[Nift]

Picked this beauty up last month, this is my first 'big bike' and I absolutely love it.
They look so good and feel even better!

Last week I had a starting problem, which seemed to be a dodgy fuel line combined with low charge causing the electric starter to not work. Been kick-starting since.

Rode out yesterday and the back wheel locked up/ dragging. Thought the brake was binding and the pedal seemed very stiff so loosened it off a few turns on the side of the road and that seemed to do the trick. But had some awful squeaking noises afterwards. Looks like all the grease has come out the shaft that runs to the other side of the bike and connects to the rod?

After that I got her home and now the kickstart won't budge at all. Clutch in it moves freely.

Is this just how these bikes are? Or have I got a dud. It only has 1800 miles on it (that seems genuine)

Rant over - thanks!

[AzCal Retred]

Pictures? Is this a pre-unit design with a right hand brake/LH shifter linkage bodge?

[Nift]

Yep that's the one!

I haven't figured out how to post pictures on here yet...

[Adrian II]

Sounds like you have one of the old UK importer's cafe racer specials. They could be either classic Bullet or Electra-X based, with the Watsonian-Squire body kit. It should not be a dud but sometimes(!) these bikes fell victim to clueless or unsympathetic owners who can leave you with a few little things to put right. Get it working properly and it should put a big grin on your face.

To post a picture, sign up for a free picture hosting web site e.g. Post Image.

Upload your photos there in 640 x 480 or 800 x 600 format.

The site will give you a number of different types of link for different types of internet usage. You want the one which is labelled "hotlink for forums"

Copy and paste it here in the text box while you're typing (on a line by itself)

The picture should be visible when you preview and post your message.

Meanwhile it sounds like you're stuck in gear! You either have to be in neutral for the E/S to operate, the green warning light should be on in that case, or you CAN start it in gear with the clutch in.

Check that the rear wheel spins freely with the bike on the centre stand and the gearbox in neutral,

Without looking at your profile information I'm guessing you're in the UK, roughly whereabouts?

A.

[AzCal Retred]

5 speed or 4 speed?

The 4 speed factory LH shift bodge is poor and has defied several very accomplished tinkerers. The real fix is to convert back to RH shift, LH brake. ALL of my machines have been converted back and I have "retrained my brane" to accommodate Old Skool RH shifting.

The 5 speed is pretty modern. It starts out as a LH system and should work properly as is. The brake x-over linkage needs to be clean & well lubed to work well. R&R as necessary, check smoothness & action as you reinstall the bits.

As A2 says, physically get the transmission back to neutral. If it's a 4 speed, MAKE SURE you aren't in a false neutral between gears. Up on the centerstand, spark plug out works best for me.

The 4 speed is a fun blast from the past. The Snidal book, Hitchcock's new parts and some thoughtful inspection will let you sort it back to usefulness. Often cleaning, lubricating and adjustment gets you there too. It'll never be Japanese grade, but it works.
The shift drill is thus (taken from a 1935 article):
1) Clutch in, hold
2) Toe into desired gear, HOLD WITH TOE PRESSURE
3) Feed clutch back into engagement, make sure it "made the trip"
4) When satisfied you have a gear, release toe pressure

Pictures saved as .png format seem to attach easiest for me.

[Adrian II]

I did just check Nift's profile, he's in Cambridge, UK, so it's very unlikely to be a 4 speed left foot shifter he's dealing with.

There's a Royal Enfield dealer in Cambridge, Haywards. I bought my Electra-X from them new back in 2005, they were pretty good. I guess they still are, and they'll probably still remember (how to fix) the older models. Is that where this bike came from?

A.

[Nift]

Sounds like you have one of the old UK importer's cafe racer specials. They could be either classic Bullet or Electra-X based, with the Watsonian-Squire body kit. It should not be a dud but sometimes(!) these bikes fell victim to clueless or unsympathetic owners who can leave you with a few little things to put right. Get it working properly and it should put a big grin on your face.

To post a picture, sign up for a free picture hosting web site e.g. Post Image.

Upload your photos there in 640 x 480 or 800 x 600 format.

The site will give you a number of different types of link for different types of internet usage. You want the one which is labelled "hotlink for forums"

Copy and paste it here in the text box while you're typing (on a line by itself)

The picture should be visible when you preview and post your message.

Meanwhile it sounds like you're stuck in gear! You either have to be in neutral for the E/S to operate, the green warning light should be on in that case, or you CAN start it in gear with the clutch in.

Check that the rear wheel spins freely with the bike on the centre stand and the gearbox in neutral,

Without looking at your profile information I'm guessing you're in the UK, roughly whereabouts?

A.

