Forum

[Millsy]

I have been wondering what mileages you have achieved with the various engine types i.e. classic Electra X or UCE? And what if anything went wrong? I have a Bullet 500 E/S which has done 5K miles with no issues. My father in law (78 and still riding his 54 Triumph Thunderbird) used to have a Redditch 350 Bullet. He reckons he rung its neck and maintained it only when it went wrong. It was his main transport to work all over SW Scotland in alll weathers for many years. He rated it highly and takes a proprietorial interest in mine! 

[Alex.]

For the sake of getting things started, I have a 2005 Electra X just a couple of miles away from 8000 miles, full service history shows no record of anything other than usual servicing and MOT's.


I'm sure there are many higher mileages (and a few dramas) out there.....

[grunda 12]

hi millsy i have a 406 diesel bullet its done 95000 miles on ten gallons of diesel !!!!!! only joking i fitted the engine last june and up to press have done just over 2000 miles on a chinese diesel yanmar clone bloody good this chinese stuff not run it on the road since october due to moving house hadn,t started it for 3 months ,diesel on prime 1st kick just like it did at the reoc agm last year while whatching some bloke kick smoke out of an old 700 twin all the best paul.

[Bleeper]

 


 Zzzz...

[Chris [Stockport]]

Hi Millsy,


Mine's done 21,000 miles.   It's a year 2000 Bullet 500.


Unfortunately a lot of this has been commuting, ever since I bought it new.  I expect I will soon be able to persuade the bosses to pay me just for staying at home. Not...


But I shall dream of the next 21,000 being happy ride-outs to faraway places. 


Regards, Chris

[Norm]

 I know of an Electra x out here with 80,000ks on it and only had the mains replaced, A Classic with 40,000+ and only a piston replaced and then there is an old Classic that was rebuilt with Hitch good bits that has done nearly 60.000ks since it was rebuilt a couple of years ago  and it is ridden to within an inch of it's life every day and it comes back for more And then there is Leon's with from memory about 30,000ks

[rustygman]

High Millsy - this subject crops up now and again as its a question any owner will ask of their bike - how long will it last. I think the point of an engine like an iron barrel bullet is that it is always fixable so in theory massive mileages should be attainable. The highest I heard of was around the 400k owned by a couple who had toured south america and africa pulling a trailer. How many rebuilds this required I have no idea.


Mine is only up to 14k at the moment but I fully intend to get 100k from it whatever it takes.


It will be interesting to see if the new UCE engines are economic to do a rebuild on or will they be throw away machines like so many others.

[Norm]

 Rusty,


    That about sums it up, my Electra did 15,000ks broke the piston/barrel repaired that, then the bottom end failed at 30,000ks, fitted a cast engine, ran that for another 6,000ks till my crossbred was sorted, fitted that and now I have 43,000ks on the speedo so 100,000 should be achievable

[Riggers]

.....a bit like Trigger's 'original' brush from Only Fools and Horses! 10 new heads and 5 new handles and still going strong!


Tony R.

[Millsy]

Thanks Guys


Some impressive mileages. Ever since I bought it I've wondered whether an engine with good quality components and ridden with a bit of mechanical sympathy could be long term reliable. When I bought mine i anticipated spending most of the time in the workshop. The more I ride it the stronger the impression I get that it could prove to be a very useable bike.