[Beardo]

So, the last six months have been indeed very interesting for me. Employment, of many years, working at a Harley Davidson dealership ended back in July. And that set off a chain of events, which I seem to be still strolling through.

Late last year, I bought my first Royal Enfield, a Himalayan. And while, it is a terrific machine, it really wasn't what I was hoping it would be. I had visions of an 'updated' Yamaha XT500 dancing in my head. While the Himalayan is appreciably better in every regard to the old XT's, they are just simply two differing machines.

So, my mind wandered to a 500 Bullet. I had never ridden one, and honestly, had only seen/sat on one many years ago, at a dealer in Columbus Ohio.

I contacted the dealer about trading in the Himalayan for a leftover Bullet, all the while knowing I would be taking a bath on the deal.

Two days before going to the dealer, I saw a 2013 Bullet on Craigslist with only 1,214 miles, and a one owner bike. Basically new.

Called the dealer to call off the trade and went out to Wheeling to buy the 2013.

The first ride, affirmed that this was more what I was wanting. It had actual thump to it. And truth be told, the low down torque I wanted, compared to the Himalayan.

But something was still missing.

It has all these modern features that are meant to ease riders minds. Electric start, fuel injection, lights and gizmos everywhere. Hmmm

I found myself looking up carb converion kits. Looking up how to delete the electric starter, paring down the overly complicated wiring harness.

Insanity! I tried to bury my thoughts, but my mind never seems to stop.

No, I wanted...no, I NEEDED something far more raw and visceral.

Three weeks after I brought the 2013 home, I spotted a 2000 Bullet while, once again, on Craigslist, though this time looking for gear.

Two days later, the seller was dropping it off in my driveway.

This...THIS...was what I have been searching for!

A carburetor. A four speed with a kicker only. Drum brakes, front and rear. Points ignition. Just a dead nuts simple machine, that oozes character and visceral emotion.

I know you already understand what I'm talking about. But it is something I seem to have been searching for, and never finding, for a long time now.

For those wondering about the Himalayan, and the UCE. Well, they both have found new homes...with family members! I inadvertently created a Royal Enfield motorcycling family. Literally.

[Stanley]

Welcome to the huddle of quixotic dreamers. Park your bike here if you like. Oil drips are not an issue.

[ace.cafe]

Cool story!

Welcome!
 

[Unlucky_soul]

Welcome... You came to the right spot... lots to learn here. Please do send a pic of your ride

[Beardo]

I did attempt attaching a picture, just to start off with. However, an error message presented itself.

On a side note, I already know I'll be converting back to right side shift, at some point soon. That mandated left side linkage is awful. It might even be worse than the 75-76 Sportster linkages. Absurd laws to help save us from ourselves....

[tooseevee]

I did attempt attaching a picture, just to start off with. However, an error message presented itself.

       The easiest way is to click on Attachments then Drag and Drop your picture into the "Choose File" box. Try that. It might work for you.

       And be sure the picture is not too humungous.

        You are just the type of guy who I might sell my much-modified and tweaked 2008 AVL to. IF I ever sell it, that is 

[Stanley]

I was convinced to buy my 2000 used after the dealer told me the UCE is crap, convincing me that he was.
The IB is a DIY machine and parts are easy to get. Some of them even work!

I did the shift conversion 2 months ago using the parts list in Snidal's manual (a must-have) and was the improvements are beyond simply shifting better. Rear braking is way better along with discarding about five pounds of linkage and gaining clearance around the countershaft sprocket for the chain. I also added a sealed bearing for $4 and replaced the grease with gear oil.

[Beardo]

Yeah tooseevee, I'm not too technologically savvy to understand how to drag or resize on a cell phone. Afterall, that's why I'm here with an antiquated machine.

Stanley, you are correct about that. More than just one benefit for going right side. I'll have a learn curve to make up for, but these machines don't seem too terribly difficult. Just need to learn the nuances.

By the way, I want to thank everyone involved in getting my registration to the forum sorted out. It is very much appreciated!

[heloego]

Welcome to the forum, Beardo.Great story, and great to hear about the creation of an RE family. You've not only found homes for your UCE and Himi, but one for yourself, too!So welcome to the Zoo! 

