Hitchcocks Forum

A question to all bullet owners , what makes these charming bikes different to other makes ? And why do us as grown men name them ? )))

I'd say there are three things that make a Bullet 'different':

1. they are slow - and that makes them relaxing to ride - you notice the countryside!
2. the engine produces its power (?) at low revs - and that gives a relaxed feel to the ride
3. the engine is simple and sounds 'different' - and that also makes it relaxing to ride

Why do 'we name them' - some of us don't! But I guess that many do because they are one of the only bikes to have 'personality' among the mass of super efficient clones - as Henri Cartier-Bresson said of Leicas - 'They are the only cameras with a soul'!

Hi guys------------- My pair of Classic 500s' usually obtain names of an Anglo Saxon origin whilst being worked on OR}---- just after breaking down in traffic.......... surprising how verbally inventive a chap can be, given the circumstances..????????????

This grown man doesn't. Although his OH does... REgards, Mark

I think its indicative that we name our machines, those that mean something to us at least!..... I've had my 650 Silver Wing for over 15 years and from day one she was known as 'Hetty', neither Sal or I know why this is the case, its just the way it is! Very few of the other machines that have come and gone since I got her have also been given names, other than an oddly handling sidecar combo christened 'Calamity Jane' after a very interesting experience I had whilst piloting it for the first time......I also had a GL500 whom I dubbed 'Millie', short for 'Militant Tendency', because every job I tried to do on that bike became a battle of wills between me and it! The first thing I decided to do on it was sort out the mono shock, from previous experience of exactly the same machines I know it takes about an hour to sort out......... On this particular bike it took 17 hours and involved a complete strip to a bare frame!!!!!! I've named my bullet 'The Mighty One Too' as a tip of my metaphorical hat to Che Guevara, who according to his diary owned a Norton Atlas 350, which he and his buddy used on their epic trip around South America. Having also sworn (while I was part of the motorcycle industry anyway) that I would never own a classic English machine, I now find myself the proud and happy owner of a bike who was just crying out to be named - so be it What I haven't figured out yet is whether its male or female, time will tell lol.

Hi guys------------ great film, with a NORTON in it as well..... So grab a cup of tea, take to your favourite comfy chair, put this up to full screen and ENJOY !!!!}-------- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biultwUzvKM --------------

First thing in the morning, I call my Bullet, Start yer bastard!

Yes, the Motorcycle diaries; I sometimes think they made that film for me, having picked out a random honcho from the London 'phone book. "Eh, what we know about this John R"? "Well he's a bit lefty". "Ok we make it about Che Guervara. What else"? "He like old British bikes". "Ok we make it about Che Guevara on a Norton. What he call his bike"? "Rocinante". "OK we name check Rocinante too".

They used an ES2 in the movie as I remember. I tend not to name bikes or cars intentionally but names do get attached to them despite me. I had a Renault 4 in Sydney that a friend said smelt like a hamster's cage, from that day forth it was the Hamster.