Author Topic: New Bulletmeister here  (Read 11277 times)

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birdmove

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on: December 26, 2007, 11:34:42 pm
    Today I finally bought myself a new 2007 RE Bullet 500 Classic in the British racing green color. I first read about these interesting machines maybe 15 years ago. I couldn't believe they were still making Royal Enfields in India! Since I'm 54 years old and have ridden motorcycles since I was about 8 years old, I was there in the 1960s when the British bikes still ruled the motorcycle roadways.I rode a 1965 BSA 500 twin to high school when all the other guys were driving cars (which I had no interest in since they didn't have two wheels!). So I read about these bikes in some motorcycle magazine of that time, but I don't think they were available in the US back then.
    The last few years with the internet and a dealer network being established here in the US there has been lots to read and digest.But until today, I somehow never got a chance to take a Bullet on a test ride. I had the week off, so I drove down to Vince's in Olympia, Wa and took out a nice silver Classic for a ride. First, I was pleasantly surprised in how quiet the engine was. I had read over the years that the Bullets can be a noisy bunch with lots of valve noise etc.This engine was quiet!! It took a little while to warm it up, but that is normal for any modern day carb'd motorcycle engine.Next, I was noting how the transmission shifted.It basically "snicked" into gear like a Japanese trans with no grinding whatsoever (unlike the Buell Blast, which is a great thumper too-but they all seem to grind badly into 1st gear). Neutral was just as easy to find as the 20+ other motorcycles that I have owned-another good thing here.I did miss a few shifts on both  my two test rides (one on the silver bike, and one on the green one I bought) and got a few false neutrals.
    Vince was careful to let me know that I am not riding bike made for the US freeways, but that its a back road cruiser.I knew that from my research. The Bullets, at least in stock trim, are certainly no powerhouses, but then I new that too going in, and they generally run better after the breakin.
    Anyway, though I have some of those post-purchase jitters, I am hoping for a long positive relationship with my new Bullet Classic. I know the engine is being dropped in favor of the newer lean burn engine, and then the newer yet unit construction model.Vince pointed out that in India, they have laws that for 10-15 years they must still make parts available for this bike, and that they have been around for so long that parts should not be a problem.
     So now on to the break in.

    Jon in Puyallup, Wa.
« Last Edit: December 27, 2007, 01:46:53 am by birdmove »
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


Chuck D

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Reply #1 on: December 26, 2007, 11:53:11 pm
Hey Jon, congratulations and good luck. I hope that you use this forum as a diary of your break in progress. Happy new year!  Chuck
Ace "Fireball"#10 (Beefy the Bullet to her friends.)
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prof_stack

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Reply #2 on: December 27, 2007, 12:53:49 am
Congrat's JON!  Vince snared another one.  Maybe I'm next...

Get that front drum bedded in correctly or plan your stops beforehand.

Which of these three Greenies did you buy?  (photos taken 8/14/07 at the shop)


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birdmove

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Reply #3 on: December 27, 2007, 01:50:20 am
    Mine would be the bottom one. The bike comes with a spare throttle and clutch cable, at least one inner tube, and Vince threw in a couple of spark plugs and a quart of engine oil in case I need to add a bit. He's having his winter sale until Jan. 2nd per his website.

    Jon
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


charte

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Reply #4 on: December 27, 2007, 03:24:46 am
Jon, welcome!

I felt the same way, and now I'm on Bulllet number 2.

We hear you man.
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fredgold52

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Reply #5 on: December 27, 2007, 03:33:37 am
Great choice, Jon.  I have a new 2006 '65' waiting to be picked up at the dealers.  Personally, I think going with an RE is a good idea.  I know I'm planning on enjoying mine for a good while to come.
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


birdmove

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Reply #6 on: December 27, 2007, 07:38:40 am
  Yep-the 65 is a fine looking bike too. My dealer had two of them for sale.Both were new and had some modifications already done to them.One had a different exhaust and carb.I didn't want to spend that much right now, so I went for the all stock green Classic.

     Jon
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


mbevo1

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Reply #7 on: December 27, 2007, 02:10:47 pm
Jon -
Great to see another Greenie...

Lots of things you can mess over the winter that don't cost much - My biggest pain (shared by others) is the oil catch-can bodge... darn thing just gets plugged up and the motor starts using oil... sometimes at an alarming rate!  Many solutions for this one - I used the "Oil Breather Fix" I documented in the Tech Tips section of the forum.  Easy to do,  and it worked!

I'd put a fuel filter on it, too.  Doesn't take much to get grit in the carb and start having strange flat spots and misses, poor idle, etc. 

I've been fairly successfull in keeping my modifications in line with my budget, but Kevin says the new catalog should be out in January...

Enjoy!

