Transmission Problems

[Natedawgg]

I just got a 2001 Blast with 25k miles on it. It is hard to get it to shift from either 1 to 2 or from 2 to 1 gear without grinding the gears. The person who sold me the bike for $1650 reassured me that that's just the way Buell Blasts are and that there's nothing wrong with the bike, and since I am used to Japanese motorcycles I decided to take their word for it.

Now I am worried that I got ripped off. Any informed opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[buellistic]

Natedawgg:

CHECKED YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL LATELY ???

Could be the SHIFT LEVER is not properly set for your foot position ???

Clutch not PROPERLY ADJUSTED ??? In FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL

The SHIFTER SHAFT ASSEMBLY ALIGNMENT not correct ??? In FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL ...

In BLASTing
LaFayette

[ezblast]

Concur!:D:D:D:D

[frankmako]

To me it sounds like you need to adjust the clutch. But, I would also change the trans fluid and go to a local dealer to look at a new blast to see the correct location/postion of the shift lever. If you do all of this it will be better, much better. You don't know what type of oil is in the tran and when the last time the clutch was adjusted, so this would be the first things I would do. My Blast was a pain in shifting when new. It shifted like my 20 year old FLHS. At 800 miles I dump the motor and trans oil; replaced with Moblie 1 V-twin 20w-50 oil and now the bike runs and shifts 100% better. The Buell Blast group over at Yahoo has all the information/how to that you will need to do the work. I have found that the Blast is eazy to work on and the best part is that you don't have to take it to a dealer for work.

frankmako

[Natedawgg]

I am just so busy that I actually took it to a Harley dealer to have iot serviced. The price tag on the service blows my mind and I will never go to the dealer again. But right now all I know is Japanese bikes and don't realy have the time to learn about a Buell.

[ezblast]

You can get the manual free on line a over a dozen places - your too lazy - jap bikes are a lot harder to maintain than this bike - bs someone else.:cool:

[Natedawgg]

You can get the manual free on line a over a dozen places - your too lazy - jap bikes are a lot harder to maintain than this bike - bs someone else.:cool:
Yep, I just got ripped off by Glendale Harley Davidson. They sold me a $250 5k maintenance which consisted of adjusting the clutch and changing the oils. It still grinds. Whatever. I'll stick with Jap bikes. Let my girl ride this Blast into the ground and then get her a Suzuki.

;)

[M2artin]

Nate-

Most Blasts are ridden by new riders and with 25k miles, the clutch is probably fried. I would change the clutch, cable and fluid myself. It's really not that hard, and parts tend to be cheap.
I recommend Redline Synthetic MTL for the trans, as that is what I have been using in my M2 with no problems, and improved shifting.
I have had some grinding with my M2's gearbox in the past, but after adjusting the linkage, it went away 100%.
Spend a little time on it, and you will be rewarded.
Good luck.

[TJsmith]

Yep, I just got ripped off by Glendale Harley Davidson. They sold me a $250 5k maintenance which consisted of adjusting the clutch and changing the oils. It still grinds. Whatever. I'll stick with Jap bikes. Let my girl ride this Blast into the ground and then get her a Suzuki.

;)

If they did not do what was asked, then take it back and have them fix it. By he way, what was their labor rate?

[ezblast]

The clutch is practically bullet proof, the problem is two fold, the rider and the mechanic - lol
1st - do the clutch adjustment at the primary - follow the manual - it is ultra easy to do. While there empty your primary oil and fill with Mobil 1 15/50 oil up to the bottom of the gear teeth. Put inspection cover back on and tighten the footpeg that you loosened - not take off - then adjust at adjuster on the cable. If that doesn't work - then the Shifter Pawl needs adjusting - if this is done totally per manual and you make sure all the drum pins are the same size (tap in any not - gently) - your shifting will be smooth as a new XB's. Also when cold and doing your 1st shift - gently blip the throttle while shifting - it will go in smooth - just a loud click. You can ham fist it into gear and still not have to worry about the tranny - Jeezz it was made for a twin! Even with my hopped up Blasts - I've dumped the clutch plenty racing and both still shift smooth - ride her like you stole her!:cool: