[Jonathan D.]

I just got a new Bullet 500, 2008 with the AVL engine. I have put 120 mile on it and things seems to tightening up and moving quicker. I am loving the bike so far but have some dissmy.

The bike will get going up to about 40mph in fourth gear. that is when it decides to go not faster whether I shift into 5th gear or not. I have tried to run the RPMs a little bit higher before shifting to to avail she just wont break 44mph at the maximum. I know for a 500 this cannot be right, can it? any suggestion or areas i might want to look into. I am definitley feeling stuck in town for the meantime, sigh... and thanks.

[scoTTy]

just enjoy.. it's a true mechanical thing..  takes time ..to loosen up... when I raced cars I set them up loose.. I was also rebuilding engines every 1000 miles , a 1/4 mile at a time..

relax Man..  this is a tight engine..  it's not balanced and blueprinted...  keep wicking the throttle and you'll lock it it up

just enjoy the machine.. be good to it and it will be good to you

[1Blackwolf1]

  Totally agree with Scotty..these are engines you run in.  The final machining is done as you put on miles.  And these will never be a Honda Ascot, broke in maybe 65-70 for short distance unless you are ready for lots of down time.  After she's broke in go for some performance mods and she'll sing for you.  Will. 

[Jonathan D.]

Hey thanks guys...

I am learning a lot about bike engines at school but all the knowledge is on new models. this is definitley giving me a better understanding for older style machines and a great appreciation for what they are. I do really love this bike and have been seeking one out for a couple years and plan to ride this for many many years. going to take it a little easier now though.

thanks
jonathan

[REpozer]

John,
You need to follow the run-in as per your hand book. Top speed for  5th gear is approx 33mph for the first 300 miles.Take it easy if you want to enjoy a long life on your engine.
Welcome to the forum.

[Joe28]

I agree with the other posts!
Don't "hammer" the engine at top RPM.
This is a heavy piston/ flywheel motor, (think bull dozer as opposd to drag racer).
One thing you can do is richen the jets up.
it's lean, (runs hot) from the factory.
It'll add more fuel to the cylinder, cooling it off, plus some more MPH, (not much)
After 1500 miles or so, (about 4 oil changes), it'll be a happy little camper.
Then, open the air intake up and exhaust and it'll go as fast as you need it to!
Enjoy the bike for what it is- A blast from the past!
Joe
What? it's running great?
Hand me a wrench, I can fix that!

[PaulF]

I hope you didn't buy it with top end as a priority. If so, you bought the wrong bike.

Rejet it, add an exhaust and for Gods sake, get rid of that ridiculous strangulation air box with an opening about the size of a 1/2 dollar and get a K&N filter. Then it will breath, be more responsive and more fun.

Mine didn't stop using oil, (rings didn't seat) until almost 600 miles. Now, its perfect, starts one kick and is oil-tight.

Give it time, be patient and enjopy it.

Oh yeah, change the fork oil. Major ride quality difference.

[ace.cafe]

Once it's broken-in, it'll do about 80mph.
Not for any length of time, but it can get there.
Best to cruise at 55mph on state roads, or a short hop in the highway.
Don't hold any speed over 65mph for more than a few minutes with a stock engine.
Vary speeds often, and don't hold a constant droning speed when cruising.

[scoTTy]

u know..  65 on my Enfield , feels like 140 on my BMW..  and the Enfield is so much easier to pick up than the Beemer

[Rick Sperko]

I assume everyone is talking indicated speeds. 65 on my bike is really about 58. It would have to say 72 for me to hit 65 for real.

-Rick

[scoTTy]

fun------ain't it

[ace.cafe]

I assume everyone is talking indicated speeds. 65 on my bike is really about 58. It would have to say 72 for me to hit 65 for real.

-Rick

My bike will hit an actual 80mph, which is indicated on the speedo of about 88. I use my electronic tach to tell me how fast I'm really going, because I know how many mph my bike will do per 1000 rpm with my gearing ratio. The speedo is way off.
I only do that speed during test runs, though.
It's not something that I try to do as a normal thing, ever.
I still have the 17T stock gear on it.
I cruise at a normal 55mph, which shows on my speedo at about 60mph.
That's 3500 rpms, and it feels really comfortable there.

[The Garbone]

My machine is actually right on is no a little low on the MPH..  The other day I was going 50 - 55 mph on my speedo and the other folks I was riding with said I was doing 55 -60mph..  So  the other day when I had my bike up to 80 or so indicated I imagine I was at least hitting 80mph..  Man that is fun on an RE, it just feels and sounds so cool.   

[REpozer]

Did you do 80mph with a side car?

[UncleErnie]

80?!  I'vre turned over 3K now, and there is NO way that thing is touching 80.  I can hit 75 down a long hill.  Maybe I need to put some holes in my airbox...