Hitchcocks Forum

I have been looking at Enfields for sale. One that fits by pocket range is a 2006 Electra - X with low mileage. However on reading February 2019 Classic Bike guide article it states that the Electra - X "is the one to avoid and has the most problems."
I wondered if anyone has anything positive to say about Electra -X or should I swerve it like the article suggests.

TIA

I have an Electra X 2006 low mileage and currently it is refusing to start. (Personally given the long list of horror stories for the Electra X on this forum I expect it to explode every time I start it.)

This may explain why it's still for sale. A shame as It looks like a tidy machine.

As someone who has had an Electra-X fail I would say that I still had some happy miles on mine before it did. A well-sorted example is a fun ride, and there are things you can do to toughen them up a bit.



The main concern is the big-end on the earlier models, but the cranks can be rebuilt with the EFI Bullet con-rod and big-end, or one of our hosts' performance cranks can be fitted if you're feeling flush, just fit a good sump magnet if it's still on the original big-end. While a failed Electra-X big-end is no fun, it's still less destructive than the alloy con-rod letting go on a classic Bullet and smashing the crankcases.



In the end I liked the 500 AVL engine so much I had a special one put together by Henry Price, using a previously-failed Electra-X crank rebuilt with an Alpha Bearings big-end. The Electra-X top-end, crank and timing cover were fitted into a modified set of classic Bullet crankcases so that I could use a magneto for the ignition, and after a bit of tuning from Bullet Whisperer, the thing pulls like a train.



Would I say buy an Electra-X? Yes, but go in with your eyes open, don't pay over the odds and budget for some improvements (could be a bargaining tool). Maybe papasmurf will sell you his cheap!



A.

The one I'm looking at is £1,850 on ebay. It has a few spares to go with it. Part of of the problem is that I'm buying on trust and photographs as I don't have time to view it before the auction ends, unless.....

Here's my advice based on buying before seeing,touching,smelling or riding a motorcycle.Its based on bad experiences.Dont!
Pictures can flatter a heap of crap and I would say a lot of sellers won't rid for consealed reasons.

Cov Lad,



ebay item 153375090279 by any chance? There's one in Louth for £1599.



A.

Cov Lad, they all looked nice and tidy in the showroom, and the problems only started if you rode them

Adrian, yes this is the bike I am thinking of going for. Any thoughts welcome.

I'd hang fire for a bit. With the new 650 on the scene I expect 2nd hand prices for the Euro 3 & 4 bikes to fall a bit and there will be more on the market as people trade up.