[Adie]

Hi Guys

I am from the UK and have just got myself a 2008 RE Electra T (Trials). I fancied something with a little more 'Soul' than my other bike the KTM 990 SM.

The bike was secondhand & a year old with just 95 miles on the clock, I have been out and enjoyed a couple of hours run and must say what a blast the bike is. Now having spent several hours browsing through this site I am getting a little paranoid regarding my running in efforts  .

I took head of the limits of no more than half throttle for the first 500 miles but never really registered the speed restrictions suggested as well in the user manual. Whilst I would say I never raced the bike I did happily cruse at speed from 40 to 50mph on occasions and didn't feel that the bike really complained at it either, she even pulled quite cleanly up a steady hill up to I dare say 50mph as well. The bike is completely stock and as of yet in the 70 miles I've owned it had no problems.....yet!

Only time will tell if my fool hardy speeds have done any damage, would this be a high probability? Anyway as a new owner to the Royal Enfield fold I would like some general pointers on things that I need to get up to speed on. I will be need a manual as the first service will be due so any recommendations here would be good.

Like I said, I have browsed through some of the site and seen threads on breather mods, PAV removal, carb and exhaust mods. I am pretty sure my bike is the AVL engine but not so sure it has the PAV or even what the PAV is, any pointers as to how I tell if I got it or not, even what it does? I will probably leave any mods to the carb or exhaust until she is run in, I understand I have the choice of Amal, Mikuni or Delhorto carbs, any preference on which to go for?

Sorry for the long first post, it may be classed as rambling a bit, I must admit though that it had been such a long time since I was so excited about a bike. The 990 KTM may be a 100mph+ superbike but there was something about cruising at 40-50mph on the Enfield that was just brilliant.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Adie

[Thumper]

Welcome Adie!

You can turn to my RE links page at:
http://members.verizon.net/allofusmorrows/RE_Notes.htm
if you'd like my fairly comprehesive maintance notes and also a page on performance upgrades that details my installation of the Hitchcock's performance kit and the removal of the PAV.

Many of us have Pete Snidal's manual and the OEM Electra X manual - but anymore I just use my own maintenance notes...

Matt

[ace.cafe]

The Electra seems to be a bit more tolerant, but the limits should be observed, for the most part.
It's the overheating that could cause trouble, and the overheating might not be noticed until it is too late.

So be a bit more careful, and if you do exceed the suggested limits, please don't spend much time above those limits, to avoid any build-up of heat.

[UncleErnie]

After 1000 miles, I started getting uop to 50.  With 1300, I started doing 55 with the occasional foray up to 60mph while going downhill.  I'm having a little trouble pulling up hill in 5th gear, so I'm still taking my time.   If I were you, I would vary the revs (speeds) as much as possible and just keep it under 50mph as much as possible for a while.

The manual can be confusing.  For instance, it seems to say valve clearance is set at zero (?!) but somewhere else I find it/s .01.  I still wonder why the exhaust valve isn't set looser than the intake as on most other bikes.  I have to wonder if that's one reason they have a heat problem?

Check every nut and bolt you can find on a fairly frequent basis.  It can be scary/interesting what you find loose.

Just checked the primary chain.  Find a pan as long as the case to do this- why there is no drain plug there I can't imagine.  I used a coat hanger with a hook at one end and a flashlight (torch) to see the chain and check free-play.  There seems to be some eleectical bit you'll need to unplug to adjust the chain- so don't pull the cover all the way off.  I'm relived, for the moment, I don't need to do anything besides change the oil.

Interesting learning experience.  I've had old bikes all my life, but this is the easiest to get my hands on.  Nice change of pace aside from the speed thing, in other ways too.


Apologies for spelling- I can't see what the heck I'm typing here.

[Tiny Tim]

Hi Adie,

I don't know where in the UK you are but if you'd like some more advice from a little nearer home, have a peek at http://tinytim.forumcircle.com/.

You may even find some like minded souls down you way

REgards

TT

[PaulF]

I called my dealer with a question when I had 500 miles on it. When I told him the mileage, he said, "Now you can ride it like you stole it."

I don't, but he gave me the green light at that mileage.

[Cabo Cruz]

"Now you can ride it like you stole it."  PaulF

Brother Paulie, I got the same instructions from my dealer for my 2004 Sixty-5!  Like you, I do not always -- for any length of time at fast, sustained speeds -- ride that way!   

[Adie]

Welcome Adie!

You can turn to my RE links page at:
http://members.verizon.net/allofusmorrows/RE_Notes.htm
if you'd like my fairly comprehesive maintance notes and also a page on performance upgrades that details my installation of the Hitchcock's performance kit and the removal of the PAV.

