| Author | Message | ||
     Chrisb |
My first question is how is he getting fuel UP to the carb? | ||
| Jprovo |
Fuel pump. | ||
| Chrisb |
Just to be annoying, and a few tech reasons. I'm going to be skeptical of that answer. | ||
| Ezblast |
This bike has such great potential - I just don't see why its not made - factory costs could not be that great a difference - in fact it would increase the buying power for the rest of the XB lineup because of greater discounts for more goods purchased - thus prices should be lower - increasing profit margin. Heck - I just wish they would make one so I could buy it! GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Jprovo |
Just to be annoying, and a few tech reasons. I'm going to be skeptical of that answer. OK... It's not like pumping fuel into a float bowl is a new thing. | ||
| Chrisb |
Your right its not a new thing. It might however take a little more work than hooking up to the XB pump. There is a big "AIR" on this thread that this is a easy bolt on affair. I can tell you that its usually this kind of nit-noid crap that makes these kind of projects very annoying to complete. I can see the posts now.."Its a breeze to get the motor in the frame, but the... about drove me crazy." I'm on your guy's side for this idea and think its cool. Just trying to make sure that the details dont burn "us" later. | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - now you see why I'd rather have Mr. EB do the building - I volunteer to do testing! Heck I'd buy the testbike - lol - they'd probably have to pry the bike out of my hands to do the aftertest teardown/shakedown - lol - GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Jprovo |
Chris - I agree that there will be a ton of little stuf to work out. This is not a "bolts right's in" deal. If you read my earlier post, a lot of stuff had to be fabbed up, and quite a few compromises could be made on this bike because it is a racebike that wouldn't be made on a factory made bike. I'll find out is Jim installed a pressure regulator, or adjusted the pump pressure. He is using a Mikuni VM Carb (maybe a TM). I'll get a better look at it this month at the track. James | ||
| Ezblast |
True its not a just straight bolt in - still - its nice to see it is doable and it emphasizes a point I've always been making - it is possible, and would actually save Buell some money to build over the old Blast - even with the fancier tech. - singles have a lot of great uses - it would be great to see this idea become a street reality! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Rex |
bump the displacement some, pump up the hp, put in the XB frame, and I would be interested...looks cool. I think it would be a cool track bike. rex | ||
| Ezblast |
Maybe thats why they won't produce it - perhaps fear that such a bike would be too popular - overshadowing the the larger bikes - naw - the more sold the more profit - not enough demand - such a bike would easily fill a multitude of niches - Its a single so it's different? - lol - its a Buell! - I just don't see why they wouldn't make it - somebody enlighten me! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Diablobrian |
well, the tooling should be paid for so it would be more profitable to produce the fireblast than to design and tool up to produce an all new blast. (it's 7 yrs old) As an added bonus they could eliminate the second (blast) production line, and set up a second xb/blast production line in the factory and increase production capability for BOTH models. There should be enough room in the current factory to set up the second line IIRC. Seems pretty straight forward unless the individual frames are ridiculously expensive to the point that unit price would be too high to be competitive. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Um, this may sound kinda dumb, but have any of you actually written to Buell to make this point? I would imagine that a slew of letters & e-mail asking about it would be much more persuasive than a thread (however long) on a web forum (even one as august as this) Just my 10 €cents worth. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
It looks like a great fun little thing. The fuel pump issue would be minor compared to the other engineering/fabrication items. And Grumps at today's exchange rate it would be your $0.12cents worth. | ||
| Swampy |
There are fuel pumps on carbureted snowmobiles, I don't see why it wouldn't work with an CV. All it would need is 5 PSI. And a fuel pressure regulator would take care of that. | ||
| Ezblast |
Here are the pics that started this thread - you can see why such a thing would be a great positive! I sure hope Erik is listening!   GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Midknyte |
The more I see that pic EZ, the more I imagine putting an auxillary gas tank in that empty space. heheh, with that and the Blast engine - you could do an iron-butt in a single sitting. (ooooo, that's punny) | ||
| Ceejay |
As far as production goes, it may be tough for BMC to do and hit the price point desired for a beginner bike. The motor, while getting a high price in the chopper world, isn't what I believe to be driving the cost. Blasts are cheaper because they have less fancy stuff on them. To get to that price point may be tough due to the tech of the frame, swingarm, wheels, etc. That being said the stuff-tooling/engineering/tech- should already be paid for...If it comes out, especially at a low price point, I'm in line... | ||
| Ezblast |
