| Author | Message | ||
     Vicenzajay |
Here's a pic in front of the coffee shop today:  | ||
| Vicenzajay |
Where is everybody? Anyone riding anymore this year?! I'm consistently putting 200 miles on the bike a week - at least 150 of those are for the commute down on Monday and the return on Friday. I throw the soft saddlebags under the seat and over the frame and hit the road. The trek includes a ferry ride and some nice stretches of curvy, country roads...very nice! My only self-judgment is that I need to watch myself - I've gotten a bit confident with this bike, and as a result I'm very poised to pass...not always a bad thing, but the roads aren't in the same condition as they were even a month ago. Fall was a beautiful season (if a bit windy and wet) for riding here - the colors were great! | ||
| Kenny_gilgore |
Jay, I am still riding everyday that it doesn't rain, although the weather here in North Texas is a whole lot more mild than the state of Washington. I noticed in your profile that you are looking for easier access to the clutch / transmission cover. I am working on that, and as soon as everything is welded, and powder coated I will post pictures. Kenny G | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Between Oct 11-22nd I put down 3000 miles (most in 5 days). Unfortunately now when I go to work at 1am the 2 most prevalent things on the road are ice and deer, not a good combination!!! I ride when there's minimal risk of ice. Deer, well I hope for the best. I can't see either at night and I've already hit a deer! I've gotten the tolerable temperature down to about 27 degrees. Above 35 is comfortable (relatively speaking, I'd prefer it at 90+ !). Be careful under bridges and on overpasses! | ||
| Ezblast |
Why not drill two small holes? - or just loosen the arm - do not take it off, but if that is the case - first replace arm hardware with threaded rod coupler, lock washer and washer for each bolt - 3 sets for each arm. This makes removal and just loosening a breeze. EZ | ||
| Vicenzajay |
I got that advice from you, EZ, on the newcomer page. When the time comes (probably soon) to dive in I plan to do just that (the threaded coupler with the lock washer and normal washer). Do you have the sizes for them off hand (would be nice to have all the hardware on hand before taking the old hardware off)? Kenny G - looking forward to your pictures as well! Erik - that's a ton o' miles in 5 days. Just wow. Good to hear some folks are riding. I've done a good deal in the rain, actually, given where I live. Lately I can count on being somewhat wet during each commute ride (as the whole process of ride/ferry/ride takes about 3 hours.) I'm sold on good gear - my jacket/pants ensemble works a treat - so I'm fairly comfortable at this point. I wouldn't mind finding a non-permanent way of getting the wind off my gloves (some type of handlebar visor) that wouldn't be hard to uninstall once it warms up again. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Concur with EZ. Clutch adjustment isn't a high maintenance item either (if it is, then you have a problem). Uly hand guards fit and there are generic ones too. You can even use oil bottles cut in half (though I've never tried to mount hand guards on the Blast). I put them on my other bike and they do help, but heated gloves make temps in the 20's & 30's much easier to deal with too. I'll try and remember to look for the yframe nut sizes. To be honest, I doubt I could do 500-700 mile days on the Blast, at least not day after day after day (unless they raised the speed limit to 90 or 100mph)! | ||
| Vicenzajay |
Okay - Friday's ride home was NOT fun. What started as a decent ride north (towards home) became an experience in motorcycle riding during torrential rainfall and cold temps - all the while hurrying because the wind storm is coming (I got home before that happened, luckily - the storm landed several hours after I finally got home). Honestly - the good news is that the Pirellis (MT-75s) are the bomb...never felt any different than on completely dry pavement. What a mess. Left the motor running for ten minutes just to dry out the header wrap before shutting her down. Took forever to dry all my (very good and waterproof/resistant) gear out...bike is finally cleaned up, waxed and re-treated for corrosion prevention, etc. I'm going to continue to try to ride completely through the winter, but being in WA state there will definitely be challenges to that goal. (Message edited by vicenzajay on November 17, 2013) | ||
| Ronbob43 |