[Stogierob]

Welcome, Beardo. 

Let the fun and games begin!  may your choice of bike have better luck than I have.  I had a 2008 that was a between designs model, so nothing matched any of the online references.  Now i've got a '77 that doesn't have an online manual and is two years after the british engines shipped to india were used up, as far as I know.  been too busy repainting the thing to bother with identifying all of the markings on the bike.

Stogierob

[Bilgemaster]

Welcome aboard, Beardo! I've had a 2005 in that green "Military" trim for just about a year. Having sorted out a few minor "getting to know each other" issues, I now think it might be the best bike I've ever had. Great little tourer, if you're doing it right (Google Maps' "Avoid Highways" option is your friend). Looking forward to seeing a few pics of yours. You mention going over Wheeling. Where are you? I'm in Virginia, just south of DC.

[cyrusb]

Welcome aboard Beardo, bought my kick only '05 for all the same reasons plus NO PLASTIC ('cept horn button etc.) As you read through the posts you will notice that there are two ways owners go when they buy this one of a kind "Untainted by Technology" bike. Some, like myself, keep it old tech and enjoy it's "oil lamp"nature and memory inducing "time machine" qualities. Others choose to update to modern tech. Either path is fine, but I do equate hot rodding a pre unit bullet with giving Granny meth to get the shopping done faster. Either way you will enjoy your one lunged rascal.

[Beardo]

Bilgemaster, it's funny you mention the word tourer, as that is exactly what is planned for next year. My cousin and I are, taking a trip, in 2020. Which will leave me with plenty of time to do a shake down on this bike. The stunning thing for me is, this is a low mileage bike having only 2,486 miles when I took delivery. What is up with these bikes just sitting around??

I'm in the Pittsburgh/western Pa area. Lots of good roads around the tri state area. It's too bad winter craps on our fun.

[Arschloch]

Welcome, and a good choice of bike. I don't agree though that the IB is a dead simple machine, too complex for the millenials! 

[Beardo]

Well, dead nuts simple, for those of us that weren't brought up teething on smart phones!

In a side note, having just come back from putting a whopping sum of five, count them, 5, whole miles on the IB, I now realize why this bike has such low mileage. And this is where I amend a statement.

The left side linkage isn't probably worse than the 75-76 Sportster linkage. It IS worse than the 75-76 Sportster linkage. By a long shot. Now, I obviously don't know the state of the clutch yet, but I'm not banking on the fact that even if I make it perfect, could it compensate for that abomination. It doesn't help that my lower left leg was mangulated in a bad motorcycle wreck years ago.

[Beardo]

But my God, that thumping torque....

[Arschloch]

But my God, that thumping torque....

You may have seen nothing yet. Having a fireballed RE in mind. 

When I got the RE all I had in mind was a big thumper racer like one of those Manxes but just with streetable manners and good reliability. I realized the UCE will give me a better opportunity to achive this goal at a lower buck as I would not need to do major upgrades to the bottom end.

I agree it has still too much of modern features like the EFI and electric start, separate gearbox would also be desired, but one can't everything.

[Beardo]

The way ie always approached motor builds, is reliability, first and foremost.  If gains are made in power, terrific. But not at the sacrifice of reliability. That's the way I always treated my old Harleys. And this IB should prove no different.

I definitely hear you about the UCE, but I'm willing to go without, for what I really want.

[Stanley]

My LH shift worked much better after fitting precise bronze bushings to the two sloppy plastic pivots. I turned the parts on my lathe and spent lots of time but still ended up converting to reduce shifting effort with that long throw. It was a bit cheaper to buy the parts separately instead of the kit package. The key is to get a quality inner cover to assure proper bores for the spinning parts. The final adjusting is a little fiddly, almost like a clock escapement.

[Beardo]

Stanley, I appreciate the information. That confirms my suspicions that I'm better off just doing the conversion. Being that I'm new to RE, I was just going to buy the kit, as I'm not versed enough in the nuances to fly piecemeal.

[Bilgemaster]

Bilgemaster, it's funny you mention the word tourer, as that is exactly what is planned for next year. My cousin and I are, taking a trip, in 2020. Which will leave me with plenty of time to do a shake down on this bike. The stunning thing for me is, this is a low mileage bike having only 2,486 miles when I took delivery. What is up with these bikes just sitting around??