See - it would be more than just a beginner bike though - sure - some would definately sell for that reason and it would then be at the top of its class in that field, however, they would also sell because of their great gas mialage and handling would make the bike a great commuter and all around work bike - use the CG frame and it becomes good for height challenged as well, and adds even more distance to the engines ability - and with a suspension such as is on it now - it would become a great bike to learn with on the track as well - a great do it all commuter with fantastic gas mialage, and the ability to have wild fun in the twisties on the weekend chaising the twins. As for costs - even if they used the same suspension - the price break for the increased amount ordered should help offset the higher initial price of the parts? GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Ceejay |
yea, but I think it would take some great marketing strategy to sell them, as most go for the more power is better/its just a single. I'm thinking that a fireblast would be the coolest bike for commuting/putting around/teaching the wifey to ride/building it into a race bike but I don't think a lot of other people think that way. Many of the people I work with can't understand why my Buell-said with disgusting look on face, has more HP and torque than thier big twins...."but I got 1450 cc's" type thing...I still want one and may try to build one myself... | ||
| Ezblast |
Heck - Buell is king of that sort of thing - Different in every sense! - still certain features would sell themselves - 70mpg, great handling, durability, and great looks, a luggage option - lol - I know - preaching to the choir! Still - it couldn't be that hard to market such great qualities - especially with the power of HD backing you! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I like it but only if it had the HP to match (not the watered down stock Blast engine). Wont sell! What's the lowest priced XB, $9000? The Blast is $4500? The XBlast should run at least $7000 minimum, probably more since its only missing a cylinders worth of parts. If selling at $7500 wouldn't it be too tempting to plunk down the extra $1500 for twice the HP? I think it would only fly as a factory order racebike, but then the price is not gonna be worth it. As it is its pulling teeth just to get people to race the current Blast. We've talked to EB and Buell still wont give us real performance Blast parts or even improve the Blast. It wouldn't take much to make the current Blast into a better bike for close to the same selling price. Reality is they have a hard time moving the Buells as it is, not to mention the Blast. Lastly, when I bought my Blast I could have had an 883 Sportster for another $1000. The 883 was a better deal and holds its value, But I really wanted a single. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Can you use a couple of sportster cams in a blast engine? lots of profiles available for sporties. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yes. Can and am. Bolts right in using stock Blast timing cup. | ||
| Ezblast |
Part of what you said may be true considering the market for the origional Blast, but with rising gas prices, demands for a better Blast, and with the factories need to grow - this could be the answer - I'd pay 7g for a 650cc XBBlast and be very happy - I'm sure others would, the KLR, BMW, KTM - new - all have nice 650 engines, however, to get each of them to handle well means as many additional dollars and more as the XBBlast 650cc version - ready made - would cost in its stock version. That is the point I'm making - yeah you buy your used KLR for 2 G with its hidden problems - switch out the suspension and brakes and wheels and you have a great handling bike - hopefully - extra cost 3g or more and your still wondering if the engine will last past the next set of tires, you buy an XBBlast 650cc and its ready out of the box to learn and have fun with - and actually you could probably pare that price to 6 grand keeping all the goodies - due to a lot of other things you don't need and the fact that the group buy on an item just got bigger, thus bigger savings. Please - sportsters are nice period pieces and if you dump a world of money into them it may reach close to Buell standards, however, out of the box a stock Blast on hwy 35 will eat a stock sporster up and I ain't talking 883 either - lol - too many curves - I want a bike that can handle, and be simple in maintenance, and get great gas mialage and be fun to ride - I'll look at chrome cruisers when I'm 70 or so. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Rex |
EZ, I agree. the BMW single is a neat bike...I like how it feels and looks. Fairly pricey for it. You could put the Blast 650 in an XB frame, or even in a Uly frame. With the right power, it could be cool to see how it compares to the BMW. I am part of the Four Stroke Singles National Motorcycle Club. Those guys ride the Kawasakis and BMW Singles all around the country, many miles at a time. Very loyal following. To think that the parts may be there, all you might be able to build one on the same assembly line, might keep the cost down? just discussing. REX | ||
| Ezblast |
