Hitchcocks Forum

after amy new found friend Tez helped me fit new points last night and give me a few tips re starting (mainly NO THROTTLE) I decided to try the 2006 500 4 speed Classic a 10 mile run home on the M1. I had the sat nav on so had an accurate speed (63 on the clock is 60). she managed it up to 70, but seemed happier at 60-65..

what are peoples thoughts on sustained cruising speeds?

Running those speeds you will get very good a engine rebuilds, in particular if it still has an Indian piston fitted it will pull the top off

The M1 is not the ideal territory for the Bullet. If you must go on a dual carriageway I would limit it at 57 mph just above a lorry's top speed, for the moment anyway. You don't want a lorry following you up your backside. Country roads are best, it's what it is built for, 50-55 mph is where it is happiest, sustained cruising above that and as Norm says you are heading for trouble.

I'd agree, 65's too fast. I did 400 miles once on mine at an idicated 60 (57)still with the 17t sprocket, original Indian chocolate bearings and piston, and it never miss a beat but I wouldnt have wanted to go any faster.

Spelling! wish we could edit these posts!

Chris, you could just proof-read it before posting!!!

REgards, Mark

No hard & fast, written in stone, rule when riding 4 or more lane roads. Light HGV traffic 60-65 for me, heavy HGV traffic just ride with them until it clears, the journey time difference is not significant.
However I would not want to do those speeds with a standard final drive sprocket, that is more suited to 2 lane roads. Upping the sprocket by one tooth makes a difference.

I've not noted what sprockets I have on the bike yet.. but first gear does not seem particularly low..

Take an old paint tin, about a dozen nuts bolts and washers, put them inside, put the lid on, and roll it slowly across the table.

That's what your bullet will sound like in about a week if you sustain those speeds.

mind you, it would've been marvellous to have seen it, did you take a video?

It's a cooling issue init. Cast Ron barrel and generally old fashioned metallurgy means that if you go too fast for too long things start to get too hot. I have done a few long distance rides on my 350 and whilst it's sweet as a nut at 55 occasional bursts of 60 mph as soon as I went to 60-65mph it would get overheated. I've now replaced the barrel with aluminium and put in the high capacity oil pump. It does definitely sustain higher speeds for longer but it's still happiest at 60 mph and below. Having the oil stored behind the engine whilst convenient isn't that good for cooling either. Fact is these are pre motorway engines and other than the BW's heroic and clearly successful track racing ventures are really best suited to trials and B roads.