2000 Buell Blast 500 - My First Project Bike

[youngmechanic]

I just purchased a 2000 Buell Blast 500 and I am so excited. I got from a local junkyard for $500, I asked about the history of the bike and he told me he got it from a guy that rode it a bunch but had stored it for a year and decided he need to get rid of it. It had been laid down but Here are a few pictures before I started getting into it.

It doesn't run but that didn't stop me from getting it. I have replaced the battery and added new oil. When I put it into gear I can hear the engine compression so I know the engine isn't seized.

The problem comes with the electrical. When I turn the key the odometer turns on and gives me the miles ready out. When I hit the start button I don't get any clicking sound. Here are a few pictures to show the condition of the started switch and handle bars

When I removed the seat and gas tank I found some of the wiring harness had been rubbed so much I found some wiring had been exposed. Here is a picture of it.

I used a voltmeter tester and found that the the wires did get power but when I took the throttle apart I didn't get in power. Anyone have an idea what would cause this I am all ears.

I would love any help so I can get the awesome bike back up and running. So if you have any places you recommend for parts, or where I can get the service manual for cheap, I am grateful for any help.

 

[pierce]

My recommendation would be to get a manual and trace the electrical. Is the kill switch missing? Trace all the wires from the electric start, to on down the line. Make sure that the kill switch is working properly. If it is set to 'kill', you won't hear a click, it kills everything. Make sure all wires are plugged in and both front and rear grounds are secure. Check those first and check back here with a progress check.

 

[ezblast]

Concur!!![up][up][up]

 

[Abledcool1]

Nice Mandalorian decal!

 

[youngmechanic]

Hey thanks, I knew it I had to get it when it had the Mandalorian Decal.

 

[BuellRiderX]

Now why can't I come across deals like this?? Have fun with it

 

[youngmechanic]

I have been able to get the bike to cycle but not start. I have replaced the spark plug and put gas into the gas tank. Does anyone have ideas on what I am missing to get this bike to start?

 

[Cecilsan]

Check the boot between the carb and intake. Common culprit for most starting and running issues with the Blast

 

[pierce]

Did you trace all the electrical from the starter? Whats the deal with the kill switch, is it on or off - missing etc? What happens when you press the starter now, anything different or nothing at all?

If you traced the wires and all are good you should at least get a click (at the relay, at the very least ...).

Let us know if all wires are traced.

 

[youngmechanic]

I realized that I made a rookie mistake after spending 8 hours trying to get it to start. I needed to put the kickstand up to start the bike. It came to me when I was pouring through the service manual racking my brain hoping to get the thing started. I feel like an idiot not realizing that until I had spent so much time going through the bike.

 

[pierce]

Can you get it to start now?

It should start with the kickstand down, but shut down when you take off. It should not keep it from starting though. You can delete the kickstand switch and clutch safety if you are bold enough. I always disarm all my safeties.

 

[youngmechanic]

I was looking through the carb and it was all gummed up. I put some gas down the carb and it started but it didn't idle. I am planning on giving it a good cleaning tonight.

My next question is how many safeties are there? I know there is one on the kickstand and with the clutch. I was reading in the manual and there is another one that will shut off your bike if it goes more than 45 degrees on its side. Am I missing one?

 

[pierce]

I would leave the bank angle sensor alone, that generally doesn't fail. However, the kickstand and and clutch safety can be deleted quite easily. Flip the center diode in your fusebox and you can start your bike without pulling the clutch in. Just make sure you are in neutral before you start it as it will now start in gear. The kickstand safety is deleted by removing the wire underneath bike and then cutting the two and twisting them together. Then tape them up and tuck it somewhere safe with a tie so it doesn't dangle.

As far as the carbs go, use a few cleaners before you decide to take the carb apart. Rule of thumb, never touch it until all other options have been exhausted. Grab a can of seafoam and spray it in there. Give it a few and if you can get it to start. If it starts, then just run a ton of seafoam though the gas and flush all the crap out while running it. If that doesn't work, feed the seafoam into the carb using the gas line and crank the starter a few times to fill the bowl and get it into the jets. Let it sit there for a while. Usually that will clear things up enough. The die hard option is once you get it clean enough to start is to keep the seafoam connected via the line and run it through the carbs (without actually riding it). You will smoke like a banshee, but it will do the trick.

If you decide to dig into the carb - take your time. Dedicate an evening to it, and meticulously pull all the parts. I use Yamaha carb cleaner dip and let things sit overnight. It might eat gaskets and plastic parts, so be safe.

 

[youngmechanic]

I have now cleaned the carb and the bike starts right up. Now that I have the engine running and idling, but when I have try to shift it into gear but it won't go. When I click the shifting peg it grinds the gears even when I have the clutch completely in. I would love some help figuring out the next step so I can ride my blast.

 

[ezblast]

Clutch adjustment, may be replace the small bearing.
EZ

 

[youngmechanic]

EZ and Pierce,

Thank you so much for all your help in this build. I was able to take my first ride today and it was awesome. I finished deactivating the kickstand sensor and I tried starting it and putting it into gear and I was off. It was an exciting ride since I didn't have the seat on and I was not expecting it to work. I now have the bike working and I am having a blast with it. I noticed that when I start in first gear as I gain speed it stutters like it is having trouble getting gas or air to the piston. Any ideas what would cause this?

 

[pierce]

Check the obvious things first. Tank vent tube could be plugged, or partially plugged so make sure its clear. You can also test it by running with the gas cap off. If it runs fine, then definitely clear the tube.

Have you checked the boot? It is a definite weakness. Replace it anyways as it should be replaced often. Eventually invest in dans superboot, and keep a spare on hand.

How bad does it stutter? Does it cough through the carb or just seem like it boggs?

 

[mowgoli84]

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...ations/parts-bike-up-for-grabs-for-top-bidder

might wanna check this out!

 

[youngmechanic]

I have been trying to find the instructions on how to make my own custom intake and can't find any posts on how to do it. Anyone please a fellow Blastard out?

 

[supermel74]

Lots of custom intake info here http://buellridersonline.com/forum/modifications/1847-show-me-your-custom-intake-exhaust.html