| Author | Message | ||
     Gearheaderiko |
Welcome indeed! | ||
| Drew2215 |
Thanks for the warm welcomes! I just wanted to touch base with my winter project and pose a question. The new paint is coming along great, and I now have my new D&D exhaust system to replace the old Vance and Hines. My uncle runs an HD authorized machine shop and offered to do some pro-bono work for me, I couldn't resist. I love the fuel mileage my blast gets, so I don't want to mess with it too much. The cylinder head is getting a good port & polish, slightly oversize valves and a mild compression bump. We decided instead of slapping new rings on my old piston to bore 0.010" over and go with a new oversize piston. This brings me to my question, whats the best (or who makes the best) 0.010" over piston for our blast? | ||
| Ezblast |
Wisco - Revolution Tech. sells them. - check our vendor section for contact info. EZ | ||
| Chief_ten_bears |
Hello everyone, I have a new to me 2008 Buell Blast. It has only 5200 km, and has been maintained pretty well by the previous owner. Basic maintenance was done, new belt, new tires (factory Dunlops), etc. It also has a Barnett clutch, and in this bike, it seems like the hardest biting most instant engagement on any motorcycle I've ever ridden in my life! I've always loved Buell bikes. I've ridden the Blast a couple times before, and when one came up for sale that was in nice shape, I brought it home. After cleaning it up some, I've been riding it around for the last week, and I LOVE it. For a 500 single, it PULLS. I'm not a beginner, and I've ridden and had experience with all types of bikes from dual sports to cruisers to sport bikes, and I am very impressed with the Blast. It has plenty of power for it's size, and is very engaging to ride. Knowledgeable motorcycle people like checking it out, talking about it, etc. It's different. I personally don't consider it a beginner bike, in the fact that if you know what it is and what it can do, it's really just another motorcycle. My brother has a 2008 Shadow 750, and when we had a go, there really isn't a lot between it and the Blast, I'm not kidding. I was looking at a CBR250R before I got the Blast, and after taking a few test rides, that bike has no where near the giddy up or go power of a Blast, regardless what some 18 year old with any 250 bike says on the internet. In all my research on the Blast, all things Buell etc, You hear so much bad talk from people, who have never swung a leg over one let alone ride it. Ride a Blast and I think a lot of folks would be surprised. Couple things I've done to it in the last week: I noticed the tranny vent tube under the rear seat would spew out a small amount of emulsified looking oil, after riding around for a decent amount of time. I cleaned it up, though maybe some water got in there from a wash or something. After another long ride, same deal but more... It was all under the seat frame, swing-arm, rear wheel fender, what a mess. So time to dive into this. Off came the foot bracket, time for a tranny oil change. Drained it, and there was almost 2 litres of oil in there! Double what there should have been. So it makes sense, the oil was purging out the vent tube. Filled it back up with 1 litre of Synthetic Royal Purple 20W50 through the side cover, put everything back together, and now no more vent tube oil. I'm thinking the previous owner overfilled when he replaced the clutch. Also did an oil change for the engine, while I was at it, even though it had just been done by the PO... Everything was OK there. Put half a can of Seafoam in the gas tank. When I first looked at the bike, it sure looked like the rocker box gasket was leaking. But after riding the bike several times, heating the engine up and basically cleaning up and wiping away the oil, it doesn't look like a leak at all. It could have been at one time, or even a spill from filling... But as a wipe it away, there is less and less with no new oil showing. After removing the tank and exhaust, exposing the engine fully, there is no leak. After every ride I wipe my bikes down, etc. I noticed visually a suspect front isolator. So now the bike is all apart and will change that out tonight. While everything is off, I cleaned up the frame, engine, anything I could access. Will change the spark plug to the DCPR9E as well. I also have a Vance & Hines exhaust on order, hope to have that in a week or so. In the meantime while I have the muffler off, I prepped and re-painted it last night with high temp paint I've used for exhausts in the past. Hope to be back on the road tomorrow, because I really really enjoy riding this bike! Here are a few pics:    | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome! 5200 km and it needed a new clutch? That's far from normal, FYI. Ditch the Dunlops, at least the front, ASAP. The Blast front brake easily overpowers that tire. Pirellis will be a HUGE improvement over the Dunlops and they are cheap. You'll also find you can slide the rear Dunlop around with a little practice!! Or  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS There is a kit to make the clutch less 'grabby'. | ||
| Ronbob43 |
The clutch fix works very well. | ||
| Kenny_gilgore |
I did the clutch modification shown on Service Bulletin B-101, but be aware that Part #37909-90 Retraining Ring is transposed with another Part # and it has never been corrected. You need the larger of the two retaining rings. It makes a lot of difference when you start out from a dead stop and the wheel doesn't spin. I am anxious to see what kind of mileage I get off of the next rear tire. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/66673.html?1280273823\ Kenny G | ||
| Ezblast |
Ditch the Dunlops before they ditch you. Any work on the bike till then will probably be messed up due to the Dunlops wrecking it sooner than later - seriously - any other tire is better - period - pay attention here!!!!! EZ | ||
| Chief_ten_bears |
