Hitchcocks Forum

Well that's blown it, the main bearings have gone on my 500 Bullet. Least it has happened near the end of the summer and I can look at it over the winter, the biggest shame is I use a bike all year round and I liked using the Enfield. Bummer!

Been there and suffered that, so I know exactly how you feel. It's not a monumental task to change the main bearings, but getting started is the hard part. If it makes you feel any better, my Aprilia has packed up. I've only got my Enfield to ride.

Eddie, how many miles had your bullet covered before the main bearings failed?

I had to rebuild my electra engine earlier this year. I looked at the standard bearing then searched the internet and found a bearing supplier that could supply bearings that have twice the rev range and twice the load rate for approximately the same price so hopefully they will outlast the bike

Hi, she's done about 24000 miles now. I was looking to put better quality bearings in.

I can't imagine anybody fitting Indian bearings in anything they were rebuilding, anything else has to be better

Around 20K seems a common figure for standard Indian bearings. Are you going to upgrade the big end while it's apart? My 1999 iron 500 engine came from a one owner bike and has never been apart, but it's only done 10K so it's just a matter of time before I have the same job. I can't decide wether to stay with the floating bush or change to roller big end, Hitchcocks long stroke crank would be very nice.

Hi. I was going to replace the big end at the same time and yes a Hitchcock crank would be very nice and I do in fact plan on fitting one next year but it's all a matter of cash. I am only the second owner of this bike but when I got her she had already done over 20000, I think that it was reflected in the price I paid for her.

It's a pain having to do the mains. Mine went recently; I fitted European mains but stuck with the floating bush big end for cost reasons.
The only compensation was how new and taut the motor felt once it was running again.

It's a pain having to do the mains. Mine went recently; I fitted European mains but stuck with the floating bush big end for cost reasons.
The only compensation was how new and taut the motor felt once it was running again.