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[Les H]

Hi Alan. I thought the same as you, it does look quite flimsy what with plastic bits and the half time pinion created on the mainshaft rather than a replaceable cog. The main bearings don't look that big either, but maybe no smaller than the original but if I was designing an engine from scratch I would have had main bearings twice that size, and a huge big end too, they are so cheap nowadays. The camshaft ends are supported on an outrigger plate, but I suppose that's ok as long as the bolts are heavy enough to resist the whole plate moving up and down. Looks like the gearbox oil is shared with the engine oil, which is OK as long as you have a decent oil filter in circuit. The engine designers should have realised that future tunability is a good selling point, with the majority of motorcycle buyers, and to have that the engine needs to built robustly...can't see much over engineering evident in the EFI/UCE design!

[trevorch]

Hi Alan R and Les H,

I have written to my dealer basically saying not satisfied that he modified the engine without my permission, and that I want to have it restored to original. I do not accept that the starter motor and Sprag has to withstand a much higher load which seems a consequence of removing the auto decomp bits. Kick starting is an option I wanted but not to have to use it to save the Sprag.

I saw the nylon oil pump drive gear when he previously let me watch whilst fitting the 18 tooth sprocket. Had reservations, but progress is progress. Modern jet engines use carbon fibre compressor blades after all. I have no idea what sort of pump is behind it, but must be simpler than the double reciprocating pump and the dodgy worm screw drive, I hope.

I have just ordered the official factory workshop manual as even though I don't want to start stripping it down, I would like to know what is inside and how it ticks (or rather rattles). Yes 2.2 L oil serves engine, gearbox and primary. With hydraulic lifters even more important to change oil and filter every 3,000km. The oil strainer is a much better bit of kit and easy to remove and clean. Dealer insists to keep 15W/50 semi synthetic oil, whereas I was using 15W/40. Oil consumption over 2,000km was negligeable and no leaks except a small weap from the cover over the starter motor drive. Fuel consumption excellent, 103 Miles /UK Gallon on last long trip.

Alan R, I just looked at www.royalenfield.ch and the pictures of our last outing have disappeared, so I have asked the owner, Urs Rindlisbacher, to fix it.

Best regards TrevorCH

[Les H]

Hi Trevor. Just took another more careful look at the video, and I have to admit that some of the more important engine parts (bearings etc) do not look quite as puny as I had first thought. It's always difficult to judge anything hands off, but I have to say, the engine looks quite a bit tougher than I first thought. As far as the starter and decompressor goes I'm not sure. I think I would use 20/50 oil with all that shearing of the gears and roller big end, maybe even straight 50, but I'm not recommending that to anyone just my own thoughts*. Then again many car and modern motorcycles use multigrade oil with a combined gearbox, but they also have mostly plain bearings in the engine rather than roller types. *Japanese engines normally specify a "Jaso" spec oil that helps to resist clutch slip...I suppose this engine does too?

[trevorch]

Hi Les H,

Didn' even know it had roller big end. When I was ordering the Factory manual this morning, I also ordered the audible flasher warning. Had one on my last Bullet, but I sold it with the bike. Just after lunch I went for a 25km ride to nearby bike meeting point at the end of Zurich airport main runway. On the way I had a heart stopping moment when some one pulled straight out in front of me. Front disc was a life saver, of course this would not have been necessary had I not left the right turn indicator on for the last 2km. Must have been a premonition, that I ordered the audible warning this morning.

Cheers all TrevorCH

[Norm]

I believe it has the Electra X rod and roller but put together with better machinery and hopefully resulting in less problems than many Electra X's

[trevorch]

Hi Alan R and Cath,

On www.royalenfield.ch Home page, top right hand corner "17.6.2012 Schwartzwald (in Blue) opens the slide show.

I am on 8 and 11, white hair, picnic basket on 23 not a very good picture.

Cheers Trevor CH

[Alan R]

-----------Hello there "White-haired, Auld Git"--found you at last!!!! Hey !!You guys are having some serious fun out there. Yes, love the wicker basket as well----adds a touch of elegance to the proceedings. Thanks v. much for getting those photos re-instated. It's good to put faces to otherwise a-nonny-mouse sue-doh-nims ( I karnt zpell aye-thur) and to know there's other nutty Bullet riders in the world. Cheers matey----Brost !!!!