| Author | Message | ||
     Gearheaderiko |
I cant imagine why they'd downgrade the charging system (except for less load and more power?). Yeah I ride the Blast with an electric vest and 2 H4 halogen lights without ever a problem. My opinion is that you probably shouldnt buy another Buell  That you ride a Harley throws a wrench into that opinion.(I'm literally one of those "I'd rather push a Harley than ride a Honda guys"). A friend of mine wanted to buy a Buell but searched all over the web for problems and has been sold the idea (like many people) that Harleys (and by association, Buells) are woefully unreliable. Going into it with that attitude, any little problem (even a flat tire) will add to the perceived POS motorcycle he just bought. I think he was wise to go with the BMW. He'd have always been waiting for the Buell to fall apart.} (Message edited by gearheaderiko on September 03, 2008) | ||
| Ezblast |
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| Baggermike |
I started riding Harley's in 82 and the only problem I have had is with the all the bikes I owed were the two bikes that the battery died, first Buell vibrated to much and things were breaking off from the vibrations and a buell tech was the one that said it vibrated more than the others I did not know if if was normal or not, so was not my opinion it was the techs opinion, Ulysses oil pump broke coming home from shopping, blast was used so I should not complain, and the 1125R but it is running good but not charging good and now the bike will shut of at low rpms with the clutch out down shifting with the clutch in it will stay running, weird? cant even figure that one out, and I have four trouble codes com err u001, clutch input p1154, lt-fan sys err po693 and rt-fan sys err po 691 and now it goes dead overnight so maybe just a bad battery all along, but do not know about the other codes they just popped up from the bike sitting for awhile do to a Hospital stay. But I have never had a problem with a Harley. So I am getting the 09 SS and will be my fourth Beull so trading in the 1125R for the SS which has been redone with 5.5" of travel front and rear and is all black what they did is drop the TT model and added a passenger seat and pegs instead of the number plates. So what are my chances of getting a fourth Buell that has problems, I am sure that there are allot of good running buells out there and can not let a few bad apples ruin the crate? I remember people telling me why are you buying a harley they leak oil and are a piece of shit, none have ever leaked oil on me and that includes the 2 82 XLX iron heads, I have had many Harley's and only two dead batteries now that is good, and when the battery went on my bagger after four years and 36,000.00 miles I had a towing service and I asked him if it was his only business and he said yes then I though perfect I can find out which bike brand it the worst so I ask him which brand breaks down the most and he said they all do and there is no one brand that stood out. Mike | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Loved the TT, my guess is I'll like the SS. When we were at the Buell dealer the wife actually liked the TT enough that I think she was serious when she said I should buy one! | ||
| Baggermike |
The SS has the same suspension but a lower seat height of 30.6 with front and rear travel at 5.63 and the eight piston caliper like the one on the 1125r. the TT has the same suspension travel but has a higher seat height of 31.4", I think the SS is perfect and all black just as I like my bikes all black and the suspension is not that far off from the ulysses which is 6.38 Rear and 6.51 front plus the new buells gas mileage is close to the blast gas mileage. Mike | ||
| Jlnance |
I cant imagine why they'd downgrade the charging system The Ulys have been eating voltage regulators and stators. I suspect that is the reason. | ||
| Baggermike |
Jinance I have a uly and no problems with the charging system, and all the XB bikes were before 2007 and almost all modern charging systems are three phase, and harley this year just boosted the FLHT to 3 phase 50 amp 720 watts, the 1125R also got a boost this year from 30 amps 432 watts to 37 amps 520 watts, now the motor is rotax but the voltage regulator should be Buell? I do not understand why the Uly would eat voltage regulators when all the Buell models up to 2006 were the same, I thought it might have been the new lower end that made them change the charging system but the 2007 models are the same as the 2006 models and that is when the did the switch from a three phase to a single phase 2007, and it was 2008 that they came out with the new lower end and I thought that might have been why they changed it but the 2007 models were changed so that crushed that idea. All I want is a bike that is easy to maintain, has good power, gets good gas mileage, is fun to ride, American, and does not have problems. Is this to much to ask for? Mike | ||
| Reepicheep |
I just rode an SS at mid ohio. Loved the motor, loved the brakes, hated the seat, and hated the suspension shortness. (I am 6'2"). The seat, in addition to being short, made it really annoying to get off the bike on the track. Maybe comfy for a long haul if you have really short legs though. This was in contrast with sitting on a TT in the show room, which felt like it would fit me like a glove. The CR was also so tight (like the 1125r) that I was not even particularly dissapointed when they pulled it for supposed fueling problems right before I took my test ride. Looks like the Uly, and ironically the 9sx (unless they screwed up the seat since my 05), are the only Buells left for tall guys. If I want a great bike that is too small for me, there are lots of outstanding japanese bikes to choose from. | ||
| Jlnance |
Jinance I have a uly and no problems with the charging system Same here.  | ||
| Berkshire |
Finally swapped my cover & adjuster:   Didn't do the shift pawl adjust this time - I was going to, but didn't realize to get access to it I'd have to remove the clutch, trans sprocket, and possibly the engine sprocket! ...I haven't had any of that stuff apart yet, and don't feel quite up to tackling it just yet! Note the missing screw - it's basically in the exact same place on the Blast as on the XB, except on the XB the screw is offset toward the outside of the cover, and on the Blast it's offset toward the inside. It looks like either gasket would seal it up fine. | ||
