Forum

[Girish]

I know this is little ironic. Performance enhancement and engine longevity don't go together but I'm looking for some setup which is a compromise between the two.

So far I have:
1. Goldstar Open pipe (planning to put muffler in it as I don't like open pipe sound)
2. Mikuni TM 32-1 Carb
3. Ace Canister and Manifold (on its way!)
4. I'm thinking if I need electronic ignition and bypass points system. is it worth doing it?
5. Duck Bill breather

Any suggestion would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Girish

[JTL]

Girish... if you are a member of the AcePerformanceGroup at Yahoo, you are also a member of the forum that can really tell you all about performance and longevity. The two is not really a paradox if you read what Tom Lyons has done for tuning the Bullet. It doesn't come cheap, I believe it's worthwhile the money if you want both... Jacob

[papasmurf]

Basically if you just bolt things on the outside of an engine to make it go faster it won't last.
You have to start with upgrading, and strengthening the guts, and that is expensive on any engine.
The other aspect is balancing to lessen or get rid of vibration at the higher revs to be expected.
If you can manage that with a single cylinder engine you will get the Nobel prize for engineering.

My brother and I many years ago, spent a lot of time stripping and rebuilding a Morris 1000 engine, and balancing everything. That meant balancing the crankshaft, making each piston weigh the same and doing similar with every other moving part. the we made the volumes above the pistons in the cylinder head the same.
We also fettled and polished all the inlet and exhaust ports. The result was the car did 90mph with no bother, and very little money spent but a lot of time involved.

[PeteF]

Papa's right, you can't do much from the outside.
The carb you have fitted won't do much - there's nothing wrong with the original.
The silencer will just make more noise - as you have found out.
A free flow air filter will help a bit.
Electronic ignition may (or may not) be more reliable but won't help with performance.
Getting rid of the catch can is a good move and may prevent problems.

It always amuses me when people buy a machine with modest performance like the Bullet and promptly try to make it faster - usually spoiling it in the process.

[Bullet Whisperer]

Please feel free to have a look here, lots of stuff happening with Bullets and other machines. Cheers, Paul
https://www.facebook.com/groups/132597770120179/

[Beezabryan]

I share your amusement Pater

[Chris Tindal]

But isn't tweaking a slow bike a bit of fun Peter? Scooterists have spent the last 50 years making Lambrettas go faster

[John R]

Agree with Chris on this. I like making a difference. Tuning a relatively slow bike means that you can notice the results of your handiwork. What's the point of tuning up a bike that was fast enough anyway? Put spannies on that Bantam, add memory to your ZX81.

[thumpthis]

Part of the appeal of a Bullet is the ability to modify and customize the bike to ones own liking. Much can be done to improve performance as well as in the looks department. Someone who knows how to turn a wrench can have themselves something unique and fun. Someone who is amused by those who modify for performance need to go play golf.......or better yet maybe checkers. Good grief!

[Beezabryan]

Someone who is amused by those who modify for performance need to go play golf.......or better yet maybe checkers. Good grief!
As I pass a few golf clubs during my regular outings & can no doubt find a draughts/ chequers club someplace close maybe it is time for me to gracefully withdraw.