Forum

[AndyMc]

I've been perusing the C5 service manual downloaded from Midland Bullets. It states a top speed of 83mph. I'm just wondering if anyone has achieved this on their unmodified bike without having to ride off Beachy Head or change their underwear. 75 is just about attainable on mine. not that I'm interested in going fast but that figure seems a gross exaggeration .
BTW my new turn out exhaust from M&P looks good and sounds even better. LOUD

[2cvandy]

Well I've seen 80mph on the clock,,,,,,,,,, and I wasn't absolutely wringing it's neck,,,,,,,, but it was downhill, and God knows how accurate the clock is (my guess would be not very). But on the whole, I think she's a lot happier sub 60mph.

[Scalyback]

I had one run on Thunderbolt, my Woodsman EFI on a dual carriageway. We got quite easily to 82-83, then I lost my bottle being a pushrod engine and all that. Didn't want to damage my bike, but whatever the book says, Thunderbolt was quite willing to exceed that, but I wasn't!

I think the engine was a little over 5000 RPM at 82MPH.

[PeteF]

It is a bit ridiculous that a supposedly modern 500cc engine can't produce enough power to get the bike over 80mph.
My 250 Yam will almost do that.
And then to dress it up as a cafe racer?

[Andy M]

I've seen 80 but honestly don't care. If I wanted to break the traffic laws I could go buy a dozen bikes with more power. None would have the same rider input at legal speeds that makes the bullet fun.

Andy

[2cvandy]

"a supposedly modern 500cc engine"---- I thought the whole point of the Bullet was that it's determinedly not modern. My 1978 CX500 for instance has a much more modern 500cc engine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and it will still crack the ton (an easy 110mph when it was new, but I'm not that cruel nowadays on a 40 year old bike). The Bullet might be new,,,, but modern?? No way.

[Rattlebattle]

Quite; not a modern bike at all. One if the reasons I chose the C5 is that it doesn't look as if it is a fast bike (it isn't - against satnav the speedo overreads a lot. It'll do a genuine 80mph down a long hill but I won't because it's uncomfortable at that speed). I tried a CGT but TBH felt a bit silly riding a bike that looks as if it'll do 120mph down the local bypass but struggles to do 85mph. I have another bike for pressing on and a classic Trumpet that would leave the C5 for dead if I wasn't sympathetic towards 60+ years old engine internals. The REs can of course be tuned to go a lot quicker if that's what you want.

[Alan R]

Hi guys-----I've posted photos' elsewhere but I have a 2004 Bullet '65 for the "Fun" aspect and a 1986 Honda XBR 500 for reliability and all those other "Modern" attributes that we've come to expect from a bike of to-day ( https://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda ... 0_1988.php ).........Like SCALY I also would baulk at the idea of a road-going, PUSH-ROD engine exploring beyond 5,000 RPM....Remember these are L-O-N-G...........S-T-R-O-K-E MOTORS who derive their power from twisty Torque, not screamy-revkins..............So, my formula would be}--- 535cc conversion, Forged piston at 8:1 CR, 32mm CV Carb, greater valve overlap period, maximum size of In. and Exh. valves possible, twin spark head, 6-speed gearbox, extractor style exhaust system..........steel con. rod, roller big-end...Tubeless wheels and tyres....Hagon tuned shocks, Disc front and rear, touring handlebars....

[Alan R]

Hi guys-----I've posted photos' elsewhere but I have a 2004 Bullet '65 for the "Fun" aspect and a 1986 Honda XBR 500 for reliability and all those other "Modern" attributes that we've come to expect from a bike of to-day ( https://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda ... 0_1988.php ).........Like SCALY I also would baulk at the idea of a road-going, PUSH-ROD engine exploring beyond 5,000 RPM....Remember these are L-O-N-G...........S-T-R-O-K-E MOTORS who derive their power from twisty Torque, not screamy-revkins..............So, my formula would be}--- 535cc conversion, Forged piston at 8:1 CR, 32mm CV Carb, greater valve overlap period, maximum size of In. and Exh. valves possible, twin spark head, 6-speed gearbox, extractor style exhaust system..........steel con. rod, roller big-end...Tubeless wheels and tyres....Hagon tuned shocks, Disc front and rear, touring handlebars....

[Alan R]

Hi guys-----I've posted photos' elsewhere but I have a 2004 Bullet '65 for the "Fun" aspect and a 1986 Honda XBR 500 for reliability and all those other "Modern" attributes that we've come to expect from a bike of to-day ( https://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda ... 0_1988.php ).........Like SCALY I also would baulk at the idea of a road-going, PUSH-ROD engine exploring beyond 5,000 RPM....Remember these are L-O-N-G...........S-T-R-O-K-E MOTORS who derive their power from twisty Torque, not screamy-revkins..............So, my formula would be}--- 535cc conversion, Forged piston at 8:1 CR, 32mm CV Carb, greater valve overlap period, maximum size of In. and Exh. valves possible, twin spark head, 6-speed gearbox, extractor style exhaust system..........steel con. rod, roller big-end...Tubeless wheels and tyres....Hagon tuned shocks, Disc front and rear, touring handlebars....