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By Adrian
#82017
You're in luck, Cov Lad, for a Bullet of this vintage you'll need metric AND whitworth spanners/sockets, AF not quite so useful. The gearbox is metric, the engine is mostly metric, though the studs holding the gearbox onto the back of the engine are still 3/8" cycle thread, and there is still plenty of cycle thread stuff around the frame. Depending on what sizes of hex bar stock Chennai had lying around anything with a cycle thread OUGHT to take a whitworth spanner. A long-series 12mm socket will be also needed if you need to get the head off for whatever reason.



Ref your starting issues, I simply removed the sidestand switch and its wiring which plugs into the TCI box on mine, though after this time the previous owner(s) might already have done that. Follow Norm's directions and see what's left.



I also remember the intermittent neutral light indicator too, there can be more than one cause of this. If it only comes on when you move the handlebars that is most likely the ignition switch in need of attention (of the wheelie bin kind) as there's an intermittent contact in there. Pulling on the wiring into the switch makes contact, but it can go off again very quickly.



The starter wiring is such that, according to the diagram on page 05-11 of the workshop manual, you either need the neutral switch on the gearbox to be on, ie with the bike in neutral, or else you need to activate the clutch switch by pulling in the clutch lever for the starter circuit to work. The neutral indicator switch on mine would also occasionally(ish) tick in the open (off) position (this was before I needed a replacement ignition switch!), meaning I had to start with the clutch lever in if I was using the E/S.



As has been stated here often, the E/S really DOES need a good healthy battery (agm type probably best).



A.
User avatar
By Adrian
#82018
Sorry, the neutral switch would STICK in the open position, not tick. Just when you think you have edited all the typnig errprs...

A.
User avatar
By Cov Lad
#82022
Thanks for the brilliant information. I'm glad I held onto my dad's old spanner collection now. I don't have a massive amount of time so I may ask cost for local garage to have a look,
By Norm
#82034
Cov Lad if you are going to start taking this to your local garage because you don't have time to fix it then buying this was a bad move, these Enfields take constant maintenance and you will need to learn as much about it as you can otherwise you will end up pushing it home often
User avatar
By Cov Lad
#82036
Norm I think you don't really own a bike properly until you push it at least once. I have no problem getting my lily white hands a bit dirty.
I am hoping this bike is a keeper, still have to sort out some insurance - possibly the worst job having to ring around and answer all those questions.
By Norm
#82044
Cov Lad, what I am saying is you bought it,now have to become very familiar with all the odd things that owing an Electra involve because there is very few local mechanics that have any idea of what makes an Electra tick, that if if they have ever seen one and trust me you will pay dearly for their learning experience
User avatar
By Cov Lad
#82454
I managed to borrow a fresh battery, make some adjustments, spray some wd40 on electrical bits and get the bike running again after first removing the tank to get to the coil. I don't have a kick start cut out switch. The cut out switch on clutch may have been the problem as the clutch was not doing a great deal.
By Norm
#82457
Not sure what you mean by kick start cut out switch, I guess you mean sidestand switch. Clutch switch is only for electric starting it if it is in gear, pull the clutch in so the motor can crank
User avatar
By Cov Lad
#82462
Yes I did mean side stand cut out switch. By clutch switch I meant that it seems to need clutch pulled in order for electric starter to work - I have a 2008 Honda copy which is the same and I hate it.
By Norm
#82463
Only needs the clutch pulled in to start if it isn't in neutral

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