| Author | Message | ||
     Wolfridgerider |
I just wanted to pass the word that SOME the 2008 Buell Blast that we have in our Riders Edge fleet have a melting problem. The 08 tanks sit closer to the head for some reason. They get hot enough to burn through the heat tape, melt the plastic tank and then start leaking. I don't know if this has been talked about before so if it has.... sorry. If not, go check you 08 gas tanks..... (Message edited by wolfridgerider on July 01, 2008) | ||
| Thumper74 |
Neat! Does it look like the Ghost Rider bike? | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Not yet, But that would be cool!! I could see a student flying across the range on fire.... screaming... Then I could say to my fellow instructor "Never seen THAT before" | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I could see a student flying across the range on fire.... screaming... Would they automatically pass?  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
would that make them a flamer. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Would they automatically pass? Only if it happened after the evaluation. But it would be a automatic failure if they drop the bike. would that make them a flamer. In my book, YES | ||
| Thumper74 |
This will be cool. Are they selling the old ones yet?! | ||
| Swordsman |
Seems like Buell has all kinds of new "quirks" for '08: XB's that run like crap and get sub-par fuel economy, 1125R's that quite literally blister your legs, and let's not forget the continuing Firebolt headlight saga. Now Blasts are melting holes through their gas tanks. It's adding up to be a great year so far! What the hell is going on up there...?  ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on June 27, 2008) | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Are they selling the old ones yet?! They sold out of the old ones right after classes started. | ||
| Thumper74 |
WTF... I was told that I would get a call when they were up for sale... | ||
| Sarodude |
Mark- Could you elaborate on the larger tank thing? As far as I can see, the Blast's tank has been specd at 2.8 gallons since it hit the streets. I must be missing something really obvious right under my nose... -Saro | ||
| Rainman |
Then I could say to my fellow instructor "Never seen THAT before" I don't know about that. There was this time when it was pouring rain and this guy was riding on exercise 6 and .....} | ||
| Tramp |
"Riders' Edge" runs bikes at idle for protracted periods, and rarely run the blasts at enough speed to functionally cool the heads, hence the overheating. In this day and age, Riders' Edge should really use watercooled motorcycles, of smaller OHC aircooleds. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The tanks have the same capacity specs on the page between 2007 & 2008.... Our 2009 arrives next week. Already sold  | ||
| Rainman |
We had some issues with the gas tanks seeping out of the seals around the cap and/or overflowing through the vent hose. Could that be the issue? I would think that's from overfilling the tank. We haven't had any fires, though | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Larger may not be the right word, but the tank on the new Blast sits alot closer to the head than the old ones. A Buell rep is coming down on Monday to have a look. I will let you know how it goes. | ||
| Thumper74 |
That's a job I want... Like a district parts and service manager for Buell... | ||
| Tramp |
Rainman- In case you kissed it the first time: ""Riders' Edge" runs bikes at idle for protracted periods, and rarely run the blasts at enough speed to functionally cool the heads, hence the overheating. " These motorcycles aren't really designed for idle-running at ultra slow speeds for protracted periods. | ||
| Rainman |
Caught it. We haven't had any fires in the three years I've taught Rider's Edge, even with our new Blasts. That's why I wondered if it could be a leakage issue. | ||
| Etennuly |
Wolf, If they are sitting too close to the head and they are the same tanks they have been, the rubber isolators could be missing. If so the tank would sit on a 3/8 steel rod rather than a 1 1/4" round rubber isolator that slides onto the 3/8 rod. Grab the front edge of the tank, it should be firmly in place. If it will move up and down a half inch or more the isolators are gone. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Wolf, any bikes spontaneously combust today? | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
No fires but I did have some dirt divers..... She got up, dusted off and still passed. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
the wife just went through the intermediate course on her blast and passed with a perfect score and missed 3 on the written. spent all day on it and didn't have any problems. imo, one of the best training bikes there ever was. knowing that the sportster back in 2000 wasn't a good starter bike(nightster i think would be a great one)we tried to put her on a superglide, of which didn't work out to good at the time. and as luck would have it they came out with the blast later on in the year. | ||
| Wtcardr |
I had one do it in exercise 14. the problem with it was that the tank mounting bracket was installed under the mounting tab, allowing the front of the tank to hit the rocker box cover. Made for an interesting field repair. Had another blast that would not run, so I changed gas tanks while someone else held the fire extinguisher and the other RC held his finger over the hole. | ||
| Barker |
Last week in my BRC class we had only one bike go down. It was the instructor.  | ||
| Dhalen32 |
Wolf: Half of my fleet is 2008s (entered into service in August and September of 2007) and we haven't had this problem yet. However, we also haven't had the nasty heat this season yet. I wonder if the real issue is the change in motorcycle emission standards effective with 2008 models. Perhaps they are running a lot more lean and thus more hot than before. That might explain some of the complaints on the board of poor running and worse fuel economy than expected when compared to earlier model years. I think I have read about these issues with all Buell models not just the Blast. Dave | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
My dealer runs 3 classes a week. 2 on the weekends and 1 during the week. We have way more demand than supply when it comes to classes available. The bikes don't get much of a rest and turning laps in a parking lot at "12 to 17 miles per hour" really doesn't get any air flowing past the head like normal use would. I may have pulled the trigger before I should have by posting something on Badweb before Buell had a chance to look at the bikes. My hat is off to them. They jumped on this with both feet and picked up a couple of bikes on Monday and took them back home for a look see. I still can't believe the service Buell provides for their customers. From sending a belt UPS Next Day Air to my Dealer when my belt broke on my Uly, providing me a master link for my chain in the parking lot at Homecoming last year and now this. I'm glad I bought a Buell and I can't wait to head to East Troy in the next day or so.... See ya at Homecoming! | ||
| Dhalen32 |
Wolf: I guess your bikes don't get much rest! Please post up when you hear something back from Buell. I have told my Service guys about what you are experiencing and have them looking for it on our bikes now. Thanks for letting the rest of us know. Dave | ||
| Sarodude |
Is there an update on this situation? I'm highly curious... -Saro | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I teach this weekend, I will let you know. |
