Hitchcocks Forum

Hi,
I have been offered a 1990 350cc Bullet, it has been of the road for a few years but starts and runs OK, it has an indicated mileage of less than 3000 that the owner says is correct and has some old MOT,s to verify. The paint and chrome are in fairly good condition.
Can anyone advise me on what are the weak points to look out for and what would be a reasonable price to pay.

No particular weak points, especially if it's already running ok, but there are improvements you will probably need to make as you put the miles on, 3k miles is quite low. I suggest you carefully read the Accessory Catalogue on this site, apart from the cosmetic bits, our Hosts have developed all the modifications in the catalogue to address wear/performance/design issues with the original bikes. Price is hard to guess without seeing it but I'd think about £1000 if it's clean and tidy, starts and runs well, has no accessories or modifications and has all it's (legal) paperwork. Let us know how you get on?
REgards, Mark

--------- or better still post a photo or two ?? Tyres and tubes might be an issue if they are originals...Check for cracks etc.....Personally at that age I'd fit a new set regardless...MITAS do good patterns at a reasonable price...Fork oil might still be the 20-50 as new, so a change to ATF will let the damping actually do what it's supposed to.......Check INSIDE the fuel tank for rusting and signs of petrol deterioration ( It'll SMELL awfull )........ Carb will benefit from a Ultrasonic clean and re-setting ( But the Mikuni is really simple to do ).... Oils, filters, points and plug change will give you a start for your service records...A straight 20/50 in the engine and change it at every 1,000 to 1,500 miles...Include a filter each time as they're very basic AND CHEAP to buy....Modern dedicated spray oils are ok for the rear chain ( unless you WANT to do the LYNKLIFE routine ??).......Check that the front drum brake has been modified, but if not then don't worry as it's VERY SIMPLE to do and our hosts provide all the Tech. info here on this site..... IMHO the 350 is best used as a solo machine, the 500 providing that extra "grunt" for 2-up etc....Both have a similar comfortable top speed of 50 to 55 MPH ACTUAL ( The standard speedo is very optimistic to say the least !!).........I hope this bike's a good-'un and you have many BIG-GRIN miles to enjoy ahead of you.............

Hi smokey, Its value is equivalent to the amount a man is willing to pay to own something.. Either for investment or emotional purposes..

Mine is the latter, people having witnessed my emotional outbursts on occasion….

Its not a ruff bruff, so look in a subjective and mercenary way, it is but a pile of parts assembled in India some 24 years ago…

Not a lot going for it really… However the care and attention lavished upon this metal construction over a period of time does indeed seem to foster a strange bond between bike and owner, bordering on obsessive if not careful… Obviously value can be measured in more than just monitory terms…

I guess the frame could be worth £400 with a V5, So £800< £1000 would not be robbery….

To the advice of the sages above i would add, check wiring and switch gear for rot or damage…

Also the cork seal in oil pump worm drive, This £1.00 part can disable the lube system if it should fail and is easily replaced either with cork or the new neoprene type…

Most of all have fun and keep off motorways… gwilly

The good thing is you can do as little or as much as you want. I'm with Gwilly on the electrics but I'd also adopt the old Maxum of ' if it works leave it alone'. My brother has a late 70's 350 that he has only replaced an ignition switch and an exhaust valve on in fifteen years whereas my Bitsa is a whole different kettle of fish!

Thanks for all the advice, I am going to have a good look at the bike and hopefully a test run monday am, from what you guys have told me there doesnt seem to be much to worry about. I will check all the points you have suggested and report back.

Hi,
An update on the Bullet, I went and gave it a good looking at yesterday, I was wrong about the mileage it has only done 1420 from new, starts easily and ticks over like a gud-un, no rust on rims or exhaust just a little on front guard and handlbars, will come off with solvol I think, all electrics work fine, owner has fitted a new battery this week. It is a local bike with two previous owners, both of whom lived less than ten miles from me, has been carefully stored in dry garage for seven years. I have bought it for £900. I will be bringing it home on the trailer this weekend. I cant wait to get stuck into it,
I will give it a service and a good clean and get it on the road and see how it goes. I would put some pictures on here but dont know how to, Iwill wait while son visits and ask for advice. Now looking foe a rear carrier, any offers.

Patrick.

Anything you want or need can be had from our hosts.. I know. I've been there a few times..!! Luggage racks and carriers are in the catalogue too.

well done smokyjoe it sounds a very good buy. Look after it, don't try and make it much faster than it is and it should give you years of good service. Enjoy.

Well that sounds like a good deal you've got yourself !!...Just to reiterate GWILLI's point about that cork seal....the modern neoprene one is ( as far as I'm aware) a direct replacement item --from our good hosts (naturally) and I would strongly advise getting that done ASAP or at the very least remove the timing cover and check closely the state of the current item.....That's the main oil flow to the big end and you want that to be A1 at all times.............Don't get uptight about this but just be aware that at 14 years old some things ( like cork for instance) can decay or harden....