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[nigelphoto]

pd110961 That is a really nice looking bike - and for it to stay that way I'd suggest you keep 'helpful' mates with lumps of wood well at bay! Any problem, go on this message board first and someone will know the answer or a quick call to our hosts who are the most helpful and knowledgeable folk in the RE world. I too find the oval tool box difficult to get off but with some vaseline on the grommet rubbers and twist the key a tiny bit back from fully open and it comes off. Its a bit fiddly as with all things Enfield but patience is always rewarded. IMHO there is one change I suggest you consider and that is the gearbox sprocket to a 19 or 20T standard is 18). It drops 2-3mph off the top end but makes cruising at 65 much more comfortable and less vibration.

[jefrs]

The hinges on the side boxes are put on back to front, they come over and under rather than under than over if that makes sense, that's why the blighters won't shut. I've fixed the rhs one myself; I've got a mate who makes repro armour, he's very good with a block of wood and a planishing hammer. Plus those locks want oiling. Vaseline is the correct lube for plastics and rubbers, as is silicone oil/grease. The oval's grommets will pull out if not greased. There are a few other grommets that come loose that like a little silicone to re-insert. The cable feeds on the casquette have cut-aways to clear the instruments inside, if it pops out twiddle it round. The warning instrument unit is a push fit if you need to change one of its bulbs, it has a recalcitrant rubber grommet that likes a squirt of silicone.



The leatherette seats seem to like Autoglym 'Bumper And Trim Gel' (external plastic and rubber) better than the 'Vinyl And Rubber Care'. These things contain plasticisers and UV blockers as well as cleaning agents, stops the material going brittle.

[jefrs]

Nigel - my C5 has been tweaked, hence a little more oomph, and am considering the 19T but to increase top speed as I usually want to change up around 60mph, it needs a 6th gear. Imo the gears actually need a wider spread. I "did some numbers" and worked out that with the correct gearing it should manage to get up into the high 90s (as other bikes of similar power to weight can). As it is, top speed at red line is about 85mph, not been there because realistically it needs longer gearing.



The Bullet takes a 17T but has an 19-in wheel, The 18-in wheel on the Classic commands an 18T gearbox sprocket.

Standard rear sprocket on the CGT is 36T on 18-in wheel. I think the minimum on the Bullet/Classic is 38T because there is the brake drum to contend with (?)



How much (and what) crank case "modification" is required to fit the 20T?

Jeff.

[Rattlebattle]

I don't worry too much about the warranty on the C5. Unless there has been a drastic change in contract law since I studied it 40 odd years ago (I doubt it) neither a warranty nor a guarantee (different things) can take away a consumer's rights under the Sale of Goods Acts. So if my starter motor were to pack up, say, the fact that I changed the engine oil myself and did the rest of the specified stuff at the first service and had the receipts to show that the appropriate oils and other consumables were used would not weaken my case for a new starter motor. The fact that most of the tasks are in the handbook as owner maintenance procedures would also strengthen the case. A more sophisticated bike like my Triumph where 90% of the handbook is H&S warnings and just about everything is a "take it to your authorised dealer" task is a different proposition. Anyway I bet no dealer would replace the Indian air in the tyres with purer British air like I did at the first service. Got to be better for wheel balance than having loads of soot particles rattling round in the inner tube.....

[jefrs]

Yes, we have our consumer laws and sale of goods act that enhances our rights which many other countries do not have, and which can extend beyond the warranty period. However the warranty does require the bike to be serviced by authorised distributor and use genuine parts. However they don't nit-pick on modifications like the exhaust and PCv, and do encourage user maintenance. One reason for me using the authorised agent for service is I can miss stuff and lack experience on things like adjusting the cam backlash on this motor; if the mechanic spends all day everyday doing this stuff, they get pretty good at it.



I'm an engineer not a mechanic, I'm more likely to redesign the thing. For example because I have arthritis and my fingers are getting jerky, I'm seriously considering drilling another hole in the clutch actuating lever on the crankcase to shorten its throw, for less pull distance on my clutch handlebar lever; Chennai used a dodgy looking rivet, I'd use a little clevis pin.

[jefrs]

Btw what is an inner tube? They've got tubeless tyres have they not?

[pd110961]

mine came with spare inner tubes, so I'm almost certain they are tubed tyres.

the first service is 'free' and booked in a week tomorrow (if it doesn't snow!) .. only 1 bolt fell off so far! exhaust shield...

the 3000 mile service will be 'about £130.00' I am assured.

the bike is running great after 300 miles.. the only niggle is that can be a real bitch to go from 2nd to 1st.. i'll mention it to the dealer. when IN forst, neutral is easy to find. I've not found any other false neutrals in the box yet! my previous, right hand gear box 4 speed, had loads of them!

[2cvandy]

jefrs Subject: my new machine!
"Btw what is an inner tube? They've got tubeless tyres have they not?" - Tubeless tyres fitted with tubes, just like my Harley and Transalp. Stops tha air leaking out of the spoke holes you see,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Scalyback]

Very well 'spoke'n there Andy!

[Rattlebattle]

Except that new C5s come fitted with tubeless Roadriders fitted with tubes. Don't know why, but it's true.