| Author | Message | ||
     Kauai1800 |
Got back from Honolulu today and happy to say I passed the MSF Basic Rider course with flying colors. That was fun! They've got a nice racket going over there with classes of 24 people and doing classes almost every day Wed-Sun. Rode a Honda 250 Nighthawk which was so quiet compared to the Blast! I fired the thumper up as soon as I got home and its sound is definitely mo' betta. But... I now see why everyone is complaining about the friction zone on the Blast. Mine is maybe 1/2" max...probably 3/8". Less than half the size of the Honda for sure. I'm going to swap to Mobil 1 V-Twin oil in the trans as I hear that helps..is there anything else to improve the friction zone? I mean I can ride it as is, but a little more zone might be a good thing. Also, I thought to check something on the "new" tires I got on my bike...the DOT age code. Now mind you, both these tires look basically brand new..injection nubbies and all (they are the much-maligned Dunlops..btw). Anyway, front tires date code is 0500 and rear tire is 2505..which means the front tire is over a DECADE old and the rear tire is 5 1/2 years old. Wow kinda scary. I've read 6 years is max age for a motorcycle tire so I'm going to gingerly get these to the dealer (only 1 mile from here) to be replaced with some Pirellis. The one thing that makes me a little extra mad about this whole experience is that the guy who sold me the bike works at Costco as a tire mechanic, so no doubt he knew the real deal on these tires. Anyway, there's a lesson in there somewhere I'm sure. There were no fellow Blasters in my MSF class, but one guy named Mike who had just got a Firebolt, so I told him about Badweatherbikers Firebolt forum and I imagine he'll show up over there soon. In the end, I'm feeling much more safe and confident as a result of the class. Obviously I'm still very green and will take my time building my skills and stay within my limits, but now I am chomping to really get out there and ride. Aloha. | ||
| Swampy |
Congratulations! Yes, get rid of the Dunlop, that tire does not belong on the Blast. You can improve the friction zone with a couple of pieces available from you neighborhood H-D(spit) dealer. There is a thread here that has the part numbers. Changing it out is not that big of a deal. You can make the clutch spring compressor out a piece of PVC coupling and a threaded rod and a long nut. I built one for a non H-D(spit) motorcycle shop a couple of months ago because one of the wrecks they brough in for repair had a smoked clutch. I think I had a total of $12 in parts to build it. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Concur! New or old, the Dunlops suck! Clutch: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/66673.html?1280273823 | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
and congrats on taking and passing the class. | ||
| Kauai1800 |
Mahalo Guys! I did order the Pirellis MT 75s. One thing to let everyone know is that the Motorcycle Superstore is having a decent-looking sale on them with free shipping (except to those of us who live on remote islands...). Only $52 and $64 for the front and rear. In fact, they won't ship them here at all  so I had to order through our single local H-D dealer*, who luckily for me, is super cool. Larry, the parts guy, is pro-Buell/Blast and happy to help me however he can..while making a buck of course! A pair cost me $220 shipped to Kauai and will cost $121 to install the rear and $50 to install the front. How do these installation prices sound to you guys? I've never had a motorcycle tire service before... Larry told me initially that the Dunlops were the only tire that fit; so he was stoked to hear about the Pirellis. When he looked in their online parts catalog, it said "fits Buell Blast" - leaving no doubt. Thanks Erik for the clutch service info - I'll show this to Larry as well and we can get the needed parts (I hope). And what's the deal with the left footpeg? I've seen several threads alluding to it being a pain in the butt to put on; but why is that? It looks like a simple cotter pin kinda thing at a casual glance. * which is the Western-most H-D dealer in the US. http://www.kauaiharley-davidson.com | ||
| Ezblast |
