| Author | Message | ||
     Gearheaderiko |
Thats encouraging news M T B. I think the scepticism might be a good thing causing the new mechanic to do the research and testing rather than just go with what everybody else says. It might be helpful to him to mention the Badweb if he's truly into Buells and wants to be thee Ace mechanic. A word on jetting. When I modified my bike the main jetting was at 175 (exhaust change only). Its now down to a 150. While it was running rich with the 175, the only symptom was a loss of power. (an insignificant loss at best-it still ran better than stock). And timing. It was recently discovered that the timing cup had come loose so the timing was very (very) irratic. The only symptoms were hard starting,high irratic idle, a lack of power (still insignificant compared to stock) and the rare 'chuff' (sputter, momentary stall) when on the racetrack.The bike was still very ridable. The Blast is a very forgiving motorcycle. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on April 13, 2006) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Maybe we can just put a little blurb saying to ask questions here (on the front page) first? Not to complain, but its getting a little old and confusing to have a new thread started with every question (esp when related threads already exist). Lately I've had to do badweb searches just to find exactly where the question is located. | ||
| Xgecko |
yeah I have to agree, Also the build of Ray's intake, which I copied (people seem to think I invented it) needs to have it's own thread. It gets kinda hard to dig though 4 1/2 years of posts looking for photos and directions | ||
| Ezblast |
Done and done - I straightened and streamlined - try manouvering around now - did a bit of archiving as well - found Rays post on intake and put a link to it at top of carb/intake kv - I try - hope this helps! GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Mike_the_bike |
Dudes, Thanks to you my bike has come a long way in the past week. HD , NYC has a revamped service dept. that really aims to please. The Buell mechanic seems to be very good and I never saw a mechanic work as quickly as this guy. He definitely knows the Blast. The only remaining issue is occasional sputtering and backfiring. It might not happen for a week and then happen several times in a half hour. He kept my bike for several days and rode it again. Finally he experienced the sputtering. He is puzzled because all of his testing has not yielded an electrical problem. Should i tell him to just change the Ignition Module? He claims that there are several components that fit that description and everything checked out ok. He is going to do further testing, but I think he is at a loss. Please advise! Thanks again, you guys are great. Warmly, Mike | ||
| Jprovo |
My suggestion it to run the bike on the bench with a heat gun (the kind you shrink shrik tubing with) aimed at the ignition module. Usually they get hot and something in them ceases to work. James | ||
| Ezblast |
Bet its the ignition though. Early Blasts had a bad batch - lol - GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Concur with James & EZ. Coils and ignition modules will drive you crazy with intermittent problems but since we have very few reported coil failures and many more ignition module failures thats the more likely cause. It sounds like he doesnt want to charge you for replacing the ignition module, then have that not be the problem. Respectable but he/you might have to take the risk. Maybe you can work a compromise (since they havent been able to get it to run right for a year). Sell you the module at 1/2 price or cost? Upgrade to the Screamin Eagle module for the price of stock or at cost? | ||
| Mike_the_bike |
Erik, Thank you for the excellent direction. I will call HD immediately. You guys are the best! I will be riding by Thurs!!! Have a great day. Warmly, Michael | ||
| Mike_the_bike |
Hi Guys, i heard from the HD / Buell mechanic today. He said he was told by the Mgr. to replace my Ignition Module as per Erik's direction. But he also said he thought his testing revealed other electrical problems. Is it possible that the safety start feature in the clutch control can cause the bike to sputter or backfire? I have to pull the clutch lever in very hard and tight to get the bike to start but in the past I did a cable adjustment to solve that problem. I don't see how that could be an electrical problem leading to sputtering and backfire. Also, sometimes the bike will stall when I put the kickstand down. Can that cause a short while I am running that would produce the same symptoms? I am going to the shop tomorrow to discuss these issues with him. One last question - could a bad spark plug cause sputtering and backfire? I noticed when I checked it last time that my engine was definitely running lean and the post is almost burned up. The post is eaten away to a point but still has a decent gap. Please advise. Thanks again! Sincerely, Mike PS - I don't know what I would do without you guys! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yes, bad safety switches (kickstand, clutch) can cause the sputtering and backfires. I'm sorry you didnt mention the kickstand problem earlier (or I didnt think of it). If the mechanic thinks you have other problems, most of the safety switches can be bypassed easily. The bike wont run in gear with the kickstand down and clutch out, so if the switches tell the bike that is whats going on, it kills the ignition. If its intermittent, the bike will sputter and backfire as the ignition kicks on & off. The spark plug is probably in bad shape from the lean condition and running problems. Its not likely to cause sputtering and backfires, but will cause hesitation and diminished power. It does sound like you are getting close to having a good running motorcycle again and that the Buell mechanic is committed to that. | ||
| Naustin |
Keep us posted.... I'm feeling invested in this saga and I want to know how it turns out... Good Luck Nick | ||
| Jmynes |
