Buell Blast project

[Bogie]

Hey guys, I bought a Buell Blast this summer. It came in a pile and three boxes   $500 off ebay. Turns out the owner was riding along and the engine died so he takes it to the shop, they tear the whole bike apart and discover a spun cam bearing. The bearing had frozen to the cam and then spun in the case  . They quote him $2200 to fix it and since he didn't want to have the work done (duh!) they gave it back to him in peices.

I cut the bearing off the cam and cleaned up the race...suprisingly there no damage, however, the pressed on gear had spun on the cam shaft so when I went to re-install it, none of the timing marks lined up. Maybe that's why it died...cam timing off a little? So I figured I'd better check the valves since this is a zero tolerance motor and all...no damage there...whew!

Long story short, I got a set of Andrews cams on order from Nallin racing up in Firestone CO.

Who knows, maybe I'll have this thing running by spring.

Later, Carl

[2DFlyer]

What do you plan on doing with once running?  Considering what you're running now I can't imagine the blast will do much for you.  Or is it your round town putzer?

[spd2918]

Sounds like you are having fun working on the little thumper.

The Blast has a very low center of gravity due to its heavy trans down low and single piston up top.  That and the short wheelbase make them a lot of fun to thrash around town.  Most riders forget how much fun small bikes are.  

[R.Markus]

We need pictures!

[Bogie]

Well, believe it or not I'm thinking about putting a set of gripsters on it and using it for a dual-sport / fishing bike this summer up in the mountains. I've got a weekend cabin up there and most fishing spots are within 20-30 miles, and the roads are mostly dirt. There's a fair amount of fire roads and BLM access up there too. I suppose I could sell it and put the money towards a BMW FS650 ... havn't really decided yet.

Do you guys really want a picture of the piles? Thought I would wait until I had it together..

Later, Carl

[veefer800canuck]

Well, believe it or not I'm thinking about putting a set of gripsters on it and using it for a dual-sport / fishing bike this summer up in the mountains. I've got a weekend cabin up there and most fishing spots are within 20-30 miles, and the roads are mostly dirt. There's a fair amount of fire roads and BLM access up there too.

Sounds like that would work.

Can you get somewhat Knobbly tyres to fit the B-last rim sizes?

[2DFlyer]

You're kidding right?  Do we want pictures?  Hell pictures are the only thing some of us understand.  

Gotta have the before and after shots!  What better place to start than a couple of piles?

[Kootenanny]

Well, believe it or not I'm thinking about putting a set of gripsters on it and using it for a dual-sport / fishing bike this summer up in the mountains.

Hey, there are a few guys flat-tracking these things--and I believe they use a custom frame for that...

[Bogie]

Sounds like that would work.

Can you get somewhat Knobbly tyres to fit the B-last rim sizes?

I havn't checked into the tire sizes yet and Gripsters aren't really knobbies, they're a cross-over tire,,,gotta get the motor sorted out first.

My FJR is tired of being run down dirt roads. I street legalized the KDX and tried it on the street..it sucked! So I figured I needed a DRZ or something similar...I don't even know how I got started on this Blast. I've always liked Buells I guess and if I could afford it I would have a Uly right now.

One of the first things to go has got to be the exhaust...that dang thing weighs 25lbs. I found a Kerker for $75 and may throw that at it. We'll see...

Later, Carl

[naustin]

I had a blast as my first bike.  I did a little work on it too...

[Bogie]

Nice looking bike Austin. It's amazing what's out there for these things. NHRS has a 615 big bore kit that puts these things into the 80 hp range...no tellin' how long it would hold together but....hmmm. What kind of pipe is on yours...kinda looks like a SuperTrap.

Later, Carl

[naustin]

The pipe is a Bub.  It was only made for a few years, and is no longer in production.  I found mine brand new in the box on ebay from a Dennis Kirk clearance sale.  The rear-sets are Banke Performance.  That bike was so much fun to ride.  It was sooo loud with that drap pipe on it...    Sometimes I miss it.    

There are some guys racing these in singles classes around the country.  Check out the "thumper" forum at BadWeatherBikers.com    These guys are second only to Buell in their knowledge of the Blast.

[Bogie]

Yep, been to Bad Weather quite a few times...I also rode a tube frame Buell ( S3 ) for a few years. It was one of my 'born again' bikes when I started on the street again after a 10 year binge on dirt machines.

Later, Carl

[naustin]

Cool - hey I just noticed your avatar.    That show was hilarious.  

[Bogie]

It's alive! A set of Andrews cams from NHRS, a fresh cam bearing from the old HD stealership, and a kerker header/can. The thing started right up. 1613 miles. Anyone wanna buy it?  :lol



Later, Carl

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

One project down so whats next?

[Rogue]

I have a 19" screen and I can barely see that dang thing.

Can you maybe post a bigger, better picture?

[dgunther]

It's alive! A set of Andrews cams from NHRS, a fresh cam bearing from the old HD stealership, and a kerker header/can. The thing started right up. 1613 miles. Anyone wanna buy it?  :lol



Later, Carl

I'll give ya your $500 dollars back and a Yamaha Zuma scooter in a couple boxes for your next project