| Author | Message | ||
     Rmorin128 |
Hi All, I just got an '02 Blast leftover w/ 7 mi on the clock. Carefully followed the recommendations in the owner's manual for break in, no oil-leaks, and only slight oil consumption. Just short of 1K on the clock now. Recently changed the oil. Noticed that the engine makes a sound like knocking. It only happens when the bike is under load. Pulled the plug and inspected/re-gapped to .042, plug was the right color and the edges of the electrode were still nice and sharp. I've started running 93 octane gas to see if it was a fuel problem but the noise remains. Sometimes there's a slight popping noise from the exhaust. The engine seems to run ok, plenty of power while riding. The engine doesn't run-on after shut-down. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but after seeing some of the problems that others have had w/ knocking I didn't want to take any chances. Any ideas? Thanks In Advance. P.S. Been away from riding for 15 yrs and the Blast has been a GREAT re-entry bike, loads of fun!} | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
First guess would be the primary chain needs its initial adjustment. 2nd would be what weight of oil you are using-s/b 20-50w unless you live someplace thats cold for this time of year.(anything much thinner is a bad idea). 3rd Do you have the correct oil filter?Double check the numbers.It is possible to use the wrong oil filter on some vehicles and have an oil pressure problem. 4th The Blast is a noisy little bugger at times and what you are hearing may be normal?! | ||
| Ezblast |
Cool! I'm glad you like your bike! I can't be a hundred percent on this, but I'll bet its just your primary chain. The sound should go away with your first adjustment - see the KV section for that - thats my bet, there is a chance of being wrong, but that is the usual - esp. on a new Blast. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Oil being used is Castrol full synthetic 20w50 w/ Wal-Mart ST4967 filter. The oil has the CF diesel rating indicated as OK by the manual. I've made an attempt at adjusting the primary chain, but not 100% sure that it's right. I'm a little gun-shy about overtightening it. Thanks Again, Russ | ||
| Ezblast |
Use the proper torque wrench, 24 inch pounds, and 8 flats out cold and you should be fine. This really is always a hard thing when it comes to noise - figuring if its benign or not - if you have a friendly service center, any mechanic there - esp the Buell guy should be able to hear it in a 5 min ride around the block. If not - if you could get together with another Blast owner and listen for diferences - ok - who here is an ear mech - lol - there are certain listening tricks, and devices - never worked with such myself - I sure though that some one has;0) GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Naustin |
Mine makes a sort of Knock/Chugging noise too. Only when my wife is riding 20mph in 3rd and tries to accelerate hard, though. SECOND! - SECOND!!  | ||
| Light_keeper |
Mine made that noise too. Made all the adjustments EZ suggested. used higher grade of gas and it got better but was still there. Now that the motor is all broken in it does not seem to be there at all. the other changes made are rejet carb and pro exaust and buell pro sparkplug. For what ever reason those changes and running time the problem ( if it was a problem ) have gone away. Sandy | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Gearheaderiko and EZ are right, it's primary chain noise. I followed the suggestions that they gave me for adjusting, it's improved but not gone. The engine itself just seems to get smoother and more powerful the more that I ride it. This weekend I plan on changing the transmission fluid when I can find a big enough block of time to remove the left peg bracket to get at the inspection cover, hopefully that will be the end of the noise (unless I did something stupid like stretch the chain). Want to thank everyone for their input/suggestions. BTW, there's a lot of posts about rejetting the carb. Is there a spot in the KV that talks about the step-by-step for doing the process (hopefully w/ some good pics)? Russ | ||
| Ezblast |
http://bcrider.com/blast.html http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hd_cv_mods.htm These two sites will give you pictures and the first post in the Carb section files is a step by step method that starts after you take the air box off. There is also the link to the Manual in the manual section to help verify. Between using all that for your research, a steady and quick hand, and just a touch of luck - you should be able to change your jets - a tip - bring the float bowl straight down and straight up - don't rub or flex the float at all. Its pretty simple really - you just want to be sure and quick and have your tools ready to go - you don't want the float to hang for a long time and deform. Hope all that helps! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ edited by ezblast on June 24, 2004 | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Back to square one. Just did the oil/primary fluid changes. Re-tensioned the primary chain just to be sure. Changed the spark plug to NGK DPR9EA9. Switched to 93 octane fuel (I've only been running Shell or Mobil to make sure that it's good stuff). The noise is still there. Could this be valve noise, timing, or some other kind of transmission noise? The bike still makes good power, but it's hard to tell exactly where the noise is coming from. Any ideas? | ||
| Captainkirk |
Your bike uses the same carb as mine (CV40). Does it have a VOES installed? If so, check to make sure it's working. Mine was intermittent and when inop it would knock like hell. Quick and EZ way to check the VOES; pull it off, hook up a ohmmeter (preferably with an alarm for continuity), and suck on the little tube going into the switch. The switch should read infinite when you first hook it up; with suction on it it should trip the ohmmeter (and alarm) and return to infinite as you relieve the suction. Again, this is for an M2-not sure if your Blast! even has a VOES but I'll assume it does. Establish whether or not the switch works and we'll go from there. | ||
| Ezblast |
Back to basics then - I'd check the bike's timing - http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/20164/20738.html and then go from there - good luck! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Rmorin128 |