I'm in the Pittsburgh/western Pa area. Lots of good roads around the tri state area. It's too bad winter craps on our fun.

I'm just wondering: That cousin you'll be touring with, will he or she be riding one of your former Enfields? 'Cause that might be a fine match for yours cruising-speed-wise. I don't think I'd want to flog my own 2005 "Iron Belly" hard enough to keep pace with some Beemerkawazuki for very long. Yours will very likely sing its own song, but mine likes to chuff along between 50 and 60 mph, with "sweet spots", depending on terrain, at just about 54 and again at 59 where she's clearly happiest: vibes round down and the whole plot purrs. But like I said, yours will surely have its own comfy zones. For one thing, mine has the later 5-speed box, and perhaps the only accurate speedo that ever left the factory at Chennai, at least with the worn out and likely original Avons I just replaced with a glistening pair of phat new Dunlop K70s on Friday. That explains why most everyone hereabouts usually tosses a parenthetical "(indicated)" after given speeds.

As for why so many of these bikes have such low mileages, I expect it may be because lots of them are second or third bikes used solely for the odd Sunday pleasure cruising. When I got mine about a year ago, it only had about 4,200 miles on the clock...after 12 years! I've more than doubled that.

If you worked in a Harley dealership, then you're probably all geared up for touring, and then some. But I still think you'll find these Forums useful for the odd needful gimcrack. Certainly it's a great spot to pick up a host of little tips unique to the breed. Mine certainly wouldn't be nearly as fine and fettled without the advice of the good folks here.

[Beardo]

No are correct in thinking he will be on one of my formers. He is buying the 2013 from me. And depending on weather breaks, will be delivering some time next week, fingers crossed.

We have already set in stone, there will be NO interstate traveling. This is to be a leisurely, sight seeing trip. Not an Ironbutt 1000. I've been there and done those 1,000 mile days. Terrific, I got somewhere far away, relatively quickly. In the end, who cares. I no longer do. No, I want to finally slow down and enjoy myself.

Depending on how these bikes do, and I'm expecting them both to hold their own, the IB will be my last long standing bike. I'll have my (last) Harley for no more than five years. And at that point, I will go down to one motorcycle. Which, if all goes according to plan, will be the Bullet.

[Bilgemaster]

Hell, If you're around Pittsburgh, you don't need no stinkin' Interstate. You've got the Lincoln Highway right on your doorstep--US Route 30. They may call Route 66 "The Mother Road". Well, if that's so, then the Lincoln's its weird old Grandpappy. Where the hell else are you gonna find the "Shoe House" on your way to Intercourse and Amish flapjacks? Not a lot of twisties, but a long friendly tasty coast-to-coast stretch of the baroque American subconscious.

Looking for a shakedown cruise in June? Take the Lincoln east, and then up to Oley, near Reading, for the Triumph National Rally. It's actually far more of a British Bike bash than just a Triumph shindig. In fact, every other year the mostly Canadian fellows of the Royal Enfield Owners Club of North America (REOCNA) hold their own rally there too at the same time in our own little sheltered ghetto manger. Don't even really need to pitch a tent. Sadly, 2019 isn't one of those years. Their main shindig will be somewhere up near Hamilton, Ontario this year in July, I'm told. Still, some Enfielders are likely to show up this June 21st-23rd, including myself if the forecasts call for anything but monsoons. That's a real fine ride coming up from Virginia. A good chunk of it's through sparsely trafficked Amish backroads, where an Enfield's the fastest thing on wheels--a rare experience. My own report on last year's rally is found here. As my first longish tour, it's mostly a run down on the various bits of cheapo touring gear from the Far East that I found useful. As an aficionado of Milwaukee-based V-twins, perhaps the beast shown below from pre-War Redditch that attended last year may spark your interest:

Damned thing sounded like the Archangel Gabriel's very own scoot. Patina? Oh hell yes! It had "patina" to spare.

[tooseevee]

Yeah tooseevee, I'm not too technologically savvy to understand how to drag or resize on a cell phone. Afterall, that's why I'm here with an antiquated machine.

