Hitchcocks Forum

My first post on here.
I've had my '84 350 Bullet about a year now and I absolutely love it but it has seemed to spend almost as much time in the workshop as on the road! One thing after another. I won't bore you all with a run down of this or that problem but going forward I was hoping get some advice on which components are typically most prone to failure/causing problems and how I can preempt that with some upgrades to these areas.

One issue I have is poor quality mechanics. I live in Nepal and although Bullets are common it can be very difficult to get reliable information about these things. The general motto here seems to be 'if it runs ok today then it's perfect!' (They have never even heard of a Top Dead Centre tool for example - I have now bought one myself from Hitchcocks and new points to fit myself)

Budget is fairly tight and I have to bring everything over from UK in luggage, but any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated in helping me get going on this journey that is Enfield ownership!


Searched through the board and haven't seen any thread on this so I hope I'm not re-covering old ground..

Thanks folks!

Hi,

in your favour the 350 is a less stressed engine than the 500, so you're less likely to be troubled by some of the 500's more spectacular failures.



What type of problems have you been experiencing? If it's serious engine problems needing a rebuild the ultimate would be one of our host's cranks with the needle roller big end and steel con-rod, a forged alloy piston and European or Japanese main bearings, though for a 350 chugging around the Himalayas that's probably excessive. Otherwise you could replace the old alternator with a Lucas RM21 and new reg/rectifier for better electrics. If you can find one, the contact breaker or so-called distributor drive from a late 500 with its shaft running on ball bearings instead of quick-wearing bronze bushes would make ignition timing more accurate and need less maintenance, more so if you fit a Pazon Sure Fire ignition. Maybe some UK-made control cables. I think you can also get an Indian-made "O"-ring chain for the old 350s.



With all of the above I have assumed you can get these shipped to Nepal with costing too much. Hope at least some of this is helpful.



A.

Dannydan this may be of some assistance to you. Hearts and Tears Motorcycle Club Pokhara Nepal.

http://www.gnd.com.np/hnt/content.php?cms_id=22

From the website I just posted a link to, the rest at the page is worth a read as well:- http://www.gnd.com.np/hnt/content.php?c ... cms_id=159

Reliability?

Are Bullets reliable? Will it get me around India without breaking down? Will it get me home? Is it the best bike for the trip? Does it have a guarantee? No, no, no, no and no. But that’s not the point. Bullets are like an elderly relative. Apparently she was great in her day, but she’s getting old. There always seems to be something wrong with her now, and she pisses herself once in a while. But you love her anyway. Buy a Bullet, and you get to be a better mechanic for free.

backBack

Comedy manufacturing

Why are they so unreliable? The problems start at the factory. Back in the 1950’s, the engineers in Redditch were at the forefront of innovation. The Bullet was revolutionary, but the design was basically sound. However, bike design and manufacturing processes have been totally transformed since then. The quality goalposts have been moved.

Unfortunately, the Indian factory has failed to keep pace. The bikes are an engineer’s nightmare, or comedy, depending on your point of view. Things break, fall off, or just stop working for no apparent reason. Export models are slightly better, but do they just put the good parts on export bikes, and bad parts on domestic ones? A new Bajaj Pulsar comes with a 5 year guarantee, so there’s really no excuse.

Hi DANNY-------First of all}--WELL DONE !! for a) Buying an old Enfield in the first place and b) Asking for help....I'm now on my 4th 500cc Bullet having previously said "Never again!!"... but 8 weeks ago the mundane, clinical reliability of my Honda got to me and I bought a 2003 Bullet '65...........Upgrades ?? I think the most important upgrade starts with the owner/rider and your overall approach......Riding style}--- These are long-stroke engines and derive their power(?) through TORQUE rather than high RPM...ADRIAN used the ideal word}--"Chugging"....Regular oil changes}--The main oil filter is very basic and needs changing with every 1,000 mile oil change I would say...UPGRADE}-- Our hosts do an oil filter filler block and magnetic sump plugs.....ADRIAN and PAPPASMURF have covered the bulk of the rest ( Definitely go with the Electronic ignition AND the Powerbox replacement items )............Resist all and any of these "Tuning mods" ( Free-flow exhaust, High comp piston, minimal air filtering etc. ) and stay Bog-standard BUT do remember to keep that air filter clean !!................I use ATF oil in my primary chaincase and forks with the rear shocks at min. setting for a comfortable ride....I use Slime ( or similar product ) in the tyre tubes as an anti-puncture method ( Has worked twice so far )....Choose good quality tyres against any of these "cheapie" ones....But having said that I've not had any problems with Cheng Shin to date...Check your cable routing and oil regularly....... Have you done the front brake "2LS mod" yet ?? With both shoes taking an even load they should last longer AND give you a better stopping performance.....Finally, a brand new carb. doesn't cost that much as, at 1984, yours is probably in need of a change now anyway.......Old Indian Proverb regarding owning an Elephant loosely translates as}---"Requires a certain amount of Owner Input" !!...

