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Titusand
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 07:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

2004 Blast, 10,250 miles, Jardin exhaust, carb rejetted to 45/175. Within past 1,000 miles, new plug, K&N, lubricants, tires, boot, rear wheel bearing, primary chain adjusted by sound method, and now using premium gas. Bike is serviced by me and highly experienced mechanic. When the bike was stock it would freely run in the 80's and with some patience rev limit out at 96 using mid-grade gas. Now it struggles to hit 85. I'm running out of ideas here as to why.

My only thought now is a compression test. Any other ideas?
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Cgent
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 08:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Has Titusand "grown" ???



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Cgent
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 08:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sorry ... the devil made me do that ...

... seriously ... did you add the windshield since the old speed record ???
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Did you do everything at once?
Most obvious is the chain adjustment. Do it by the manual (12-16 flats), then by ear, paying close attention to how far it deviates from the manual setting.
Stock air box ?
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Buellistic
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If you do not know how to set the "TIMING", you are wasting your time as "TUNER" !!!

If do not know how to adjust the PRIMARY CHAIN on the CHAIN TIGHT SPOT the chain will always be adjusted "WRONG" !!!
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Titusand
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 12:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I will revisit the primary adjustment. I adjusted it last month. The bolt for it is rather long. I tightened by hand it a lot so I could better judge what is a too tight sound as compared to too loose. After a few turns, I could feel the shoe rubbing on the chain and the sound of the chain running over it. I then loosened it. After it appeared the shoe was no longer rubbing, I kept loosening it but I heard no differences even after several full rotations of the bolt, of course this is with the Jardine popping in my ear while lying on the driveway. I then tightened it until I could feel some resistance from the shoe, then backed it off 2 full turns. I have not fully understood what the "box of rocks" sound is, unless it is the noise of the chain running over the shoe. Maybe I need some correction here.

I have not tried the timing. I do have an automobile timing light, I suppose that will work.

It does have one other performance issue that has been going on for a while, but I've been ignoring it: in the middle RPM ranges when at a steady speed and RPM, say 40mph in 4th gear, it will hesitate and miss.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 07:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Did you do everything at once ?
Stock air box?
Timing doesn't change unless you change it. So odds are that's not your problem, unless the timing cup came loose (rare if untouched, but possible). Timing could improve performance, but likely not your issue if it hasn't been touched and the bike used to run well.
Odds are something was done wrong since it ran better before the mods. Go over your list. Again I would recommend redoing the chain adjuster with a torque wrench and fine tune by ear. If in doubt, refer back to the repair manual method (12-16 flats instead of 7.5).

PS no offense but plenty of expert mechanics at dealerships have messed up Blasts. That's why we have such a low opinion of taking them to the dealership.
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Ezblast
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 09:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thought - its your gas - with e10 midgrade probably doesn't cut it. Take it 2 more turns out as well.
EZ

(Message edited by ezblast on July 24, 2013)
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 09:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Concur!
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Titusand
Posted on Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 11:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My mechanic send me the following in regards to this very same inquiry:

"Andrew, First of all it was never meant for that type of speed or riding. It is an entry level motorcycle. Loss of compression, valves not seating properly, clutch slipping, its endless what it could be. The more you push it, the slower it is gonna get. Also the richer the jetting is, can actually hurt performance. Lean is Mean..."

Hmm... he's made some good points here... what does the BWB jury say...?
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Friday, July 26, 2013 - 02:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

BS. He doesn't know the Blast, he obviously doesn't know it's a one cylinder sportster engine. A slow degrade in performance due to natural wear is one thing, doing the mods you did and having it be slower is another. You've done standard mods, nothing unusual. You'd be the first one whose bike is actually slower, provided everything was done right.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Friday, July 26, 2013 - 02:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

PS your blast stock, shares many of the same parts as motorcycles having 2 or 3 times the horsepower of the Blast!!
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Friday, July 26, 2013 - 06:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Seriously, I'm not bagging on your mechanic and what he says might be true for many 'entry level' motorcycles, but not the Blast.
"The more you push it, the slower it is gonna get." Yeah, well, maybe. But I've abused and seen the Blast abused on the racetrack under far more punishing conditions than you'll ever see, on bikes near stock and more modified. The Blast can take a lot of abuse.