      I know nothing from cell phones; don't have one, never had one. I'm on a 2010 Acer laptop. I'm a dinosaur

[Beardo]

A laptop?? Holy crap. I could only dream of having a laptop! 

[Beardo]

Bilgemaster, yep, I know all about 30. I know of 66, but never been. That may actually change next year. As for this year, Oley would probably be my only possibility of any tripping. I've been out of work, and have some catching up to do. Nothing major. Just don't want to fall completely behind.

On a side note, I had completely forgotten about the neutral finder on my short jaunt. And was only reminded when watching videos. That is going to be a very helpful feature that I really need to fully integrate into my subconscious when riding this bike.

[Bilgemaster]

Yeah, that neutral finder is a swell convenience. One might also say it's pretty much a signature feature of the Royal Enfield brand, which makes it a little bit odd that they didn't try to squeeze one somehow into the later 5-speed boxes, like mine has. Don't get me wrong: I've been perfectly content with my 5-speed. Being my first "lefty", it took a while to get used to, but it's just fine and dandy. Having been designed from the get-go as a lefty, there aren't a lot of sloppy Rube Goldbergesque workarounds to get the shifter over onto the left. I'm still not entirely clear as to exactly how or why that left side was Federally mandated. I'd been perfectly safe and happy shifting on the right most of my life. In fact, I've still got two old rides I'm working on that are righties, a ratty '67 Norton N15CS 750cc "Desert Sled" and a '57 198cc Zuendapp Bella R201 scooter. The scooter even has a sort of see-saw shifter, so that it can be easily operated wearing a pair of pumps with big stiletto heels...which is a good look for me that I think I can pull off without looking "trashy".

I'm led to understand, never having actually ridden an Enfield 4-speed, that there's not a lot of difference in top gear between it and the 5-speed, but that the jump between 3rd and top gear in the 4-speed is quite a leap. Still, that might well be a sort of virtue and part of their charm, perhaps giving them a more "luggy" visceral feel. If yours is sloppy, then I believe you may have chosen well to go back to its original righthand configuration instead of trying to tighten up some silly-ass mysteriously mandated nonsense.

[Beardo]

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing a couple of photos of the Norton.

Respectfully, I'll pass on photos of the Zundapp. I'm not much one for stilettos...

[Bilgemaster]

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing a couple of photos of the Norton.

Respectfully, I'll pass on photos of the Zundapp. I'm not much one for stilettos...

I think you're selling the Zuendapp short--especially when I've got on my little black sequined spaghetti strap number with the shocking red feather boa. Seriously though, with its happy cruising speed of about 50-55 mph, it's actually a real good match for my Enfield. Thing was my daily driver in Berlin back in the '80s, and got me through Commieland and over the Alps FOUR times for vacations in Italy. Two stroke, big cantilever forks, huge cast wheels compared to other scooters that make it handle like a real motorcycle and not some fidgety skateboard, an electric start in 1957...It's a formidable vehicle. That's why it's first up on the resurrection list. I'm hoping my wife will take a liking to it, and we can chug around a bit together once the youngest is packed off to school. Thanks to "Tooseevee" and his kind gift of an old OEM rear light and signal stalks that he'd upgraded on his gorgeous AVM Bullet, Spring should find the Bella back on the road and street legal with Antique plates. The Norton "Desert Sled" is still hibernating peacefully in its shed, really needing a proper rebuild. Hell, it needed one when it was my daily driver back in the '90s in Texas and later here in DC. Next time I'm in the shed, I'll see if I can get off a shot or three amidst the debris.

[Dennisgb]

I have a Norton 

And a couple of Triumph's...and a bunch of other bikes.

the norton by dennisgb, on Flickr

[pushrod]

Welcome Beardo, you've fallin in with good company here. Post a pic of you Enfield when you have a chance. This forum had a great photo gallery at one time showing the members bikes but sadly it's gone now. As for me I live in the past. This is a photo of my 2000 Bullet, old Mustang an Harley backdrop.

[Beardo]

I have attempted many times to post a photo or two, and I always get an error message, being either took too long or the file was too big. I'm working off a cell phone. Not that means anything, I couldn't resize pictures that were in an actual computer. I've posted some on Advrider in the Enfield thread without an issues. So, I've given up on it over here.

