Hitchcocks Forum

(New readers might start with a search here for 'Ebay Bullet' messages, if you like a tale of misguided bike buying!) Just to clue you in, this is a 1955 350 Bullet bought cheap and incomplete off Ebay.

Well, I finally got around to stripping the engine to find out why the crank wouldn't rotate more than about 270 degrees after the engine rebuild. I know it's been ages but the long held up "cosmetic" rebuild of the Works Replica and sorting some jobs on the S2 Interceptor got in the way. As it's been snowing and generally crap outside recently the workshop is quite a warm place to be since I put in a plastic strip warehouse curtain to divide it in half, another job that held me up! So, taking everything down to the cases, magically the crank turned freely, really odd. I decided to put it back together as it was but using a different oilpump worm on the timing crank end and a different nut and washer on the drive end and blow me, it all turns over nicely. The reason I used a different worm was I couldn't find the one I took off and the sprocket nut was really tight on it's threads so I found one that fitted better and a washer that looked thicker and more like a proper Enfield one than the one that had been fitted. I put the cases back in the frame (using the technique of removing/refitting the gearbox studs,) fitted the primary and clutch, all ok, then piston barrel and head. Crank still turns over freely. I have moved on to fit the head steady, exhaust and various other parts, using studs, nuts and bits and bobs from the various boxes of old Enfield bits I have accumulated over several projects. Today it finally feels like progress!

REgards, Mark

Actually this does make a difference, for later Bullets too. Some Indian worm nuts with the bonded seal are about 0.050"(?) smaller in diameter than the fit-your-own cork or neoprene bung type.



My AVL hybrid was supplied to me with what looked like a rather rough looking bonded worm with the bonded seal burnt out to fit over the Electra-X crank. Replacing that with a pristine new one intended for the Electra resulted in inexplicable oil pump spindle wear as well as on the worm nut itself, on the second replacement worm and spindle it was also very difficult to turn the engine over with the timing cover on, and it had me chasing cam end float until I had another look at the worm nut that came with the engine. Closer inspection revealed that it was actually in pretty good condition, and once re-fitted it was the same story as yours, Mark, everything now spinning freely that should have been previously.



Just another strange little quirk of Bullet-dom...



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All bullets have their secrets... And they won't tell what they are......

Finally, rusty relic fans, the news you have been waiting for! (Well I have anyway.) The Ebay Bullet runs! I will post some pics tomorrow but at the moment I'm really chuffed. It doesn't sound too bad either, a bit tappety (but that's probably only to be expected with a bike of this age and neglect) certainly no worse than other Bullets I've had. Celebratory pint tonight I think!

REgards, Mark

Excellent news Mark. I'm hoping to get my misguided Ebay purchase running anytime, it's all ready now apart from petrol, but it's still in the kitchen!

Update on the Ebay Bullet; it not only runs, it rides. On Tuesday I did 5 minutes of CBT style loops and figure-of-eights in the cul de sac out the back of the workshop. I haven't finished the wiring (waiting on a few small parts, reg/rec etc,) yet but it rides surprisingly well. Can't get first and the front (twin 6") brake needs adjustment but those are easy. The rear shocks are very hard, they are original but I've no idea what Enfield they are off, I might try another mystery pair. Next job to start registration process!

REgards, Mark