| Author | Message | ||
     Halfaharley |
This is how I braced my intake:   I cut and formed them out of 1/8" thick aluminum. The lower half is bolted to the engine, while the upper half is bolted to the frame. If anyone would like me to build them a set, I would be happy to sell them one. I have lots of spare time in the summer. It took me a couple of tries to get this right, and I feel that I have enough practice to easily make more. I believe you can find my Email address under my name on the left. --Nik | ||
| Sarodude |
Nik- If I understand your mount properly, I'd reconsider the top brace. The engine moves relative to the frame. Bracing the carb to the frame may even be worse than no brace at all - though that's just conjecture. Thanks for the pics though. Let us know how it turns out! -Saro | ||
| Ezblast |
concur - GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Jprovo |
Saro & EZ, You beat me to it! Nik, I agree with Saro and EZ. The intake should only be braced to the engine. James edited by jprovo on August 11, 2003 | ||
| Halfaharley |
That is something I thought about quite a bit when I was designing the brace. In the case of a rubber-mounted harley, I would agree with you guys, but the engine itself is mounted to the frame only a few inches above where my upper brace is bolted. Is this something anyone took into consideration? It seems to me like the whole bike vibrates in harmony, with the frame and the rider absorbing the vibrations. I do appreciate your help, and I haven't ruled out the possibility of there being a fatal problem with my design. I haven't even been able to start the bike up because I currently have no head pipe, since I took it to Performance Coatings to have it "Cermachromed". (Thanks for that link, EZ!) I'll send pictures of the pipe when they're done with it, which should be soon since their shop is almost on my way to work. Thanks again. --Nik | ||
| Ezblast |
Keep us informed! I myself am curious if it works - it would mean I could go from intake to carb and that top brace would practically make the bracing invisable - and I still have the Red to do!Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Halfaharley |
Well, I'm beginning to wonder, myself if it will work now. The engine is bolted to the frame, but it is in a way that DOES let the engine vibrate relative to the frame. I suppose all I can do is wait until I can start it and hope the vibrations happen in a friendly angle to that top brace! --Nik | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Nik or Saro, I was wondering if one of you would measure the inside diameter of the Pro series intake. Mine in the engine's present configuration is somewhat restrictive and would like to know how it compares to mine. As for the bracing I'm of the thought that the top brace is looking for trouble, but will be interested in the report after Nik has some time on his bracing solution. I've been known to be wrong before, so you never know. The thing doesn't look bad though. Ray | ||
| Ezblast |
Ray - How goes the salt prep? GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Halfaharley |
Ray, The ID of the Pro S intake is 2 1/4". This is the same as the opening of the carb. Also, the inside surface of the elbow is very smooth. It may be a budget piece, with no plan for bracing it, but the basic functional requirements for a high-performing intake are all there for sure. --Nik | ||
| Sarodude |
Ray- The filter end of my intake is right near 2" - just a tad over. The carb side varies a bit. I get anything between 2 1/8 to 2 1/4. The two intakes I've looked at varied GREATLY on the carb side. Aaron - wanna test mine? I'll mail it to ya if you've got some time. -Saro | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Nik & Saro, Thanks for the info, might consider one after Bonneville as I will need to run some type of filter. The pics of it on the bike don't look bad though. EZ, Preps going well, engine = done, fairing = done, all big peices = done. All that's left is finishing the trailer and clean-up work on the bike (safety wires, afew brackets and such)Now if work will cut me a break too many projects going on there that get in the way. LOL But things do look good and should be ready easily in 5 weeks. Hope to make all the Blasters proud. Ray ( Totally cool!  - moderator) edited by ezblast on August 12, 2003 | ||
| Halfaharley |
I just got a call from Performance Coatings. They said my pipe is ready, so I'm going to go pick it up and hopefully, I'll have enough time to put it on and start my bike before work. I can't wait to see what breaks! --Nik | ||
| Halfaharley |
Hello, everyone. I got the pipe on and fired her up, everything seems ok, so far. I think, since the axis of the piston's stroke is basically perpendicular to the angle of the top brace, a small amount of flex is allowed in the aluminum, working like the isolators! I'm gonna take off on it to work, I'll have an update for you tonight! --Nik | ||
| Halfaharley |
OK, I put on about 100 miles today (all types of riding) with my new brace, and it all seems just fine! I felt no excessive vibrations, no strange sounds, nothing. The brace and the intake just thump along with the engine. All the fasteners stayed tight, nothing twisted, again, nothing! My design worked, but I do have one problem with the whole thing: its ugly. I really don't like the lower brace. It doesn't seem to belong. Does anyone feel the same way? I will be soon making another prototype. --Nik | ||
| Ezblast |
From intake bolted to head to carb - use rubber washers to help quell engine vibration - and your overhead mount - a thought - now from where to where on the overhead brace? I still don't vizulize that one well and the pic doesn't show it - lol - even better hidden that the short one I mention - though hardly noticable - keep us posted! - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Halfaharley |
This is the current evolution of my brace:  It flows much better with the bike, don't you think? Instead of that ugly leg jutting down. I left the left brace alone from my first try, and recycled the bottom leg for use as the right-hand brace. Both sides are bolted to the frame, which I know, may cause excessive stress in the intake boot, but it may not. Its all a big experiment, I guess. One thing about this is that there is actually no weight on the intake boot because the brackets support it. So maybe the stress on the boot, caused by vibration, will be nominal. I am hoping this will be my salvation!   This is looking up at where the right-hand brace is mounted. I used the mounting point for a brace that goes from the engine head to the frame. There is a rubber piece here between my aluminum and the frame, so maybe that will help, like you said. --Nik | ||