Hey, thanks for the responses and encouragement! A lot to think about here...
The suggestions Adrian made about the power box and a new Lucas alternator definitely seem like good investments along with UK made cables. I'm having trouble with my rectifier already and if a Powerbox will 'get you home' without a battery this is good news. Although you were right that 'chugging' around the Himalayas probably wouldn't call for the higher level engine mods you mentioned. Not to mention the cost..
Alan R mentioned riding style is a good place to start. 'Chugging' is right. It's my daily ride and I'm generally around town short distances and some longer rides enjoying what power is has in the hills, but not pushing particularly hard. Often with a passenger too and always after warming up 5 mins. Papasmurf thanks for the link there. I do know the fellas at Hearts & Tears but had never seen this article. Good advice.
Got a big question mark over the electronic ignition to replace the points though.... Looked it up a while ago and was almost sold until I heard from a few places it reduces the 'thump' feel of the engine. This is one of the biggest charms of the bike for me and I wouldn't trade it, but has anyone here had experience of these ignitions and effect on thump feel? Like I say, info that is accurate is hard to come by here (or on Indian forums). Otherwise Adrian's suggestion of the late 500's ball-bearing distributor could be great, although I can't find it on Hitchcocks.
A little concerned at Alan R's recommendation to stay standard with air filter and exhaust. Mine came with a K&N replica filter and a mid-volume bottle exhaust.. Is this air filtering just not adequate? And the exhaust effect? I actually have already got, but not yet fitted, larger jets and slide to match this from Hitchcocks for hopefully a small power increase. Bad idea?!? Also not been able to find an 'oil filter filler block'.. Any extra oil filtration or cooling sounds like a great idea. I'm looking at the 50% increased capacity oil pumps on offer too. Again if anyone knows if they are a good buy please let me know!
Not even sure how old my carb is tbh. With 3 owners over 33 yrs it could easily have been replaced a couple of times! And going to take my front brake apart to see if it is already 2LS or not. Either way, braking is currently abysmal!
Thanks again folks
"Requires a certain amount of Owner Input"?.... Sign me up!

Hi DANNY----- all I meant was that if you are wanting to retain that "Chugging" ability then the standard air filter system is more than adequate......However with the set-up as you have described then if you've jetted the VM28 according to our hosts suggestions then all should be well.....My Bullet '65 has Boyer Bransden Mk.4 electronic ignition, I've just put in a quick 60 mile round trip to-day and believe me it's CHUGGING away with the best of 'em !!!...........Oil filter filler block ??------In our hosts 2017 Cat.----go to page 15 for the filler}-- Item No. 40684 @ £6.60 and magnet}---Item No...42505 @ £4.40

DannyDan do you know what height above sea level you normal use the bike. Altitude does make a difference to carburation. If you are permanently at a high level.
Discussion here:- http://royal-enfield.10950.n7.nabble.co ... 16072.html

I'm looking into the altitude thing now. Thanks for the tip. I live at 2700ft and often go higher so this is pretty relevant. There are some spectacular rides out here, if you get the chance someday you should try and make a trip!....
Glad to hear the air filter and pipe won't do the engine any damage either. And I did see the oil filter block and magnet before actually sorry. I'll add them to my list Also good news about the electronic ignition. Even after just one year it's become pretty clear how much fine tuning they can need so if that trademark thump feel isn't affected I'm sold!
Half-way through a full engine rebuild at the minute. Learning a lot and praying it turns out well!

Royal Enfield 350 somewhere in Nepal:-