Hitchcocks Forum

Hi folks, my bullet sixty-5 won't start, and when I try to start it (both kickstart or electric start) it just wheezes and occasionally backfires (loud bang from the exhaust).


The bike has been sitting for two weeks while I was waiting for some parts to arrive. I regularly checked it during this time, it was starting fine and idling nicely. Yesterday I installed some new footrests and replaced the rear brake lever, and after that it won't start. With the electric start, it "wheezes" (for lack of a better word) like it will almost start. The kickstart feels like it's lost some compression, it's still hard to push it through, just not as much as before I think. As I was trying to start it yesterday, I got a couple of loud bangs coming from the exhaust end, and decided to call it a day after a few tries.


Now the troubleshooting part: I didn't go near the engine yesterday, as it was only footrests and rear brake lever that I replaced. However, I also had to replace the footrest bar (the hexagonal one) that goes through the bike, and to do that I had to take off the exhaust pipe. As that's the only thing that came near the engine, I'm assuming that's what's causing the problem. The pipe took some fiddling to get it fitted back on, so I'm thinking I didn't install it properly and there's a gap between engine and exhaust pipe. Does that sound like it can cause such a problem? Suggestions and advice on fixing this are welcome, thanks.

PS I'll embrace my ignorance here, and say that I don't really know much about Enfields, so if you could explain in big bright words, that'd be fantastic.

Its difficult to diagnose without the bike to look at and listen to so just general advice is all i can give for now..

First switch the fuel tap to reserve just in case, we've all done it...

A leaky zorst joint at the head will certainly cause problems, usually backfiring on the overrun more so than starting but still...

Think the 65 is a push fit pipe and most of the clan put a thin smear of bathroom type silicon around the pipe and slot into place..

Tighten up the front bracket and silencer brackets and wipe excess from the joint...

I advocate leaving overnight to cure naturally but others start up and tick over for a while.

Perhaps try a fresh spark plug or heat the tip with a blow lamp to burn off any fuel/oil causing a short..

check for spark and refit... Only other thing is have you pulled a wire off in the area you where working in causing a short. Enough to rob the ignition.

If you worked on the rear brake check the rear brake switch is still ok and connected..

In other words always check what you touched last... good luck gwilly..

Sounds to me like lack of spark. Fuel will get into the exhaust and, when you do get the odd spark, you get the explosion in the exhaust. Check that plug to see if you have a good spark.

Hi guys----------- How do you normally stop the engine because it sounds to me as if the de-compressor is stuck partly open ?? .. If all was well before you laid it up / worked on it, then logically your answer is within those areas.... ( It's a Bullet Jim, but not as we know it !!)........

Hi all, thanks for your answers. Alan, I use the decompressor switch to stop the engine. I'll go back and check the things you suggested, and see if I can find the problem. Also, how do you fit an exhaust pipe? Is there a specific trick to it or do I just twist and turn till it fits and then tighten?

Why do you use the de-compressor switch (lever?) to stop the engine?

Jaffa, because it still has an electric start and stopping it with the decomp helps protect the sprag from kickback

Thanks for that Norm, I understand now.