| Author | Message | ||
     Newt |
Too cool, a rigid framed blast with one of the new XL gas tanks and a round spun aluminum oil bag. Stripped down to bare bones...a lean mean Blastin' machine. Anybody done it yet? Got pics? | ||
| Ezblast |
Lol - its on my project list - collecting parts as we speak - in fact there is a Blast being parted out on EBay and I'm picking up a few pieces from there. the Aero. Hard tale back half welded to the Blast main frame is the soundest thought on the topic at the moment - but I'm sure there is a fabricator out there somewhere doing up a nice custom frame - ahhh the joys of America!Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Newt |
I did a search for "frames" on the badweb. Jeez, there must be hundreds. Can you point me to the relevant ones for the Blast. Without having read those, why the aerommachi hard tail? I can see why you might want to use the existing mainframe (isolastics, etc..)but looks like the angle(s) would be wrong in addition to the concern of mounting some type of skid plate right to the cases. I've found a site that makes generic rigids, I'll have to get the addy so you can have a look. I'm thinking more of a cradle type frame, not only for the skid plate but also ease of control placement, rake, stretch etc.. What are your thoughts on frame mounting this engine? Think the existing bosses (like where the exhaust mounts) would hold up? I had in mind something similar to the way the XL motor is mounted, spacers, plates and thru bolts. Wish it had a kicker too. There's a big salvage yard in Phx ("Bobs"  that had a wrecked Blast for $1800 the last time I was down there. Too much. Another big yard in Rye AZ, haven't checked there yet. Wouldn't mind finding one that had the cases blown out back by the tranny area. Thought about cutting the back half off, machining up an adapter plate and using a late model Triumph or H-D big twin tranny. There is a guy here with a "cow pie" 4 speed for $500. Needs a new mainshaft, but that's no big deal. Are you staying with the 37mm front end on your project? | ||
| Ezblast |
C&J also makes frames specifically for the Blast - link in the Thumper links section - actually I was looking at simular sized longer superMotard forks to go with extended rake;0) - if one were to weld the back half of the Aero. frame to the Blast frame - the one thing you would want to do is line everything up, tack, check (& correct if nesc.) then weld. However, cradle mounting should actually be pretty easy - just need custom mounting points which would have to be added for any engine to be mounted anyway. Yes - I would be intrested in that addy for Frames. The big key is to keep the weight as low as possible so that the single can shove everything along at a good clip - don't want to be late to the bar! - lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Newt |
check out 650motorcycle.com and nastybikes.com E-mailed nastybikes tonight to see if they do the p3. Googled for custom triumph frames as those manf tend to be quite a bit less expensive than the H-D market providers. | ||
| Ezblast |
Thanks Newt - always appreciate another lead on the on going quest of Different Blast Customization - lol - Its a beautifull day & I'm working - will go riding when I get off - I sugest that everyone go riding! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Chop |
Hi guys, new to the board. Heh, I don't even own a buell yet. Anyway, I have been planning a rigid framed blast for some time now. I have been to the crossroads website and the overall idea of what they did is close to what I have in mind. But I want to take it a step further. My idea involves utilizing as much of the stock blast as possible. The engine(of course), front end, wheels, brakes etc. If the frame works out as planned I was thinking of maybe building them on the side or putting together a kit with all the extras required to assemble it. To basically make a bolt together chopper kit. The goal is something I can market as the "cheapest chopper kit in the world" or something. I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in assembling something like that. I really want to help out the guys who don't have the money to go out and buy a TIG welder and tubing bender or who just don't possess the courage to undertake such a project. I'm just not sure if there's enough of a market out there for me to take the time to build a nice production jig and such. | ||
| Bikediver |
I read somewhere that choppers are to motorcycles what professional wrestling is to sports. I guess that would make a rigid frame Blast like midget wrestling? Seriously, I can't imagine that a rider who so strongly stresses appearance over function and performance would want to appear on a Blast. | ||
