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[Velominatus]

Hi,
Many thanks for the advice, I was looking at the Sixty5, one last point, is the oil pump drive as poor as I've been told or does this only effect older bikes?

Cheers

[Mark M]

The oil pump drive is fine on un-modified engines, problems seem to arise if you use single weight (monograde) oils and do lots of cold starts or install the high flow pumps (which are really intended for performance engines,) which puts additional stress on the drive. Indian engines have no pressure relief valve to protect the oil pump which doesn't help but Hitchcocks do a retro fit valve if you're worried. It's in the Accessory Catalogue which is in the left side bar but beware, all the shiny new parts are very tempting!
REgards, Mark

[potboiler]

Perhaps first decide if left or righthand gearshift is likely to be critical. I know it is for me, I just cannot cope with righthand gears after years of foreign bikes. If you are a leftie, than your choice is quite restricted. Has to be a 2003-4 Bullet Sixty 5, 2005-9 'AVL' leanburn or 2008 -14 EFI. If you're OK with righthand than the 350 Indian Bullets are quite smooth and later than about 2000 the quality control improved. You already know the advantages/disadvantages of original British bikes - no tax, MOT, nice original and legal black and silver plates, hold their value, don't have to lie about age of bike to strangers etc!

[PeteF]

If you have a Goldie then you'll already know that big singles can kick back if not set up right. This is true of the REs as well. Kick-backs will knacker an electric start sprag clutch in no time. It also doesn't do the oil pump drive much good as they are not designed to run backwards.
If you keep the timing and carb tuning as it should be then all should be well.
Having said that, I do inspect the oil pump gears more than I would with straight cut gears.
I think RE oil pumps also got bad press in the past as they used to rely on a cork seal on the big end feed. These did need checking and changing quite regularly. The modern ones are neoprene and can be retro-fitted.

[Velominatus]

Many thanks for all this, seems you've helped me narrow the bike down to a 2003 to 2004 Sixty 5. I've got time to look for a bike but at least I know what I'll be looking for.

Cheers