Mike and Stumpy in Michigan
'07 Classic - Stumpy
'10 C5 Military - Sherman


mbevo1

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Reply #8 on: December 27, 2007, 02:51:44 pm
Another thought...

I think most of us probably installed a 7" headlight, too...

Mike and Stumpy in Michigan
'07 Classic - Stumpy
'10 C5 Military - Sherman


birdmove

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Reply #9 on: December 27, 2007, 06:03:43 pm
    THanks for the tip. I better pick up a manual.So far, after taking the bike on a fee rides I'm enjoying the ride.Only problem is the rpms seem to hang up a bit.The idle setting is about right, but when riding the rpm doesn;t come down between shifts like it should.
    Oh yeah, I posted a photo here of the new Bullet outside my garage.This website makes posting photos real easy for a computer dummy like me.

    jon
« Last Edit: December 27, 2007, 06:05:25 pm by birdmove »
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


Foggy_Auggie

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Reply #10 on: December 27, 2007, 09:01:46 pm
Only problem is the rpms seem to hang up a bit.The idle setting is about right, but when riding the rpm doesn;t come down between shifts like it should.
       jon

On your choke lever there is a rubber "hat" that seals between the the choke push rod and the carb housing.  When pushing down the choke lever and then pulling it back up this hat will lift off the carb housing causing a tiny air leak around the choke push rod (it's the push rod seal).  This will cause RPM hang times when closing the throttle.

Spray some Chain Wax or silicone spray on the choke push rod.  The problem is the rubber seal sticks to the push rod - it shouldn't.  Also, everytime you release the choke by pulling the lever up - finger push downward on the rubber seal to make sure it's against the carb housing.

This fixed my same problem.

May want to give the rubber intake tube clamps an extra quarter turn of tightening.

Regards, Foggy
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

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birdmove

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Reply #11 on: December 27, 2007, 10:32:41 pm
    Thanks, Foggy. I'll take a look at thoses areas too.Vince also suggested I check the cable to see if its rubbing on the gas tank.I did looses the intake rubber clamps and rotated the carb a little to the left as he suggested.I'll look at that rubber hat as you mentioned too.

    Jon
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


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Reply #12 on: December 27, 2007, 11:54:41 pm
Welcome, I know you will enjoy the Bullet more than most bikes you have had. I didn't think I would, but I do.
aka Indiana Bulleteer.
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abe

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Reply #13 on: December 28, 2007, 01:11:09 am
Jon as I too approach the 50 yr old mark I have been looking at the classic, and lurking on this site for sometime.  Its funny I just talked to Vince today, I am trying to get up there from Portland tomorrow and buy a black and chrome classic.  Man he is going to have a good month!

abe out....


birdmove

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Reply #14 on: December 28, 2007, 03:16:57 am
     Abe, be sure and ask him to take out the silver Classic for a test ride (assuming theres no snow). I almost bought that one as I also liked the silver very much, and that bike ran and shifted really well.He also has a used 2006 Elektra with the lean burn engine with about 400 miles and some monthes left on the warranty-if you'd prefer the newer engine.He did have a black Classic in stock and two 65s.The red 65 is a great looking bike too. He is having a nice sale through Jan 2nd-14% off which makes the price much more attractive on his leftover bikes.Mine is an '07 and I got it for the sale price.Let us know how it all turns out.Vince is a great dealer and certainly among the best in the country consistantly.

    Good luck, Jon
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


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Reply #15 on: December 28, 2007, 03:24:11 am
     Abe, be sure and ask him to take out the silver Classic for a test ride (assuming there's no snow). I almost bought that one as I also liked the silver very much, and that bike ran and shifted really well.He also has a used 2006 Elektra with the lean burn engine with about 400 miles and some monthes left on the warranty-if you'd prefer the newer engine.  He did have a black Classic in stock and two 65s.The red 65 is a great looking bike too. He is having a nice sale through Jan 2nd-14% off which makes the price much more attractive on his leftover bikes.Mine is an '07 and I got it for the sale price.Let us know how it all turns out.Vince is a great dealer and certainly among the best in the country consistently.  Good luck, Jon
Abe, you might be looking at the Classic I almost bought in August.  Vince is a great dealer to be in the RE fold.  He rides a Military RE to work.  I'm still on the fence but thinking by Spring or Summer I'll jump, if not SOONER!  Tell Vince that Norm and Jon sent ya.   :D


dash8

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Reply #16 on: December 28, 2007, 08:49:33 am
congrates on your bullet I 'm happy to find out I'm not the only bullet owner here in washington. I purchased mine used from a friend who was retiring from work and had to many bikes. I all ways admired the bike and never regretted the purchase. Seems like us 50 year olds are the ones who appreciate these fine machines the most because it gives us the opportunity to ride at a relaxed pace. Happy New Year


