| Author | Message | ||
     Jprovo |
There was some talk about racing Dakar on a Blast. The goal was not to win, but to finish the race. I think that this is something that should be done. There seems to be a fair amount of interest in a Dual-Sport Blast, and I think a desert race would be a great start. I have no desert riding (or off-road for that matter) experience, but I think that this Idea is exciting, and does not deserve to die. I will lend what time and support to anyone who wants to try make a desert racer. Let’s not let this idea die! Baja 500 2004? Baja 1000 2006? DAKAR 2008? James | ||
| Ezblast |
you know dirts not my style - however, I agree with James - this is an oportunity that should be persued by some intrepid fellow. Its a great idea - all the tech. to make it happen is out there, - surely we can find one Blasterd who likes dirt as well and feels froggy enough to give it a go! How about it folks - the guantlet - as they say - has been thrown! Got dirty thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  edited by ezblast on June 16, 2003 | ||
| Peter |
I would love to do it. I just don't have the money to pay for it.  | ||
| Rebelgtp |
yeah same here i would love to do something like that just not enough money (god i need a new job fast). but i don't see it being to hard...hmmm if i could get a donated motor from a wrecked bike i think i know a frame i could put it in that would be up to the flogging you would give it during a race like that. and in fact i have most of the other parts i would need hmmm....god damn it now i'm gonna have to draw this up.... | ||
| Anonymous |
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| Peter |
I think I'd prefer to start with an XB9 engine. | ||
| Ezblast |
The idea is to use the Blast platform for maintenance ease - and durability - that old pic you dusted off and posted shows a 500lb bike - it will sink like a rock - even the Blast on a ultra light platform will have a hard time of it let alone the rock pictured - lol -besides both the shock and exhaust being in the wrong place for off road - even the dirt trackers know that - come back with some real intel - then try again please! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Jprovo |
Peter, Why the XB as a start? I know that the twin KTM's and BMW's are totally cool and powerfull but I'm thinking simplicity to start, maybe build BOTH!!! James | ||
| Jprovo |
EZ, I think that you could keep the Blast exhaust down low, beef it up (like it needs much beefing up  ) and make it a skid/bash plate exhaust combo. James | ||
| Ezblast |
The Ktm single has done great - their twin already has problems - lol - and all three of those bikes weight 100 + lbs less than our Buell example above - you could do that but you'd have to add to and beef up the current mounts and suports big time - rocks do not forgive! - However, it is a very good idea! I'm sure there are enough stock mufflers to experiment with to get real power gains from them - or since so much welding is happening anyway - lol - weld a step up header with a 1 3/4 id heavy wall to the can, bringing tabs out from the front frame member to suport as well as extra tabs bellow. Real changes would have to be swing arm, shock and shock location, front suspension and bars - better lighting (only if converting to a high energy h-4), A dirt Track frame -c&J - uless there is a great welder in the house - lol - Apretty ambitious project - I used to check out the Baja races when I lived in Palm Springs as a young teen - serious stuff - mucho demolition of vehicles - theres alot less finishing of a baja 500 than the number of people who started - lol - still something like that should have apeall to some vendors as well - the Blast is unique and by mass market numbers still an exclusive little item - suport of such a venture - even grass roots started here - would probably gather some attention with even partial sucess - like finishing a series of Bajas, etc. - why? - anyone here remember the popularity of the vw bug and how much attention it gathered by winning in just a few rallies but finishing almost all - an acomplishment at that time unheard of and so gave the vw beetle a reputation far beyound its humble roots and has been the basis of all new beetle sales, same reason BMW's are looked upon as hard to kill as well - finishing can be quite impresive when no one else is - at least on some kind of consistant level - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Rebelgtp |
god damn it why did you guys have to bring up this idea? i have been thinkin about it ALL DAMN DAY!! i have the rough idea for the bike completely planned out already. hey does anyone happen to know the weight of a bare blast frame? wanna compare to the frame i have in mind...the frame i have in mind is alot stronger and has already proven it can take the abuse of an off road racer | ||
| Ezblast |
I think its around 120 lbs if I remember right - just a little heavier than the c&j which has appropriate mounting points and beef. What you got hanging out of that sleve there? - lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Peter |
Jprovo, Reliability. Unless you have big bucks and can afford a support team in a truck, we would need a reliable bike. From memory you are allowed to carry one spare engine. (I'm not sure about Marathon class though. I'd have to reread the rules) Sportster based engines are not generally as reliable as the XB. The Blast is, in my mind, too underpowered stock. If it's modified, you start on the reliability question again. The XB, albeit heavier, has the power and , if left stock or even possibly detuned, probably has more chance of finishing. | ||
| Ezblast |
Peter I think you need to reread the posts above - power is not an issue - 150's complete the bajas and win in their class - its more a mater of finishing - the Blast engine has a better chance than the XB on that account - and because of that alone a chance for showing is better. Power has never been the key to finishing a baja - let alone winning or placing in one - or vw dunebuggies would not have ruled for so long. - I can name a large number of things that can glitch on the xb that the Blast doesn't even have for a worry - lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Peter |
The Ktm single has done great - their twin already has problems - lol Out of curiosity, what problems are the twins having? Meoni won the Dakar on it last year, and only lost this year due to a heavy fall on day 16. I'm thinking more along the lines of the Dakar than a Baja. The Dakar is closer to where I live Also I need more power as I'm over 200lb. Problem is, if I built a Buell to do the Dakar, it wouldn't have much resemblance to a normal one, except for the name on the tank. | ||
