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Ezblast
| Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 11:25 pm: |
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500 mile break in period - RE class - a lot of idling, odd shift times, clutch practice, and bad 1st to 2nd shifting - and chugging/lugging out - sounds about what HD calls for in break in any way - lol - bike should be fine if properly maintained, for a long time and many miles to come. Enjoy the ride and ride your ride! You have some fun coming your way for sure! I'd still get the extended - but that's me. EZ (Message edited by ezblast on May 06, 2009) |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 01:15 am: |
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All the extended warranty is is insurance. Its not a maintenance program. Sure, you might have a few issues that come up, but all your doing by buying the warranty is covering yourself if something major goes wrong. Your just getting what the bike came with when new. If you bought the bike new I would say dont bother with the extended warranty. But for the reasons EZ mentioned, if you can afford it, get it. Sorry, I only know that HD charged me $225 for the 1000 mile service. I'm sure an oil change is less. 1000 mile service, oil changes, transmission fluid changes and rear tires are all you'll ever need. All are very simple to do. (I do understand that some people are not mechanically inclined whatsoever and the work should be done by someone else. However, if you can use a wrench, Blast maintenance is very, very simple). |
Andychang
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 10:22 am: |
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Thanks for all the help. If I get the extended warranty, I would want a dealer or a repair shop to do the scheduled work because I wouldn't want to have a fight on my hands if something were to happen and HD wanted to see meticulous records. Having the warranty would limit the flexibility I would have with upgrades, aka no full Jardine exhaust system for me. This could, of course - be a good thing. I could ride it with no mechanical modifications for the first two years, and after that time frame upgrade bikes, or start making more pronounced mods. |
Andychang
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 10:25 am: |
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Sorry, one last newbie question: is it absolutely critical to get a battery tender/charger for the Blast? I don't have any electronics that I plan on hooking up to the battery, and I'll do my best not to leave the lights on. |
Evilbetty
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 10:37 am: |
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Completely up to you. If you want your battery to last 8+ years, get a battery tender. If you don't leave it sat without riding it longer than 3 months, and it's stored somewhere climate controlled you should be ok for the most part. If it's not and sits longer I would highly recommend it, or pulling the battery and storing it inside. |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 12:43 pm: |
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If the bike is going to sit for more than a few weeks without a good ride, then get a battery tender. It will make the battery last much longer and it will make starting it up after the Winter much easier. The Battery Tender plug (if you decide to install it) will also work with an electric vest! As far as warranty coverage, I do know people have done mods, at minimum the exhaust, and still kept coverage. A lot depends on your dealers attitude. (Consider the fact that the HD dealer will sell lots of parts and chrome to the Harley rider and still cover their warranty). |
Damnut
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 01:24 pm: |
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Before you buy that bike I would call Buell Customer Service first. I was under the impression that all untitled Buells come with a 2 year factory warranty. If you are buying an untitled Buell from an HD dealer than you should get the Buell warranty. Call them and ask, it can only help. Buell Customer Service: 1-414-343-8400 |
Andychang
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 04:42 pm: |
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Same here. One other dealer actually told me "Untitled Buells come with the warranty." The caveat was, though - that the other dealer was also a Buell Dealer. The dealer I put the money down for already is solely HD and they pulled their Buell line 4 years ago. I phrased my question in a way to get the answer I was looking for. I said, "So down the road if I wanted to order a xb12scg from you all, can you do that?" To which they said, "No, we're only allowed to buy Blasts for Rider's Edge. When we sell them we have to sell them as "used" because we're not a Buell dealer anymore." I called at 3:31pm CST today and provided the VIN, etc, and this was the response: "At some point the HD dealership registered the bike to them (the dealership), so the bike purchase was 'as is' with no standard warranty." They also highly recommended that all my service be done by an authorized Buell dealership if I got the extended warranty, but said that if I had a repair place do it just to make sure I keep meticulous records. (which is what I thought) |
Andychang
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 04:45 pm: |
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Thanks for the help on the tender question. In the summer I should ride it regularly - I'll consider getting one when the weather cools down here in Chicago. |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 04:59 pm: |
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when the weather cools down here in Chicago" Nicely understated! LOL! Born in Markham,left to early to experience the 'weather cool down", heard the stories from the rest of the family though. |
Andychang
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 05:48 pm: |
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snow in april, snow in october. eh, whatever. before my current gig working for the US EPA, i worked in the field year round. i cycled year-round one year, and with the right clothing and studs in my tires, it wasn't too bad. i'm not saying i would do it again, but it's definitely doable. definitely will NOT be motorcycling year round. |
Andychang
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 06:11 pm: |
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http://sites.google.com/site/andychangsbuellblast/ Sorry to be such a punk (and if I've violated any type of policy, please remove this link ASAP). I started a simple site about my experiences with the Blast. Right now it's rudimentary, but I did put a link to this forum. If you seasoned riders or web designers have any input as to what else should be on the site, let me know! |
Swampy
| Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 07:00 pm: |
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Hey on the battery I have original 2001 batteries that never needed any kind of tending, just charged it up in the fall and left it alone all winter, then they started right up! The AGM battery is incredible, nothing like the old lead acid(flooded) battery. They don't freeze, don't boil, don't sulfate from overcharging. |
