Hitchcocks Forum

Hello-------recently I took my 2005 Bullet 500 classic for approx 130 mile ride over the Clee Hills and along the Welsh boarderlands.It started 2nd kick---came off the choke within 5 mins and sounded OK with NO knocks, rumblings, unusual rattles etc. I became concerned when the std. 4-speed box gave me only 3 "falsies" during the day and I have yet to look into that. It rained---then hail-stoned but the electrics performed faultlessly ( cb points and coil), then the wind got up to almost gale but the engine just kept on thud-thud-thudding on its' original sprockets. The return journey was 2-up but the suspension, with Avon SM on the rear and ribbed on the front never faltered once and cornered normally !! We arrived home in good time--the standard seat being nice and comfy with an estimated 75-80mpg overall. The next morning I checked the oil--no leaks and no top-up needed. Its' our club meet this evening--I'm embarrassed to park next to any of the other Classic Brit. Bikes for fear of ridicule. Shall I start a full strip now ?? PS-----I already have a 2lb hammer at the ready and please DON'T tell our hosts about this???? Thanks.

Alan,
Don't get too smug, remember at 50mph there is only abouy 50 metres between a loverly Bullet and a push bike

Its running well because it has been well fettled then left alone. Too many owners fanny about all the time adding and changing things.

Hi AlanR...great bikes the iron-barrelled Classics, only one of everything (and none of some things) to go wrong, as Midge says, fettle 'em properly and then just run 'em, they'll go for as long as you want to put petrol and oil in 'em. Until they don't of course...

Cheers

TimG

Hi guys and thanks for your support ( I shall wear it often!).******** NORM }---- You're dead right there, matey----but I'm closing that gap all the time (HAR-HAR !!)****** MIDGE, TIM, ---thanks for the complements on the bike's build etc. Originally I got that oil and petrol "thing" round the wrong way !! It's ok---I'm out of hospital now and back in the saddle !!!! Cheers lads----------- have a nice day.

Hello Alan, Where do you find the time?

Alan I don't want to p**s on your parade, BUT it is only 7 years old. Any bike in the world should be capable of doing that. Indeed my 1958 Model 50 and my 1951 Red Hunter would do that. I would be both stunned and upset if they didn't. However, you obviously had a great ride and that is what counts. That is waht bike are for, riding, riding and more riding. Enjoy parking alongside the others, it and you deserve it.

Mike,
I know these things are for riding, but I don't think I have enough fingers on my hands to be riding with club mates who have just rolled to a stop. The gutwrencing feeling comes from the fact that it will end up in my shed being rebuilt. Luckilly only one has been a repeat offender, sorry there was a serial offender a couple of years ago because he bought 10 floating bushes when he was living in India and wanted to use them up. Kept putting them in till it broke a rod but by then it had done 12,000ks and the cases were toast lol

Good to read a positive post, having recently spoken to a possible new owner put off by all the things he reads about going wrong.

I assured him that's what happens on bike sites - people look for help - but it's still good to hear about a long trouble free ride and a reliable bike. I'm sure the comments about constantly fiddling with the bikes causing a lot of the problems are true, trouble is that can be half the fun....

Here's to more good stories as the weather improves!

Hi guys and thanks for the great input. OK, so originally my posting was only meant to be a "tongue-in-cheek" rib-tickler at those who constantly mess with their bikes for no real reason other than it's "technical" and a "Bloke thing" to do, probably. It also stems from my bikes own history. I bought it from a local dealer last Autumn with a lot of "Bolt-on" goodies fited from our good people at Chadwick Emporiums---disc conversion, audible indicator warning, electronic ignition booster, sporty air filter, electrics cover plate, open bore "Goldie" silencer, rear rack, top box locking tank cap, top screen and more. A lot of money spent by the 2 previous owners and only 6,500 miles. EXCEPT that nothing had been done to the carb. The exhaust pipe at the outlet has gone from chrome---to straw-----to blue----to bare steel !! I kid you not, massive overheating. A head and piston-off during the winter "Quickie" I'm thinking. But, as the sale price was 30% lower than book AND a fresh MoT as well I balanced these facts, bit the Bullet(almost literally), bought it and EVENTUALLY got it home.( 5 x 1/2 hour stops in 15 miles to let it cool off). The Winter saw }--- full head strip & re-build ( Phos. bronze guides, Mr H oversized valve, hardened washers, forged 8:1 piston with 1 base plate (Approx 7:1 now ??), new points & irridium plug, electronic assistance removed (proved to be faulty), tea-caddy air filter replaced, cheap (e-bay) standard silencer fitted, carb fully overhauled (ultrasonic )there was a milky-like fluid in the float bowl---any ideas ?? and new std. jetting, Rear wheel way out of alignment, progressive fork springs---ATF oil----gaitors plus braced handlebars and the end result was that totally ACE ride recently. I have a vid of her on idle --- but don't know how to load it -.