| Ezblast |
So true - lol - just some problems with heat in hotter climes - aka - Palm Springs - detonation - still considered a great bike - though this is off topic - however, though this also is a bit off topic I would wish you luck running in the Dakar on any of the twins - it could be done if enough money were thrown at it. The reason to look at the Blast platform is because it is a lot less expensive and alot of research has gone into reliable upgrades for power and adaptation for such an undertaking has already been halfway met through Flattracking - the main areas that would need work is shock durability of chasis and exhaust components and doing a few things to promote engine longevity in severe circumstances. Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Jprovo |
Peter, I know that the power is an issue, but have you ridden a Blast? Sure, they are no turbo bike, or XB, but I think for a Barstow to Vegas race or the BAJA they could finish. DAKAR, who knows? That is one trip to hell and back. I think that there are serious reasons to not discount the Blast. Here's a few: 1. Fuel economy, the Blast can get 50% better fuel economy tha the XB, more fuel economy = less weight of fuel load. 2. I think that you could make the Blast racer more resemble it's stock configuration compared to an XB racer. (good for publicity/sponsorship) 3. Reliability: The 28hp Blast engine is one of the least stressed motors that Buell has produced. I think that you could safely get 35-40 RWHP and have tank-like reliability. 4. Weight, what does that extra head, cylinder, piston, con rod, two cams... weigh? A lighter bike makes an easier bike to ride. Plus, the lighter the engine, the lighter weight all the other components need to be to sustain rough service conditions. 5. Cost: the cost of the bike allows you more money to play with. I gaurantee you that I will have a better Desert Buell if I start with $10,000 and buy a Blast, or have $10,000 and buy an XB. I am definitely no thinking "win", I am thinking "finish", and more along the lines of the two blokes in the big Jaguar this past Dakar than anything else. James | ||
| Sarodude |
James- As a non-Brit, you are FORBIDDEN to use the term "bloke" under any circumstance other than directly quoting a Brit! Stop it! -Saro ps - sorry I forgot to buzz you back | ||
| Mikej |
"Bloke" is not British-exclusive. Besides, if they were in a Jag then they very well might have been blokes. Ya never knows really. Then there's the whole issue of exactly what the definition of the word/name/term Bloke conotates precisely.  | ||
| Jprovo |
Saro, I could'a called 'em dudes... but then all the cowpokes would have been mad at me  Just don't pronounce Brough Superior as "brow", I once had an Englishman give me hell for that. James | ||
| Mikej |
The hood scoop on their bonnet is sideways. Wait, bonnet is roof, deck lid is trunk and boot, hood is, uh, well, engine compartment coverage.  (I seem to have forgotten my British vehicle terms, time to dig out the Triumph TR3 service manual and refresh my memory.) | ||
| Jprovo |
Mike, no, you're right, Bonnet is Hood. Wings are Fenders. Actually the hood scoop faces backwards  James | ||
| Mikej |
I forgot about the wings. Looks like an interesting car. And probably a blast to drive. | ||
| Rebelgtp |
well ed i will have to do some measureing of the frame...but it weighs a good 40+ pounds less then the blast frame if the blast frame is coming in at 120lbs...need to make sure it will all fit together...damn it now i wish i had bought the frame 2 months ago when i first found it for $40. now the only onesi can find are $150+ ah well still better then a cj frame...*back to my lair to plot and plan some more* | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yet another 'evil' idea appears on Badweb.I'm never gonna get ANY work done! | ||
| Jprovo |
Here's the $10,000 question, Can Buell's uniplanar mounting system take the abuse of off-road use? I would love to make this bike as Buell as possible, just chucking a Blast motor in a traditional frame, and giving it high exhaust like an old BSA scambler ain't gonna do it for me. James | ||
| Ezblast |
Surely todays suspension pieces can handle the job - I would seriously beef up the neck though - and the swing arm would have to be different - chain drive would still be an option though - there are different lengths of belts out there that are strong enough to do the job and you could always take a couple of extra - lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Rebelgtp |
the frame i'm thinking of is actually another thumper frame and you could use a stock blast tank on it and setup a tail section similar to a stock blasts if you wanted. other then that yeah i would say ed is right the swing arm has to be differant, differant wheels (gotta be able to get the right rubber), i would say go with the chain drive, going to have to have a high exhaust but you can make a skid plate that looks like the factory muffler if you wanted. really is you wanted to build one out of the stock bike it would be alot harder and there are things that just HAVE to be changed. hell if you think about it back in the 60's and 70's alot of the bikes used in the various racing were an engine put into a differant (aftermarket, factory specials, other factory frames). | ||
| Ezblast |
Yup - more along the lines I was thinking - you could even extra pad the Blast seat - lol - either that or break out the expert welder - lol -Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! | ||
| Jprovo |
Do belts like sand? I think that you can through the belt drive out, and go to chain. going to have to have a high exhaust Why? not trying to sound stupid, but can't the exhaust stay down low? I think that if you armor it enough and reinforce it's mounting points, it's not going to get hurt. The stock tank will definitely have to go, too small. So are the wheels, proper wire wheels will have to be made up, swingarm, front forks, frame.... The rear end could be more S1-like, it's not like you'll be sitting down much. What I really want to keep are the engine, the low-slung exhaust, and the Buell engine mounting system. I just don't know if that type of system can handle the tough terrain of offroad racing. If you're not going to use some innovative engineering, what's the point in calling it a Buell? James |
