Hitchcocks Forum

Hi

After having a loaned 2008 Electra x for 3 weeks , now on the look out for a used bullet

Local garage has a 04 bullet sixty 5 up for sale , what are the diffences beween the 2008 electra x and the sixty 5 apart from no front disc ?

The electric starter can cause sprag issues on the electra is this the same for the sixty 5 ?

is the sixty 5 a good model of bullet ? any known issues ?

Is £1500 a fair price for a 04 sixty 5 with 2k miles on the clock from a dealer with warranty etc ?

Thanks Steve

Hi Steve,
The sixty 5 is the old standard 500 Bullet engine but fitted with a 5 speed gearbox rather than the usual 4 speed Albion type which should give the 'traditional' Bullet engine performance but with an improved gearbox.

Never having owned a 65 I can't comment from experience but there have been plenty of sprag comments in this forum so I guess they are potentially suspect re problems.

The Sixty Five has the old style iron engine and in my book, is a much better bet. I think it's the best of the pre EFI models. Same issues with the sprag, it's the same component, but some people never have a problem. Price looks about right for a dealer with warranty but ask what is covered and for how long.

Hello STEVE G -------------- I ran a BULLET 65 a few years ago and found it OK. As mentioned it's the last of the traditional "Iron" engines but with the early 5-speed gearbox fitted with L/H change. It was the next-in-line development from the previous model which was the standard Classic 500 and 4-speed Albion box but with the addition of the starter motor. The model after the 65 was the Electra, which can be regarded as the first of the "non-Iron Engines" and thus the first REAL model development since the REDDITCH days. The BULLET 65 was supposed to have a '60's look with piped seat cover and (ugh !!) plastic fork shrouds as standard, whilst various gaudy colours were the "in-thing"-------watch out for the "MAGIC BLACK" colour which has a greeny-speckle under-coat finish. The disc brake system is retro-fittable and IMHO WELL WORTH the effort and cash outlay. The rolling chassis is standard Classic 500 ------ the H'lamp was an improved version (now standard). TIP }---- Check that the gear change lever is either}---- a) as standard OR --------b) If fitted on the R/H side that the original parts are still with the bike ( our hosts do a R/H conversion kit that the previous owner may have fitted. ). Servicing is as per the Classic 500 and all mods for that model apply to the 65 as well. The standard SILENCER for the 65 was a BRIT- EURO part and shorter than the Indian-supplied item---looks more in proportion I think. If it's a current or (Ex- ) trials model then a different (stronger) rear sub-frame is used along with a sump guard. Price seems OK--- Which county are you in ?? Can one of us help you look it over maybe ??

----------ps, It only came as a 500 model. No 350 versions as far as I'm aware. I believe that at the same time this model was marketed as the basic 500 bike in Europe and the USA. The "Bullet 65" idea was just for the UK market.

Hi Steve. Mine's a 2000 Classic, and a few years ago when it was in for a service the dealer loaned me a Sixty 5 to go home on and keep overnight. I thought it was a great improvement on my own bike, especially the 5 speed gearbox, and improved clutch. Additionally it was fitted with Dunlop TT100 tyres against my own Avon Speedmasters. These seemed to improve the handling no end. I really enjoyed riding it and very nearly traded my own bike in and bought it which, on looking back, was probably just what the dealer had in mind! On the other hand a friend of mine has recently bought an Electra X and had no end of trouble with it due, in the main, to poor quality control at the factory. And according to others on this forum my mate is not the only one. I'd go for a Sixty 5.

Hi Steveg, I had a Sixty-5 before buying my current Electra XS. I loved it, it was a great bike.
If I understand correctly the differences between them are (apart from the disc) are as follows;
Lean Burn head, alloy barrel, flat top piston, steel con rod, roller big end, electronic ignition, gear oil pumps, different valve angle and different primary chain case - all on the Electra.
Electra also has CV carb (although some had Dell'orto as part of WS 'Highway Kit'), different tool box/side panal/air filter arrangement, different forks - designed for disc brake and possibly different rear shockers.
The sprags on the Sixty-5 are no different from Electra, it's just that they run points ignition as standard and they don't seem to kick back like the standard Electra electronic set-up.
As I said, I loved my Sixty-5, THEY ARE GREAT as long as you remember they are an old design and require careful maintenance.
£1500 does seem a good price for what is a low mileage bike with dealer warranty.

Many thanks for the replies , hoping to get a chance to give the 65 a test ride soon

Cheers Steve

It is interesting about the Bullet sixty 5 I have only seen one out here, all ours up till 2008 were just the standard Bullet( no gaiters) left shift 5 speed. Obviously that was how the importer ordered them

Must admit Alan the gaiters fitted to them do look a bit average, too spindly, should be the bigger diameter all the way down