| Mikej |
 From: http://www.twentysixinch.com/El%20Chopper.jpg ===== Posted simply to point out that the end design in the designer's eye often drives one to use something that someone else might consider beneath the end result. Be it a bicycle or a Blast or an M2, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the end result is in the hands of the builder. YMMV. (Message edited by mikej on August 24, 2004) | ||
| Ezblast |
BRAVO! Concur! | ||
| Rockbiter1 |
Chop: I'd be very interested in such a kit for the Blast...you find an (relatively) easy way to drop the rear, mount some highway pegs, kick out the front, and i'm in! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Blast rigid is a favourite topic of a few off us here. I dont think a frame will sell as easily as a kit to adapt it all(the Blast parts) to the already available Sportster rigid frames. I also think a Blast rigid is more of a novelty idea (ala: Briggs & Stratton choppers) than a bike someone would ride as often as a Sporty or Big Twin rigid. Actually the first Rigid Blast most of us saw used a lot of stock parts. Slamming a Blast is easy.Just pull the spring off the rear shock! Short answer: Do we like the idea? Heck Yea! Will we fork out the bucks? Maybe not. | ||
| Ezblast |
I'd be very interested in such a kit myself - I like hardtails - striped of course - family tradition, so yeah I'm looking to do one using a Blast just to keep em guessing - lol GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Newblaster |
Then you'd have the streetfighter Blast, the ultimate commuter Blast, and the barhopper Blast... Quite a stable. To round it out, you should break out the duct tape, baling wire, and rattle-can flat black to make the ratBlast... lol... (If I don't clean my bike soon, maybe I should just rattlecan it... *sigh*) | ||
| Chop |
I suppose that "Chopper" was a bad term for me to use. Its more of a bobber anyway. But when you look back, a chopper in its purest form is basically a bobber. The bikes that people call choppers today are mostly just showbikes. They werent built for any reason other than image. This is not IMO what choppers are about. The longer front ends started out to be for increased ground clearance. People used sportster and mustang gas tanks for their smaller size. Belt primary drives were more dependable. Jockey shifters and foot clutches we simple and reliable. So to say a chopper is just for looks isnt really taking everything into account. Dont let the Discovery channel be your only source for motorcycle knowledge. Oh and the rigid frame would be a performance improvment since it should be a great deal stiffer than the stock frame and the neck area can be reinforced as needed. Im hoping to actually have a weight savings over the stock chassis also. I dont know how that will turn out in the end though. I have thought about the idea of puttin a blast engine in a sportster frame. Aside from the engine looking really small and alone in the frames I think it would be prohibitively expensive. The frame alone would cost at least $1200. I realize that there are cheaper frames out there. Most of the mailorder catalog companies have a selection of frames for around $700 or so. These frames are usually made in Korea or are jobbed out to places in mexico. Its tough to trace the origins of the frames and you can almost be sure that they will have some sort of problem with squareness or the mounts lining up. There is also no guarantee that the guy who welded it knew what he was doing. Im not telling anyone they shouldnt go that route. I just want to caution everyone to be careful. You dont want your frame to crack or twist at say 75mph. I realize this is getting alittle long winded, sorry about that. But I have one last question. Someone mentioned highway pegs. I was wondering if anyone makes highway pegs or even forward controls for the stock blast. And if not, is there anyone who would like someone to make them. I imagine someone could totally change the look of the bike with a revised foot position and some ape hangers or something. Anyway, Ill shut up now Keep the shiny side up, Chop | ||
| Rockbiter1 |
As far as the engine looking lonely in a sporty frame, i propose that the gas tank be placed behind the engine, where the oil tank would be on a full size bike. You could put a HUGE tank there, filling the space where the rear cylinder isn't. Plus, that would serve to lower the look of the bike, as you wouldn't have anything sitting on the top tube of the frame. Or you could get REALLY crazy, and put a 1 gallon peanut tank on the top tube, and use THAT for the oil, that would be a great twist...very Buell-like  , gas behind the engine, oil where it doesn't "belong" MUAHAHAHAA. Good for "mass centralization", the oil level doesn't change much, so that WOULD be a good location for it! drop a 150 tire on the rear, and you are set I'm drooling at the very idea of this...you need to grab your welder and get welding, i wanna see what happens!!! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
