Hitchcocks Forum

Today was the day of my first ride on Becky my 2002 500 Bullet, bought without having a test ride I fell for her charms on first sight.
A completely different experience to my last bike a ZZR 600, I started out steadily getting used to her, the are bit of a revelation but you soon adapt your riding style, I enjoyed plodding along relishing the sound of the big single. Cruising along about 45/50 mph, I did find the speedo about 10 mph optimistic when I went through one of the villages with a speed indicator at the side of the road, stopped after an hour to check the bike over and have a coffee and immediately attracted the attention of some HGV drivers at the stop wanting to know about Becky. After travelling another hour on A/B roads I arrived home very sweaty due today temps and full leathers, but what a smile on my face, enjoyed every minute, did have some missed gears but I think that was down to my inexperience on the bike. After checking over Becky I found a couple of small oil leaks which hopefully will wait until winter, a slightly binding front brake and the clutch needing some adjustment in the cable. Do you know I think I've got a new Lady in my life.
Is there any other bullet owners in Northants?

Good to hear all went well. You'll need to get used to people wanting to know about the bike. Regarding gear changing, the best tip I've heard is to make sure you hold the gear lever down with your toe until you've released the clutch fully. Or hold it up when changing down of course. Chain tension and clutch adjustment also need to be right for the best changes.

Thanks for the tips will try next time out👍

Yes, you are coming along nicely!



Becky has chosen well!



Enfields can be like that!

Steve, are you a member of the REOC? The Northants Branch seems to be defunct at the moment but you have 2 others, the Home Counties meet at Pulloxhill near Flitwick and the Midshires meet at Frankton (CV23 9NY). The Midshires are a new branch, very keen and a nice bunch. You can turn up to either of these one night for a taster, no membership required. Whereabouts in Northants are you? I'm near Silverstone if you're around?

REgards, Mark

Hello Steve,glad to hear your enjoying the bullet experience. Im in south Leicestershire,but me and Chugchug(my 2008 Electra)can often be found around the B roads on the northern side of Northamptonshire .

Hi Mark and AA nice to hear from you both I'm from Kettering so pretty central to both are you free during the day or is it only evening? Mark not a member of the REOC yet but will be looking towards that. Would be nice if he three of us could get together for ride out/ coffee/ chat.

My tag gives a large clue as to my job, I work 7 days on then 2 rest days then 7 days on and 5 rest days( all a random mix of early,mid,and night shifts)the 2 rest days are always monday and tuesday,and the 5 rest days run weds to sunday. So I ride when I can ,a mix of days ,evenings, and the odd weekend too.Alwways like to ride around Naesby,Market Harborough ,and Foxton at weekends(lots of classic cars and bikes seem to use the same back roads around there) plus Mcdonalds at Market Harborough A6 allways attracts bikes on sat/sun.On the dreaded nights till tuesday, so wont get much riding this week

So NOT alcoholics anonymous then?



I should stop assuming things!

I'm a real lightweight when it comes to booze Scaly. I do like a nice cold Guiness or single malt............although a bottle of single malt normally lasts me about 4 months. Would make a poor alcoholic as I hate White lightening cider and find park benches really uncomfortable