| Ezblast |
Dude you where only two retaining clips and 2 bolts away - so much you could have done - ahhhh the pain! - don't feel bad though - if its not broke, don't fix it still works - lol EZ | ||
| Berkshire |
which two?!  I figured there might be an easy way to remove the clutch & trans sprocket, but didn't want to blindly open a big can o' worms... | ||
| Crackhead |
how does the little peep hole help with primary chain adjustment? | ||
| Berkshire |
you push the chain up & down and measure how far it will move. so... can I get the clutch out without having to break loose the engine sprocket? the service manual says to remove both sprockets and the chain all together, but maybe that's not the only way? | ||
| Swampy |
The only way to remove the clutch basket is to remove the engine sprocket with it as one unit. Then you are going to need a GIANT torque wrench to retignten the crankshaft nut to the GIANT torque spec. Plus you are going to have to aquire the locking tool to both remove and reinstall the crankshaft nut. | ||
| Ezblast |
lol - the locking tool is only cut bar stock with beveled edges. EZ | ||
| Berkshire |
I've heard something about a revised torque spec for the XB's - is 190-210 ft.lb. still correct for the Blast? I think I'll save that job for next time - better start getting ready...  | ||
| Swampy |
Inquiring minds want to know, I don't know Does anybody else know? I would at least torque it to the top of the range, just in case. | ||
| Reuel |
You could just get a cheater bar, weight yourself, and calculate where on the bar you should stand to get the appropriate torque.  Wait... That would seriously work, wouldn't it? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Theoretically, yes it would work and I've used that method on axle nuts (truck axle nuts). | ||
| Swampy |
Reuel, you are truly a numbers wizard! | ||
| Jd110033 |
ok it was said in the beginning of this thread, but i didnt see a response to it. can the xb primary sprocket and chain work on the blast and what would the rewards be in doing that? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
An XB12 engine sprocket would give the Blast taller gearing-which means the engine would be running at a lower rpm at all speeds. It would also give it higher top speed (theretically-a stock Blast will have trouble pulling more than the now top speed of 96mph). It may give some benefits as longer time between gear changes (1st gear may end at 40 mph instead of 32mph), but will hamper acceleration. You may get better mpg. You'll need (according to Berki) to also install the XB primary cover as the Blast cover wont fit the bigger gear and chain. You'll then have an access hole to the primary chain for an easier way to see if its adjusted correctly. You'll loose the Blast primary spring loaded tensioner for a fixed tensioner. XB9's were geared the same as a Blast, so there's no point in that switch. | ||
| Lighninginthesky |
Here is the deal I have a 2002 Bast and a 2007 XB12 and I'm wondering if it's a win/win deal to swap sprockets and chains. Are they interchangeable give the years. The bikes have nearly identical miles on them and spend as much time in the twistes as on the highway. Maybe I'm better off just installing a 984 sprocket & chain on the XB12. Who has done the swap on the Blast and what do you think. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Buellistic is the only forum user that I personally know of that has done the xb 12 sprocket/chain swap on a Blast...look him up and PM him...he is always glad to talk about his Blast with others. I plan on doing it one day myself, if all the parts fall out of the sky into my lap. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Its more like lose/lose. The Blast uses a *less beefy* version of the XB clutch, so you're likely to burn it out if used in the XB12. A stock Blast engine doesnt have the power to efficiently pull the taller gearing of the XB 12. So if you're looking for a slower Blast with possibly better mpg and lower rpms, then its a win. You'll also need the XB Primary cover to fit the XB12 primary drive on the Blast. *Edited for clarity and offensiveness!* (Message edited by Gearheaderiko on May 09, 2009) | ||
| Monzaracer |
Whoa whoa whoa, Since when is the Blast a wimpy clutch. I have been told, seen and experienced the supposedly wimpy clutch and a friend whos son could break an anvil with a feathe, took racing clutches out of every crotch rocket he has owned, bought his now main transportation an 07 (i think) blast and has yet to damage the clutch, he has broke a belt, broke, well ripped the rear sprocket off at the bolts, litterally beat the Blast clutch and this bike has been upgraded with big bore kit 515 at least and it may even be done as a 600. He spent big money on the bike but was told by dad he is now on his own on repairs, some of the issues above I feel may have been coming along before he bought it but this bike FAST, I rode it and the Blast clutch is still the stone stock original with 28,000 plus on it thats before mods and after. Saying a blast clutch is weak is a stretch in my blast riding experience/opinion. | ||
| Ezblast |
Add 2 plates and you have the XB clutch - EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
"Add 2 plates and you have the XB clutch " Hence, a *less beefy* (but not wimpy as I incorrectly stated) version of the XB clutch. Will it stand up to the103hp and 84 ft lbs of torque of the XB12? I dont know, but that is 3x the Blast power, so my guess is you'll burn out the clutch Hopefully that clears up "wimpy version"! And I should correct that you dont actually have to switch clutches anyway, just the engine sprocket (but you'll still need to use the XB primary cover). Sorry, often this question comes up because someone needs a cheap replacement for their bad XB clutch. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on May 09, 2009) | ||
| Swampy |
I remember the Big Kid smoking his clutch so bad that it would not engage, I had to go rescue him on some lonely deserted road because of 3rd and 4th gear starts. I got the bike home, changed the primary fluid, readjusted the clutch and he continued to ride it until the big end bearing went bad in the motor many years later. |