How much would a frame cost you to build? Anyway, I havent heard the term 'Bobber' except in recent years and may be something that has gotten use in recent years. As far as I know 'Chopper' comes from the 'chopping' off all the extra parts that came on a stock bike and has been all about appearance and customization. (though I do agree that a chopper can have excellent handling charactoristics-from experience). I dont disagree with you(mostly agree) to flame you, but mostly for discussion, I dont like idea of potential wrong information getting around. (It kinda goes along with the fact that Harleys are called 'cruisers' when in reality a 'cruiser' is a term that came about to define the Japanese Harley lookalike bikes. I also long to go back to the days when there were no "Chopper Manufacturers" a term which in itself is an oxymoron.) GearheadErikO (fellow Shovelhead rider) PS We dont know of anyone making forward controls and the only place (that is reliable) to mount them is via plates bolted to the engine (like rearsets). They could be mouted to the front motor mounts but that would incure the risk of breaking the cast engine mount off, not a cheap repair. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on August 27, 2004) | ||
| Chop |
Materials wise, a frame is pretty cheap to make. Theres probably $250 in steel plus other supplies. (welding rod, grinding wheels, saw blades, and other consumables) Im probably going to spend more getting all the mounts made. instead of plasma cutting them by hand or sawing and milling them Im going to have a friend who runs a CNC laser cutter do them for me. I just have to draw up the flat layouts for them and he says he'll cut em' for me. As for the chopper/bobber arguement, I try to stay out of discussions of what constitutes either. I just try to defend them from people who bash them. Everything seems to come full circle and thats what we are seeing with the motorcycle scene now. The europeans seem to have brought back the bobber look that was popular in the 50's. And the southern shops are hard at work building very 70's esque bikes. I dont really think there is a true answer the the "what is a chopper" question. A good website for pics of choppers and bobbers is chopperdaves.com. He has some really vintage pics too. Alot of people label bobbers as stripped down bikes. The term "bobber" comes from the "bobbing"(trimming) of the fenders. And I think "chopper" originated from people refering to bikes that were made from parts of different bikes. "Chopping up a bunch of bikes to make one" or something like that. Oh, someone said that they didnt think that the blast was big(powerful) enough to be used as chop material. If you think about it, theres alot of guys building choppers out of old Triumph and BSA 500's and 650's. I cant imagine that any of those almost 40 year old bikes make much more power than the blast if any more at all. I have also seen alot of interest in the XS650's and the smaller CB's too. I dont think I would be aiming to sell a blast rigid frame to someone looking for a harley chopper. Im thinking its more for the guy who wants a dependable, cheap, chopper/bobber/whateveryouwannacallit. Im thinking that the price point for a kit would be right around $2000. So theoreticly you could build a chopper/bobber/whateveryouwannacallit for $5000 or so. You can buy a used blast for $2000-$2500 around here if you look hard enough. And you always have to add alittle for extras and unforseen circumstances. I figured the engine would be the most obvious place to mount forward controls. Could probably drop down a support from the backbone of the frame. Im not sure how well it could be hidden though. Might be able to tuck it in next to the exhaust. | ||
| Ezblast |
