Hitchcocks Forum

since getting the 2006 Bullet Classic 500 this easter, me and the Mrs have loved it.. even to the point of using it more than the Bonneville!

The only trouble is.. that BLASTED right hand wrong way round gear change. Despite many miles I get it wrong quite a lot, due to having left foot/one up bike for 38 years. And the brakes are poor compared to my mates 2010 Bullet.

So.. next year, if a court case goes my way, I'm looking at 'upgrading' to a left gearbox / disc brake model. probably around £2600 ish. Now I know the Classic very well now, but don't know too much about the 'electra' besides the engine looks totally different and is probably all alloy.

Can any of you pass on any more knowledge / comments etc? This will help when it comes to swapping next year.

Regards, Phil

I have an AVL 350 Electrabird, as explained in other posts.
I had a 500 CI Bullet a few years back, lovely bike, no probs with gear change for me as I've had so many vintage & modern bikes through the years, but the AVL & 5 speed box + the disc brake make it heads above the CI Classic for every day use.
I think there is not much power difference between a 500CI and a 350AVL, other than perhaps on the bigger hills and top speed, my AVL with top out at about 60-65mph, but cruise at 50-55, from what I can remember my 500 might have touched 70, cruising at 60, but I was always fearful of the worm gear driven oil pump giving out, not so with any AVL though.
I would expect the 500 AVL to be quite a bit more potent than the 500CI.
I would like to possibly get a 500 AVL later, but I'm quite content with the 350.
Easy as the CI to work on, oil changes, tappet adjustment etc, the frame/wheels is basically any other Bullet so chain adjustment/changes etc just the same, but of course with electronic ignition no points adjusting needed.
I have Electra bars, very comfortable to me, reminds me of my '54 Triumph Thunderbird I had, very similar height and rake.
I really would think twice at going for the UC injected bike, just comparing the cost of spares is enough to put me off!
Terry

I had the same feeling when I got my 500cc Bullet in 2000. I had been used to a 500cc H*^d@, so had some problems with the changeover.


It REALLY worked for me when I sort of pretended I was putting the power on with my right foot, like accelerating the car. I had to convince myself but it worked psychologically... of course, the problem is in your brain not your foot I suppose. Give it a try?

Best regards, Chris

Right I have Run Jap L/H & Enfield R/H no bother (As they Say Mindset) Lately More Confusing for the Past Four Years I have Run a L/H AVL & a 98 Classic (Std) Luckily the AVL has a Toe Heel Gear Change & I fool my Mind that Changing Down (Heel Down) is really Changing up (R/H Classic) Any way its Worked up to Now ;0)... RIGHT! Classic or Electra?? Well Like My AVL Machismo They are Plenty of "Electra" style Engines in Classic/Std Frames and bits ..Like the 65... For the Day to Day Commute my AVL 350 with Disc Brake & 5 Speed Box makes Life So Easy (Enfileld Wise) and is a least as Fast as a Classic 500 with better MPG... "But IF, I say If I could Only Have One Enfield it Would be My 350 Std (Classic) a Great Bike...But I have TWO So Loveing the K/s 350 AVL but in Classic Frame & Clothes to Bit! ENJOY (Much Better than a Car) OH! and IMHO The Electrics Power/AMP and Electronic Ign is Very Nice on the AVL "Lights & Power To Spare " what ever Next..Cheers All Craig

I took my bullet back after 20 minutes. I was a nervous wreck.

Chris, my dealer put the kettle on and eventually I was persuaded to try again. Finally, I found what worked for me.

treating it as another motorcycle did not work at all. I needed a whole new mindset and to learn from scratch. I named my bullet 'Tornado' and he became a great mate!. it is the same for learning a traction engine or a ride on mower. I never think of it as another bike, that is fatal, so I think of it as something new, I learnt the gears and brake, and off I went.



may not work for all people, but I can operate cars, vans, Enfields, bikes and mowers!

If you're looking at a left-foot shift, 5 speed, pre-EFI Indian RE, your choice of OFFICIALLY imported models is either the Sixty-5 or the Electra-X. The Sixty-5 still has the front drum brake, these can actually be improved significantly, though you may find one that has had a front disc brake conversion. The Electra-X was my choice ten years ago, and I enjoyed riding it a lot, though it's currently awaiting a new big-end! Their known weak points are the electric starter's sprag clutch, cam follower feet that can snap off their stems, and a batch of big-end pins with poor hardening, nothing that cant be fixed however. With a carb and exhaust upgrade and careful attention to gearbox sprocket size they are good fun. A.

After learning on and having modern jap bikes when I wanted a classic bike but without the 'classic layout' i got myself an Electra X. It's proved to be a great bike and despite my lack of mechanical experience I've managed to service the bike myself and keep it running quite sweetly (Fate tempted?). I'd recommend this bike to anyone thinking of getting an Enfield (as I already presume you know the potential pitfalls) as the Electra is a great balance between modern and classic.

Craig, I cannot get used to that heel-toe gear change, I always use my toe under, pedal is too much like my Honda 50, change to either side yeas, but heel-toe no!

The Electra is a great bike.
Get the carb model not the injection if you enjoy fettling.
If you get the lean burn, ditch the PAV.
Mod the catch can and away you go.
Happy days.