| Author | Message | ||
     Rex |
What do you guys think about a 600 Blast motor in the XB frame. I bet it would fit fairly well, and would handle too... Thoughts on this thread...? REX | ||
| Sarodude |
Talk to JProvo! -Saro | ||
| Ezblast |
you know I've been thinking on this topic a long time and even though I figure the Blast to be fuell injected soon - I don't see it using the XB frame. The only true week spots in the Blast frame would be the need for the neck area and swing arm to be reinforced for racing purposes - otherwise it would probably get close to or even equal the XB for rigidity (and being steel easier to work with for the modifications I just mentioned)- the XB comes out of the factory already strong in these areas because Buell knew it would be raced - they never really guessed how hard we would push their humble little thumper. What I do expect is that Buell will actually strengthen these areas of the frame so that we can go racing with them - wouldn't cost much for heavier bearings and a little extra steel in these critical areas - and you save money on getting a C&J frame for racing, and comply with the new rules comming out requiring a manufacturer to use the stock frame in their various flat track racing series endeavors. I figure it to happen on the first f.i. Blast as part of the new package - I could be wrong - wouldn't be the first time - lol - still - a 600cc f.i. Blast with a stronger frame in those critical areas, pegs a little higher, some real suspension pieces (read adjustability) - I sure can dream;0) - I eagerly await James view on this! - lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Jprovo |
Rex, I've been thinking about this for awhile. I think that it is potentially a great idea, But I'd be a lot of work and $$. Right now I think that the Blast frame and suspension stand up just fine for agressive street riding and light roadracing. I would still like to make one up for the fun of it. If only I had the time and money! I think that It would be a really cool street machine, but never a sellable factory machine. James | ||
| Rebelgtp |
i have been thinking about something along these lines actually since before the xb came out. i remember that before i even bought my blast i found a single cylinder buell project someone was working on that was based off an s2 i beleive. i have always thought about trying that with a big bore blast engine. an xb chasis would be the ultimate but i think an old tube frame with a 600 or dare i dream the mythical 720 would be an awesome ride. i have also played with the idea of an old harley xr frame | ||
| Ezblast |
How about a hardtail Blast?! It wouldn't weigh much and could get you to the bar and back in thumper style;0)  - lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I thought a lot about that hardtail(handle so good,hurt so bad).You would have to use a full frame.Really simple is to bolt on a hardtail, but I don't think the engine case would handle the abuse.And with a full frame I don't see so much weight savings.It might weigh in the same if you modified it FXR style & w/ an aluminum shock.A very cool and against the grain concept though.I love hardtails!!! | ||
| Ezblast |
I've seen a couple of Areomichi hardtails in custom frames and a few other singles - mostly triumphs - hardtails - the posibility of adapting one of the british single hardtale frames - maybe use an isolating rubber mounting;0) - yes they sell them - and adapting one to a Blast is the thought that keeps flying  through my head. lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Jonnyz |
Well if we're after stylee how about a Blast! motor in a Norton featherbed frame. Done up full cafe style.  Back on the subject of a Blast! motor in an xb frame. I have been giving this some thought also. It would make a great urban machine. Put the airbox behind the cylinder, ala Blast! and use the empty space under the airbox cover (tank) for storage. Make a new tail section with an integrated rack, and give it some longer legs for rough urban streets. Why do I feel a photoshop session coming on? Now if I can just sell the idea to Buell.  Jon | ||
| Ltlboybuell |
Hmm, why not a salvage XB9 Motor with a P3 frame bolted to it? Guess the top "strap"/tank might need a bit'o tweaking ... Might as well take the XB9 swingarm too and forks too. | ||
| Buelliedan |
BoyBuell, You have the idea reversed. The Blast guys are looking for a better frame/suspension to go with their single cylinder motor. Its the suspension and frame that is the weak link in a Blast. | ||
| Ezblast |
Actually the week point of the Blast frame is the neck area - needs reinforcing and better bearings for hard racing, and you have to alter the swing-arm - the other week link - for wider rubber - the Blast actually handles pretty good to around 90 then it starts to get a little iffy in the tight stuff - however, you can get suspension up grades for that. The factory could do that and then no one would even ask that question - till then we look and learn and experiment madly. Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Mrbuells1 |
does anyone have info on updating the wheels on a blast to buell 17" wheels.reg kitrell was working on this before his great mag disappeared.......again.i have the blast and the wheels, just no time to machine.email me at : mrbuell@earthlink.com | ||
| Ezblast |
See the Wheels/tire section - Maybe James will sell you a kit - also check the last couple of archives for this month - seems Ryan did the swap while turning his engine into a 44 mag. - lol - check it out - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
EZ, The frame you mentioned on 4/05/03 was most likely the factory short track frame not custom. This hardtail was standard equipment on H-D's Aermachis "Sprint" short trackers. Dad had one and like I've mentioned before was the bike that started my love affair with singles. An excellent picture of a couple of these can be found on page 349 of the Encyclopedia of the Harley-Davidson. Ray | ||
| Spooky |
