Hitchcocks Forum

Has anyone fitted the big bore kit to an Electra and if so was there any big gains in power or ability to maintain a higher cruising speed.

I've removed the PAV, re jetted the carb, changed exhaust system and I'm about to fit the ignition box our hosts used to sell.

Obviously this will put more stress on the crank and no doubt I'll have to look at upgrading this too.
Due to an ailing family member I need a bike to make regular 600 mile round trips.
I may have to face up to buying a different bike but I do like my Electra.

Iain

I'd go for the bigger bike. Try as you might a Bullet is always going to trade extendend performance for service requirements and reliability.

Andy

I agree with Andy M. Doing so many miles to visit an ailing family member you probably need something more reliable than a RE. It sounds like you have enough problems as it is. The Electra kit is pretty expensive and this money could go to buying a better motorcycle.

Iain I too have recently fitted from our hosts, at considerable expense and not a little effort, the carb kit, a full free flowing exhaust and a bigger front sprocket, and feel that the net result doesn't really justify the cost and trouble i.e. all it really does is raise the vibe- free cruisng speed from around 55mph to 60mph. The top speed has probably gone up from around 75 to 85mph but I don't actually know because the engine clearly demonstrates its displeasure at being worked really hard to the point where its not worth doing it. The next time I get another Enfield I have vowed not to go down this 'stage 1 route' and accept the bike for what it is (although I would probably always want to remove the standard silencer on the basis of aesthetics alone). So yes, use another bike for long, fast journeys.

When the Electra-X was launched Watsonian-Squire, the previous importers, claimed that the engine was designed to cope with 44bhp. Whether any of them were actually **built** well enough to cope with tuning up to 44bhp is another matter. Even with a souped-up engine with all the possible reliabilty-enhancing components available or adaptable for this model, I think it's too big an ask, for the rider as much as the machine. I would side with those recommending you get a well-proven mile-eater that will let you cover the 600 miles in comfort. How often do you have to do this trip?



A.

Thanks for all the replies and much as I expected.

Adrian.
At the moment I only will have to make the journey every 6-8 weeks but this will increase steadily but I'm unsure at what rate, I suspect by this time next year I'll need to do this journey every 2-3 weeks and possibly every 1-2 weeks depending on other family members.
During bad weather I can pinch the car but that may not be possible all the time.

Difficult decisions ahead and I suspect I'll have to sell the Electra to fund something else, maybe a Triumph or a Harley but more research is needed.

Many thanks again
Iain.

Iain, wouldnt recommend a Harley either - Ive got one and had lots. They will of course do the miles but are not good at what motorbikes should be good at (a Roadking or Electraglide would be comfortable but do you really need a bike that weighs nearly as much as a small car?). What you really need is something starting with a H but made in Japan...

Something starting with H from Japan. I will only post the link to the video and not the video itself because of the bad language but it is very funny.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6tTFW26BVs

Hi Iain, as has been said, the Enfield probably wouldn't be the best choice, and as much as I love my Harley, it would be hard work for a regular 600 mile trip if it extends into winter.

But for the price of upgrading the Enfield, you could buy one of these



I paid a grand for this 4 years ago and have added 20K to the clock over the last 4 winters. 60 mpg, it'll cruise easily at 70mph, decent weather protection and comfy too. Cheap classic insurance as well so no need to part with the Bullet.

Have a look here for inspiration,,,,,,, http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/transalp/1 ... ad-81.html

I accepted the limitations of my enfield and wanted a cheap workhorse for mile munching. I ended up with a 1995 900 Yamaha Diversion which does the job perfectly. Bandits, XJ's, Zeds and CB's, whatever. they all do the job with a very small outlay and best of all you can afford to keep your Enfield for less than the price of a harley (or whatever).