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4 spd right shift conversion

Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 2:32 pm
by tsflyer
I'm new to the RE world, having recently purchased a '99 500 Bullet with left shift. I've been reading of the right conversions, mostly favorable results. Any feedback from riders in this blog? Mine shifts as I expected from a 4-spd gear box...sloppy, missed gears upshifting and downshifting. I'd like to clean that up a bit.
Questions:
Does it eliminate the sloppiness?
Does the conversion kit eliminate the neutral finer?
Is it a difficult repair, provided all the right tools are in hand? I'm a home-mechanic, pilot and most of my wrenching have been on 4cyl horizontal-opposed aircraft engines, so I'd consider myself somewhat qualified.
Any feedback would be appreciated!

4 spd right shift conversion

Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 7:06 pm
by Barry_Q
I've never actually seen a left foot change iron barreled Bullet, but I've read several Posts (on an American Forum) about them. To summarise: The left foot change was a bodge to get the Bullet into America. As a result, the linkages have more slop than Workhouse gruel. Since a standard 4 speed gearbox is used, converting to right foot change is easy using standard Enfield parts (Which many American owners do).

4 spd right shift conversion

Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 7:48 pm
by Norm
It is a fairly straight forward conversion just a bit tedious but well worth the effort. I have done a number of them and in every case the neutral finder hole requires opening up because it is a few though out of position and it then jams the neutral finder and won't allow it to change gears

4 spd right shift conversion

Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 10:10 pm
by Alan R
Hello there TS FLYER------------if you consider a Bullet as a SINGLE, VERTICAL CYLINDER LYCOMING engine then you'll be right at home !!---------- Yes, go for it re}-- R/H change.. Anything that helps reduce false neutrals etc has to be a good thing PLUS }--- it's the proper British way for an almost British bike !!------ PS, do they still use Tillotson carbs, or is it all injection these days ??

4 spd right shift conversion

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 2:16 pm
by tsflyer
Thanks for the input!
@NORM...not quite following on "opening up the neutral finder hole"? Are you referencing boring a larger hole in the side case? The kits I've seen online, did not have a "hole" for the neutral finder...or, that I could see.
@Alan R....Right, things can't get much easier than a single cyl, single carb! I think the carbs on Lycomings went out in the mid-90's. At least on Cessna 172's I fly. I think the "R" model was the last of naturally aspirated Lycoming 360's. They introduced the "S" in 1998 with the Lycoming IO-360, 180hp, fuel injection...a huge improvement with regards to safety and reliability. No more carb icing, or carb heat on T/O and landings to forget about!
I'll be going for the R/S conversion this fall.
Thanks again!

4 spd right shift conversion

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 7:43 pm
by Norm
tsflyer, the neutral finder hole is there in the new case it is just a bit tight but you will fimd this problem once you fit it. I just mentioned it to prewarn you of the problem and how to fix. No big deal but something to be aware of. There is quite a few bits required to do the conversion including new gearbox end cover and outer gearbox cover