VMAX

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Reply #17 on: December 28, 2007, 08:12:01 pm
Jon:

VMAX here. Welcome to the family. I run a 05 Classic 500 ES w/sidecar, in British Racing Green. Too much snow in NW WI right now for me!   :P   Counting the days until spring gets here.  ;)  Have some pics in the gallery.  8)

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birdmove

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Reply #18 on: January 01, 2008, 05:48:11 am
   Well, went on a ride tonight about 9:00.My neutral indicator light had gone out the day after I bought the Classic. Darned if it didn't start working tonight! Still have a throttle/rpm hanging up problem. Oddly, it doesn't do it when cold. I can ride off after a few minutes warm up time and it works fine.After maybe a mile or two the throttle starts acting up. The intake boots look okay,the intake manifold allen heads aren't loose, and it looks like the gasket or gaskets are okay.When I shut the engine off and roll on the throttle and let go, it snaps shut and it sounds like the piston bottoms okay.It looks like the tank may have to come off to further check cable routing etc.I may just wait until I take it in for the first service and let them check into it.

    jon
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


stipa

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Reply #19 on: January 01, 2008, 07:13:26 am
Jon,,, sounds like your throttle cable is binding someplace.  Pull the tank and check. 
I had this problem for a bit (intermittently), when I first got the bike.  Broke a couple of the OEM cables, (and the soldered "barrel" that slips into the rotor).  Get one of the heavy duty, American made ones that Classic sells, or go by Gonzales in Tacoma and see if he'll make one up for you. 
When changing out one of the broken ones, I pulled the throttle completely free of routing it through the 'caskette,' and that pretty much cleared that one up.
(A few too many cables and wires stuffed in that thing altogether). 
One way to determine if binding in the caskette is the problem;  start the bike,  idling, and move the steering head from hard over to hard over.  If it binds, it should speed up slightly, hang there even. 
I'm considering removing the caskette altogether, going with a more custom look.  And better engineered.
Pull that bulb out and you'll see what I mean. 

Break that thing in and we'll run up to Ashford someday soon. 

Steve J.  (Also in Puyallup)


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Reply #20 on: January 01, 2008, 07:07:04 pm
My neutral indicator light had gone out the day after I bought the Classic. Darned if it didn't start working tonight!
    jon

That light is so dim and small it can't be seen in daylight.  It shows up at night.

Regards, Foggy
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Reply #21 on: January 02, 2008, 09:45:43 pm
I'm just going to try some of these in the indicator light and the speedo illumination & the wide angle version in the side/travelling lights to see if it helps.

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/uba96w-leds-white-bulb-volt-p-812.html
If it ain't broke-------------------------- fix it 'till it is!

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baird4444

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Reply #22 on: January 02, 2008, 10:42:16 pm
I'm just going to try some of these in the indicator light and the speedo illumination & the wide angle version in the side/travelling lights to see if it helps.
http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/uba96w-leds-white-bulb-volt-p-812.html
Good idea...   LET us know. I've got one of the 36 LED w/side lights for the
tail replacing the 1157. A LOT  brighter and braking does not cause the
amp meter to veer to the left. As far as the turns I don't expect
people to see them any way....(I'm  invisible!!)
- Mike
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 but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly'
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jonapplegate

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Reply #23 on: January 03, 2008, 04:50:50 am
 Well done! You will be happy. The brakes will get better to the point they can be a bit grabby. Everything will get better. Remember to check your speedo against something reliable so you can adjust your breakin speeds accordingly.


jonapplegate

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Reply #24 on: January 05, 2008, 06:32:54 am
 I sure liked that red 65 at Vince's with the solo seat and the Amal carb. I really like my black deluxe but that sixty-five in red/burgundy almost seduced me.


birdmove

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Reply #25 on: January 05, 2008, 06:57:30 am
    Yeah, Jon, that bike is a beauty! I had a hard time deciding on which bike to get.But I had also always really admired the 500 Classics in the British racing green.Also really liked the silver Classic though.But the green Classic won out.

    Jon in Puyallup
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii


prof_stack

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Reply #26 on: January 05, 2008, 02:54:06 pm
Another Vince disciple here.  The red Sixty-5 is the one I test rode last August and it really was a nice one.  Decent shifting, but the drum brake was too new to be effective.  Oh yeah, that was the RE that introduced me to wet sumping when it started and blue oil smoke for a couple of minutes.

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DaveG297

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Reply #27 on: January 06, 2008, 05:20:34 pm
"Hey Bird man, your about to learn a  whole lot about Enfields.   Hope you get the cd from Sidel as its full of good stuff.    Lots of little things will pop up but thats the fun of owning a Bullet.   I bet you got lots of good riding roads up your way and with the price of gas, well the Bullet won't shock you.  Remember, breakin is everything.....dg