Forum

[eddie.b]

Hi all,
new here and would like some info if possible. I have decided that owning a ural outfit is not quite strange enough, (some of the neighbours still speak to me) so my life will not be complete without adding an enfield to my life .Obviously owning a ural combo means I am not a power/speed junkie but having started looking around have seen a few 350 and 500 bikes up for sale .My main question is if I end up with a 350 instead of a 500 is it a straight swap to put a 500 in a 350 frame or would it be just as well to hang on for the bigger bike at the right price
Thanks for any replies
Eddie

[Chris Tindal]

Many people prefer the smoother 350 but personally I'd always go for the bigger cc's. No point faffing with engine swaps as there's plenty of 500's, but the rolling chassis and engine dimensions are identical if you need to switch. My 1953 framed 350 Bullet has a 1999 500 engine.

[eddie.b]

Thanks for that Chris much appreciated

[Norm]

350 built with good bits,roller,high comp piston, close ratio gearset is a good setup

[PeteF]

Yes, the 350 is underpowered but it is a nice "soft" engine.
You can make them go faster of course but the danger is losing that very softness.
The close ratio is almost a must; free flow filter helps; a bit of porting is good;
High comp piston, in my view, spoils the engine.

[PeteF]

The best bet, if you can find one is a Sixty-Five. The 5 speed gearbox is better.
ther are a lot of Electras out there but they do have issues and I would avoid them. JMHO

[eddie.b]

Thanks to all who have replied, I have been reading the forum and trying to pick up bit of info from those who know more than me. Every opinion is welcome even if it differs from the generally accepted norm, at the end of the day you pay up and make your own decisions but getting a general overview can help make that decision. I admit I tend to think bigger is better engine wise as I aint a lightweight and have three grandsons who are likely to be fighting among themselves to come out on the bike ( like they do in the sidecar on the ural ) so a bit more pull would probably be worthwhile. I may have a line on a 350 locally and as I intend to do a bit of fettling ( engine strip and a few upgrades Piston,cams carb,exhaust etc thought it may be the way to go but doing the upgrades on a 500 engine to slot in in place of the 350, cant help liking the idea of an old british ( in spirit if not by birth) big single going better than anyone expects, ( have always liked surprising people) used to get a grin out of an old transit with a lightly modded ( fast street cams ported and skimmed head big twin choke webber carb) 2 litre engine . It would leave rubber on the road in the first two gears and run off the clock in third . I dont expect that kind of performance from an enfield but am thinking that a 612 motor with the right gearing should be enough to make me smile. All and any thoughts even if you disagree with mine welcome
Eddie

[Mark M]

Eddie, I think a Sixty-Five is good advice as a starting point. And just to add to what the others said, 500 engines are not easy to find (probably because other folk are doing the same thing or turning them into racers) so you'd actually save money by buying a 500 in the first place.

REgards, Mark

[Norm]

An ugly costly path you could tread Eddie but it is your money

[potboiler]

For me, the most important consideration is whether the bike has left or right gear-change. My brain just cannot cope with the right-hand,up-is-down gear changes. So, if you are a 'leftie' like me, than the only Enfields that you can ride are 'Sixty 5's, AVL leanburns and the latest EFI's. Choose the 'Sixty 5' if you like the mellow sound from a cast iron barrel,choose the AVL for stronger engine and amazing economy, choose the EFI for whatever reason you can find.