I'd like to use as many stock P-3 parts as possible - front, wireloom, stock tank, Wheels, Fr. fender,controls, longer rake - maybe z bars and mirrors - the seat - I'm thinking that Solo Corbin I saw on the HellCats - lighting use stock loom but custom set up all around- yup - from the front spine down to the exhaust mounting area was the idea tossed out on this board long ago, a nice front slash cut sportster pipe with torque cone - don't get me started - lol GT - JBOTDS! EZ  (Message edited by ezblast on August 27, 2004) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Chop-Question-Do you have any knowledge of what it would take to make a billet beefed up copy of the Blast rear pulley?(IE do you know someone who could actually do it?). I agree on the Blast power not really being an issue,because back in the day, they would chop anything. I do/did actually have an 'old school' chopper I bought back in 1982.It was built from an army issue flat head Triumph (1948) tons of chromed stock parts,Z bars, 6" over and the last time it ran it broke down in front of the Adam & Eve bar in N.Y.C. Built appx. 1970 its in pieces now,awaiting some kind of restoration,non-stock parts were pilfered for another hardtail Triumph chopper. Salvage and used Blasts are cheap, we'll be waiting for the first prototype from you! | ||
| Rockbiter1 |
If you are going to make new pullies, make the smaller one from Y2K. you can get a higher top end with it, even with the current rev limiter. I can pull my "black box" to correct the speedo back to Y2K stock. The only problem will be finding the Y2K belt...or a suitable substitute. (yes, i know, it would prolly be easier to go with a chain conversion a la Crossroads Performance...but that just doesn't seem kosher...) With the way my Blast will be set up (all the pro-series stuff), it will have no problem pulling the higher gear ratio 104mph+ here we come! | ||
| Chop |
I havent had a chance to see a pulley up close but Im sure I could make one. I just dont know how cost effective it would be. I have full access to my shops CNC mill and wire EDM so Im sure Ill try making one this winter for myself. The hardest part for me is getting the pitch and profile right for the cogs. I have to look at the machinerys handbook tomorrow at work to see if they have any of that listed in there. I have made fairly large gears and sprockets in the past and have made some small pump rotors from time to time too. As far as making different size pulleys, once I have the basic profile I could theoreticly make any size. I would just need someone to tell me how many teeth they wanted. Is there really an issue of belts breaking? Im just wondering because I keep seeing people mention chain conversions. It seems like alot of work to just be moving backwards as far as reliability and maintenance is concerned. I also havent seen any chain conversions where the bike uses the stock rear wheel. Whats the reason for that? | ||
| Rockbiter1 |
Going to chain simplifies gearing changes, as the Blast's rear axle is fixed and belt tension can't be adjusted. A chain conversion adds axle adjusters, and allows more freedom in gearing choice. Usually, those that convert to chain also convert to a 17" wheel, for more tire choices. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
The belt breakage is not really that much of an issue except when your Blasts HP & torque ratings approach that of a Sportster,you'd kinda like a Sportster size belt for dependability. I agree, going to a chain is a step backwards, and going to 17" wheels and lengthening the swingarm destroys the handling.If you dont know the difference, going to a chain seems the 'hot' set up, but its really much more trouble than its worth. Using the pre recall pulley size is an option too as the wider belt is available in 135 teeth or 139. My own thinking has been if we can get a good rear pulley, finding belts and front sprockets to match wont be hard.The rear pulley is the only part that doesnt even closely resemble any other HD parts.It would also mean a virtually 'bolt on' belt swap without swingarm modification. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Not a Blast engine but an XL350 engine.  pic taken from www.chopperunderground.com posted by the owner there XL350 | ||
| Ezblast |
Tight! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Berkshire |
RE: Rear Pulley I was looking at this a while back, and I remember thinking that maybe a VRSC rear pulley could be adapted to work. They appear to have a bearing in the center that rides on the axle, which would eliminate the wrenching effect caused by the wide pulley offset. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Hey Berki, long time no post! Maybe its late, but I have no idea what you're talking about.  I'm not seeing the difference or benefit. | ||
| Swampy |
What I think Berkshire is saying is the pulley side bearing is the one that gives out. If the pulley rode on the axle then there would be no offset as there is with the stock set up. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Okay, I get it now! Maybe an aftermarket lightweight v-rod wheel and pulley might solve a few problems. Not that it'll 'bolt right on' though. |