What is that old FL? Pan or shovel, it's hard to tell from this angle.

[pushrod]

It's a 59 pan.

[pushrod]

Left side

[Beardo]

Beautiful bike. My boss has a trio of Pans. His 1960 was the first Pan I ever started. Imagine my surprise when it started easier than my old Shovel. And let's not talk about a mag fired Sporty. Ha ha

[pushrod]

Thanks, as far as posting pics go, I don't have photobucket or any other picture hosting so I put pictures on using the attachments and other options deal and it lets me take em right from my computer. Only thing  you gotta click on em to get full screen once posted. I ain't to computer savvy.

[Beardo]

Finally got another chance to tinker with the Bullet today. I wanted to check on two things. Clutch adjustment and primary fluid, since I was having major difficulties in clutch/shifting engagements.

Good thing I did so. Both aspects required attention. The clutch rod adjustment is very much like adjusting an old Ironhead Sportster. Which was out of adjustment.

Next was the primary fluid, or rather lube! Either what came out was a very heavy motor oil, or a light weight gear oil. Either way, that alone can cause great difficulty shifting gears.

Both cases have been rectified, but with snow and ice on the ground, testing will have to wait.

[Beardo]

Got a chance to take the bike for a quick spin. No dice. Whatever was in there before has made the clutch next to impossible to utilize.

So, what is the best method, if any, for cleaning these clutch plates. Only 2,500 miles on the bike, but I haven't a clue as to how long the clutch was soaking in the wrong fluid.

[Stanley]

I'd use spray brake cleaner and a cloth. It evaporates quickly.

[Beardo]

You are the third person today that mentioned brake cleaner.

The irony of this all is, with all the years, and all the bikes, I've never had to do this before. Strange.

As it is, I'm confident I'll be able to get this clutch pack back to good as new.

I'm really digging the super simplicity of these old buggers.

[Stanley]

The simplicity takes me back to BSA and Triumph days. I guess Harleys were once simple too.

[ace.cafe]

Be aware that warped steel clutch plates are very common, and cause clutch drag. Pleas check them for flatness.
Also, it is best to use neutral when stopped, and not hold the clutch lever in. Holding the clutch makes the clutch overheat, and it will warp the steel plates if they aren't already warped.
The clutches on these machines are marginal, and have some quirks.

[Beardo]

Checking steels is a given (or rather, should be) when a clutch comes apart.

I'm still betting it's the lube coupled with low 30's air temps. Not a good combo.

The early 900 Sportsters had their fair share of quirks, including the 4 piece clutch release rod design. But this bugger is far easier to work on.

[Bilgemaster]

[...Snip!]

So, what is the best method, if any, for cleaning these clutch plates. Only 2,500 miles on the bike, but I haven't a clue as to how long the clutch was soaking in the wrong fluid.

Yes, spray brake cleaners, carb cleaners and all those sort of aerosol hydrocarbon spews will at least superficially  clean the oils and grease off of fiber clutch plates, brake linings and so forth, while having the added benefit of their exotic hepto-mutando-wacky-thane-9 hydrocarbons giving your future generations potentially useful gills or extra toes. I think they're what those Proposition 65 Warning eggheads (that's "boffins" to you Britnoids here) may have actually originally had in mind--not warning stickers to avoid licking your valve collets or dire advisories against having kitty litter sprinkled with old paint chips instead of corn flakes for breakfast.

KITTY LITTER...IT'S NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE !!!


Indeed!  It turns out that the original kitty litter, which has a semi-fascinating history, was simply something called "Fuller's Earth", otherwise known as "Bentonite Clay" or, more exotically, "Multani Mitti" in the Indian subcontinent, and is mostly composed of aluminum magnesium silicates, also known as calcium or sodium bentonite.

If any readers here even vaguely recognize the term "Fuller's Earth", they're either shepherds, or it may be from some old Haynes Service Manual, where it is often the mysterious substance recommended for de-greasing drum brake shoe linings that may have been fouled by over-eager greasing of the operating cam or leaky wheel cylinders. That's because Fuller's Earth's chief property is the vigorous absorption of oils and moisture. Toss an oily brake shoe or fiber clutch plate into some powdery Fuller's Earth, and in a day or two it'll suck the oils right out of it. Rinse with water, let dry, and she'll be good as new and nicely "grippy" again all the way through its shoes or fibery bits.

