Hitchcocks Forum

Bullet Four Coil


I’ve decided to change the oil in the forks of my 2004 Bullet 65, so first take the cap nuts off the bottom of the forks, used a 19 mm socket, a bit loose, but it worked and I found once I got them off that the correct size was 3/8 Whitworth. Thought these bikes were Metric by 2004.

Anyway, once the fluid started running out of the forks I noticed one side oil came out but from the other leg clear liquid, water? A few ml, then normal oil.

The oil was really mangy with thick sludge in the fork bottom caps. Only 150 ml of oil came out of each leg. I tried working the forks up & down but no more came out.

* Would any oil be left in the forks?

* Do I put 200ml of ATF oil in the forks or what?

* If too much oil is in the forks what harm is done?

PS I haven’t got a long bit of 3/8” rod to stick down the forks to check the level.



Regards Fred

Update on clear fluid from left hand fork leg




I poured this oil? Into wife’s Pirex measuring jug and let it rest for a while.


It separated out with the clearer liquid floating to the top, so not water. Soaked up a small amount with kitchen roll, felt it, and it was obviously some sort of oil.


Maybe some previous owner had added a lighter oil to left leg at some time for some unknown reason.

Any thoughts?




Regards Fred

You will never know what PO did nor should you spend time worrying.....just refill each leg with the appropriate quantity of whatever grade or type of lubricant suits you and/or those here present.... I put it that way as any lube posting is open season

I reckon if MRS Freddy finds out what you've done with her pirex.... will be you thats separated out.

Females can be funny that way....... dont ask.

Make sure the level of oil is the same in each leg, ATF, 50 or otherwise

You might not have all the oil out. Partly thread the nuts back on and tap upwards, the spindle will move into the fork leg. Any remaining oil should come out if you pump the forks. ATF gives a good ride I find, it's about sae 5. You might find the nuts spin with the spindle when you come to tighten them up. Have a friend bear down on the bars or arrange a ratchet strap to compress the forks and this should give you enough friction. You can reuse the copper washers, just heat to "cherry red" and allow to cool. This will anneal them.

Oh, and the classics never got completely metric, you'll find every thread under the sun on the bike!

------------- and the hex. bar used for the nuts and bolts doesn't always match to the thread it's carrying either !!! eg }--- the top nuts on my rear shocks have the same thread but a different a/f hex !!

It's an Enfield thing. Expect the unexpected and all will be well

I'm interested that SAE 5 is satisfactory for front forks. I've got 20 in mine but that are old 50's Reddich ones. They certainly aren't too hard.