After we're sure the primary is adjusted properly we'll move on from there. But until then there isnt much point. Its a very common cause for a Blasts sudden slowdown and lack of power (after an adjustement-they dont tighten up on their own).
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Friday, July 26, 2013 - 06:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm also not a fan of "richen it up"! But you're not even close to over rich. You could go one step down to a 170 main (stock). But you're definitely conservative on richening up the mixture and if you havent shimmed the needle (which is richer), you're still losing out on power and performance.
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Titusand
Posted on Friday, July 26, 2013 - 07:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

thanks a million for the support and the private message I got. when I get the inch torque wrench I'll make myself an expert at tensioning the darn primary. in general I couldn't be happier with my bike, not only that I like rolling up to a group of bikers and having the only unique bike there. the Harley guys I know like it because it's a Harley in part, the foreign bike guys like because it's not a Harley, I've had nothing but interested people talk to me about it.
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Ezblast
Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 02:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yeah - its like that.
EZ
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Titusand
Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 11:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

no one else here has commented on how his P3 performs in the 70-96mph range, in particular I don't care about going 96 but the bike struggles to hit 85 which makes passing a chore. to be really useful on the expressway it should be smooth at 70-75 and be able to run freely 80-90 without waiting for the right breeze or downhill.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 11:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"No one else"? You mean besides me and EZ? If your bike was supposed to be slow between 70-90mph, we'd have heard about it long before now. In the last 10 years (okay 13 years) countless upon countless have done your mods. Its a proven combination. If I even remotely thought your Blast was performing as expected I would say something. There is something wrong.

You're trying to find another problem without fixing the first and most likely cause. Wait for the torque wrench. After we are sure that is done properly, then we can move on. Too tight primary chain is a very very very common mistake and a very very very common cause of suffering top end performance and speed. Too tight primary is about the same as riding with your brakes on.

Again: "Did you do everything at once ?
Stock air box? "

90+mph can be a chore. At that speed other things greatly become a factor. Again, not impossible, but 85 mph is easily doable, even with 2-up.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 11:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A bone stock Blast is smooth between 70-75, and will run all day at 80+mph. If your Blast wouldnt do this before the mods, then you should definitely check your compression. You've had issues before the mods, if that is the case.
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Titusand
Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 12:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Stock air box. As for the series of upgrades, they were done over time. Last year I noticed the loss of power issue, but I did not document any dates. Because the bike was approaching 10,000, miles for this riding season, I decided to put in new air filter, new plug, adjust primary, and I had to put on a new wheel - so new rear bearings. Tires are inflated properly, new fluids. These things I have done piecemeal over the past 1,000 miles, with minimal effect, consequently I believe that the issue lies with the primary or something other than a tune-up.

When it was stock, it ran freely between 80-90, and hit 96 tucked down and with some patience.

As for lower speeds, it's still peppy, but I have no hard numbers. It's quick enough and roughly as fast as it has ever been. No complaints.

I can't wait for this torque wrench to get here.
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Titusand
Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 01:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Another issue for the jury: when the rubber motor mount broke at 5,000 miles, the exhaust bolt within the head cracked from the weight of the pipe, and the head was removed and taken to a 2nd shop to have the broken stud extracted, and then the Jardine was installed and jetted to 42/175 (this year now is 45/175). I have no memory now if That was the genesis of the power issue, but the engine starts quickly, leaks no oil, and burns little.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 01:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Okay, we have hope. : )
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Ezblast
Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 01:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Shimmed needle?
EZ
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Titusand
Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 01:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The needle has not been shimmed, but good call on your part.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 09:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yeah, I mentioned that about a dozen posts ago......I guess I wasn't clear!!
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Ezblast
Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 - 11:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I noticed he didn't respond - lol
EZ
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Monday, July 29, 2013 - 01:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks.: ) I'm not the master of the one line diagnosis that you are! It would probably be easier on everybody if I didnt ramble on!!
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Titusand
Posted on Monday, July 29, 2013 - 02:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Man oh man, you guys have me lost, har har.

To pile on my troubles, the front tire went flat this weekend.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Monday, July 29, 2013 - 03:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Replace the air in your tire and it will work better!
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Titusand
Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 - 04:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The Blast is BACK!

I waited three long weeks for my replacement rear wheel, and then another week to get the bike down to the shop, and pick it up. After installation of the new wheel, the Blast whipped along like new, and hit the rev limiter in top gear.
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Ezblast
Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 12:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good news indeed! Go ride!
EZ
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