Hitchcocks Forum

I've recently acquired an unmodified 500 Bullet Electra X (seven year old) with extremely low miles (less than 400), and wondered if the engine noise I'm hearing when riding is typical of most Enfields. It's quiet enough at tickover, but as the throttle is opened and put under a bit of load, there is a noticeable "clacking" or light "knocking" which seems consistent with the piston speed. And as road speed is gathered and load is reduced, the noise seems to quiten considerably. Needless to say I'm new to the Enfield fold, and would appreciate your thoughts.

I've never heard a quiet Enfield, but if it has genuinely only done 400 miles I doubt it is yet run in. If so, it will bed in. I assume you have checked tappets etc?

Hi Midge, and thanks for the response. No, I haven't checked tappets or anything else to be honest, apart from the oil level of course. And as I say, it starts easily enough on the kick start and ticks over nicely (I'm not risking the electric start at the moment until I get more charge in the battery).

I've literally only had chance to ride around the block a few times since I got it, so It's barely had chance to warm up thoroughly yet. I'm hoping you might be right about the bedding in process.

My 500 bullet did that. Like you, I found one that was some years old but hadn't done that many kilometers. It had stood idle for 8 years and had only done 1756 km from new. So it was like getting a new bike that had been built in 2005. Cleaned it, went round with the grease gun, topped up all the fluids and started it. Thump-thump and clack-clack. I know what you are hearing, I just don't know what it is. I can't think that anything would be worn out with so little mileage so I just accepted the racket and thought, "OK. That's what they sound like."

It is quietening down with use.

Is it similar to the clanking that Tornado makes?



If so, please let me know what it is!

Tommy two-threads is at it again.

Scaly, I think that's primary chain clatter. The Indian chains are very poor quality and develop tight spots which can fool you when setting tension.
REgards, Mark

Eeeeeewww Alan R is going to be maaadd!!!

I will wager the tappets/pushrods need adjusted which is probably to be expected at that first service point. Nothing to worry about.

Many thanks for the comments and advice lads, and I'll definitely be checking those valve clearances asap.

And no, Scaly, my noise only seems to occur when being ridden with the engine pulling under load. I can't hear seem to hear it when I rev it on the stand.

ps. Sorry about the topic being double posted, I don't know why that happened.