The stuff's also used by the gals in lots of goopy facial masks, and it will also really help mild acne. Unfortunately, this feminine allure also explains why when you Google "Fuller's Earth" you most often find the stuff being sold for "stupid money," like several bucks an ounce. But you know the Bilgemaster, right? He loves him some good cheap bargain shit. So, here's the tip: Special Kitty Natural Clay Cat Litter, Unscented, 25 lbs. at your local Wallyworld for just $4.24 (that's 17 cents a pound). It's 100% Bentonite Clay, otherwise known as, that's right, "Fuller's Earth". Here's the MSDS to prove it.

Grind a bit of this up into a powder, maybe with your coffee or spice grinder, toss in your oily clutch plates or brake shoes, and it'll leech those slippery goos right out of them. Got a cat? Great! It will happily crap on the rest. Or, grab a nice small empty jar, grind up a bit more, toss in a bit of honey, maybe a dash of coconut milk from the local bodega and perhaps some Hershey's cocoa powder for aroma, make a paste, and there's your exotic personalized facial mask for your gal or wonder-curative for a favored pimply teenager. Protip from your Uncle Bilgey: Never divulge the ingredients! Simply tell them a wise old Bilgemaster of the primitive Chennai Clan once gave you the recipe and swore you to absolute secrecy on pain of severely descended testicles requiring special footwear. Trust me. She'll just be happier that way.

So, what about the rest, you ask? Got a gun safe or some other cabinet or toolbox containing stuff that reacts poorly to humidity or moisture? a damp corner of the garage? the musty trunk of a '71 Oldsmobile? Just pour some litter into a paper bag, tape it shut, and there's your cheapo "green" de-humidifier.

Keep a bit around the garage or workshop in an old coffee can or something for oil droppings or fuel spills. Just shake it on, wait a bit, and sweep it away. You know that special "high-tech" grainy stuff they keep near fuel pumps for spills? Guess what that is.

Anyhow, can you guys tell it's snowing here yet? If you got this far, it must be snowing there too.

[Beardo]

Actually, I do have a cat. And already have some of the 'cheap stuff' on hand.

I had completely forgot about the Haynes manuals instructing to bury contaminated parts in litter.

Word to the masses. Don't take unnecessary blows to the skull!!!

[Beardo]

Thanks again to all that freely share their knowledge. The appreciation may not show through always. But rest assured, it's there...

[Arizoni]

Before grinding up any fullers earth it's a good idea to check it thoroughly.

If there are any unusual lumps in it that don't seem to want to be ground up but instead they squish out into dark colored pan cakes the cat probably got there first and left you a present.

[mattsz]

Anyhow, can you guys tell it's snowing here yet? If you got this far, it must be snowing there too.

How did you know?!? 

[Bilgemaster]

Before grinding up any fullers earth it's a good idea to check it thoroughly.

If there are any unusual lumps in it that don't seem to want to be ground up but instead they squish out into dark colored pan cakes the cat probably got there first and left you a present.

You'll want to reserve those "nuggets", set 'em aside to dry, then pop 'em back into that bean grinder with some good dark roasted arabica beans for some of that gourmet "Homemade Kopi Luwak Blend". Beats paying like $80 a cup, right? Why not treat your friends and family to the Taste of Sophistication  for mere pennies on the dollar!

Why does this coffee cup rim resemble a bus station toilet?
You know why...And yes, those are what you think on the saucer

[tooseevee]

KITTY LITTER...IT'S NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE !!!

       Remember the Hustler magazine cartoon that came from?  Hint: It was back in the Anita Bryant days.

[tooseevee]

If any readers here even vaguely recognize the term "Fuller's Earth", they're either shepherds, or it may be from some old Haynes Service Manual,

        A lot of it also used in the movie industry for stuff like dust storms and making clean mud.

        Nope, not a shepherd.

[Bilgemaster]

       Remember the Hustler magazine cartoon that came from?  Hint: It was back in the Anita Bryant days.