Many of us have Pete Snidal's manual and the OEM Electra X manual - but anymore I just use my own maintenance notes...

Matt

Cheers Matt, should make some interesting and informative reading.

Adie

[Adie]

Hi Adie,

I don't know where in the UK you are but if you'd like some more advice from a little nearer home, have a peek at http://tinytim.forumcircle.com/.

You may even find some like minded souls down you way

REgards

TT

I will take a look TT.

Thanks

Adie

[PaulF]

"Now you can ride it like you stole it."  PaulF

Brother Paulie, I got the same instructions from my dealer for my 2004 Sixty-5!  Like you, I do not always -- for any length of time at fast, sustained speeds -- ride that way!   

Papa Juan, for the record, mine still passes/burns, (pick your term), a little oil. I need to add a little every ride, so the rings do not appear to have properly seated yet, (no leaks), so I keep it around 50 or so at cruise, don't over-rev. I don't worry about it. If it gets to 1,000+ and still passing oil, then I'll get worried.

[Cabo Cruz]

Amen, Paulie!

[johnny rocket]

after my break in of about 500 miles i ran mine wide open for at least an hour a day
then after i passed four grand i ran it wide open from pacific coast to atlantic.
no problems except for the rear sprocket.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Did you really ride coast to coast? When did this happen and how long did it take?

[johnny rocket]

yes i did.
 
just happened this month
took about a week and a half
for all the sight seeing i did, one break down, and two days waiting on parts.
been bumming around georgia since i got here.
started in las vegas went to huntingdon beach and the came to ga.
for the record, if anyone else wants to do this february is not a good month!
the mojave was freezing.
the deserts in az. and nm. were freezing
i hit some wicked dust storms.
tornado warnings
t-storms from dallas to baton rouge
and rain from mobile to opelika
but i loved every minute.

[johnny rocket]

oh and the coyotes in the gila river area are awfully rude!
as soon as my campfire died they came after me.

and texas state troopers decided it was a good idea to blow the tires out from under a run away 18 wheeler on I 10 with me in front of it.

[prof_stack]

Sounds like tall tales to me. 

Photos to document the places would be appropriate.

[johnny rocket]

soon as i have a scanner...
i used disposable cameras

[Lane]

yes i did.
 
just happened this month
took about a week and a half
for all the sight seeing i did, one break down, and two days waiting on parts.
been bumming around georgia since i got here.
started in las vegas went to huntingdon beach and the came to ga.
for the record, if anyone else wants to do this february is not a good month!
the mojave was freezing.
the deserts in az. and nm. were freezing
i hit some wicked dust storms.
tornado warnings
t-storms from dallas to baton rouge
and rain from mobile to opelika
but i loved every minute.

This is awsome!

Can't wait to hear more details. 

What was your MPG? 
How did you avoid too much freeway? 
How did you manage to stay comfortable? 
How much stuff (camping I presume) did you take?
Where abouts was you avg speed?
What did you think of the AVL's performance?

[PaulF]

And more:

What was your break-down?
How much oil did it use?
How did the cables perform, (any snap? I always worry about that)
How was maintenance along the way, (aside from the chain)?

[johnny rocket]

sorry addie for hijacking this thread.


What was your MPG? 
240 plus to the tank

How did you avoid too much freeway? 
i didnt. i embraced it

How did you manage to stay comfortable? 
i didnt it hurt!

How much stuff (camping I presume) did you take?
bag of tools
sleeping bag
machete
hammock
bottle of jack
carton of camels
zippo
panty collection tied to handlebars
and solid leather

Where abouts was you avg speed?
wtfo the whole way 65-90

What did you think of the AVL's performance?
 beatiful little thumper....need more top end but you all knew that
 
 

[johnny rocket]

What was your break-down?
chain and sprocket issues

How much oil did it use?
a lot less than a shovelhead, panhead, ironhead... or anyother harley ive ridden (sans v-rod)

How did the cables perform, (any snap? I always worry about that)
no cable troubles... yet... i do lie. i broke a speedo cable.
i dont guess they are made to run that high/hard

How was maintenance along the way, (aside from the chain)?
simple. add oil .add gas. oil chain. adjust chain
tighten every nut and bolt every night...
sure beats a shovelhead.
 had my toolbox fall off.
lost a motormount nut.
 

[johnny rocket]

pics soon i promise.
just for proof:)

[t120rbullet]

pics soon i promise.
just for proof:)

No need to prove anything to us.
Folks just like to read ride reports.
The longer and juicer the better and lots of pics to go with it.
CJ