Fun for you on Friday. My Aberdeen commute is only 9 miles each way, and if it isn't raining hard I go home for lunch. Friday was in the Chevvy PU. At this time of year I ride a different bike{Blast-TU250-883 Super Low-XB9SX} each day, as the wife won't ride when it gets below 50, and they all need to run. I don't ride on ice or snow anymore, unless it is on the woods bike. | ||
| Sycho |
I had an issue that I'm not sure if it was from riding in torrential rain or not. The ride home was in Jan. 2013, months later my clutch started to slip. So when I finally drained the tranny fluid to work on it, it came out like mud. It was rusted in there as well. So I'm not sure if rain water had gotten in through the vent hose under the seat or?? Anyways if I ever get caught out in a Heavy Downpour again, I'm checkin that fluid. | ||
| Ezblast |
Rain puddled into that frame corner where the hose sits and the running sucked it in. That is why my hose joins ny oil line pointing down just at the top of case level. EZ | ||
| Blueblast |
Very good tip, thanks EZ! | ||
| Ezblast |
The Rebirth of Vader! 1) New racing irridium plug and wire - sparkplug.com and autozone 2) Gaskets - thinner than stock, 1.725 ratio rockers and jims lifters - all from Hammer's Perf. 3) Front 7" PROJECTOR HALOGEN MOTORCYCLE AMBER LED HALO LIGHT BULB HEADLIGHT For: Harley - Ebay 4) Thumpe Fork brace - Black, spitccan, boots - two - 5) Shorai battery and charger/maintenance system - 6) Weld bung in for AF - 7) Wheels - Paint, replace bearings, and new tires, balance free at cyclegear 8) Rustoleum Flat Black paint for wheels, frame inc tail, swing-arm, lower forks and tree 9) Exhaust 2000 Rustoleum Flat Black ceramic paint for exhaust and 4" Supertrapp can & clamp 10) Paint supplies - HD 11) Legendary-Motorcycles GPS Speedometer and Tach - customize alum. dash to fit that plus Innovation WB AF gauge - or use own 12) Corbin custom single XBS gunfighter with 3" deeper pocket with Blast release customized 13) Rhino tank covering to smooth into one piece - show em Conti picture for idea 14)XBLights tail light Clear #5 15) Misc. - For eng.parts and carb. - Intell-a-jet, Jets, Seafoam, shifter, pegs, etc. - stuff 16) Tags and Ins. What I've been doing: Note: New Vader is a stock 2006 Blue Blast with a worn V&H, a busted chain tensioner - primary too tight, and 21,000 commuter freeway miles on it, and it shifts like butter - lol Tearing apart wreck for donor parts for the new Blast Vader. Put old Vader motor on table to prep for teardown to donate engine parts to New Vader. Starting teardown of new Vader to prep for XBS tail, dropping engine for teardown and rebuild as well. I have three carbs and extra carb parts sitting on another table for working on. All of this goes slowly since my shoulder and knee allow only so much work each day before pain says no more, but there is progress each week, so I can not complain. By the time I'm done, the bike will be even lighter (as will I - lol), will have more power - of course, and will be a unique naked Cafe and canyon dancer - perfect for it's intended purpose. I'm really starting to enjoy the process - since my plans will include new bearings, isolators - gonna try the big twin's aftermarket version, and other misc. stuff - it will be like a new bike! The Engine bits: 515cc silver jug Nicsil with 10.5 comp piston and light stage two head with ti valves,stems, retainers - stock size exhaust, slightly larger than stock intake - was the smallest Ti valve they had ever cut down to - lol - they could do no smaller, with a complete port and polish flow job done to the head, with springs originally set for up to 600 lift but will only be doing the 550 area with the B70 and ratio rockers - but comfortably - adding Jims lifters, and Hammer's 1.725 ratio rockers - with the cometic thinner gaskets comp should be visiting the 11.0 area, Energy-One clutch kit, SE Ignition, customized intake, carb, and exhaust will complete this happy combo and should make for many miles of smiles. Note: right now I'm just tearing down a bunch of stuff - the old Vader front end - since it already has the Works spring kit and Race Tech Gold Valve Emulators, and 7.5 fork oil already set up in it, as well as the ss braided line, will swap places with the stock unit - keeping the stock light bucket but adding the Profi-clip-ons - add fork brace, Galfer pads, adjustable levers, and the front suspension is done. The Works shock will replace the stocker shock in the rear. While all that happens, the painting of the wheels and frames, and exhaust system will also happen - all to be in a rustoleum flat black product - lol As I get into them I will break down my specific mods to the carb, suspension, style of the bike - my goal is a naked modern cafe streetfighter - looking forward to achieving it as well! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on November 24, 2013) | ||