I found the place in the manual about static timing and I'll be doing that. OK, I've got to show my ignorance here (again). I've searched this board and in the places in the manual about ignition but can't find out what VOES is. From the context here it looks like it has something to do with vacuum but I have no idea after that. BTW, a search on the word vacuum in the manual shows a reference under troubleshooting that refers to an intake manifold leak (and knocking). I'm supposing that this is a reference to the intake boot that I've seen all over the place here. I visually inspected it and didn't see any cracks, also made sure that the hose clamps were tight. | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Pardon my manners, thanks for the suggestions and help so far. Russ | ||
| Dann |
The Blast has a TPS(Throttle Position Sensor) instead of a VOES(Vacuum Operated Electrical Switch). Which may or may not be the problem. The Blast does not like to be in too high of a gear. Lugging the engine will also cause the noises you describe(and more) and also will damage the engine if excessive. Dann | ||
| Swampy |
Rmorin128 Fill in your state on your profile. If you were in Michigan I could meet up with you and swap rides to check things out. I could use a day off work and the weather is turning great! | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Love to do it Swampy, but I'm in Maine!  Thanks for the offer though. Now there's a brand new wrinkle. I was greeted today by gas on the floor of my garage and didn't have time to look at it (on the way to work). After work I followed the dripping to the airbox and opened it where I promptly got treated to about 2 qts of gas! JOY!!! Probably pinched the vent hose for the gas tank somehow when putting the left peg bracket back on the bike after changing the primary fluid or something like that. I'm about ready to scream. Now to find a thread that deals with this problem. Lately I've spent more time chasing problems than riding the thing.  I understand that it's customary to name your bike, I think I'll call mine Patience.  You guys have been great with putting up with all of my newbie questions, thanks. I've never had problems with fixing my own cars, but this is something else. Russ | ||
| Ezblast |
If you have just rejetted - then I would also guess a tweeked float, otherwise a line leak. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Haven't touched the carb at all, EZ. I like to fix one problem before introducing something new, one disaster at a time  . I'm guessing you mean the line running from the tank to the carb? I'll have to look closely and see. Thanks for the heads-up. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
It does sound like the classic stuck float or needle stuck in the flow/open position.Could be caused by dirt in the carb. Have you tried the old light tap with a mallet to reseat the needle? | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Nope, until now I'd never heard of it. I'm guessing that you'd tap lightly on the bowl area of the carb to reset the floats? Gotta tell you, my first bike spoiled me, never one problem. Never learned all of these tricks. Thanks. Russ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yes, tap lightly to reset the float. Its one of the tricks I learned long ago working on old cars & British bikes. I've had no problems with the Blast (except owner induced problems) and actually leave the gas on all the time (I leave the gas on all the time on my other bike, which sports a DelOrto carb). Reliability & easy maintenance are some reasons I bought the Blast! | ||
| Rmorin128 |
Yep, you were right. The problem was a stuck float. Somehow a piece of dirt got into the carb and caused the flood. I got the dealership to fix the problem. In ticking through the list of things to do for the 1k service, I found that the clutch was something that was supposed to be adjusted. Thought that the noise might have been clutch chatter, but no that wasn't it. I did run across something interesting in the '02 owner's manual, on p.66 there is a reference to this kind of noise related to spark advance/throttle position. Possible TPS or ignition module? The manual says that the noise is "normal", but it happens almost continuosly. Haven't checked the timing yet, but it's on the list. A question about timing, if the bike idles smoothly & without the noise that I'm hearing wouldn't that rule out a timing problem? I don't know much about the subject & just wondering. Thanks, Russ | ||
| Blaster_s |
I heard a little knocking in my blast after I added 20w50w oil in it last night. I just bought it used and the oil was pretty low. It barely idled, even after riding a few miles. I kept thinking the gas was out so I switched to Reserve then back to "On". It ran fine for a little bit then it stalled again in my driveway. I have the 45 and 175 jets, the Buell Performance Exhaust and Pro Air Cleaner are on their way via UPS. I'll do a proper oil change this weekend as well as adjusting the air/fuel mixture. Any ideas on the stalling and slight knocking. Keep in mind, none of this was happening until I added the oil last night. It' still very warm here in Atlanta, maybe the oil weight is too heavy? | ||
| Ezblast |
Primary needs adjusting - lol GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Blaster_s |
What is the "primary"? This is my first Buell. I've owned Kawasakis and Suzukis in the past. | ||
| Ezblast |
See the Blast Specifics section - in this Engine section of the TKV - easy to do and one of the few long term maint. things you will do regularly besides changing oil, pads, and tires. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Blaster_s |
EZ... I saw this on one of your posts: Too loose - that box of rocks sound Too tight - your top end drops to a max of like 65 and it will throw your idle off and you'll stall out. So if this happens after your first service - this is one of the possible reasons. I'm having both of the above symptoms: "box of rocks" sounds and top end dropping. I may take to HD dealer for servicing since I just bought it used. | ||
| Ezblast |
Need a primary adjustment - definately, poor speed - intake leak, clogged/restricted tank vent system, stuck/improper float level, partially clogged main are usual reasons for poor top end. Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the dark side! EZ | ||
| Swampy |
If its been sitting around with fuel in it it may have some bad fuel or varnish build up in the carb both of mine were like that. |