OK, all you naysayers win. After 200 trouble free miles I drained the Severe Gear Lube and put in Amsoil 20W-50. Happy to say it still shifts just as nice, and somehow I'm happier with the life expectancy of my clutch and stator. Thanks for the input, guys! | ||
| Martech |
HELP! Harley took off the plastic rear sprocket cover today to change my tire. I now have 6 washers rolling around between the plastic & the sprocket. Way to go HD! Do the washers belong on the bolts in between the plastic and the sprocket? or in between the sprocket and the rim? Thanks guys! I've had my 01 with D&D dual exhaust for week now and lovin it! | ||
| Ezblast |
Yeah the D&D is one wild pipe - Did the SLO ride this year with it - filled in the midrange nicely, lost a tad on the bottom compared to the WB, however, the middle has more than made up for it - so I'm still happy - besides with the WB on the red with the B50 cam - wow - a different bike altogether - closer to the Black now but still a ways to go - lol - thats a heck of an improvement though - the two complement each other nicely on the red, and the loudness of the Black brings back fond memories of the Bub , but this time closer to the sound of a Big Twin, not the Sportster sound of the Bub. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Naustin |
If his pipe is a "dual" exhaust, its probably the Pro-Series? I don't know about the washers... It sounds messed up anyway. Those bolts are 1-time use ONLY. If they removed the sprocket, they should have used new bolts. If they didn't, its dangerous... You should take it back to them and make sure they used a new set of bolts. Its right in the service manual and says "one time use only!" Nick | ||
| Sphere79 |
I haven't posted in awhile, but I've got a weird problem and I thought I'd throw it out there. I bought a new battery for my '03 Blast last year, and I noticed it seemed to not be holding a charge too well by the end of the season. It would still start the bike, but would sometimes "click" first, instead of a strong start. Two days ago I'm leaving work and the battery seems worse, the bike won't turn over at all. Then I happen to notice that the clutch cable is BURNING hot. I was able to pop it into gear and get it going - the shifting seemed screwed up for a bit but eventually was OK. I was going over things last night - and the cable got so hot (this is with no key in it!) it started to melt the plastic off, and the shift action is REALLY tweaked now. I didn't notice anything at all touching the cable, but did see what looked like sparks coming from under the front mount. I'll continue the troubleshooting today.... Any ideas anyone? Thanks......... | ||
| Jprovo |
Guessing, but, bad engine ground, and your starter is grounding through the clutch cable... Check this out too. the symptoms sound the same... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/157436.html?1130813884 | ||
| Naustin |
Yikes! Hope that never happens to mine.  | ||
| Sphere79 |
Awesome. I'll check that first thing tonight - you probably just saved me an hour or two of poking around. I am worried that the action of the clutch lever was minimal after the burn. When I could get it going last night the thing was pretty much in gear automatically - when just an hour before I had adjusted it perfectly after some other routine maintenance. That's how it was the other day but it came back to life after a mile or so. Seems odd to me that heat would have that effect. Thanks again! | ||
| Jprovo |
I hope that you figure it out. Honestly, it's a mystery to me. If we (the THUMPER forum) can't help, post the question in the general KV... | ||
| Matty |
James nailed it. I don't have a ground strap on my blast and it does the same smoking clutch cable act =( | ||
| Sphere79 |
Thanks for the help fellas, got it going thursday night. During my "routine maintenance" I tightened the front motor mount a bit and the ground strap must have slipped out. It had to have been hanging to begin with, but I made it worse. It's my fault, I was hurrying Wednesday night and since my flood light blew out I was working with only a small flashlight. It looks like maybe the strap is supposed to be a full circle around the bolt, but from overtightening or vibration it opened up? I'm not sure - it's a little beat up all around. EDIT: Looking at the parts manual it does show an enclosed ground strap. Guess I'm getting one of those too! The only problem is the clutch cable got so hot, it not only melted in a few spots but has apparently been stretched a bit. I was finally able to get it adjusted to where it will shift OK, and I've got a new one on order. First gear drags a hair, but I can live with it for now. You guys saved me some time no doubt, I kept thinking that the cable was grounded and touching a positive but couldn't see where. Thanks again! (Message edited by sphere79 on April 29, 2006) | ||
| Jprovo |
Glad that you got it fixed! (Message edited by jprovo on April 29, 2006) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I got a full set of black bodywork if anyone is interested. | ||
| Jmynes |
I'm interested. Very reasonable, I presume? | ||
| Jmynes |
Erik, I PM'd you. | ||
| Mikedog |
Hey guys. Just finished installing a new clutch cable, and I happened to notice my right rear wheel bearings are showing. The cover is off and the spacer is rusted and just dangling there. All of the bearings are sitting at the bottom due to gravity. I don't think they can come out, but I don't know how many I started with. Is this an easy replacement? Is it safe to ride the bike to get the replacement parts? I'm in Manhattan, NY and the Blast is my only vehicle. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike | ||
| Ezblast |
No - don't ride, and replace ASAP! DP tried to kill me with that trick! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Jprovo |
You can see the balls of the sealed bearing? I wouldn't ride on it unless I absolutely HAD too. Try to shake the rear wheel or load and unload the rear suspension, and see if the rear wheel wiggles with respect to the axle. If it mooves then I woldn't even think about riding on it. |
