Need help with Buell Motor Rebuild.

[Sincere]

Hi guys,

Just got a learner bike for my lil sis. An 02 Blast, but has motor issues. Anyone know of or is willing to take up the task of rebuilding the motor for a reasonable price??? l can pull the motor and deliver/pick it up too.

[Sincere]

Still Looking.......

[Sheppo]

Still Looking.......

What are the issues and where are you located?

[Sincere]

Whitman. The previous owner was riding it, when it died on him while on the highway. When I bought it, it would crank over and sound as if it weren't getting gas. Then 1 day I figured I'd take a stab at it. While cranking it to see if it were getting fuel etc... it stopped cranking over. Now it makes a click as if it's locked up. Battery has full power, and it was getting fuel.

[csmutty]

Is the battery dead? If it is the starter will make that clicking noise.

[gregp]

This could be a whole bunch of things. The last Blast that I worked on had the carb fall out of the rubber manifold, while going straight down a smooth street. It turns out that this is quite a common issue. Besides that, as csmutty pointed out, it sounds like you have a dead battery. There *could* be something wrong inside the head, or the crank, but you should try to verify exactly where the problem is first - like maybe pull the spark plug out, see if the engine turns over and has any compression at all.

[Damnut]

I would check to see if the engine is actually dead before I pulled it out. I think I have a Blast service manual around here somewhere if you need one. I had an 03 Blast but sold it last year.

[Rambunctous]

Charge the battery then spin the engine with the plugs out but grounded to see if it has spark. If no spark you now know what direction to go. If it has spark then you check the fuel system. You can check if the engine is somehow locked up by spinning the back wheel in top gear with the plugs out.

[shortbus]

Pull the plugs, put the bike in 5th and turn the rear wheel listening for grinding metal noises in the engine.

[Sincere]

Battery was fully charged (matter of fact, had it on the charger while trying) It was turning over before, then in the process of trying to start it, it stopped. Almost as if it seized. I'll try putting it in 5th to see if it'll brake loose, but I doubt it, as I've found out it didn't have much oil in it.

I think I have a Blast service manual around here somewhere if you need one. I had an 03 Blast but sold it last year.

I'd like to take you up on that offer if you ever find it.

[Kurlon]

Where did you check the oil? Aren't HD motors dry sumps, aka little in the cases, it's all in an external tank?

[Sincere]

i checked the oil and dumped a quart in through the filler near the handlebars.
[QUOTE=Kurlon;1236347]Where did you check the oil? Aren't HD motors dry sumps, aka little in the cases, it's all in an external tank?[/QUO

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Could be hydro lock

[FireboltEric_MA]

Is there Fuel in the tank? Try putting the fuel cutoff switch into the reserve position and then try.

Have you tried bypassing the kickstand safety switch?

I would also try this with the clutch lever switch & make sure it is in neutral. You can reverse the clutch diode in the fuse block to bypass those.

Have you checked the grounds? One ground is from the engine mount to the engine, and the other is the neg battery cable.

Look under the seat for damaged wires, they are known for this....

Starter relay....


That is all I have off the top of my head without it actually being in front of me.
I spent enough time around Buells & this is where I would start looking first.
Good Luck!

[SVRACER01]

starter relay is where i would start.
but really theres a list of things it could be. starter solenoid, bad connection, starter button, starter. basically you need to start at the battery and follow the power until it stops

[Kurlon]

I like Degsy's theory, had to chase that a couple times on the GS (manual petcock conversion). First time I was stumped and thought Gen had seized it. Pulled the plugs and smelled the gas and finally went 'AHA!'. Nearly had to use a second drain pan as she had FILLED the block. Bonus side effect, those cases were nice and clean afterwards.

[shortbus]

Skip all the starter tests until you know if the motor is seized (5th gear test)... if you can't move it at all then you don't have to test all the starter, spark, and fuel systems, and can move right onto motor diagnostics.

[Kurlon]

Skip the 5th gear test until you've popped a plug and verified it's not hydrolocked unless you like bent rods.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Skip the 5th gear test until you've popped a plug and verified it's not hydrolocked unless you like bent rods.

This

[Damnut]

Battery was fully charged (matter of fact, had it on the charger while trying) It was turning over before, then in the process of trying to start it, it stopped. Almost as if it seized. I'll try putting it in 5th to see if it'll brake loose, but I doubt it, as I've found out it didn't have much oil in it.



I'd like to take you up on that offer if you ever find it.

I'll take a look.

[Sincere]

Wirelessly posted

Could be hydro lock

Hmm, he did say he was riding when it cut out and died. I looked for the car-signs of h2o on the stick. I found nada. Hmm.

Is there Fuel in the tank? Try putting the fuel cutoff switch into the reserve position and then try.
Have you tried bypassing the kickstand safety switch?
I would also try this with the clutch lever switch & make sure it is in neutral. You can reverse the clutch diode in the fuse block to bypass those.
Have you checked the grounds? One ground is from the engine mount to the engine, and the other is the neg battery cable.
Look under the seat for damaged wires, they are known for this....
Starter relay....
That is all I have off the top of my head without it actually being in front of me.
I spent enough time around Buells & this is where I would start looking first.
Good Luck!

-It does have half a tank of fuel and I did try with the fuel switch in different positions prior to.
-Cant hurt to check the safety switch
-I'll save sometime passing the starter test as the bike was turning over prior to not starting.

Skip all the starter tests until you know if the motor is seized (5th gear test)... if you can't move it at all then you don't have to test all the starter, spark, and fuel systems, and can move right onto motor diagnostics.

Skip the 5th gear test until you've popped a plug and verified it's not hydrolocked unless you like bent rods.

Pull the plug and if all looks ok, 5th gear test?

I'll take a look.

Thanks, and please let me know if you find it. Much appreciated.

[Kurlon]

Hmm, he did say he was riding when it cut out and died. I looked for the car-signs of h2o on the stick. I found nada. Hmm.

Hydrolock in this case means the cylinder is full of gas, not water in the oil.

Edit: I believe Harley's can dry sump and fail to pump the cases out, so all your oil could in fact IN the cases under the piston, again hydrolocking it up.

[shortbus]

Skip the 5th gear test until you've popped a plug and verified it's not hydrolocked unless you like bent rods.

sorry meant refer to my other post which step one was pull the plugs, step two was put in 5th

[Damnut]

Thanks, and please let me know if you find it. Much appreciated.

Found it. PM me your email address and I'll send it to you. I have a parts manual too.

[SVRACER01]

Hydrolock in this case means the cylinder is full of gas, not water in the oil.

Edit: I believe Harley's can dry sump and fail to pump the cases out, so all your oil could in fact IN the cases under the piston, again hydrolocking it up.

sumping is def possible but ive never heard of one locking up the motor.