Hitchcocks Forum

I am in the process of swapping from an Electra to the basic EFI (none classic model).I don't want to spend lots but are there any improvements recommended from our hosts catalogue please?

hi martin ,i know quite a few guys in our local reoc centre who have run efi,s very succesfully without making any upgrades from the origional design ,the best advice is ..ride get a feel for the machine and then see if you need to alter anything ..don,t waste money on silly upgrades if they are not required..atb paul.

Thanks Paul.I spent a small fortune on upgrading my Electra-even before the sprag went (twice!)so i shall take on board your advice.

Upgrade???? If you feel it is necessary to "upgrade" even before you buy the bike, then I wonder if you are buying the correct bike in the first place? Buy it, ride it and really get to know it, warts and all, and then decide if it is necessary to upgrade and of course what to upgrade.

Martin, firstly well done for choosing a Bullet 500 (AKA B5) EFI. You have obviously enjoyed your Electra and have 'upgraded' to the latest model.
With due respect to Mike and Paul I do think that there are two improvements that our hosts offer, which are worth investing in.
1) Shorter silencer. Reduced weight, looks better (IMHO) and releases extra 1-2 bhp, which is around 5% and makes a difference.
2) Philips Motovision headlight bulb. Much improved beam and more noticeable to other road users.
Sorry I don't know the part numbers but you'll find them in Hitchcocks catalogue or on line.
All the best.

Yes Stu i have enjoyed my Electra overall (except for the crappy sprag clutch which is the only reason really why i've changed).Makes a change from the mainly Jap bikes i have owned over many years.As to the upgrades,part of the fun in ANY of the bikes i've owned is to make a few changes as who wants a bog standard bike like everyone else?

Hi Martin, I had to change the sprag on my Electra XS after 5000 miles or so. However I also changed to the green TCI unit and the engine hasn't kicked back once since fitting it. This I think is the answer to better sprag life. Anyway, you have ordered a nice new bike now so you don't have to worry about that anymore.
I also have spent a (large) fortune on upgrading and making changes to my bike. This really has been a large part of the fun of having the Enfield and probably the reason why I have kept it for longer (6 years) than any other of the 30-odd bikes that I have owned....most of them Japanese.
When the new Continental GT 535 is launched next year though all that is going to change!!!!!!!
Enjoy your new Enfield EFI Martin, and make it your own!

Thanks Stu.I totally agree with you about the upgrades.All part of the fun.I must have had over 80 bikes (over 70 of them Jap i bet)in nearly 40 years of riding and i've never changed a bike so much.My first sprag only lasted less than 3000 miles.Before it went i wondered what everyone was moaning about!Now i know only too well.The second sprag lasted about 100 miles!That was more than enough for me.I love my Electra but i can't bear the thought of the sprag going again.I was too frightened to use the electric start in the end!And i'd uprated to our host's TCI and altered the static timing with their adjustment keys!It was still kicking back big time before the most recent sprag was fitted.