Andychang
| Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 03:48 pm: |
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Sorry for the dumb question, and I think I know the answer - the K&N BU-5000 filter is a "stand alone" replacement, correct? As in, I won't have to fiddle with anything else if I put this in to replace the OEM filter? |
Garlic_sauce
| Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 04:00 pm: |
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Correct. No fiddling, or is that a violin? |
Reuel
| Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 06:46 pm: |
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I got ya beat, Swampy! The only time I ever charge my 2001 battery is when I do a lot of cranking without much running on my ignition project. It went from August, when I messed up my wheel, to just a few weeks ago when I went to start my lawn mower and its battery was dead. What did I do? I put my Blast battery in the mower and it fired right up! No charge for 8 months! How 'bout them apples? |
Kscanuck785
| Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 10:29 am: |
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hey guys, where can I look to get info on moving the shifter? it is a little too far forward and I find myself shifting with the tip/side of my foot and would like it to be closer, is that possible? thanks! PS: been riding to work EVERYDAY this week (40 miles round trip) and I am in LOVE with that bike, I find myself leaving earlier so I can ride a little longer before actually heading to work...LOL |
Britchri10
| Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 10:43 am: |
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A shifter from a HD 883 or 1200 Sportster will fit. it is a lot shorter than the Blast shifter. Also, you can drill and tap the Blast shifter to move the shifter peg closer to the footpeg. Alternatively, you can buy an aftermarket shift peg. I have a Kuryakin ISO shift peg installed on the Blast shift lever. It has a much larger diameter than the standard shift peg. I'm a guy with small feet and I found this to be the best solution. just make sure that the bolt that attaches to the shifter arm is threaded correctly. I believe it needs to be a fine thread. Good luck with the project. Chris C |
Swampy
| Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 10:45 am: |
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You can drill and tap the shift lever and move the to peg where it is most ocmfortable. |
Damion_s
| Posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 12:32 pm: |
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Hello all! I am a long time rider who just bought an 06 Blast as a daily driver and it is the most fun I have ever had on a street bike. I just wanted to introduce my self and say it's been fun looking through the posts. I look forward to conversing with you all. I do have one small problem though. The bike came with a low profile seat and it is soooo uncomfortable. I think I can get a new one for about $120, but does anyone know where I can find a used tall seat or trade one. Thanks. Damion |
Garlic_sauce
| Posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 03:04 pm: |
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Welcome Damion_s, glad to hear you like your BLAST. If you look in the classified section of the topics page of this site there is a "seats for sale" section. Or check Ebay, there's always seats for sale. Have fun. |
Fast1075
| Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 09:59 am: |
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Sadly Damion, the tall seat will be no more comfortable than the low seat...the foam is too soft...I tried both, and ended up going aftermarket...but if you get a tall seat, you can have one of the seats modified...one of the guys here had his reworked by Sargents, which is far cheaper than what I did. (buy a new Corbin)...good luck and welcome to the boards.. |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 07:49 pm: |
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Actually, thats not true (although thats what I used to think). There are soft and hard low seats and soft and hard tall seats. There's also no hard and fast rule for which year seats are firm or soft as I've had seats from early and late years that were hard and soft (both styles). I've also learned that what I dont like suits someone else just fine! The Corbin seat rules, but its on the firm side (which I prefer). |
Milt
| Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 09:30 pm: |
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I've done the standard stuff to my bike - carb rejet, K+H, V+H, etc. I have not gotten around to getting better valve springs, cams, lighter push rods and so forth. At about 50 mph in 2nd gear, the engine starts to sputter. I don't have a tachometer, so I don't know how fast it was turning, other than to say it was screaming. Valve float? Rev limiter? Would any other idiot wind a Blast out to 50 in 2nd? |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 09:49 pm: |
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Rev limiter, probably. Now, I cant remember exactly (though I've probably posted it...somewhere) but I think 50mph in second is where I hit my rev limiter which is set at 7500rpm (1000rpm higher than stock-yes, I have the valve springs for it). So, my guess is that your ignition module is faulty and allowing your engine to rev higher than normal or its normal and just hitting the rev limiter. If it is overrevving, it could be valve float (I do know some people running stockers to 7200 rpm-not advisable). What'll it go to in first gear? I dont have a Blast streetable right now so I cant double check, maybe EZ can tell you what the rpms are at 50mph? The cheap way to better valve springs etc, is to use the XB stuff, including cams (they can be found used). Lighter pushrods are really a waste of money unless you really (really) tweak out your engine. Otherwise there isnt much call for it. |
Ezblast
| Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 01:55 am: |
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46 in second max 6500rpms then slam into the rev-limiter - stock max, so 50 would be in third mid way. EZ |
Milt
| Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 12:47 pm: |
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Thanks Eric and Ed ! For now, I'll just shift into 3rd :-) |
Jtreehugger23
| Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:24 am: |
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I just picked up my blast today! I love it so far. Does anyone know where to get a different fearing and different foot peg mounting brackets? thanks |
Conwaybrew
| Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:36 pm: |
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Fairings can be found on eBay - depends upon what you're looking for. Do you want a windshield or a completely new look? EZBlast has good info on his fairings sprinkled throughout the site. If you're looking for rearsets instead of the stock frame brackets there is a whole topic devoted to them. |
Ezblast
| Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 10:07 pm: |
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Welcome! EZ |
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