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[Freddo]

[Freddo]

I am also in Australia. I own a 350cc Kick Start only AVL engine Thunderbird. It has been a reliable bike.

All the seven bikes that I have owned have had carburettors.

There is a lot of enthusiasm in Australia and NZ for the RE Classic 350. Tim from NZ has bought two.

The RE Classic 350 comes with a free pillion seat, but the RE Classic 500 does not. The RE Classic 350 is priced 1,200 pounds lower than the RE Classic 500 as well.

Many RE enthusiasts down under are looking forward to buying a RE Classic 350 and raiding Mr H's catalogue for go faster parts. We will be able to fit the parts and tune the bike ourselves without worrying about engine mapping, sensors etc etc.

[Adrian]

Go-faster parts for the UCE 350, eh? Have fun with that, Freddo, there may not be many on the shelf, though Mr H's CGT performance cams might work very nicely.



I wonder what would be a good performance carb for the UCE 350. Any SENSIBLE suggestions, gentlemen?



A.

[Bulletbarber]

Thanks for the replies, maybe i should have said UCE engine, what are these engines like, any issues?

[zonggong]

I test rode a 350 Classic last weekend at a dealer near Melbourne. It was a lot of fun. Lighter than my B5 and seemed very responsive. The consensus amongst those that rode it was that it would be a great 'urban' bike. This UCE model has a carb rather than the EFI on the 500.

[pd110961]

Hi.. I'm in the UK and bought a 500 Classic late last year. Its known as the C5 I believe. so far, 1800 miles later, I'm loving it.

The grar box was a right bastard to find neutral till about 1600 miles, but OK now.

It handles and stops as well as my 2004 Bonneville.

The pillion seat proved inadequate in the comfort department for the Mrs, I ended up engineering a mounting system to put a front seat on the back, which looks much better than it sounds, and is now great.

Nothing has broken, but a few bolts have vibrated loose!

It does about 70mpg and will pull 70 mph on the motorway but seems happier at 60.

Ive changed the exhaust to a much shorter, less restrictive one from our Hosts, and not had to change the ECU unit. it 'learnt' the mapping within a mile.

I love it. Its light, great to look at and never fails to get attention from bikers and non bikers alike. and it was £4200.

whats not to like.

[Adrian]

But the question was whether the **350** UCE is any good, I think we know there are enough happy B5 customers here - glad yours is a good 'un, by the way.



Meanwhile zonggong has kindly provided the answer I think Bulletbarber was looking for.



SO, if they are such good bikes, does anyone over here fancy one as a grey import? If, as shown elsewhere on here, it is possible to import AND register a Himalayan model, this shouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility.



Anyone tempted but finding the idea a little daunting could contact Henry Price at Price Parts, he recently brought over a 500 Thunderbird for a customer who is now happily riding it in the UK. A 350 Thunderbird might be nice, now the styling has settled down a bit...



A.

[pd110961]

a mate of mine bought a non UK model from an Indian chap here in the UK last year.. the chap is in the import business and had room in a container and fancied a ride in the UK.

he never got round to getting it registered so my mate bought it from him. It had all the required paperwork, but he needed to put it through the SVA test.. it needed a MPH speedo and a change of tyres to EU spec ones, but other that that it was quite easy I believe?