| Halfaharley |
Hello, this is something that has been bothering me for about a year now, and I have never asked anyone about it or tried to figure out what it was: Every once in a while, when I hit the throttle from an idle, I hear a loud Click! from the carburetor and the motor does not accelerate. Once I release the throttle some and try again, it goes just fine. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I installed the Blast specified dynojet jet kit on it at somewhere near 1000 miles. However, I'm not sure when I started hearing the click, but I'm sure it had less than 2500 miles on it when I did. It has about 8500 miles on it now and It is a 2001 year model. Thanks --Nik | ||
| Ezblast |
I would be checking my throttle side - from handle/throttle assembly all the way to the carb - GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Halfaharley |
Who was it that put my pictures on Yahoo and said that my bracing to the frame was a bad idea and why? I have seen no evidence of problems in almost 300 miles. I took off the intake boot this afternoon and inspected it, inside and out. Looks as good as new. The angle of the braces allows the intake & carb to shift allow the boot to move with the engine. Has anyone proven me wrong? If so, then I am very sorry for wasting all this internet space And I'll shut up. | ||
| Sarodude |
After looking at my Pro Series intake for around a week I finally installed it. There was probably a bunch of port matching I coulda done but didn't bother (yet). My main concern was just getting some kind of bracing on there. My first pass at it uses a Home Depot solution. I found a U clamp for a pipe that was almost made for the OD of that intake. Bent & drilled some aluminum strap and presto. There's currently one brace that runs from the U clamp to where the airbox used to bolt on the right side of the case. I'm not too pleased with the mount but it got the thing mounted for now. Took the bike for a VERY brief ride. Uh, wow. I think. Odd thing is I didn't really notice much more noise. Motor wasn't totally warmed up & I didn't wanna goose it too hard but the mid range seemed really filled in. Photos maybe tomorrow. -Saro | ||
| Ezblast |
Nik - That wasn't me - I think it was the group owner who posted the pic - I missed any criticism of your intake there though - I thought they were talking about a certain gent who tried to run it with no support at all and the mishap that occurred - lol - - 300 miles is a good number - thats when I started feeling better about mine and stopped carrying a full rebuild tool kit and spare parts bin - lol - I get the occasional honk from mine - you'll probably get some from yours - enjoy and ride! GT - JBOTDS!  | ||
| Blastoholic |
Nik, it was I who posted YOUR photos and added MY remarks..... and you'll see the light eventually (and literally thru the boot!). Trust me.... I started running unsupported carbs-then braced 30 yrs ago, and what would be worse would be bracing a shaking motor to a isolated frame... | ||
| Blastoholic |
P.S.- Nik, I meant no dis-respect, but get back to me at 1000 miles, if the boot hasn't cracked, I'll post an apology and retraction. BTW- I was the one who sent out the invite to the Group | ||
| Ezblast |
Saro - great idea using the clamp - could you post a pic please - curiosity and wanting to learn and besides the more input on this topic the better - especially since its a custom fabrication for each of us. Thanks - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ edited by ezblast on August 16, 2003 | ||
| Halfaharley |
Thank you, Blastoholic, I will. | ||
| Gpuckhead |
Update on the Blast. Took the bike back to the dealer last Saturday and picked it up on Thursday. They replaced the intake boot, the intake O-Ring and cleaned the Carb. It is running good. Yesterday, I decided since I have the Buell Pro Series exhaust to go ahead and put it on, so I did. WOW! The performance increase was very noticeable and it is running a lot better, not to mention the new sound, which is great! Can't wait until the new airbox comes in so I can re-jet and add the box.... | ||
| Ezblast |
If you put on the Pro series air intake you will have to Brace it - read the archives here for ideas. - GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Sarodude |
Intake Brace Pics     There's nothing special going on here. The U Clamp claimed to be 2". I guess it's for a 2" ID pipe or something. I don't understand the sizing of some things. The threaded portions of the U Clamp had to be shortened a little. It would probably have worked full length - but I didn't want any hassles. The thing is fairly stiff in the engine vibration plane. It is pretty wimpy side to side. There will likely be a second brace added from the top U Clamp thread to the left side airbox mount. The whole thing cost like $5 or something with lots of aluminum left over. Probably enough for 2 more braces. Incidentally, I left the little plastic trim thing on the left which looks like it's trying to direct air at the airbox trumpet. Loli is diggin' the new intake. Since she regularly rides the thing - her input means a little more than mine. She claims to feel more oomph everywhere in the rev range. -Saro edited by sarodude on August 18, 2003 | ||
| Buellkat |
May I please ask some assistance in the following?? I have removed the airbox, mounted K&N Filter with a custom milled adaptor, working on the support braces, I have springs so far! 1) What do I do with the hoses ? Tee etc... 2) Size of transparent inline Fuel Filter? I would like to place it inline from tank to carb...like in photos in an archive. 3) Is it a 40mm Keihin CV Carb? (2001 Blast) Searched archive after archive, printed out pictures of hose stuff, seen the kewl filters inline, not sure what they are for but would like to do that. btw I have the V&H pipe, plan on re-jetting, I have the slow jet (45)but "dealership" didnt have the main jet (170) Anywhoo......I have a service manual but it seems a bit light on the details.... Any help would be greatly appreciated.......THANK YOU IN ADVANCE Knees in the Breeze BuellKat} edited by buellkat on August 19, 2003 |
