Forum

[papasmurf]

Can someone give me a clue just how prevalent the Electra X big end problem is please, and whether it was ever sorted back at the factory. (I have a 2006 Electra X (ish) that I purchased last year, currently 3200 miles.)

[Bullet Whisperer]

I stripped the top end of one recently for some tuning work. It had done over 17000 miles and the big end felt fine and is still going strong with even more power being put through it. Regards, Paul.

[papasmurf]

Cheers, I am wondering if some of the people who have had problems are "wringing the neck" of the engine from cold instead of letting run for 5 minutes at tickover before riding away. (Especially if the bike has not been used for some time.)

[Bullet Whisperer]

Possibly. Also, oil types, amounts and service intervals probably vary from bike to bike, so some will stand a better chance than others for longevity.

[papasmurf]

Bullet Whisperer, I suspect all of that is a factor, I usually only ride at 50-55mph, (2900-3190 revs) The engine also appears happy to tick-over at 650rpm reliably, the 900rpm in the manual seems a tad high to me.

[Norm]

Only one Electra in Aus that I know of that hasn't failed and that one has been sitting in my shed for years, it has 20,000ks on it and the fear of it doing the big end means it will probably continue to sit here for many years to come. Obviously there must be others out there that are still running here but I don't know about them

[Norm]

Papa I missed the bit about sorted at the factory, do you have a lot to learn about Indian manufacturing

[papasmurf]

I would be a great help if ANYONE could quantify the problem and what mileage it happens at.
As for the factory in India I was under the impression that has been upgraded and improved some time ago.

[Robin]

Main bearings on my Electra X went at 23000 miles, big end was still o.k. though. I sold the bike at 24000 miles, so don't know it's present state.

[papasmurf]

I doubt I will be doing more than 3000 miles year and I am 66 years old so thus far I am not too worried.