Forum

[Norm]

Adrian,I give credit where credit is due and the Electra doesn't deserve any credit lol There is still one sitting in my shed and I shudder every time I look at it and it isn't even mine, but interestingly it has 20,000ks on it and the sprag has never given one ounce of problems, just wish we could sell it to get it out of here

[Frank]

Woosh, you are right, I have tried all the TCIs and gone back to the original. I put the green one on thinking my luck with the sprag was running out after 10000 miles. It is supposed to delay the initial spark when starting to try and avoid kick back. I just found it wasn't as smooth running as the original. Didn't miss, no hesitancy just wasn't running smoothly and it seemed to throw everything else off sync, missed gears etc. Just wasn't right. I then tried the Hitchcock's upgrade which ran OK but didn't suit my riding style. Seemed peaky and I found it irritating trying to burble around town, it wasn't a smooth curve. It also fired a spark every time the ignition was turned on. If the engine was in the right place it could fire it, probably backwards, not good for the sprag. All that said they are all different and static timing between the bikes can apparently vary, so what suits mine may be different on others. I'm not sure there is a secret for long sprag life. I start mine always on the electric, short bursts,give it a few seconds between, no throttle and it normally fires when the button is released and it is a matter of coaxing it to life with minimum throttle. Hanging on the starter will probably lead to the relay contacts welding or sticking, another weak point that I'm waiting for. When you turn off leave it to idle for a seconds, turn off and cross yourself in thanks for getting away with it and in anticipation of the next time.

[theWoosh]

Resolution...

I thought I would let you folks know that my problems with the Electra X starter motor are finally resolved.
I had the bike transported to Brian Loram motorcycles in Newton Abbot. Brian is an Enfield-head so was definitely the best person around to sort this out. He advised (like most have) removing the sprag clutch (which was indeed in bits) so disabling the starter motor. I told him I was worried because of the totally ineffective decompression lever (or valve lifter) and how this made it hard to kick-start, so he replaced the handlebar lever with a longer one and also braised a bit more length to the valve lifter lever on the engine. This means that the decompression lever now works instantly and with a bit of practice, I am now able to kick start the bike in 1 (or at least 2 or 3) kicks... Happy days!

I think just replacing the handlebar lever might in itself be enough to solve the problem and would certainly recommend this to anyone with ineffective decompression.

All in, this has turned a useless lump of metal back into a useful and enjoyable means of transport again.

Many Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I'll no doubt be back soon!

[Norm]

Only problem is now you will either break the tappet cover or the shaft that lifts the tappet, I have seen that before but it was in the early days not long after the Electra was released, but good luck I hope it works for you

[theWoosh]

I have posted a couple of pictures - of the replacement valve-lifter and handlebar decomp lever here:
http://www.interxmedia.co.uk/?attachment_id=226
http://www.interxmedia.co.uk/?attachment_id=225

...so you think this will damage the tappet Norm? Should I go back to Brian and get him to respond to this do you think? Here's me thinking it was all sunshine and roses from here in...

[Norm]

Woosh I don't think it will damage the tappet but there is a good chance it will break the little shaft that you have to twist to compress the valve spring or it could crack the tappet door housing, neither of which should prevent you from getting home but you might end up with an oily right boot, but I would at this stage push on and smile, sometimes it is better not knowing what might be around the corner

[Scalyback]

Strangey, this was one of several Electra X models that suddenly appeared at the local Enfield dealers.



It seems they all come in regularly to go through this ritual, that only Electra X's are allowed, then they often go up for sale, thus the number in the showroom. The other bullets are not allowed these extra visits for stripdowns and have to wait until their usual service is due.

[Adrian]

Iremember the oil leak from the cracked tappet cover, took me a while to suss that one out, rather less time to dump it and order a plain tappet cover from our hosts. Unlike my project bike, my Electra-X still has the E/S, and the sprag clutch has somehow survived 16,000 miles, though possibly not for much longer. Thanks to our hosts I have just received a K/S only version of the Electra inner primary cover which can be fitted when the time comes. Now that you have a proper decompressor lever on the bars, it is possible to modify the Electra-X head for the decompressor valve used on the classic Bullets: http://imagesia.com/dscn6509_h6ci http://imagesia.com/dscn6511_h58q http://imagesia.com/dscn6510_h585 Yes, I did clean off the swarf before the head went back on the engine. Regards, A.