Forum

[Les H]

Hi Norm. Surely the flakes can only get up to the rocker pipe if the metal mesh sump filter has been left out or split as if often the case? The mesh is very fine and it would be impossible to get flakes getting by and into the scavenge pump. Going right back to my first post here, Robert had stated that the his big-end had no apparent wear and felt sound, so whereas others had said your engine is deffinitely scrap and should be binned, I simply said that Robert might wish to continue using his bike, but he should monitor the front sump scavenge filter at short regular intervals after all it is a very squick simple job with very little oil loss. If the filter remained clean then he could rest assured knowing that the big-end was indeed OK. The rattle could be from many sources and most of these can be relatively quite easily. I was then accused of "irresponsibility" and had to spend a lot of time informing those people that they should understand the situation and how the lubrication system worked. I consider for someone to tell an 81 year old man on here that his engine was only fit for the bin without ever seeing or hearing the machine and promoting a JAP bike on this Royal Enfield only sponsored Forum was deffinitley irresponsible and a kick in the teeth to Hitchcocks.

[Les H]

CORRECTION: "The rattle could be from many sources and most of these can be FIXED fairly easily"

[Bullet Whisperer]

Hi Les,
I'm with you on this one and would just add that I had a 350 Bullet to fix for someone a few years ago and the owner was all set for me to strip the engine completely as it was knocking heavily from the bottom end and he suspected a worn big end. It made his day when I found a faulty alternator rotor, which had a loose segment which was striking [one of] the stator coils as it went round. Also 'white metal' in the rocker blocks - in the case of alloy [Samrat] ones, I have seen this and it was actually the metal from the rocker blocks themselves that this debris came from, due to them starving of oil and not from anything being pumped up to them.
ATB, Paul.

[Norm]

Les,
I don't know how the metal gets past the screen but trust me it does, I have seen it countless times. I don't think the screens go full depth making them fairly useless. Problem here Bob is 81 and tired of the problems and at 81 I think I would be tired of the problems too, I'd just want to take it easy

[STU]

I'm fed up reading ON THIS ENFIELD FORUM about how rubbish some people reckon Enfields are! Most of these statements are opinions not fact related -since when has it been a FACT that 'most modern Enfields are a bag of crap'? Where did you get your FACTS from Riggers? Plenty of happy owners have Enfields and cover huge mileages on them all over the world.
The answer is definitely NOT just a Jap bike for Roberto. He says that his Suzuki needs some work to get back on the road - so that isn't perfect then! And in fact there is a great deal on other forums about Suzuki engine problems and corrosion issues. I've never had a Suzi but none of the Honda, Yamaha or Kawasaki's that I have owned have been trouble (or corrosion) free either. Kawasaki GPZ500S was probably the best but at the time twice the price of an Enfield.
The new EFI Enfields, although more expensive now, seem to be enjoying a good reliability record - no not perfect but neither are BMWs!
I've said it before on this forum - the two Enfield that I have owned have been reasonably well made and reasonably reliable. The Electra XS I have currently owned for 6 years has had its issues but the motor seems incredibly strong, it is full of charactor and makes me smile when I ride it. This is why I have kept it longer than any of the 20+ Jap bikes that I have ever owned and why I will likely buy the new Continental GT 535 when it is launched next year.

[Riggers]

Well perhaps I used slightly provocative terminology and if I've offended anyone regarding their pride and joy I apologise. But STU, you say where's the evidence? - well including my own 2000 Classic I also have a friend with the same bike and another with an Electra X, and the list of faults makes you wonder what the QA guys in Madras or wherever are doing for their money. A few from my own bike (bought new) - nearly all rubbers perished, poor paint quality flaking badly in parts, gearbox cover flexes making adjustment a pain, points fell to bits, snail cam alignment punch marks out of alignment. My mate's Classic (bought new) - front mudguard stays snapped, frame welding snapped under engine, front brake lever snapped under braking, exhaust pipe snapped, rear wheel bearings collapsed at 5000 miles, 3 clutch cables snapped (indian). Another friend's Electra X - crank out of alignment, crankcase mouth not aligned, piston running out of alignment, uncontrolled oil and water mix (mayonaise) blowing from breather, sprag clutch failure...And so it goes on. I'm not saying that no Honda or a Yamaha ever went wrong, but on the balance of evidence I think the argument speaks for itself. My comment about a Bonneville implied that when Indian Enfields were as cheap as chips then perhaps people were willing to accept the above situation but when prices are now more in line with competitors from Japan, Germany and Britain then customers have a right to comparable quality. I have no axe to grind with our hosts who, IMHO, provide an excellent service to their customers as well as unholding free speech.

[geoffro]

Roberto, when you look at this site and all the problems that arise with the later Enfields i also wonder if it's worth owning one and my answer is NO i would'nt touch one with a bargepole. Good luck with your Suzuki, hope it's soon on the road again and you can enjoy some trouble free riding and stay safe.

[roberto]

Hi again,I am thinking of taking the route les h suggests, ive only had the head and barrel off double checked big and small ends not had the valves out yet,to check for loose seats but they look fine,(we will see),there was some minute flakes in main oil filter and(very little here), in rocker wells i,ll clean every thing and change oil watch front filter and seehow it goes ( i wont sue les) if it allgoes pear shaped , Bob.

[Norm]

Bob,
first thing to do is check the rocker blocks and the problem here is if you don't know what you are looking for it is easy to miss. make sure the slots and holes are clear and if you look and ask "what slots" then you have a problem

[MadMike]

Robrto be sure to let us know when it goes bang bang , knock knock, rattle rattle won't you. Oil + metal = lethal mixture. Be very cautious when you ride....ask Taper what he found? His will be the voice of experience.