Forum

[Norm]

I can't wait to hear the next lot of poetry, it'll be a cracker

[Scalyback]

oddly enough,

R E poetry 3 - coming of age (or i've been done!)

is now available in social / other section!

Simon

[Scalyback]

oh, the dealer is Chris, of C & C Motorcycles, Yalding, Kent.



He is looking after Tornado (number 2 bullet) at the moment, so I wait for factory reply before stirring anywhere!

[Scalyback]

Yes, it's a UCE EFI bike, 2010, guess fixing the gears is what happened to it, but it runs perfectly.

[Michael]

The gearbox fix was only for the first batch of UCE engines I think, 08/09 models. I would be a little surprised if your 2010 model was also subject to the fix. Also, did they have to split the cases to fix the gearbox problems? I was told that the problem was clearance and lubrication with the third gear, and it *may* be that the fix was to drill a hole in the LH crank case between the box and the clutch. There is certainly an odd, aftermarket-ey looking hole about the size of a 2p in my EFI there.




I might be wrong, but surely(?) the factory had fixed the box issue in 2010 given that the recall happened in June 2009?!




Either way, that putty stuff doesn't look good or breed confidence! That being said, the underside of your block still looks better than mine!

[Scalyback]

Remembering that both Watsonian and C & C motorcycles put the blame on
Royal Enfield by saying that the factory "did do some
funny things", I have had a helpful reply from the factory.

I totally believe what they say!

Have copied here as it gives me a warm feeling that RE certainly do care about their customers.






Dear Mr. Taylor

We are sorry to note the "putty" underneath the engine and we would like
to confirm it was NOT done from the factory.

We would however appreciate if you can give us the VIN of the motorcycle
and from whom and when the motorcycle was purchased.

regards
Vikram





I responded with a few more pictures and all the details that I had.

I did mention that I wanted to keep the bike (Now very attached to it),

but could a RE mechanic take a look at the engine and check it over?



Of course, I SHOULD have taken it back, but being in France plus having
got rather attached to it, don't want to say goodbye to my No.1 BulletI



I wait and see what happens next.

[Scalyback]

Within a few short hours,

the factory replied,

"We'd never do a thing like that,

someone's told you a lie!"



"From whom did you buy Thunderbolt,

Also, what was the date?

Plus, we'd like the VIN number,

it's on a little plate."



I sent off all the details,

to R. E. with a plea,

"Please check my bike, don't take it,

It means the world to me."



To be continued...

[Paul]

Hi,
I'm sure the factory didn't do that. I suspect it was when the gearbox fault was fixed at the dealer/importer... or just after if the repair had a poor case seal by whoever sold it on.
Being UCE the engine had to be split to replace the gearbox component which I understand was the wrong size. I would throw it back to whoever sold it as not of merchantable quality.
It's stuff like this that gives the bikes a poor name.

[Alan (Lancashire)]

because of the bikes age , I don,t think it has had gearbox work.

RE india must have a list showing the VIN No/engine number of all bikes that were modded , send them your engine number and ask if yours was one?

[Scalyback]

It seems that either the importer or dealer did this bodge job.


It also seems that this bullet was manufactured after the gearbox problem was resolved.



so for some unknown reason, one of other of the above
needed to split the crankcase (judging from the
wear on bolts and allen screws), did god
knows what inside, and did just an UNPROFESSIONAL SH*T JOB,
(just in case they are reading this) of putting it
back together, that it leaked oil (There is a minute seepage
around the putty stuff.)



Worse, whichever one did the bodge, they then LIED TO ME,

via telephone, putting the blame on R. E.



Anyway, I am now awaiting a further reply from Royal Enfield, who have so far seemed very interested in what has been happening.

I have the utmost faith in R. E. and in no way do I attach any blame whatsoever to them.



The thing I can't understand is, Watsonian seem a reputable
company, and the dealer seems a very knowledgeable ex. RAF
mechanic, so what the hell went wrong for Thunderbolt to end
up like this? There seems no reason for it ever to have arisen.


oh well, my bullet rode perfectly again today, had swapped the
MICO (BOSCH india) WR7 DDC4 for a NGK BPR6ES.


Strange thing that BOSCH plug, looks very similar to the KLG M50
in my Lister B stationary engine! (another story)


Maybe I could try for a part refund?