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[Chug666]

Finally did it- picked up my first Enfield this afternoon, a cherry red Classic efi (2011).

Observations from our first ride: there seems to be a bit of vibration/reverberation from the tank at mid revs (will have a tinker tomorrow to see if I can spot a cause, any suggestions on where to start would be a big help!), the screen, saddlebags and engine bars fitted by the previous owner will probably come off (horses for courses but I think they make the bike feel cluttered), and it did seem to tease at stalling when sat at lights (a drop in rpm, needing a little twitch of the throttle- not sure if that's normal?). These seem like fairly minor bits ( hopefully), and I've already taken rather a shine to it!

It even came with a spare tank! Not really sure why- hopefully I won't ever need it!!!

It's only done 2,000 miles from new, and hasn't seen any real use for 10 months (been run regularly but the old owner had a back op so couldn't take it out). I'm going to give it a good check over the weekend, any suggestions of things I should concentrate on would be very helpful.

[Jack the Lad]

Congratulations. Mine (an Electra EFI has broken 2 head steadies which use the rear tank fixing - so thats worth checking. Buzzing type vibes from the tank have just needed the front fixing bolt tightening. The only other problems I have had have been electrical - shorts caused by too short wires and sharp metal edges, so carry insulating tape and lots of spare fuses. Mechanically there have been no problems. Mine had 2000 miles on it when I bought it at 3 years old and I've taken that up to 21000 in the 2½ years I've had it. She will have moods, sing some days and grumble others, but just ignore them and enjoy the ride...

[Exile]

40 odd views and not one comment? The least I can do is offer my congratulations on acquiring the bike. I hope it turns out to be trouble free. Mine was a bit of a barn find, it had stood still for 8 years. It took a month or so to get it sorted out but I'm really glad that I own it now.(Bullet 500 from 2013)

Hope all the small problems are just that, small and easily sorted.

Enjoy the bike.

[ric]

Putting a few more miles on it should help. I found the vibrations continued to decrease on my EFI until I'd put around 5,000? on the clock.

[sofiaspin]

I was going to add head steady needs checked. Also be alert to sprag problems as that is a common failure and I have suffered it twice, once on 2013 efi, and recently on a leanburn. Dont start the engine with the electric start, use the kick start. Petrol tanks suffer splits and leaks at the brackets if they are loose, which might explain spare tank. Change oil and filter more than recommended and all should be fine. Yes the tickover drops and can cut out, so need to get the tickover right. My leanburn might be up for sale soon and it has all the mods, goes like a train, just got too many bikes!

[EddyQ]

Congratulations on your first Enfield, very helpful bunch on here and enjoy it.

[Scalyback]

Has it got a name yet?

[Chug666]

Thanks all, looking forward to getting to grips with it. Sofiaspin, I'd love to kick start but don't have that option (it's one of the electric only C5's), so I'll have to take my chances with the sprang daemons. I read somewhere (on here I think) that battery condition plays a part so I'm planning to hook it up to an optimate or similar- hopefully that'll help, otherwise I might research retrofitting a kicker...

[Chug666]

And it's called Harry, after the lovely octginarian I bought it from- after major back surgery he decided his 60 year old BSA bantam was enough. Respect!

(Harry Enfield pun entirely accidental).

[Gwilly]

Hit the nail on the head there Chug, in my opinion a decent battery with the means to connect easily to an optimate when garaged will ensure first time starting and long lived sprag..

Using a kicker if fitted will not save a sprag as every spit or kick back will hammer the sprag as the motor tries to spin backwards.

Bright side is no pawl to worry about either, just keep the electrics up to snuff and regular oil changes..

Enfield tanks on all models tend to resonate especially when less than quarter full, so check all fixings and maybe devise some rubber damping pads, may help.

Lastly i think a round of applause for Harry senior.

I only hope i still have the brain power and coordination to put one foot in front of the other in my eighties, let alone restricting myself to riding a bantam..