I've had no issues with the Dunlops in the last week and a half I've been riding the bike. Hot dry days, riding in the rain, commuting, and a quite a bit of hustling down the back roads. The tires will be replaced when they need to be, when they are worn. I've been riding motorcycles my whole life, essentially. Tires, from Michelin Pilots on sportbikes, to factory IRC's on streetbikes, to Chinese dual sport tires, to full on dirt off road only tires on the pavement, etc. I'm not worried about the Dunlops. They may wear exceptionally fast from what I've read, but I'm not concerned for one second about dumping a bike because of the brand and model of tires. In all my time on bikes, tires on a properly maintained, responsibly ridden bike don't dump motorcycles. Riders do. (Message edited by Chief Ten Bears on June 17, 2014) | ||
| Ezblast |
You sir do not know what a even semi decent set of tires does for this bike - it transforms it - I have heard that speech countless times - you are not the first - lol - I am. EZ | ||
| Vicenzajay |
The Dunlops ARE that bad. The front tire WILL dump this bike. Too many medical bills and testimonials from incredibly experienced riders on this forum over the years will testify to that. The Pirellis are the ticket - whether MT-75, Diablo Scooter, or ST-66s | ||
| Chief_ten_bears |
That's what I was planning when I need new tires next summer or so. Go with the various Pirelli's people have had good experiences with. | ||
| Chief_ten_bears |
Rejetted the carb, new HD 10R12A plug, and installed a new Vance & Hines SSR2 exhaust last night. Runs like a top. And the SOUND... The V&H was worth every cent. | ||
| Blueblast |
Another Happy Meter pegged, cool! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
 | ||
| Chief_ten_bears |
Some updated pics... New decals and Vance & Hines exhaust.    | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
So pretty! | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - so cherry! EZ | ||
| Blueblast |
So well done! :-) | ||
| Vicenzajay |
Gratuitously posting a pic of my Blast here - post all the mods :-)  | ||
| Buellblaster21 |
Hello! I've been riding motorcycles since 2011. I got my first bike, a 2001 Buell Blast and loved it! After about a year and a half I upgraded to a 2001 CBR 929RR which was a great bike until after I had been riding it for 2 months I got a call from the Police requesting I bring it to the impound lot because they suspected that it was a stolen bike. Sure enough it turned out to be stolen and I have been without a bike ever since. As fate would have it what goes around comes around! I gave my Blast to my brother who started riding when I upgraded, he's moving to Va Beach and isn't taking the blast with him and agreed to let me have it until I can upgrade again. I'm very happy to have two wheels under me again but it does need some work, he got the carbs cleaned and serviced but when he was riding it the rusty tail pipe broke clean in half  so I will be looking to upgrade the pipe and air filter along with a re-jet kit. I'll post a thread about the repairs in a more appropriate section but I look forwarding to learning a lot about Buells on here, I wish I found out about you guys when I first got my Blast! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome back!! Sorry about your CBR :-( So glad he spent the money and got the carbs cleaned. LO f'n L!! They must've laughed all the way to the bank! | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL | ||
| Shine~on1 |
A lot of people have changed to rear sets or forwards I have noticed... Anyone happen to have their stock shifter and spline sleeve laying around? I am a new member to this forum as a member but have read it for quite a few years now. I will post pics of my Evil Blastard in a week or so when I finish the seat. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome! | ||
| Sr1011 |
Hi, all, I bought my first Buell about 2 weeks ago and have loved it so far. It's technically my third bike, but kind of my first. I rode an off - brand 250 for a while, picking up some nasty habits and poor judgment. Then I was stupid and jumped straight to a 530 lb. Suzuki vstrom 650. While I acknowledge the Strom is a decent bike, it was a horrible decision for me. After crashing it and never feeling quite comfortable on it (before and after the crash), I decided I needed something forgiving that would allow me to enjoy riding again. Enter 2001 Blast. I've only put 100 miles on it so far, but that does include some parking lot practice. It's been an awesome bike so far, and I'm very excited to have it. I'm planning some long - distance camping trips, commuter rides, and cheesy sunset rides  I definitely need work on riding skills, and I'm hoping this is the bike that will help me with that. It feels good to be on, the vibrating and slow - speed wobbles don't bother me, and I've never been able to flip u turns like I can on this. I'm excited to have it! I could use a 2001 owner's manual, if anyone knows where to get one! (I have a service manual, but not owner's.) Any tips are also welcome! | ||
| Thumperls1 |
Hello all! I just joined the world of bikes (and quickly the world of bike repair) when I purchased a '03 blast a few months ago. Not too much biking experience, but I love anything fast and have a couple race/project cars (built '99 trans am and LS swapped 76 vette). Anyways when a buddy offered to sell his blast to me I couldn't refuse. I figured it would be a good starting place and would help to keep me out of trouble as its not exactly oozing with power. I still get the feel of a good handling bike and its quick enough to put a small grin on your face. Just wanted to introduce myself. Hope this is the right place. -Chase Houston, TX | ||
| Ezblast |
Welcome! Word of advice - if you have Dunlop tires, ditch them, before they ditch you - any other tire choice would be better, and always use premium gas to avoid issues. EZ | ||
| Thumperls1 |
Thanks EZ. Oh and thanks for all the good advice/knowledge I've seen that you've posted on every blast board as I've been researching the last few months. As soon as I got it, I had to replace the battery, repair the shifter pedal because it wouldn't clamp properly, replace the rear wheel and rear bearings after all the studs were seized and sheared off, re-torque almost every bolt on the bike (brake rotor bolts were backing out  ), and I still have a list of stuff that needs to be done. On one hand I really wanted to just ride the thing, but on the other I've learned a lot about the bike researching all the issues. |
