Hitchcocks Forum

Hi,

I have a 350 bullet of 2004 vintage. My issue is that I live in a valley therefore to get anywhere means a bit of hill climbing. The bullet runs out of steam in top and while it will get up them in third, to maintain a speed that is considerate to other road users the poor thing feels like it's revving it's little heart out.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on the best way forward, it already has a S&B air filter and the megaphone exhaust fitted (Plus appropriate jets) and while better still not quite up to it. I've been considering fitting a larger drive sprocket, to reduce the revs in third, or would the close ratio mod be better?

Out of curiosity would a 500 engine fit in the 350 frame?

Thanks

Martin

Martin, this is a problem which I have with my 2004 350. Like yours, it runs out of steam on big hills, and I have to drop down to third. As you say, letting it pull at its own pace rather than thrashing it does seem drearily slow sometimes. However, I've never had anyone actually complain, flash lights, blow horns or anything so maybe it's not seen as a problem by other road-users. I don't let it worry me. I can always put the LH indicator on and move over to let faster people past. Having said that, the hills where I have a problem are all some miles from home, and on quiet roads. So it's not quite an everyday occurrence and I've never had a big queue building up behind me.

I think the close ratio set would be the best solution but it's unaffordable for me. I keep on letting the bike take it easy on the big hills and try not to worry about it!

Tom

Hello WISEOWL --- The 350 I think is a smashing engine but, as it shares the same rolling chassis as the 500, is always going to be underpowered in standard trim. The Albion gearbox as fitted is renowned for that god-awful gap between 3rd & 4th and has the same effect on the 500 as the 350, ie 4th is too high and 3rd is too low. Fitting a larger drive(gearbox output you mean ?)sprocket affects ALL of the 4 gears, not just one. Changing to a 500 is OK, but you will be in a dearer Road Tax bracket. The close-ratio mod. is a proven design re}--- closing that "gap" BUT----it comes at a slight mechanical cost ie the kick-start ratio is altered and you might find that a change to your starting method is called for. ps I wouldn't change the engine for a 500 ----- you'd have to re-register the V5 for a start----if you feel the bigger bike is the way forward then why not sell/swap the 350 for a 500 ??--------- a 5-speed gearbox would also cure your probs. but will start off problems elsewhere ie your bank balance !!

Martin,
No affordable mod will give you the power increase you need, it is what it is

I'm not sure that the performance mods are unaffordable. The 350 seems particularly well suited to a tweak. Raise the comp to 8.5:1 put the improved cams from our hosts in ( no mods required) and a bigger carb and they go like shit of a stick. I have an old Redditch one in standard trim and it is a bit of a sneezer. The tweaked one goes like a sixties bike rather than a 50's one and is a heap more fun and all for a few hundred quid. Bargain!

The close ratio conversion is the way to go with 350s IMO. You can then use 3rd up hills without reving it's nuts off. Definately worth the money. http://www.whfolk.co.uk/REOCHUMBER/Arti ... eratio.htm

It depends on what sort of road really. It its an fast A road, 3rd gear will still be slow and its more power you need to keep it in top at a decent pace. If its a lane where speed isn't a concern then the close ratio gear set will help as long as your bike is an easy starter.

Thanks for all the input.

Spitting Bull: This is pretty much where I'm at with it at the moment and if it comes down to it then I'll live with it as is. The close ration option is an expensive option and something to be carefully considered not just jumped into but if it will make it more practical then it would be worth it.

Alan R: On the flat it's fine and the 3rd to 4th difference isn't such an issue, up to speed kick it into 4th and bimble along. I realise that changing the output sprocket will affect all gears, but wondered if it would be a practical/inexpensive solution, slightly less acceleration on the flat with maybe an increase in top speed and less revs when in third on the hill? TBH this is a cheap enough option to do a suck it and see exercise with. The 500 option is more pipe dream really, just mulling as to whether or not to look out for a spares/repair bike with the intention of doing a rebuild on the motor. The 5 speed box costs more than I give for the rest of the bike lol.

Norm: Where's the fun in that, I may just as well buy a generic jap bike!

Simon: That's an interesting option and something I can consider before the planned winter decoke/rebuild of the engine. Do these cams give more low end torque? I see that a modified timing pinion is available, is this suitable for these cams do you know?

PeteF: Thanks for the link, very informative and it will be good to have a reference if I do go for the mod.

Cheers

Martin

Wiseowl the 500 engine goes straight in (same casting). Unlike many people, and having had both, I prefer the 500 for its all round usability. I live next to a very steep hill with a 1 in 8 in places and even the 500 struggles, just hooking fourth and holding 50 for a mile to the top. Its even more of a bitch on the pushbike or when jogging! I was also thinking of upping the gearing so I could go up in third with less revs, then I wouldn't need to slog it in 4th. Personaly I think the 500 engine is an option for you, but they don't seem to appear for sale very often, maybe a complete bike would be easier.

Chris, 350 and 500 castings are the same as far as fitting the engine in the frame goes, but not quite the same in other respects. You can't stick a 500 barrel on a 350 bottom end.