing valve adjustments on the old air cooled motors...yeah the new ones are water cooled...but the valve adjustment work the same. Buy American!!! (Message edited by fast1075 on February 06, 2009) (Message edited by fast1075 on February 06, 2009) | ||
| Indybuell |
Just throw the 600cc bigbore kit on your Blast. | ||
| Awf_hand |
I don't think the 650 Ninjas are a bad bike. I am thoroughly enjoying my Blast and it is not my first bike, as I've been riding for nearly 25 years. You've got to try different machines and FULLY understand that if you're posting on a Harley board or a Adventure bike board or a Gold Wing board, you're going to be telling people that you don't like that bike and want something different -whether you say it in so many words or not. You'll be telling this to people who love this bike. I can think of some similar scenarios in a church... One polite suggestion that may offer you some value: Call your insurance company and get some numbers before you lock yourself into (financially or psychologically) a different bike. You're a young guy and many insurance agents will look at you over the tops of their glasses and ask "you bought a what?" This hasn't been a problem with the Blast. The 650 Versys is a neat machine with too many similarities to list, but doesn't fall into the Ninja stigma. ______________________ Firing order: 1 | ||
| Roysbuell |
If you can afford to keep the Blast I would keep it. A 2nd bike for running around town is nice. I have a Lightning in the plans for May and if I didn't already have a buyer (The son of a business collegue that bearly knows how to ride) and I didn't need the money for a down payment I would be keeping it. | ||
| Ezblast |
Concur! | ||
| Wardo |
WHOA, didn't mean to stir up a hornets nest. Don't get me wrong, I love the blast and I'm definitely going to keep it as a second bike. However, i want something than can keep up on the expressway without sounding like it's going to explode. Fast1075 - Money is not an issue as far as keeping the bike up, although I'm curious as to how often you needed that done. Gearhead - As far as buying American, my only option would be Buell, which is nice, but not what im looking for. The sporty looking Buell's are way out of my price range for my second bike as well. i guess it doesn't help that i work for a foreign company either.  Awf_hand - I may be young, but im the oldest 25 year old ever. Called the insurance people last week, my insurance will be very low compared to that of the Buells i would consider. Indy - i would love to do the bore kit as well, every bit helps. How much does one cost and how the hell do i do it Not the greatest when it comes to mechanical junk, im a software engineer. Wouldn't mind a better intake either. Help would be awesome if you can provide some. | ||
| Wardo |
Would also like to offer apologies to those i offended. Didn't mean to, just very picky about my next bike. | ||
| Ezblast |
Don't sweat it - I actually think the 9 will be coming down in price and will be in the same as the Ninja 650 in the handling/power arena - it is now cheaper in Europe than here, and they have the cool all Black model - awaiting for it to be in the USA by years end. Go with the 515cc kit - easier to install and similar power. EZ (Message edited by ezblast on February 06, 2009) | ||
| Wardo |
How much does a 515 kit cost? 600cc kit? Trying to get it fixed up before it gets nice out, first warm day and im on the road. Winter killed my patients now that i ride. Also, need a real easy idea for intake. (Message edited by wardo on February 06, 2009) | ||
| Ezblast |
299 to 399 depending on which you get and which vendor. EZ | ||
| Wardo |
Would these make a noticeable difference on the freeway? My problem area seems to be around 70mph. I hate to say it, but im looking for the easy fixes and mods, dont want to have my bike sitting around for weeks as i try to puzzle it back together. (Message edited by wardo on February 06, 2009) | ||
| Rainman |
My Blast is bone-stock and I have no problems with 70 to 75 mph over the Blue Ridge mountains. It's not an easy lope like my old Sportster or Gold Wing, but it's running smooth at that speed and grabbing nearly 70 mpg. | ||
| Wardo |
Mine was used for Riders Edge at the Dealer i got it from, so its got demons..... Just ordered some oil and filters, rear brake pads and fluid. Trying to locate a spedo housing and bolt for my shift pedal now. Parts are a pain to find locally. Anybody know where to find a cheap but decent intake? Also wouldn't mind an extra seat, so i can attempt to make one more comfortable. | ||
| Fast1075 |
As an explaination....lots of folks don't consider what lies beyond the sleek lines and shiny paint of a new bike...A buddy of mine bought a new ZX-10 about 10 months ago...it is sexy, it is fast...I mean blazing fast...over 160 rear wheel horsepower....he took it in for the first non warranty major tune up...and the cost was staggering at the dealership... I'll go a bit slower in exchange for ease of maintenance...I have very little real world use for a bike that can run 180mph..and I'm too old to have any desire to get into a "mine's bigger than your's" shootout with somebody...mine is big enough. | ||
| Reuel |
If done by the factory specifications, the Blast will lose power when the primary chain is adjusted. If you have a service manual, double the number of turns on final adjusment. The Blast is somewhat overengineered. The engine can rev up to 8400 RPM physically, the valves float at about 6800 RPM, and the limiter kicks in at 6500 RPM. Cruising the freeway at 85 MPH continuously will not hurt it at all. (Message edited by reuel on February 06, 2009) | ||
| Wardo |
Oh i agree Fast, the Ninja650 is not a "speed" bike by any means, its even ranked low by progressive, which is the main reason i decided on it. Started working on the Blast this weekend so i can be ready to ride, first mod was some bar end mirrors and am going shopping for some paint now. Also got fluids and filters ready for a good day. Eager to get out there, saw 3 bikes out there today, the snow is melting fast. | ||
| Crackhead |
I just got back from rideing my blast around the back roads of Calvert County, MD. Wardo, Have you looked into a used Firebolt xb9r? The rideing position is alot more comfortable. | ||
| Wardo |
I will check one out tomorrow when i go for my parts. Also might stop in at motorsports and check out the ninja650 and maybe a gsxr600 | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Wardo, I think you're at the wrong site if you want us to discuss the virtues of buying a Kawasuki or Suzuki. You might also want to decide exactly what you want from a bike. A sportbike has a lot different riding position than that of a stock Blast. Showroom seating may feel great, but on the road its a different story. "The sporty looking Buell's are way out of my price range"The GSXR600 is only $600 less than a Firebolt and more $$ than an XB9. You might want to check prices (or what you've been told). I'm not buying that Buell doesnt have what you're looking for and I also dont buy that money isnt an issue for maintenance, but it is for purchase price, especially when there isnt that much of price difference and maintenance costs will eat that up. If you'd mentioned any motorcycle company other than that of the "Big Four", it'd be worthy of a discussion. But if you're looking to buy just another cookie cutter soulless Jap bike, this is the wrong place to discuss it. No offense. ( but you did bring up the GSX after you saw what bringing up the Ninja did for you) Sounds like your Blast is suffering from UBS (used bike syndrome-you've bought somebody elses problem). I run my Blasts often over 80+mph continuously and to redlines 1000rpm over stock (including actual closed course racing-not to be confused with stoplight racing). Havent had one blow up yet. They dont however sound like the refined sewing machines the bikes you're looking at sound like. | ||
| Ezblast |
Concur! | ||
| Reuel |
I concur with Ed's concurrence! | ||
| Indybuell |
Can I double concur? |
