| Author | Message | ||
     Kauai1800 |
Hi guys, Just a funny story... As you know I am a real newbie..had never ever ridden a motorcycle until I rode my Blast starting a few weeks ago. I'm still in the putt-around-the-residential-neighborhood stage*. But it's a great feeling and I am slowly gaining confidence. I've done about 40 miles thus far. ANYWAY... I'm out yesterday morning, starting to really get that good feeling..opening it up some on an stretch of open street, going about 40....and then "POP!!" loud sound from under the seat. Drift to a halt. I thought I had blown off the boot, but I quickly ascertained that my new iridium spark plug had blown out. I parked the bike and soon found the plug lying in the road, banged up but useable; I wiped it off, screwed it back in by hand and was able to limp 2 miles back home. I'm not stressed...I did use antiseize compound, but obviously I did not screw that pup in tightly enough. I know loctite is a no-no, right? I don't own a torque wrench, but I guess it's time to spring for one. I saw the spec was 11-18 ft/lbs for the spark plug. I have no idea how much torque I applied, but I was trying to be gentle with the threads/aluminum head. Clearly it needed more "love". I'll gonna put in a stock HD plug for now, and order up one of these Denso plugs. I doubt either of our 2 auto parts stores would stock the iridium plug. Thought you'd get a kick out of the image of me in my goofy, second-hand-from-eBay body armor, lying on a Hawaiian side street, cursing, trying to screw a burning hot plug spark plug back into a Blast. Aloha. *Sadly, where I live there are literally NO large parking lots within 10 miles, and once I leave my neighborhood's streets, I have to take our island's only main highway to go anywhere at all. There's also no MSF classes offered here. However I plan to spend the time and $$ to travel to Oahu and take the class over there. (Message edited by kauai1800 on December 15, 2010) | ||
| Milt |
By all means, buy a torque wrench! You don't need many tools to maintain this masterpiece of simplicity. Check here for some suggestions: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/309879.html?1287409218 | ||
| Monzaracer |
Unless I am forgetting it the Blast plug is gasket seat and those you should give a 1/4 tun after it touches head by hand ie no real wrench pressure. Tapered seat plugs, ie no gasket, you should torque an 1/8 th of a turn or half a flat. | ||
| Kauai1800 |
Thanks guys. Yeah, I know..I need a torque wrench...I'm headed out the door to get one. Here's another newbie question... I note that my Blast falls under the recall notice for the early 2001 bikes regarding the throttle position sensor. Can I go by the local HD dealership and find out if this work was ever done to my cycle? If not, does HD have to make this repair for free? (One can always hope...) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Call the local BUELL dealer or contact one of Badwebs Buell/HD sponsors. They should be able to check by the VIN number and at least tell you it was done. I'm not familiar with the recall. Is it an actual bring the bike in asap or just a free replacement if it goes bad? Sponsors: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/171 43/17143.html | ||
| Kauai1800 |
It was a bring em in kine thing. Had to check voltages at WOT etc.. | ||
| Robertl |
That was quite entertaining. Sounds like you handled the incident well so congrats. In FL and many other states, the safety class is required. Could not stress the importance of that enough. It is a lot of fun too, except for the 100+ temps during mine. My 4x7' utility trailer has been priceless and worth 10x the $400 I paid for it. Great way to get your bike to a different area without riding on the big highways with all the crazy people.  | ||
| Buellriderx |
What island you on? | ||
| Kauai1800 |
Robertl: great idea and my neighbor has a nice trailer he's offered to loan me..but your idea didn't cross my mind. Thanks! Also I signed up for the BRC in January and we will make it into a mini family vacation on Oahu. Buellriderx: I'm on Kauai and I know your name because it's listed under your profile. Do keep me in mind - Young Bros will ship a bike interisland for about $70. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Harbor fright has a small utility trailer that can be had for about $150 if you watch for the specials and 20% off coupon. 12" or 8" wheels. You will need to add a ramp and rail or wood deck or...... If you dont go wild with "accessorizing", its a cheap trailer good for hauling a bike or the occasional emergency 'tow'. It can easily be stood up on end for easy compact storage (without that pesky disassembly associated with some "compact" trailers). It comes disassembled so it can be shipped. ....you would be supporting China though..... |
