Hitchcocks Forum

Hey guys i've been encountering some problems with my 350 bullet (kick start) and I'm having trouble diagnosing exactly what's going on. Sadly I dont have a garage nor the time to spend days fiddling around with my bike so I've taken it to the workshop a few times, but they only seem to be good at emptying my bank account.

I put my bike into hibernation, and when I got it out, it appeared to have a rather weak spark (so i figured the battery was empty and that it would get better of time). when i accelerated (especially at low revs) it would not always fire properly and splutter a little so i kept the revs a little higher. this worked nicely, but i knew it was only a temporary solution. The indicators then started flashing really quickly so I replaced the relay and sorted them out. Now there was so little electricity in the system that i couldnt have my lights on, brake, and indicate at the same time without the machine stalling. So i figured the alternator was wonky so i had it replaced. Now its got a new alternator, but it didnt exactly fix the problem. I'm now to get the timing sorted, but I have a feeling it wont solve the problem either: the bike ticks over fine, but when you accelerate it splutters. its also still very difficult to start it with the lights on... so there must be something wrong with the charging right?

I would seriously appreciate any help possible! Thanks!

EAWD, unless you are prepared to start wrenching on your bike your pockets will continue to be drained. This is the first decision you have to make or sell the bike. You have to be cruel to be kind. One simple question is why would you want to start the bike with the lights on, always going to make it harder if not impossible. You don't say if you replaced the battery, but the charging system on these is poor and if you think the alternator will charge up a flat battery, I think you will be disappointed. If you haven't charged the battery this could be part of your missing problem but you must start fixing the known problems and sometimes by doing that other problems are fixed as well

Duff battery is my vote.

So you think if the battery is in bad shape it would cause it to misfire? (sorry im really no expert). The mechanic said that the voltage on the battery was a little low...

Yes, a duff battery can cause all sorts of problems.

The mechanic said that the voltage on the battery was a little low.............. . Now there is a clue ............. 20 quids worth of battery may be the answer

I'd go along with a new battery too. First winter I had my Bullet, it started doing various odd things -- stalling at lights, not starting with lights on, taking 20-30 kicks to start, bit of misfiring. A new battery cured them all.

Misfiring while accelerating away might be down to water in the carburettor. Switch off the petrol, take the float bowl off, and see if there's a blob of water beneath the petrol. If there is, drain petrol from your tank, a small amount at a time, into a glass jar until there is no more water. You can decant the petrol off and put it back in the tank.

Hi guys------ if you do have water in the carb then my money is on this E5 "fuel" starting to layer-out over the winter.. Mine did it last winter even though I hadn't been anywhere near rain, a wash-sponge etc. yet there it was--about an egg-cup full from a 3/4 full tank...I now run on premium grade as it contains little (or none)Ethanol....

Hey guys I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you for helping me with this. i went down to the garage today where my enfield is and put in the new battery. it already ran a LOT better and started easier, but i was still faced with the acceleration problem. I emptied the carb...

... it has not worked this well all year. you all saved me 100 quid and now i've got grounds to get angry with the bloody mechanics who cheated me out of 200 quid by unnecessarily getting a new alternator and fitting it.

so THANKS again! I wish i had come here first!

I didn't realise the "mechanic" had suggested that you needed a new alternator. Could he not test the output of the original one? I would be having a serious talk with him.