Hi adrian,

Thanks for the info!
Yes you are correct it is the 'special' cafe racer bullet Electra X. 5 Speed, dellorto 32mm carb and Goldie style exhaust. The dream!

I have done about 100 miles so far and had a massive grin stuck on my face the whole time

I'm 95% sure I'm not stuck in gear or in neutral. Green light is on and have gone back and forth between the gears pretty smoothly.
Rear wheel spins freely and can roll the bike forward in first no problem. I'm thinking something might be jammed in the kickstart assembly?

I didn't get this bike from Haywards but I do know them. I'm sure I will be needing their service a few times in the future...

I think a seal has gone from the rod assembly, easy fix really with some more grease. Just seemed weird that they happened at the same time... I don't believe in coincidences when it comes to bikes
Thanks for your help guys!

Here's a pic

[AzCal Retred]

https://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/partsbook-pages/2369

Hitchcock's online parts book shows the KS assembly guts are much like the 4 speed unit.

The KS shaft is stepped and rides in the inner cover as well as the outer cover as "bushings", actually the inner & outer case/cover. There is also a spring and an inner transmission shaft needle bearing (vs bushing in the 4 speed).

If the transmission is shifting properly, the needle bearing is likely OK. The KS shaft can be too tight in either (or both) the inner cover or outer cover. Maybe the covers are misaligned. Maybe there's some corrosion or gasket sealer on the shaft. Possibly there is some voodoo going on with the KS return spring.

In any event, at least have a look under the outer cover. Carefully try the KS without the outer cover to check for binding there.

If the KS shaft is binding in the inner cover bush, that will need to come off too.

BEFORE removing the inner cover - have a new gasket & KS pawls in hand. Have a manual in hand. Be aware the gear shafts can "stick" in the cover instead of sliding politely off. This can pull the gear guts out of position, leading to much cursing. Usually a soft-face mallet carefully applied can keep the shafts politely sliding back thru the cover as it's being removed. I'd ask other 5-speed doctors here for the secret dope before pulling the inner cover for the first time myself. The 5-speed box is definitely busier than my 4-speed units.

IF you pull the inner cover, closely examine the KS shaft for evidence of cracking. One of mine "spiral cracked". I'd just replace the pawl whilst in there for good measure.

These machines can develop multiple unrelated failures, comes with the turf. Good hunting! - ACR -

[Adrian II]

Azcal beat me to the reply!

That's the model I thought you'd bought. The UK and US importers both had their own interpretation of custom accessories, somewhere I have the pdf version of the old W-S accessory catalogue. The left foot gear shift and right foot brake make make life easier for riders used to Japanese bikes, but that stuff doesn't really do the design of the Bullet (even the Electra-X) any justice. I am personally prejudiced in favour of the right-foot shift conversion for the five speed box, but that's not for everyone. The rear sets for those also get more expensive, something those of us who bought the roadster didn't have to think about too hard.



If you don't already have one, look on line for the Pete Snidal (pre-unit) Bullet maintenance manual, there are paper, CD and download versions, best to get an official copy in whatever medium suits you. This covers everything from the English Bullets up to the Electra-X (in standard trim!) Also Hitchcocks' have the official Electra-X workshop manual as a free download.

https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/Workshop-Manuals-To-Download

For spare parts in the UK, you can use Price Part Motorcycles (specialising in Indian-built Bullets) and Hitchcocks' who have parts for post-war English Royal Enfields right the way through to the modern Indian stuff.

A.

[Bexley55]

Check the kickstart assembly for any jams or misalignments in the inner and outer covers, shaft, and gears, considering replacing any damaged parts if needed.

[allanfox]

Welcome Nifty, I am not far from you in Bury and also have a Watsonian Electra X, mine was the trails model but is a bit more road like now.  We do live in the land of great country lanes!

There is another forum you should look at 'Midland Bullet Riders' UK based and a growing number from our region joining.

[Nift]

Thanks for all the help guys!

On this occasion I will be taking her to the local mechanic, as I have just moved home and my tools haven't arrived yet!

However I am grateful for all your info as I am keen to learn, and want to do all/most work myself in the future.

I will check out that group for sure 👍

Sam

[allanfox]

If you have it running ok in a few weeks pop over to our village (or jump in the car if not), 10 miles North of Bury a good show as long as the sun is shining!

I organise the bikes and there should be a few good ones there, let me know if you are coming and I will say hello.

https://www.carsonthegreen.org.uk/

[Nift]

Thanks for the invite Allan, looks like a cracking little show!

However, I will be at the Bike Shed Show that weekend

[allanfox]

Thanks for the invite Allan, looks like a cracking little show!

However, I will be at the Bike Shed Show that weekend

Cool, think you win!!