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  • ClemSparks

    June 1, 2009 7:40 a.m. ClemSparks UberDork

    Hey all,

    I've got a shot at a $1200 Buell Blast that has a problem. I thought I'd check here in case anyone is familiar with this particular problem.

    The shifter isn't working. The current owner said something about this happening with the previous owner and a pin had come out of a shaft somewhere.

    Pretty funny...they're sure it'll cost exactly $150 to fix it.

    Anyway...is this a common problem?

    There are no death noises and it starts right up and runs, but it just won't go into gear. If I had some confidence the fix would not involve major $$$, I'd probably pick it up.

    Thanks, Clem

  • Dr. Hess

    June 1, 2009 8:24 a.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

    Doesn't that use a regular Sportster transmission? Should be pretty robust for that motor. I would say that the gears and all are probably fine, but it's going to have to come apart and it would likely be in the shifing mechanism, like a bent fork or something. I'd also guestimate that $150 might cover labor or not on a transmission R&R job, and I'd lean to "not." You have to pull the cover, engine sprocket, chain, clutch, then the trap door. It takes a few special tools, some of which you can make. Personally, I would budget about four bills for the job if someone else does it. What's the bike worth in good running condition? For a problem like that, I'd subtract a grand to make it a "good deal," but that's just me.

  • ClemSparks

    June 1, 2009 8:56 a.m. ClemSparks UberDork

    Thanks Doc,

    I really don't know what the bike is worth. It would be well worth the asking price to me if it was functional. but it's not.

    I'm also not familar with the bike as far as what transmission it uses and such. It is a belt drive bike.

    The bike is a little beat up from being used as a loaner in an education course (so I'm told).

    I'll search some more and let this one brew.

    Clem

  • Xceler8x

    June 1, 2009 10:26 a.m. Xceler8x Dork

    I'd go with Hess in that it's going to cost a bit more than $150. To my knowledge they do use the integrated sporty trans so I would be the gears aren't hosed.

    I rode older Buells so I can't remember if that particular model still had the port hole in the side of the case to check the main chain tension. You could open that up to check the chain condition. Then you could remove that side case to see what else is going to fall out. Course, you could also leave that for the pros when they fix the whole shebang.

    I'd offer $800. Then, assuming it costs $400 or more you're still able to walk away and sell the bike for what you have in it. How beat is it? Mileage?

  • ClemSparks

    June 1, 2009 12:57 p.m. ClemSparks UberDork

    I didn't even look at the mileage. I just gave it a once over for general condition. It did fire right up an run like a thumper. The seller said something about it coughing and popping and he thought maybe it was caused by bad gas. All I heard was the sound of a thumper...it sounded ok to me. Maybe I should be alarmed about that, but I would imagine it either IS old gas, or just some gunk needing cleaned out of the carb and whatnaught (or even a valve adjustment...maybe?)...I really know nothing about these bikes. A Buell is the only "Harley" I would even consider owning (only since cruisers aren't my style...not because I have anything inherrently against them).

    I like the offer low and go for it approach. I won't pay someone to work on this thing. If I can't do it myself, it's not worth owning.

    I'm a bit concerned that the current seller seems to think this is the same problem a previous owner has had with the bike. Maybe it just needs a better fix. He said something about pressing a pin back in. To be sure, that won't be the fix this time (if it really has happened twice now).

    Ah...I'll see what becomes of it.

    Thanks for the insight, all! Clem

  • ClemSparks

    June 10, 2009 10:37 a.m. ClemSparks UberDork

    Apparently this one sold to another sucker. I'm safe...at least this time around ;)

  • benzbaron

    June 10, 2009 10:09 p.m. benzbaron Reader

    The blast is a bitchin little bike, but I am biased. What do you mean the shifter doesn't work? I know you didn't get it but to get the thing into gear sometimes you have to kick it into gear. I'd bet either the clutch adjustment, primary chain adjustment, or shift linkage was tweeked. These bikes don't have the greatest gearbox but I'm still on the original cluth at 24k miles. I'd bet the primary might have been too damn tight, and maybe clutch drag won't let you shift, but I'm no mechanic so hell if I know.

    If you do get a blast and need info or repair info just give me a holler and maybe I can help you but I'm no expert just a shade tree fool who gave up on paying 80$ an hour to HD to burn me.

 

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