I you ever do take the peg bracket off the frame, make life easier for yourself and get some lock washers and coupling nuts to replace the nylock nuts. the threaded rod coupling nut is longer and and easier to manipulate/reach. One of the first things I did to mine as a stock modification. Some blue lock-tite and your golden. EZ (Message edited by ezblast on January 09, 2011) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Well, since the rear is much easier to replace than the front, the front is a bargain. If you knew how easy it was to remove the rear wheel, there isnt any way you would pay $121 to have someone do it for you. Spend some of that money on a torque wrench and socket and find someone to just swap out the tires (or see if Larry will do that for much less). $50 to R & R the front tire (with no additional charges) is actually a fair price. Its the left footpeg Y-frame thats a pain, not the left footpeg. PS If you havent heard it before, do NOT rely on ANYONE to know as much about your Blast as you do (or will). Seriously. I know people who are referred to as 'Blast pros' and they dont know half of what the regulars here know. Be informed. Ask questions. We will help. | ||
| Swampy |
Gosh, that is alot of money. I would think that was for taking the tire off the bike for you plus the cost of the tire. What is their per-hour labor rate? | ||
| Ezblast |
I know the islands are expensive, however, that is a lot of money and the rear is easier than the front, and don't let them take the rear pulley off the rear wheel to change the tire. If they do, they need to replace the pulley bolts with new factory bolts. EZ | ||
| Kauai1800 |
Thanks guys. I haven't actually looked to see how hard removing the rear wheel is. If it's not too hard, then yeah, for sure I'll take the DIY approach. I do have a torque wrench and am not afraid! Thanks for clearing up my confusion about the footpeg. And I agree Erik, I am on several other forums (old Volvos 1800s, Klipsch speakers, Celestron telescopes, Swiss watches, et al.) and no doubt it's the hardcore enthusiasts who know the most and have the most to share. OK one last question...I've never owned a motorcycle stand before. From what I gather, you put on small aluminum spools on the rear wheel bolts and use that to lift the bike up..have I got that right? Is there a better/more clever way for the Blast? Will a rear wheel stand suffice? I like to work on my vehicles a lot. It's hard to not get out and ride today (it's about 75 and perfectly clear), but at the moment I've got no insurance on the Blasotcyst, nor a permit, AND I've got my kids all day while my wife is working. But..I'm pretty good at tight figure 8s after my MSF class. How can you even GO 21.3 miles in a small parking lot? Seems impossible! Well maybe riding around the cul-de-sac to warm up the transmission oil so I can change it might be ok ya?  ps I was just checking out that website Ez mentions; American Motorcycle Tire, and was pleased(?) to see that thru them the Pirellis would've been almost the exact same price as I paid getting them thru local H-D (once you add in the $79.77 shipping!...roughly $215). Plus here you REALLY want to support your local H-D dealer if you can...they're all you got on this island. (Message edited by kauai1800 on January 09, 2011) | ||
| Kauai1800 |
I saw Swampy's instructions for using jack stands to lift the rear end. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/128047.html But I also see a metal brake line under the right side Y. Do you just try and make the jack stand bracket avoid the line? Will that be stable enough? Thanks! | ||
| Swampy |
There will be plenty of room, the line will just move out of the way. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Or Harbor Fright has a rear stand: http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-swingarm-r ear-stand-66192.html It looks like it will work. My guess is they dont have a HF on the island either, but I dont know how much shipping is. (there are coupons available online though and stuff can be had very cheap). Spools are not necessary. They also have an adapter to use it as a front stand: http://www.harborfreight.com/front-fork-adapter-fo r-motorcycle-stand-65621.html That is an incredibly low price for stands! | ||
| Johneblast |
Mahalo Kauai1800. If you take the wheels in to have the tires changed, don't forget to remember to put the wheel spacers back on the side of the wheel that they came off of. | ||
| Johneblast |
I forgot to mention that if your in a pinch for time and you want to get the bike off the ground to do any work on it, a pair of tow straps or tie downs (provided they are rated for the 360lbs or more) will work just fine if you hang them from a rafter with an eye-lag bolt. I've been working on my bike that way for a year now with no problems.  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
"don't forget to remember to put the wheel spacers back on the side of the wheel that they came off of" Very true, but dont sweat it. It's real difficult to put them back on any other way than the way they came off. | ||
| Themagster |
Congrats on the MSF course! | ||
| Ezblast |
Congrats! I use an engine hoist after loosening everything - bike hanging in the air - lol EZ |
