Hitchcocks Forum

How do I confirm exactly which model Bullet I have! Badged as an Electra EFI, first registered in Feb 2016, but the engine and frame number indicate that they were built in June 2013. I need to confirm in order to be able parts for the correct model. I love the bike, so different to the 1150RT I had previously! Thanks for your help.

The bikes have a 17 digit VIN number that end with 6 numbers, (the bikes serial number) which is preceded by two letters.


Year of manufacture: A = 2010, B = 2011, C = 2012 D = 2013. etc


The Letter that follows is which factory the bike was made in C = Chenai or K for Kanchipuram

Thanks Tim, that's how I know the bike was built in June '13, but where is the model detail found?

Whilst there are changes from year to year, all 500 EFIs in any given model year are for the most mechanically alike. Simply reference the Year and the serial number when inquiring after engine parts.


Where any given part number has a Letter suffix (A/B/C etc) it indicates an Up-grade that is typically fully interchangeable.


Where parts are non interchangeable, the parts listing will note from which eng number the new part/assembly is fitted from.


Where you really do need to be model specific is when seeking cosmetic parts; tanks, guards, paint finish etc. In the factory's spare parts listing, there are column for each model, so selecting a specific parts is straight forward.

Thanks again Tim, I had a feeling that mechanically it wouldn't make much difference. It would just be nice to know what I have, everyone else here seems to be so certain what model they have! Paul

I'm going with a B5 for now, until someone tells me otherwise! The engine more closely resembles that of a B5 in Hitchcocks' catalogue.

If is reasonably standard, the easy way to check is to Google it and compare what yours looks like with the pictures you find. Or search Autotrader or similar. Even easier - Electra's (E5 or G5 - the chrome one) have different forks where the front mudguard mounts are at the top of the sliders. Bullets and Classics have stays attached near the hub end. Classics (C5) look, well, classic and Bullets (B5) look like 50s utility bikes and have naff tank badges.