Hitchcocks Forum

Yes, my 2001 Bullet Classic finally needs its first rebore 27 miles before he hit 43,000.
It's used everyday for work and pleasure,I'm really pleased with the way its performed. I'm going to be going +20 oversize with another european factory piston from our hosts.
I guess then it will be life in the slow lane for us for a while, running in again

Regards, Jon

Strange you say 'he'. I've always referred to me bikes as 'she'. ?

Hi JON64, ------- at that mileage I'd be thinking of the big end bearing as well ???

Hi, I am with Alan R on this one, back in the days when we used and abused bikes as a matter of course, a worn out bore would always signify time to replace the big end (and probably the little end bush)as well, Mostly those who didn't had another strip down coming.

yes, strange that, all my bikes have been female too.
I could n't say if 43K is a good mileage or not for an Enfield, but I had a z900 some years ago that self destructed at less than 19K. Kawasaki said the motor had "exceded its design life"! On the other hand I had a 750 Honda in which I replaced the rings, no rebore, at 68K and which still ran perfectly without burning oil or rattling at over 100K when I sold it on.
I'm wondering, do Enfields have a "design life" expectancy? Or are we just grateful when they keep going.

I assume that is good old non-metric Imperial miles! 43000 miles.....not very good frankly. My 1958 Model 50 Norton, as good a 350 single as was ever made, has done 83000 Imperial miles , and it leaks no oil, it's not allowed to leak as it lives on fitted carpet,without stripping the engine. It burns no oil and is in regular use. Somebody suggests the need to replace the big end....why? Any well lubricated engine with regular oil and filter changes should be capable of over 100,000 miles on a big end. If the need for reboring and replacing a big end is necessary after so few miles then I do not understand why people put up with it. Modern materials, machinery and manufacturing methods are far superior to those in use when my bikes were built, and would not be happy if I had to do those sort of repairs after 43000 mile......please tell me that it isn't those Napoleonic metricated European "short miles", you know the one the klomiter.

Tongue firmly in the cheek there isn't it MadMike?

Hi Mike, I agree with your sentiments regarding worn out bore ETC, to be blunt at this mileage it would indicate poor oil maintenance, if that is the case the same oil lubricates the big end and feeds all the worn metal from the bore through it, so a thorough check at least is in order. -------- is Indian cast iron of good quality?, like you I don't own an Indian made bike so couldn't say. -------- It was a well known fact that the Ford Cortina engine in the 60s was totally worn out at 40000 miles, poor design?, poor material?, never kept one long enough to find out.-------- We all know that every bike you own is a perfect example of a perfect make!!!!. Hmm now who has their Tounge in Cheek?.

1959 BSA B33 20,000 miles from new, regular oil change, never thrashed outer drive bearing knackered so total engine strip down. Bullet still going great at 31,000 miles.

Les my tongue was hovering very close to the cheek certainly. My comparison of mileage between my Norton Model 50 and its lack of need to be stripped and rebuilt is absolutely spot on, as is the lack of leaks and fitted carpet. My Norton is there to be inspected and ridden if anybody wants to chaeck it out. It can be seen on the Norton Owners club site. Simply go to Models.....OHV Singles and scroll down to the 1958 Model 50. It's a green one.