Hitchcocks Forum

Any opinions on which model to go for as the donor bike for a 612 conversion? My thoughts so far include:-
Classic engine. Pros = no electric start, likely to find a reasonably priced cosmetically scruffy example. Cons = 4 speed gearbox.
Sixty Five. - Pros = 5 speed box. Cons = electric start would need removing, would prefer right foot gear change.
Electra. Pros = as Sixty Five above.
My 350 is serving me fine but the excitement of a 612 is alluring and all the posts i have read about them are positive. I would keep it in standard trim rather than the GP/Cafe Racer/Continental options that our hosts offer as I want to retain the pillion option.

If you get a 5 speed box which has been converted to right-foot shift, it can be retro-fitted just about any 350 and 500 Bullet. Not necessarily the cheapest option, but if you're already shelling out for the 612 kit, what's a few hundred £ more? You could of course look for an Electra-X or Sixty-5 which has already had the right-foot shift conversion fitted. A.

Personally I'd go for a scruffy old 500 classic anytime. I don't see why the old 4 speed is a con though, mine works perfectly well and is a pleasure to use. Thinking of a 612 myself but can't afford it a the moment. I have considered doing it it stages, starting with the long stroke crank and having a soft tune 570 for a while. I'd keep standard trim too, kind of like the idea of a 'street sleeper'. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Thanks guys, good wisdom. The search for a scruffy 500 classic and perhaps a 5 speed box has begun.

Sadly the cost of the scruffy Indian 500s has gone up, with these bikes falling prey to hipsters... A 612 was high on my wish list a few years ago but then I costed it all up. Since then I have been able to put an RE special together and have another one in progress, but the 612 has dropped right down the wish list as the bikes took a bit of a different direction. Maybe later on, but in a nice low state of tune, sort of a Bullet answer to the M120 Panther.



A.

Adrian, there is NO answer to a Panther M120 !! Regards, Paul.

Adrian, you are right about the cost of scruffy 500's going up - however when the time is right they somehow find their way to one's door!

Hi, I have a 612 sixty-5. Works well with the 5 speed and are probably the best built of the classic engines. A 612 makes absolutely no financial sense at all but is a real delight if you upgrade the suspension. I run the 5 plate clutch and electric start with no problems but it's still and old design which needs treating with respect.

I converted my Sixty5 to a 612, but prior to that had already converted it to kickstart-only. I love the 5-speed box, but the motor is so flexible that I imagine a 4-speed would be ok.

After more thought about this Mike, I would strongly recommend the 5-speed over the 4-speed on a 612 because of the following: Due to its mid-range grunt, my 612 easily pulls a 20-tooth sprocket which is great for keeping up with modern-day traffic on the faster roads, but obviously too high for most urban riding. But that still leaves me with four gears for the towns and lanes, whereas a four-speed box would only leave me with three gears to play with for those situations. Admittedly this makes first gear a little on the high side for very slow crawling, but the low-down "chuggbility" is so good on these that it hasn't been a problem. So my advice, for what it's worth, is to bide your time untill a 5-speeder comes along and live with the left-hand shift (and remove or disable) the electric starter.