| Sycho |
EZ's gonna be a busy boy! How's the healing? Can you post a pic of Thumpe's Fork Brace? | ||
| Ezblast |
I'm going to get one that forgoes the presence of the fender - plastic - aside from the gas tank itself - will be very scarce - mirror bodies, taillight lens will be the next largest pieces, and from there it's controls, and bits, a seat - lol - Still - this bike will solidly reflect the style of the naked cafe - and be lighter and faster than before as well - making the handling even better - I'm looking forward to riding - especially the bike I am building. The shoulders bum and so is the knee, but I go to PT regularly to work on stuff - am seeing 4 doctors, procedures, med levels - jeeze - EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Finally freed up all the wires for cutting and welding - need to buy a sheet of alum. for the bottom of seat area and the WBAF Gauge face to fit in twin gauge housing. Broke into primary to confirm busted Tensioner - yes!!!! This 06 was just used as a commuter - period. She is so cherry mechanically I am the first to touch her primary. She soooo cherry - she love me loooong time. Now to rebuild her clutch with the Energy - One kit for a tad extra acceleration boost, clean up the inside, then button her up. Then I'll be working on the rearsets - American Sport Bike sent me a one piece shift shift-arm/toe piece lever to replace the two piece unit that was bent - I will draw a to size outline of that on a piece of letter size paper so folks can copy that and have an easier shift mechanism to make for shifting using simple bolt on straight pegs. When Lee gets here the game begins in ernest, but knowing that the bike I'll be working on is practically cherry - that's priceless news!!!!! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on March 29, 2014) | ||
| Sycho |
 looking forward to pics, EZ. | ||
| Ezblast |
Thanks - I'll post a pick of the brace when I mount it - it's a beefy puppy. EZ | ||
| Vicenzajay |
Nice ride this evening - about 80 miles round trip to Shelton, WA...twisty roads through the forest and great Olympic Mtn. views. Anyway, here are some quick pictures (of the bike and the meal):     | ||
| Kenny_gilgore |
Jay, Sounds like you had a good ride and the meal looks like Texas food. What kind of tires do you have on your Blast? Kenny G | ||
| Swampy |
Fried Okra? | ||
| Vicenzajay |
KennyG, Those are Pirelli MT-75s...front has about 6K on it and the rear about 1K. Will replace both in about 4-5K miles. Thinking about the Diablo Scooter tires as a set next go-around...or should I just keep the MT-75 on the front and do the Scooter rear? | ||
| Vicenzajay |
@Swampy, Yep - fried okra - blackeyed peas - Pulled pork BBQ.... and cornbread... I was stuffed. :-) | ||
| Kenny_gilgore |
Jay, I knew that was a Texas looking meal on your dinner plate. I have the Diablo Scooter tires front and back and they seem to be OK to me. When I bought the bike the tires were bald so I changed them right away, so I don't have any experience with riding with different tires. If I were you I would ask someone who rides in the rain for their opinion on tires. I can no longer see well enough to ride in the rain, so I really try to avoid it. I did notice before I changed the clutch I was spinning the tire about 2 out of 3 starts from a Stop Sign. Kenny G | ||
| Vicenzajay |
I'm going to change the clutch as well eventually - you use the Energy One kit? I also would like your list of parts for the exhaust change. I'm going to put the Jardine exhaust on the bike, but I need the stock hardware for supporting it according to everything I read.... I'll need to get that hardware first before ordering the pipe/header....Would like to knock it out in June if possible. Loved the BBQ...my stomach can't take it often, but every now and then it's great :-) What's the size of the Diablo Scooter front tire (i.e. is it larger or smaller than the stock tire or MT-75?) If you know that, I'll know what pair to order. I don't want to go smaller with the front tire - the MT-75s are great in the rain, btw. Jay | ||
| Kenny_gilgore |