The weak link in the stock chassis on the Blast is at the swing arm. On the stock Blast the frame is not tied in to the swing arm like it should be, I'm not counting the shock as a mounting point. The C&J frame goes all the way down through the swing arm pivot, plus the motor is mount solid to the frame. I have been playing around with the idea of building or having a frame built. The engine would have to be solid mount in the frame, plus the frame would have to go through the swing arm pivot. I would move the oil tank ether out of the frame or to the bottom. The shock would need to be moved also, more likely to the same point that the XB shock mounts up. I remember reading somewhere here on the board that the stock rear spring on the Blast was something like 950 ft pounds per square inch. The Works was over 1000 ft pounds per square inch. This is pretty high for such a small bike and the need for such a high spring rate is the mounting point. Almost all of your big sport bike don't use anything this high, even the XB's. I hope this has been some help. Eric | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Spooky, How do you figure? I've been riding bike of all shapes and sizes for over the past 35+ years. The one thing that I always thought was that the swing arm geometry could be improved dramatically. The problem with thing swing arm design on most bike currently and through history is the stress that it places on the chain or belt. Thus causing undo were and unneeded maintenance. Eric and his engineers showed good thinking in placing the pivot point as close to the countershaft as they did. This dramatically reduced the forces to the chain or belt. They also produced a very strong unit as of yet I have not heard of one swingarm failure or cracked case. Also I question you guys dragging your sprocket. I've flogged my Blast edge to edge on the rear tire, at speed through some very tight twisties, with all of my 220 pounds. I have yet to even think about dragging the sprocket. The stock pegs now that's a different story. I can't see it, but I guess it could happen. Ray | ||
| Spooky |
Ultra shocks are available for the Buell Blast. These are more normal acting shocks (not pull). Remote reservoir, threaded preload, adjustable rebound $609. $659 adds adjustable compression as well. OK here is the skinny on the rear Blast. The stock shock comes with a 950lb spring on it. The shock is highly leveraged and so the spring needs to be twice as stiff as many single shock bikes in this size from Japan. Even if the shock is up to this the oil inside has to be pushed through tight passages at high pressures to give the resistance at the rear wheel that is needed. The shock oil will die. 15,000 - 30,000mi will typically find a stock shock in this situation going away big time. The stocker is not rebuildable and so is therefore pretty much toast, except as a back up shock. Our shock will be just as hard on the oil but our shock is less sensitive to the oil condition so typically it will go about 50% longer, it is also rebuildable (the oil can be changed out). Since a reservoir will usually increase oil life be 50 - 100%. The oil in our shock could pretty much last the life of a typical Blast. Larger riders and two up riding can be problems for the stock rear shock on the Blast. We can address this also. Our shock normally comes with a 1000lb spring and because our shock is more positive in the way it acts it should be good for about 20% -30% more load than the stock one, and that is before you start adding preload to the spring on our shock (and not adjustable on the stockers I have seen). Reducing the preload on the spring is just the thing for shorter lighter riders to get the bike to squat down for them. For two up with larger riders we can go to higher damping and a stiffer spring if we must (we don’t recommend exceding the gross weight rating of the bike). All the things that make the works shocks better than others and especially stock shocks will be magnified on the Blast because of the high leverage. Here is the info on the Works shock. Ray, what kind of tires are you running and what do you run your tire presser at. Don't you have the Bankes rearsets, if you do whats your thought on them. I'm still running the stock Dunslops 34 in the front 36 in the rear. I'm getting Pirelli's put on the bike in the morning. The road are alot different here in North Carolina than Kansas. | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Spooky, I'm currently running Parellis 34F/38R. As for roads depends on where in Kansas you live. I live in SE Kansas that has lots of rolling hills and most of the county roads ain't too straight. Dad lives in So Central Kansas and it flat and straight, beautiful just before wheat harvest. I do have the Banke's now and love them very comfortable and have much better angle for my 34" inseam. Although I have a very thin pair of stock pegs to. Back to the Pirelli tires I like them better than the Dunlops, they last longer, and get a very good bite. They can be abit greasy first thing especially in cool weather but warm up fast. Ray | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Spooky, Good news about the availability of a rear shock. Although we differ on the swingarm issue, I will agree the Blast rear shock just plain sucks. The problem as I see it is #1) the spring does not have a progressive wind which is why the it feels good until you really need it, #2 no means of adjustment (part of that beginners bike thing). The big reason I would like to see the Blast in a XB chassis is superior suspension and handling. Although, in a 600-650cc non detuned version. Ray | ||
| Spooky |
Ray, I don't fill that the swingarm is so much the problem. It's that the frame is not part of the swingarm mount or something of that nature. You are right about having the swingarm pivot as close to the countershaft, just look at roadrace bikes. Back to the frame, the rear frame mount let's the bike flex to much in my opinion. Take the flex out of the frame then you will get some flex in the swingarm and the forks. | ||
| Spooky |
and thanks for the information on the tire's and the rearsets | ||
| Rex |
fssnoc... I am a member of this club too. I love the quarterly publication and their rides.....would like to make one of their cafe runs... Looks like the blast riders are getting some press there too..... | ||
| Sleez |
ok all you experts, will the blast engine go into a tube frame, easily? i know anything is possible, but is it a bolt in operation? | ||
| Ezblast |
  Yes - it can be done, has been done - dificulties lay in swingarm and rear mounts - lol - see the racing section for specs. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Sleez |
what about building a blast engine from a standard XL/Buell tube frame case??? | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes - see the latest group of pictures in the Thumper picture section showing just that!   GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Sleez |
i read about that project, sweet. i wonder if you could bolt a block off plate in place of the rear jug, and use a blast front jug/head/crank??? | ||
| Ezblast |
YES! | ||
| Sleez |
of course you would have to deal with the cams/ignition??? seems possible!! what about putting a tuber or XB front suspension on a blast frame??? | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes - see the Racing section and the picture section! GT - JBOTDS! EZ |
