| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
"Dear Cliff We were just about to fill our sheds with Buell Blast motors when Mr Buell announced the demise of the Buell Blast. As you know, we have designed our four Mac motorbikes around the Blast motor and the Blast's withdrawal from Buell's range means we need to find an alternative. In keeping with Mac's philosophy, we would like your input again. We have attached a picture of what our Mac 'Spud' motorcycle would look like powered by a liquid-cooled Yamaha XT 660 motor and we'd really like to know what you think. This link will take you to the page on our website; <http://www.mac-motorcycles.com/topsecret/> http://www.mac-motorcycles.com/topsecret/ As you would expect, there are a few changes to the specification and performance, as follows; * The standard XT 660 motor produces 48 BHP (compared to the 34 BHP of the standard Buell Blast motor) * The XT 660 motor is liquid-cooled and fuel-injected. * Engine servicing and spares are readily available from Yamaha's dealer network. * At this stage, we expect the price of Mac Motorcycles to remain consistent with previously published figures. We'd really appreciate your thoughts, when you get a moment; your feedback is invaluable to us. With our sincerest thanks for your continued support. The 'Chaps' at Mac Motorcycles Mac Motorcycles Worcester England" This makes me think that perhaps even the non-badged Blast is on borrowed time, or Harley simply wouldn't negotiate. ~SM | ||
| Rainman |
Could be. The economy has been hard on some Riders Edge programs as well as the company, so they may pull the plug in the next year or two. Without RE, there's no reason to continue making the Blast, except to keep mine in parts. | ||
| Geforce |
Pretty sure it's still being made, just not badged as a Buell... correct? | ||
| Hughlysses |
That's what we've heard, and I responded to MAC's e-mail and said that. Hey, maybe Rotax will sell them the 450 they had designed for the axed Buell dirt bike project?  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My guess is that just like Roehr, HD would make Mac buy the WHOLE blast rather than just source the engines. Financially, it made the Blast motor financially untenable. Buell may have been willing to source just the motors. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes, the only Buell emblem on it that I have noticed was on the speedometer. | ||
| Glitch |
If it were me, I'd source the Blast engines from e-bay. If he's looking for factory support, I'm sure H-D and Buell would be giving him the cold shoulder. I'm not sure Yamaha would give them any support either. He'd need to go to an engine supplier, like Buell did with Rotax. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Hey, maybe Rotax will sell them the 450 they had designed for the axed Buell dirt bike project?" Considering Buell spent millions on that project, I doubt it. | ||
| Swordsman |
I also responded and told them about the unbadged Blasts. I asked directly if H-D was being uncooperative, or if the Blast really was a goner. We'll see how they respond, which I'm fairly sure they will. They've been good about personal replies so far. Maybe they can shed a little more light on the mystery. ~SM | ||
| Fahren |
Check again on the personal replies. I got two in response to my emails - both the same boiler-plate "personal-sounding" text. Can you say auto-reply? | ||
| Teddagreek |
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| Crackhead |
stupid move on HD part. They are forcing a plant shut down, but they have a chance to keep some of the people employed. | ||
| Fahren |
I know - who would turn down American mfg. (or any other, for that matter) jobs with the current state of the economy?!? Gee, someone actually wants to buy a fair number of my product.... think I'd rather just say no and lay off some workers..... | ||
| Barker |
manufacturing P3 mills would not keep the East Troy plant open. Buell Air cooled mills are created @ power-train ops factory. | ||
| Xl1200r |
And for the price they want for these super singles, i think the number of units sold would be completely irrelevant to Buell or HD. | ||
| Sanchez |
It doesn't look nearly as cool without the carb and filter filling that big gap under the seat. A 660cc motor puts the bike in a different insurance category as well. | ||
| Lastbornjoker |
It doesn't look nearly as cool without the carb and filter filling that big gap under the seat. A 660cc motor puts the bike in a different insurance category as well. +1. i think the cooling fins add a nice touch.still looks good but not as good. | ||
| Midknyte |
I'll probably never get or even afford one, but it looses a bunch of style points on me for going liquid cooled, and almost as many allure points for the Eastern engine... | ||
| Fast1075 |
The big gap under the seat is just right for a turbo  Woot Woot!!! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Looks like a Hellcat on a budget. I dont like all that air in the engine bay, it needs SOMETHING. The Rotax 450 is already out and available for 3 years, Can Am has been using it in their quads.... go get that and make me an SM/DS while you are at it. |
