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By Bullet Whisperer
#53512
Hi jefrs, the machines I modified in this way were raised to a 9.2:1 compression ratio. Regards, Paul.
By jefrs
#53516
Interesting Paul, that should put it into Velo Thruxton territory. Jeff.
By Tim NZ
#53525
Adrian: The 350 AVls wore out big end and cams/followers with equal regularity, the latter not helped by the variations on how the timing chest was lubricated.


Inadequate hardening of the pin is (was) a definite contribution, but do keep in mind that the UCE crank pin is effectively the exact same item as the Electra X, and does not have any problems
User avatar
By Adrian
#53528
Thinks Tim,



I occasionally catch references to new oil circuit and old oil circuit when viewing on-line parts books for the AVL 350s, changeover circa 2002? The extra lump at the back of the Electra-X timing cover which, on inspection, proves to be part of an undrilled oilway,was presumably part of the earlier system. The fact that the factory is confident that the same crank pin with the same diameter is OK for the UCE models is further evidence that a spate of poor hardening (compounded by the breather-related problems you mentioned in the other thread) is mostly to blame.



A.
By Norm
#53560
Hi Adrian, just to answer your earlier question, my Electra head is in perfect condition, the barrel I bought after the original one had a crack in it, barrel has done probably 10,000ks, maybe not that much. I had 4 forged pistons made, 1 standard and 3 +20 from memory, but I'm hanging onto all these bits till somebody is really really desperate and this will happen then I can recoupe some of my money. Pistons alone cost me $1300. Just as an example a bare Bullet frame with a compliance plate fitted is worth $1000 to somebody who needs one. I have been involved in the sale of 2 of them recently for that sort of money
By Chevy
#53561
Going back to Norms original question of how many Electra's. I can not give a total breakdown but studying one of the registrations websites the following are new UK registrations of 500 Bullets which include the Electra and iron model Bullet but not the EFI models. In theory the older Bullet stopped being manufactured in around 2007 but I guess a number were registered in 2008 and then decreased rapidly as the years go on. The remainder will be for the Electra models.

2005 = 358

2006 = 375

2007 = 401

2008 = 541

2009 = 289

2010 = 23


Regards, Chev
User avatar
By Adrian
#53562
Hi Chevy,



The very first Electra-X bikes in the UK were actually sold in 2004. With Euro 3 coming in, the last ones were imported into the UK in 2007, Watsonian Squire, then importers, were allowed to stock up and sell their stock on until the end of 2008 (so any 2008 Electra-X were really 2007 bikes). Increased sales in 2008 may have been due to WS marketing different versions to win different customers. Or was it a bit of a rush to get a carb-fitted RE new while you still could?




Any left unsold at the end of 2008 were meant to be registered pdq by the dealers so they could be legally re-sold after 1st January 2009, the same applied to the classic Bullet models. The last non UCE/EFI classic and AVL export models were made for the US market in 2009 as far as I know, can anybody confirm that?



Norm,



that's understood, if you want to take care of the local market. Those pistons work out at £158 each after currency conversion.



A.
By Norm
#53582
Chevy, we have a similar problem here where it is difficult to work out a percentage of Electras versus Cast Irons. My gut feel is that during that period that the Electra was being imported 1 in 4 would have been Electras but this is just a guess and the importer out here at the time would never let any figures on what he was bringing into the country
By Tim NZ
#53589
Hi Norm.


Not able to confirm a total of how many export models AVL 500 were made, but by checking service advise notes from the factory, as of 21st Dec 2007, they had made 3157 'export' Electra X.
Production of the export Classic 500 finished some time in late March (?) 2008 and the Electra production finishing about the same time...

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