Jay, Since the clutch was designed for a much bigger 2 cylinder engine I think you can leave well enough alone if it is functioning properly. For the clutch to wear out on a Blast is going to take a lot of miles. I redid my clutch with the parts from this Service Bulletin: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/66673.html?1280273823 Before you get started on the clutch project there is a part number transposed in the Parts Manual and the Service Bulletin. You do not need part #37909-90, but you may need Part #37908-90 and it is $10.00 cheaper than the incorrect part. I did not need either of the gaskets mentioned in the Bulletin, but I kept the new ones for the future. You will also need this homemade clutch tool: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/627777.html I also made the other clutch tool shown on the forums, but it was to hard to work on the retaining clip. The reason that I made the clutch change was to stop the worst of the clunking when putting the Blast from neutral into gear. It also makes the clutch a whole lot more manageable when starting out from a stop. I no longer smoke the rear wheel when I start out. My Diablo front tire is a size 110/70-16 and it works well enough on dry roads, but since I try to avoid riding in the rain because of my limited vision I don't know how it will perform on wet roads. Probably Dan rides in the rain and he may be able to help you. If you have tires that are holding well on wet roads I personally would stay with them. For the exhaust parts that you will need they are shown in this link: http://buellridersonline.com/forum/showthread.php? t=9429 of course you only need half as many parts as a Sportster. The mounting parts that are recommended can be found on the Buell riders Online Forum where Ed or Lee posted Parts Manuals. Before you invest in a new exhaust system the Vance & Hines mufflers can be re-packed. Check with a shop that does a lot of dirt bikes because they repack mufflers all of the time. I remember Dan told me that he repacked his muffler. I posted on the other forum when I changed the exhaust, but I cannot locate it at the moment. If you PM me I can attach a Word document with the information on an email and send it to you. I hope some of this will help you. Kenny G | ||
| Ezblast |
That front Diablo is great in rain as well. Good news - Primary done - new clutch parts, Energy-One clutch kit, stator, plate, and hub, shift pawl adj. with new detent plate and two clips, new tensioners and spring, and all the inside wiped down and cleaned. Last minute will be final case torqueing, clutch adjustment, static primary adjustment, and inspection cover, and shift shaft seal - will do that when I add oil. For me that was a bear because the left shoulder is in constant pain and that is the side I was laying on to get everything done. Must say that the Cometic primary gasket is a better fit than the new stock, which tore in the first clamshell put-together, the other gasket lined up perfectly and stayed in place which made things a lot easier for assembly. Everything else will be a lot easier, since laying on my shoulder will not be a part of it - for the most part. You can not believe how painful the last few days where because of that. But you have to take your time with the Primary and get it right the first time so you can avoid going in at a later time for something simple you missed. For instance - I did the shift pawl adjustment three times till I figured I had it at a 100%, it would suck to have to tear everything down just to do that again. New gaskets and o-rings all around of course and shift shaft seal - optional to a lot of folks, but I've never had luck re-using one, an can install a new one in a matter of just a few minutes, and I always have extras of that in case I bif it anyway - lol. Now a bunch of misc. other stuff to prepare for Lee's arrival and get the bike closer to a finished project. All will be a lot easier than what I just finished! The new Vader bike is now one important step closer to being finished. EZ | ||
| Vicenzajay |
Had the honor of meeting Ron today (member here). We met near Bremerton and had an awesome ride on the old Belfair Hwy to Seabeck. We took a break and then traveled north until Ron split off to go back home on the west side of the Hood Canal. I continued to Pt. Townsend to catch the ferry for home. GREAT day and fun ride. Nice and twisty with lots of ups and downs as well. The Blast just excels at turns and twists. Ron, by the way, has 51 years of riding under his belt and I'll guarantee you can't guess his age. I'll let him share that if he wants to do so. :-) Pics or it didn't happen:   (Message edited by vicenzajay on April 18, 2014) | ||
| Ronbob43 |
71 I am still feeling those corners. 250-260 mile day for me. While we were taking the pictures a CBR300 and Ninja 300 came by, probably after following the same route. They couldn't have had as much fun as we did. Great meeting you Jay. | ||
| Buffalomike |
Anyone down around the Tacoma area? I just picked up my first bike (a Blast of course) and would love to find someone to ride with/pick their brain about bike specifics. |