I'm afraid that scroll crawled right out of my own lurid brainpan without Larry's assistance...

Pertinent obligatory well-worn breakfast-related meme

[Beardo]

Damn you Ace! You jinxed me! Haha

Called it like a sports book. Got some slight warping with the steel. AND, some of those frictions have seen better days.

Hell, probably the original clutch, the bike being what, 19 or 20 years old. Wrong fluid. Sat most of it's life. I don't know why I hoped for better.

So, time to pull the bandaid and order a clutch pack.

In the meantime, for giggles, I'm putting it back together to see how well the land mined litter did soaking oil.

[ace.cafe]

If you have to get new friction plates, get the Barnett ones. Much better. If they are not listed for Royal Enfield, they will be listed for Greaves. Same clutch.

[Beardo]

I do indeed need to get new frictions. But how about the steels? Better options? Does Barnett make an entire kit, or steel replacements?

[ace.cafe]

I do indeed need to get new frictions. But how about the steels? Better options? Does Barnett make an entire kit, or steel replacements?

I only know about the RE factory as a source for the steels. There may be others, but I don't know of them.
I do know that even new factory steels can be warped, so it might not be a bad idea to get 2 sets and put the best of them into the clutch pack.

[Beardo]

That's exactly why I asked. Thanks again Tom.

[Beardo]

Had a fairly successful day of adjusting and troubleshooting on the old IB. 

Got the handlebar and switches adjusted to keep from touching the tank. 

I have an SLA alarm battery on it now and finally got around to securing the terminals to the battery, so now hopefully they won't vibrate loose anymore.

And lastly, I finally figured out why I couldn't downshift, meaning I also couldn't even start off in first. The one linkage pin shifted sideways and would keep the shifter from moving downward. Just silly. Now that that is sorted, it shifts through the gears.

Last thing I need to get to is make a bracket for the carb, to keep it from moving around. 

It's been a bunch of little things that have needed sorted. But with some of the goings on with this bike, it explains why the milage is low for a bike almost twenty years old.

[hpwaco]

Clutch plates.   Several listings for both steel and friction plates on ebay under Royal Enfield Continental GT 535 for about $40 per set from India

[Beardo]

You speak out of turn. There was a physical impossibility keeping me from shifting. The clevis pin.

But yes, clutch plates are bad. Have Barrnet fibres on order...

[Royal Stargazer]

Beardo, you've got a similar tale to mine. I originally had a 2012 C5, and while it was a beautiful bike that served me well, there was just something missing.

Eventually, I found a 2003 Bullet at the dealership where I bought my C5. She had only 2,900 miles, and was velvet green. Four speed, points, carb, drum brakes, I found what I was missing and in 2017, made either the best (or close second best) impulse purchase of my impulse buying career. This board has been exceptionally helpful, and downright friendly throughout my miscellaneous fixes. Just pulled her out of storage today, actually. Gotta be gentle for a while while I'm breaking in the new piston, but I'm looking forward to a long year of wrenching and riding.

I'm curious as to what battery you're using - I've heard stories of people switching to alarm and UPS batteries, and I see that the UB1213 seems to be a favorite among those who have gone this route. Is that the one you've got?

[Beardo]

All I did was punch in 12v 5ah into Ebay, relisted for lowest price first, and bought the lowest price alarm battery there was.

Shockingly enough, it is still holding after being in the shed with all the negative temps and no tender hooked up.

From day one, I had been fighting with shifting the bike. No clutch to be had. That fixed, the linkage just needs to go. So, that's next on the list.

[Bilgemaster]

If you have to get new friction plates, get the Barnett ones. Much better. If they are not listed for Royal Enfield, they will be listed for Greaves. Same clutch.

Great tip, Ace! Just reviving this old posting for the forthcoming benefit of winter tinkerers. Got a link?...Perhaps to our new Britnoid Overlords' domain?

Use Barnett cables too, whenever possible. They are in every respect far superior to the flakey OEM ones. They cost a bit more, but are worth every penny. Our Parts Guru in North America, Tim over at his new Western Cycle Supply, should be able to sort those out for most any Enfield. He helped square my old Iron Belly's cables away properly.