Hitchcocks Forum

I bought my 2002 4 speed Bullet electric start classic fitted with a Watsonian G P Manx sidecar in October 2005. The bike had only covered 360km. The bike has now covered 31,472km . I change the engine oil at least every 1500km and follow a regular service schedule. Apart from the normal service consumables I’ve had very few problems with the bike. I’ve fitting our hosts less restrictive exhaust system and the earlier air filter box but other than that the bike is completely standard. The electric start sprag clutch works find but I must say I usually use the kick starter.
The only major fault I have had is a broken front wheel axel caused by a stress riser where the axel thread runs out.
Maybe I’ve been very lucky but it would be nice to hear from other Indian made Bullet owners who have had good reliability from their bikes.

I've had a number of Indian Enfields, Including one which was ridden back from India to England circa 1979/80 without so much as a cable or tyre needing replacing. They have all been superbly reliable covering 30-40 thousand miles without incident, hence the name Apparently Lucky Eddie. I've never had oil pump issues, sprag disintegration, headless pistons, nothing. The key I find is not to interfere too much, if it ain't broke don't try and fix it and remember it's an old plodder, not a Goldie or a Velo. Even the newest models are not quick and not intended to be so don't pretend they are. Machine sympathy is the term to use.

Tempting fate, are we? I'm doing OK with Thumper, a 2003 500 Bullet. Hasn't let me down yet. Steady as you go.

My 2007 350 is on just under 30,000k now. It has been very reliable but the winters are pretty tough on it. It is starting to look well used but I like the shabby but mechanically well cared for look. I am planning to do a long trip next year (maybe morocco, from SE England) and have been debating whether to invest in a new efi but the more I think about it I see no reason not to trust my iron barrel - less money on the bike and more to spend on the trip. The only major thing that annoys me is chain life, whatever I do they never last very long (5-6000 k). Just to add, I have never adjusted the points (lubed only) which surprises me compared to my old CZ from years ago.

I bought my 2005 iron barrel 500 back in 2010 with 3,000 kms on the clock and two previous owners. It has now covered 18,000kms and only let me down once with a dodgy condensor. I still managed to limp home, but it took me weeks to trace the fault, (I'm not the worlds most gifted mechanic). I have since fitted Eureka electronic ignition which means no more points or condensor. I had an oil leak from the head gasket and changed it, only for it to leak again soon afterwards. As it doesn't affect performance I have learned to live with it, and give it a clean when it looks too grubby. He was originally named by my wife:"Are you off to the garage to Tinker", But I have re-named him Rudyard, as he is sometimes ruddy'ard to start. Also I like the Indian connection. To sum up, why would I want a different bike.

I am on Bullet number 5, all 500cc cast iron barrel and the latest is a 65 model with left gear change etc. Why 5! Well as bikers do they get a bike they always wanted, then see another one and so on. Never wanted to get rid of any but there was always a plan. Not had a single moments trouble other than this recent one which i don't think had the head tightened down after a full rebuild before i got it, previous owner said big end was starting to go. My bikes were used every day throughout winter and never ever let me down and always cleaned up nice despite the winter salt. I think as stated if you use them for what they are there superb and i think regular use is better for them as well.

That reads like its a fault now! my recent one had a small oil leak from the head gasket from a full engine rebuild, 2p short of £1000, glad that was not my bill but a bonus when i bought it as the engine is all new and rides excellent, hopefully a keeper but i do look at the EFI a lot!!

04 coil failed twice - but due to previous owner wiring shorting. EFI sprag failed within 300 miles from new, then battery failed. 08 ES perfect apart from spotting on points and condenser giving out. Electra blew gearbox seal and failed sprag. Aside from that these bikes have provided outstanding riding pleasure, agricultural but reliable given their pedigree, and my other bikes including a modern Triumph, dont get used.

Before this topic only had one real problem, that was 10 or 11 years when the piston decapitated itself.
Then yesterday I had an electrical failure just as I was ready to go get the MOT. First time I have had to look at the rats nest inside the headlight nacelle.
I blamed bob for this

I bought my '92 500 from a dodgy 2nd hand car dealer in Halifax about 15 years ago. To be fair it was cheap.... Within 5 miles the silencer fell off and the kick-start pawl failed. After push-starting it a few times the battery then ran out of charge (obviously the rectifier/regulator was shot). Having a very nice man from the AA tow me to a garage near home, the mechanic also pointed out that the wheels wern't even in line (did I mention the bike was cheap?)

I should have taken the bike back and demanded a refund, but living so far away and being young and naive I stripped the whole thing down and rebuilt it, replacing various parts along the way. It never missed a beat in the next 5 years until it was moth-balled for a few years whilst starting a family, and taught me a good lesson in mechanics and 2nd hand vehicle purchase along the way.