- Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:10 am
#48583
Also, its a 75 mile round trip, Kings Lynn to Peterborough and back, so only 35 ish each way. I really should read what I write sometimes
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For Royal Enfield owners and enthusiasts
- Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:31 am
#48584
YAY! so distance not too bad, but a bullet that age is still happier under 60, not because it won't go any faster, but due to the fifties design the engine has pushrods for the overhead valves. anything over 60mph in forth gear increases the likelihood of bent pushrods and other failed components. Overrevving in any gear can also do this.
The original 1950's Enfield blurb will state a max speed of 84mph,but then they only had to push it back into the works to change the engine after the trials!
A right shift 4 speed carb enfield looks good, is great fun, and usually gets attention from people especially when stopped at a junction or in a town.
If you have not used right shift before, try one out if possible. it takes a little getting used to (nearly took mine back, and other people have done!).
Other than that, have a great time, and maybe send us a pic when you get 'Bobby'. Or 'Robert the bobber'.
YAY! so distance not too bad, but a bullet that age is still happier under 60, not because it won't go any faster, but due to the fifties design the engine has pushrods for the overhead valves. anything over 60mph in forth gear increases the likelihood of bent pushrods and other failed components. Overrevving in any gear can also do this.
The original 1950's Enfield blurb will state a max speed of 84mph,but then they only had to push it back into the works to change the engine after the trials!
A right shift 4 speed carb enfield looks good, is great fun, and usually gets attention from people especially when stopped at a junction or in a town.
If you have not used right shift before, try one out if possible. it takes a little getting used to (nearly took mine back, and other people have done!).
Other than that, have a great time, and maybe send us a pic when you get 'Bobby'. Or 'Robert the bobber'.
REOC 15084
Tabellarius de verbis. Ostensor gaudium
Tabellarius de verbis. Ostensor gaudium
- Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:35 am
#48585
Apart from a chronic lack of ground clearance for cornering, this bobber can cover the ground at the speed of many antelopes. It has the Hitchcocks 612cc engine conversion fitted ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p-5hgbwLYE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p-5hgbwLYE
- Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:36 am
#48655
From my own personal experience and reading the comments so far... if you must have the enfield go for the 350, it is a far more reliable (dare I say bomb-proof) engine the 500 will bring nothing but heart ache, even with the commute you are intending. To be up to this the 500 would need some fairly serious internal surgery... roller big end and steel conrod at least and these don't come cheap, also if you are doing this there are numerous other upgrades which you should/could do while you are in there.. and the price is mounting all the time. Allow about £1200 to £1500 to make the 500 the engine you thought you already bought and the one RE should have provided.
My 500 snapped its conrod a few months back with 35k on the clock, I use(d) it for commuting, but only at modest speeds and a daily total of 26 miles (13 each way), plus a few weekend rides. I have since learned that:
"Mmmm 500 with a snapped con rod you say..... Yes, they all do that sir".
I love the Enfields simplicity, but the quality/longevity is not there.
Honda's really do it all so much better.... (ducks for cover)
My 500 snapped its conrod a few months back with 35k on the clock, I use(d) it for commuting, but only at modest speeds and a daily total of 26 miles (13 each way), plus a few weekend rides. I have since learned that:
"Mmmm 500 with a snapped con rod you say..... Yes, they all do that sir".
I love the Enfields simplicity, but the quality/longevity is not there.
Honda's really do it all so much better.... (ducks for cover)
- Mon Jun 22, 2015 4:25 pm
#48659
Quote
"Apart from a chronic lack of ground clearance for cornering, this bobber can cover the ground at the speed of many antelopes. It has the Hitchcocks 612cc engine conversion fitted ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p-5hgbwLYE
Yay! Slo Poke!
Having ridden him to Biarritz, I can confirm that Slo Poke WILL "...cover the ground at the speed of many antelopes..." (many of them doing 70mph for long periods - occasionally 80, when pressed).
Pulls like a train, too - so very little fussing up and down the box on the inclines.
"Apart from a chronic lack of ground clearance for cornering, this bobber can cover the ground at the speed of many antelopes. It has the Hitchcocks 612cc engine conversion fitted ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p-5hgbwLYE
Yay! Slo Poke!
Having ridden him to Biarritz, I can confirm that Slo Poke WILL "...cover the ground at the speed of many antelopes..." (many of them doing 70mph for long periods - occasionally 80, when pressed).
Pulls like a train, too - so very little fussing up and down the box on the inclines.
- Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:56 am
#48670
Thanks for all the replys.
So how come the 500 snaps its Conrod? is it a different / weaker rod than the 350, or is it the same rod and snaps due to higher cylinder pressures?
Whats does it "take with it" when it goes?
So how come the 500 snaps its Conrod? is it a different / weaker rod than the 350, or is it the same rod and snaps due to higher cylinder pressures?
Whats does it "take with it" when it goes?
- Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:45 am
#48672
Sorry, but the idea that 'all 500s snap their con-rods’ is the sort of nonsense it's all too easy to say on the basis of 'my' experience.
- Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:03 am
#48679
If the rod snaps it is very unpleasent. I had a Redditch 350 Bullet throw its rod at only 50mph but it smashed a big hole in the front of the engine cases. It didn't lock up but I pulled the clutch in pretty quick due to the very load mechanical clatter. Way back in the 80's I had a Yamaha RD400 throw a rod and actually lock the engine, very scary as I had someone on the back, but we managed to stay up. If a rod goes the cases usually go with them. On a more positive note, when I stripped down my old 500 Bighead bullet engine, the main bearings were totally worn out, the oil pump worm had teeth missing and the drive side crankshaft had lots of pitting where the hardening had worn off. It had obviously had a hard life, but the floating bush and alloy rod looked perfect. Indian metalurgy is always a concern, but British and Japanese rods also snap and 350's also blow. You can always upgrade to a steel rod if it worries you 
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