Author Topic: Lightning 535  (Read 16878 times)

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luoma

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on: March 07, 2010, 03:36:03 am
Anybody else see the Lightning on ebay? I did not know they ever even imported that model to the states. Looks to be in good shape. Rare bike. I think they only made that model for a year or two.


1Blackwolf1

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Reply #1 on: March 07, 2010, 04:25:23 am
  Saw that also..wondering maybe if it's a real model or an upgrade kit.  Seemed like a decent price was on it.  But then again we have nothing to compare it to.
Will Morrison
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Bullet.wagon

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Reply #2 on: March 07, 2010, 04:26:46 am
I saw that ,he had BSA in the title,would that have been a joint effort between RE and BSA?The motor looks all RE.Tried to Google that came up with 0.
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1Blackwolf1

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Will Morrison
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1976 Suzuki GT185 Rebuilder Special..AKA (Junkyard Dog)
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The garage is full.


1Blackwolf1

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Reply #4 on: March 07, 2010, 04:33:20 am
  If you fo to the India site you can find it.  Think it was a home market bike only.  But very sharp unit.  Notice the speedo is KmH only.  That's what gives me my clue in.  Wonder if it actually has a title though.
Will Morrison
2007 500 Military
2000 Kawasaki Drifter 1500
2000 Victory V92SC
1976 Suzuki GT185 Rebuilder Special..AKA (Junkyard Dog)
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The garage is full.


Ice

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Reply #5 on: March 07, 2010, 05:37:34 am
And its R/H shift too,,,,,,
No matter where you go, there, you are.


ace.cafe

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Reply #6 on: March 07, 2010, 02:30:40 pm
The 535 was sort of a factory attempt at including some of Fritz Egli's Bullet mods into the factory bike.
In the early to mid-90s, the Swiss motorycle modifying master Egli, of Egli Vincent fame, decided to do his magic on Bullets.
He was a pioneer for the 535cc kit, and the stroker kit with his version being 624cc, and included some various other parts like the Egli distributor and the re-designed external oil lines with the pressure-relief valve in them,  and the hi-volume oil pumps.

So, Enfield used some of these Egli-type things on the Lightning engine. The Lightning has the 535cc barrel and piston, and it has the hi-volume oil pumps.

Prior to this, I am pretty sure that all the Bullets had bushings on the distributor shaft, instead of bearings. Egli made a new distributor housing, and put Swiss bearings in it, for making the ignition more precise. The old bushings would wear out quickly, and allow the distributor shaft to move laterally, which caused timing problems. Egli required that this distributor be put in as the first mod, before he would do any further tuning of the engine for any Bullet customers.
Later, the factory began to include the bearings in the distributor, and perhaps the Lightning was the first to have this mod too. I'm not sure.

I have an Egli distributor for the Bullet in my possession. I bought one of the last ones available. It's here on my shelf in brand-new condition. I have thought about making more of these, using mine as the pattern. But, since the new Bullets have the improved distributor with bearings now in the 500 models, it might not be anything but a conversation piece. But it's cool.




And here's a picture of the Egli "Super Bullet" 624cc stroker with Egli frame and bodywork.
« Last Edit: March 07, 2010, 02:41:44 pm by ace.cafe »
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ERC

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Reply #7 on: March 07, 2010, 03:58:11 pm
Hard to believe 273 mi. with a pipe that blue and the silicone all over the gearbox cover.  ERC
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Bullet.wagon

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Reply #8 on: March 12, 2010, 02:30:34 am
Speaking of ebay...Have you all seen the Indian 3 wheel patrol car (RE powered) just listed? I would have a link but am computer dumb.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2010, 09:47:22 pm by Bullet.wagon »
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coinzy

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Reply #9 on: March 14, 2010, 07:23:26 am
He want's 5 K for the 535 Lightning,anyone know there value?
coinz


The Garbone

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Reply #10 on: March 14, 2010, 01:55:13 pm
I think $5k is pushing it..  You can pick up a 500 for under $2k if your patient and buy all the parts to mod it and with a better crank/ bearings resulting in a better bike and still have some money to spare..

A 535 alloy bore kit  is only $575 from CMW...
Gary
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t120rbullet

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Reply #11 on: March 14, 2010, 04:55:24 pm
A few years back there were 2 Lightning's on e-Bay. Brand new still in the crate and held by US customs. 300 bucks for both but had to be picked within 15 days and either scrapped or shipped out if the country.
If I only had the time I would have scrapped em myself.
If it were me I'd be leery of any Lightning in the US.
CJ
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Bullet.wagon

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Reply #12 on: March 14, 2010, 10:21:19 pm
Not sure how reliable  the year 2000 speed parts or performance mods would have been then,even if factory....Ace is the place now.
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coinzy

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Reply #13 on: March 15, 2010, 09:23:21 pm
And i've seen the 2000 models with the different gearbox end covers and left shift,not sure what's going on here.But the idea of buying a Bullet and just upgrading the bit's sounds a good idea
coinz


AgN03

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Reply #14 on: July 09, 2010, 06:00:27 pm
I have been working overseas for awhile, the 2003 Lightening 535 was my first. I still have it, but now I want to modify it. It is a summer project, the only problem is I need to verify that the spare parts for a bullet will fit on it. To be more to the point the custom café-style seat made specifically for the Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle (Part Number Z90637). I googled the specs of both and they seem similar enough, I just need to know before I buy it, the local dealer here is no longer in business. The product states that the seat can be bolted to a classic british style ride with no modifications in 15 minutes, but these bikes have been made in the UK in years. Any suggestions?