Hitchcocks Forum

My iron barrel 350 is ten years old next spring. I use it every day for a short commute and its hard life is starting to tell a bit in that there always seems to be something that needs doing (yes I know it's not a honda). However the pleasure I get from pottering around on it is second to none. So I have been wondering about trading to a new 500 bullet so get me around for the next ten years or so. I like the idea of a bit of extra power and of having a new bike again. Not so keen on stories I have read about quality control and all the requirements of power commanders and what have you to free the engine up a bit. Any thoughts from people who have made this swap would be welcome. Please don't advise me to keep both as I already have an xj900 divvy for touring and I don't want 3 bikes.

Hi, it's been a while since I sold my 350 Bullet, nearly 20 years in fact. But last year I bought a 2009 Electra EFI and IMHO it's a better bike. More power for the hills, and a bit quicker of course, although I think the EFI is happiest around the 60mph mark, feels a bit harsh to me by the time it gets up to 70. Yes, the build quality is a bit ropey, compared to my non Indian bikes anyway, but I hear it's better these days, and it's certainly no worse than my old 350.

I wouldn't worry too much about the power commander, an EFI will have more power than your 350 without changing anything. Most folks change the silencer as much for the looks and the sound as for any performance gain, and Hitchcocks do one that works without changing anything else. My bike is running fine with just an exhaust swap, no power commander and standard air filter. It cruises happily at 60mph, will top 80mph (if you must) and does around 200 miles from full tank to reserve.

But don't take my word for it, the only way to know if you think it's worth the money to swap is to ride one, I'd book a test ride if I were you, always try before you buy.

Good luck.

IMO The EFI doesn't have the same lazy feel as the iron barrel engine but is certainly far superior if slightly less involving. Some come with niggling quality control issues but for the majority it's simply fill with petrol, ride and repeat.

Don't forget either that things will change after 1st January. Current (non ABS) GT535 stock for example seems to be discounted by around £500 at some dealers.

A good test ride - preferably on one with a few miles on it is the only way forward.

Thanks gents, interesting comments. I didn't realise a new exhaust could be fitted without the expenditure of a power commander or remapping (whatever that is). If bargains are to be had over the winter I might find it hard to resist a military coloured bullet. If they are happy at around 60 all day with a tank range of 200 miles I might even be able to use one as my touring bike and get back to only having one bike which I much prefer.

I had a 2014 Watsonian Woodsman EFi. It was the last one made, sold by Chells. After market pipe, 'rearsets', single seat - you probably know the model. It ran perfectly, it was a touch lighter, and the open pipe added a few more HP, was a tad noisier and was good for 80mph and outside lane motorway. What hacked me off was failed sprag, cylinder head leak, shagged battery and, most importantly, it was too high for my short rear and legs for regular commuting. Long and short is the engine is excellent, but you need to lose weight and boost power with an open pipe - no need for power commander stuff. I have not bought another one because I think they are too heavy. The Woodsman was a fine interpretation just not the right ergos for my shape.

" I like the idea of a bit of extra power and of having a new bike again. "


Sounds like you've already made your mind up...

I also had a Woodsman. Great bike, I wasn't a shortass like sofiaspin, so suited me well. Unfortunately a lack of oversea's ownership rules meant that I had to sell the bike (Thunderbolt), but was a joy to ride, great off-road, and well loved... BUT...



I have my iron barrel military, "Tornado", and would NOT swap or sell him for anything. I spent years making him look as I wanted, and a few weeks ago illustrates the point about a loved bike. I had parked Tornado outside my friend's clock shop and after a while, a guy came up and obviously loved the bike which had cost me £1600 from ebay, plus lots of hitchcock's retro parts, and even though I had stated that Tornado was family, he offered £2000 cash... Then £2500... then £3000 cash. My friend urged me to sell, saying that I could buy 2 'Tornado's' for that amount, but that wasn't the point.


I guess the point that I am trying to make is as follows:- You can spend much of your life, looking for that perfect 'something'. You might have to have one made, or you might see one for sale. If you want it enough, then you will pay any amount that you can afford, just to purchase it. I always wanted an Enfield Military, but shied away from the reliability and maintenance problems that had been often mentioned in the Used Bike Guide and similar publications, but after having my Woodsman, this enfield military turned up on ebay, within ten miles from my UK base. It looked gorgeous and more importantly, I decided that come what may, I was going to learn how to look after a 1950's designed bike.



Since then, I have also bought 'Kevin', a 1959 RE meteor Minor, and although I am still learning, I know that these are the bikes for me. So to answer the question, NO, I won't be trading my iron barrels in for EFI models, even though they are still great fun!

I think you make a good point there Scaly - I think a lot of us bikers are looking for the perfect something and in reality no bike can be this. but over the years I have certainly been through my fair share of bikes in an endless quest (pretty much changing bikes every couple of years). My bullet is the first bike I have kept for nearly 10 years and I would worry about sellers remorse hence my initial question. Mind you if someone offered me £3k for my battered looking increasingly unreliable bullet I would probably take the money and run (to my nearest enfield dealer).

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Scaleyback - Defender of Iron barrelled bikes.




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I had a 2006 right hand gearbox, drum brake, points etc model up till last year, but treated myself to a new C5 Classic last year at £4200.

gearbox is on 'correct' side (to us brought up on jap machines, and modern triumphs) the brake is as good as my 2002 Bonneville, the handling simarly so.

the gearbox freed up at 1500 miles, it was a bit difficult to get neutral up till then. its never failed me, and I've loved every mile. 2600 miles on it now.