This is what the Buell Blast should look like to begin with. I’ve never been a big fan of the Blast, maybe the styling just left me cold but the guys over at Crossroads Performance of Somerset, Wisconsin, who make a lot of aftermarket pieces for the Buell, put this cafe racer together called the Blastard and it looks really nice.
The bike is a 2000 Buell Blast with a long list of modified stock pieces plus custom bodywork, an extended swingarm, custom exhaust with Supertrapp muffler, just a very cool bike all around. It’s even been featured in Ironworks magazine.
Even better, the bike is for sale.
Link: Buell Blast Cafe Racer for sale – auction has ended
Link: Crossroads Performance
todd says
Nice direction to take for the Blast, I too think the standard design does little to help its dorky reputation. I don’t quite understand the long swing arm on a cafe racer but maybe it’s a nod to the trend of drag racing sport bikes. Hopefully other manufacturers will offer more bikes along the premise and intentions of the Blast – albeit more reliable.
-todd
kneeslider says
Even with the extended swingarm it doesn’t look like the wheelbase is very long so it should still handle pretty well. The cafe racer designation is their term but it does have that sort of look so it seems to fit.
Again, considering what they started with, I think this is a big improvement.
Chris says
Shorten the swingarm six inches and put something in place of the missing second cylinder (the stock Blast, at least, doesn’t look painfully neutered back there) and this would be a pretty interesting bike.
Hmm. Wonder if you could shoehorn the smaller Sporty engine into that frame?
cl
Steve says
It DOES have more of a drag bike look, but that may only be due to the overly abbreviated body work, more like flat track style than the Cafe look as I remember it from those halcion days.
So far as “dorky” looking goes it seems to me that the whole Buell line owns that moniker… although they may function well they’re anything but good looking. They all resemble obese midgets to me.
Geoff says
It ceraintly does look as though there is something missing from the engine area. You would have to be carefull not to get your foot caught in there! All that aside though it is a nice representation of the Cafe Racer spirit. I sure would like to take it out for a burn…it never sold when they had it up on eBay.
Sean says
Certainly not a cafe racer… The seat flicks up too much for that. The space in the engine would be excusable if it were a rusty, round, 350cc engine circa 1948, which Buell aren’t. Love the fairing though, if only I could get one on my CBX 150….
byron says
Love the blasts, love what you have done to this one. I own an ’01 and couldn’t be happier. As for looks, i get more eyes on my blast than any other bike i’ve had. I like the look and would be happier if i could get everything flat black 🙂
Isaac says
did you ever think the swingarm looks long because the tail is so short. Putting a sportster motor in it would be like putting my grandmas buick motor into a crx. Why not have a small modern motor instead of a big boat anchor?
art says
hey where can i get a swingarm for my blast
brett kaiser says
This is really important to me I have buell blast…… and i can not find a aftermarket air filter anywhere on the internet. i would really apericate it if you could help me
todd says
did you try this one?
http://www.buellparts.net/content-product_info/product_id-2009/blast_k_n_performance_air_filter.html
-todd
Aaron says
I am looking for an air filter conversion similar to the one on the kneeslider, also a chain conversion, any help would be greatly appreciated
Aaron
Nuttz says
To look at it you really have have some emagination to truely appreciate it. My wife has the same ride, so that she could learn to ride a motorcycle. The Blast has turned out to be perfect. Now lately she has been busting my chops for a larger bike or upgrade her Blast. Living near the California Sierra Mnts. this little “Cafe Racer” is just the idea my friends I have had mind. Thanks for the new direction.
Jamie says
The extended swingarm has to go. Though I’ll bet that though it looks so long because the Blast is a tiny bike the overall wheelbase isn’t that long at all.
The seat does not “flick up” too much to be a cafe racer either. Lost of cafe racers attained stinkbug stances once the riders learned that it made for quicker handling.
The “smaller” sporty engine (the 883) is identical to the 1200 in terms of external dimensions, so no, you could not fir it in there without major surgery. But even then, what’s the point? Buy an XB or older tuber if you want that. I think that hole would be a great place for a supercharger or a liquid to liquid oil cooler or at the least, a ram-air airbox.
Steve says: “So far as “dorky” looking goes it seems to me that the whole Buell line owns that moniker… although they may function well they’re anything but good looking. They all resemble obese midgets to me.” – I feel bad for you Steve.
Neal says
That’s an awesome looking bike. Mark is a great guy to deal with and I recommend his services to anyone. A few of my friends have gotten their Sportsters reworked by him and have turned out great.