Thats what I was thinking - with everything practically in place already, the larger parts order would be a greater price break, you could use the cg setup to make it good fit for practically everyone, more gas space from the larger frame would mean even greater touring distance, even at 650cc I'm betting at least 60mpg to 70 mpg - because of the radically lower jetting needed for the current XB piston/head swap, reliability would be awesome as well - I see a win/win even in a limited production mode. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I just dont see it possible for a $6k or even a $7k XBlast. You're not saving that much in parts by using one less cylinder, and there is no demand for a better Blast. Buell wants you to 'move up'.There just arent people standing in line crying out for a high performance Blast. How many people realistically are doing anything longterm (performance or touring) with a Blast. The European market would be different. You get 50+ mpg on an XB and 60+mpg on a Blast. Most people will go for the XB. "Please - sportsters are nice period pieces and if you dump a world of money into them it may reach close to Buell standards, however, out of the box a stock Blast on hwy 35 will eat a stock sportster up and I ain't talking 883 either - lol - too many curves - I want a bike that can handle, and be simple in maintenance, and get great gas mileage and be fun to ride - I'll look at chrome cruisers when I'm 70 or so." The point in my comparing the 2 is that the Blast is a 'starter' bike and it took the place of the 883 as the bottom of the line. The 883 is far more of a universal bike than the Blast and handles quite well, believe it or not, with more power. Are you gonna choose a bike you'll 'outgrow' or for an extra $1000 get one that will fill a greater number of needs? You dont need to dump a world of money into it to match the Blasts standards (definitely an XB, but not a Blast).You already know which bike I chose, but thats not usually how most people will go. The BMW 650 is a full size bike with all the available options (at $8000+) a big BMW comes with. I dont think an XBlast can compete with that except with the diehard Buell/HD fans. The XBlast is a definite niche bike that Buell/HD is not willing to gamble on. PS Remember the Sportster is built for performance and although it does come in cruiser configurations, its original purpose is for loyal HD customers who want a bike that handles. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on April 27, 2006) | ||
| Ezblast |
The Blast is a starter bike, among other things, however the 883 Sportster is behind the Blast in every comparison except final top end - that is a fact - the sportster was built for performance that was 20 years ago and cannot touch any performance bike today including a Ninja 500 or 650 SV, etc. - period. Yours or my bike - both will beat a sportster and that overpriced, heavy as a brickyard BMW 650 mentioned and we are still in the 500 category - lol - however, I'm talking about a different type of bike all together - one that could be used for a beginner, however, it would have many other uses as well - a factory 650 single with 50hp rw, and great gas capacity and mileage thanks to the CG frame, and great suspension - a full sized XB - this is a totally different creature than the Blast you and I usually use for reference - so perhaps it should have a different name all together - XB650 Pony? - just a thought - there are a bunch of things that that make the above price-point achievable - and I've listed them, please reread my posts on that part - as a bookkeeper - lol - I am very cost conscious and I've really chewed this one over - my price-point would still leave a good profit for Buell/HD, and you could start it as a limited edition to test the waters, but if such a bike where made in todays market with the right set of pitches to go with it - it would probably sell very well indeed! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Dude you're missing the point. I didnt say the Sportster would compare to any Sportbikes. It only has to compare to other Harleys. You start lining all the other bikes up at the HD/Buell dealer and they're gonna pick something else besides an XBlast.Its a factory special order bike, period. It falls in with the XLCR and XR1000. They'll sit on the showroom floor,forever. Also dont forget I rode a Sportster every day for 11 years, I know how they handle (before of course they became the 560lb monster in 2004). Do I think the XBlast is a great idea, hell yea. Is it gonna happen, hell no. For those who dont know I do own a Blast and have gladly spent a lot of money on it. I couldnt be more pro Blast. I just dont think an XBlast will see the light of day at a Buell dealer. And lets not forget who took that picture! | ||
| Ezblast |
I'm not missing any point - a 650cc Blast engined XB Dual sport with a height option would be a perfect bike to replace the current Blast or a 720cc twin XB could also be done - and welcomed - though I still think the simplicity of the single could draw a strong following on the main market where KLR's, the various 450 dual sports, KTM, Huskies, BMW's and other brands hold sway. Also a 720cc twin could easily go up against the smaller Ducs, etc. recommended and shine beautifully against them with that platform to work off of - such bikes with their promised miserly mileage and low insurance costs could become the work Pegasus/horse of the US. Both bike options would be welcomed and gain a following in the US - the majority of bikes not Buell in the SFMC are KLR, Dual Sports, and SV650s and 600+cc Duc Darks - as is a prevalent reflection of the city's rides as well (also the place where all remaining H. Hawk type bikes retired to). GT - JBOTDS! EZ |
