Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all,

I have a crack in the skirt of my Bullet cylinder barrel, it extends vertically up approximately 1/2" from the bottom edge. The barrel is the original 1959 cast lump, it has some previously repaired fins and is already bored oversize (0.030") from memory.

Scrap it or have it welded? How far down does the piston skirt go on a Bullet - this is a rebuild so i don't have a reference.

Thnaks!

Throw it away, Jamie [or use it as a doorstop, ornament etc] and replace it with a good one. If it breaks up, it will cause all sorts of expensive damage. Cheers, Paul.

Hi,Jamie G,I would scrap the iron barrel,invest in a alloy barrel.The engine runs much coller,and has less chance of seizing.On the down side the engine sounds noisier,but you get used to it.

Thanks for that, if I replace I should really use a cast barrel as the rest of the bike is original and an alloy barrel wouldn't be.

Hi,Jamie G.Spray the barrel black,know one will be able to tell the difference.

New barrel is only about £150. Cost you that to have the work done I would have thought. Plus you'd be back to standard bore.

Hi all------------yes,agree entirely re}--SCRAP IT !!.......Is that a REDITCH one and are they the same as an Indian one ??......If so I have a spare, part-used one at Standard bore for a 500cc Classic...........

Yes it's a 59 Redditch bike, 350. I also discovered a damaged bit of crankcase tonight where one of the gearbox studs goes in - guess that will need ally welding and tapping. More work!

I'm with Jonesy, the ally barrel is a huge improvement for remarkably little cost. Prolonged periods of high speed (relatively speaking anyway) running are no problem and better cooling means less stress all around.