Forum

[Barry_Q]

I thought I'd put this up to annoy the doom mongers out there. I've just had over a years worth of faultless motoring out of my 500 Lightning. Yeah, a main bearing 'went' early last year, but since the engine was rebuilt (using decent bearings), the bike has purred like a kitten (abet a very loud one). Regular maintanance is the key. All I've done is change the lube and do up loose nuts (Oh, and replace one that had fallen off). I'm so chuffed, that I may treat the bike to an Eureka ignition (The Condenser wire is jammed under a post and it's rubbing the insulation away) this Xmas. To those who cast Enfields in a bad light I say: Why did you buy it in the first place?

[jaffa90]

I bought one (535cc)a few months ago 2003 model, reg 2008,will this year/model have poor bearings fitted?
Also what year is yours?

[Barry_Q]

The Lightning (both 500 and 535) are Home Market machines. The quality of assembly is somewhat lower than the export Enfields. As far as I'm aware, all bearings used of of Indian origin. The quality is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes you'll get good ones and the engine will go forever on them. Sometimes they'll fall apart withing a few thousand miles. My timing side bearing failed within 1500 miles from new. As long as your oil plug bolt isn't broken and the alternator rotor isn't ripping chunks out of the stator, your bearings are fine. Oh, I almost forgot. I've got a 1999 Lightning registered in 2010.

[Riggers]

Well that puts paid to the doom mongerers Barry.

[Craig]

Just to back Barry up,
i have owned a Few "Home Market Enfields" as Well as Official & Knackered old "Royal" (reditch) in the Past and My Long running 98 STD 350 is still on its Original points 40'000 miles On! only Main work was a De-Coke & Carb overhaul.: I have Found No Problems with home Market V Official (other than the Proverbial chance of a Fri afternoon bike) ...Sad News is at The Moment Both My ENFIELDS & Me Have Been Wiped Out By SMDSY's one this Month On Last "Bastids"*!.....Oh Well Such is Life....."Yes Enfields Good Bikes! Use Them!"