Gentlemen, thank you all for the kind welcome.
I wanted the old-style engine and r/h gear change but I don't really know what I have yet. According to MCN, electric starting didn't arrive until 2004 and they were all five-speed l/h shift bay then. Ha, shows all they know. They also gave the suspension as 'none'.
Sent the VIN and engine number to Graham Scarth, who was able to confirm manufacture in July 2002 and that it is an export bike. It's a Bullet 500 Deluxe but I don't know any more about sub-model? Speedo and odometer are in KPH and kilometres so I have no idea which market it was intended for or sent to. Don't have the V5 yet so waiting to see what that says about first registration in the UK.
The Bullet came to live with me a week ago (was delivered sounds a bit impersonal). After checking there was oil in the engine and air in the tyres, I started engine and went for a very brief run on the lane outside the house. So I know the engine works and the gears select. A lot better after I adjusted the clutch at the mechanism. I know the tappets are noisy once the engine warms up a bit. Have started the engine five or six times but haven't used the e-start yet.
Since then, Scottish Borders Cooncil has been out and dumped salt all over the roads so I think I will SORN the bike and not go out until Spring. Bilgemaster, I know Eddleston well, about 28 miles from us, near Melrose.
I love the sight of the traditional, tall, - am I allowed to say British? - single cylinder engine. One person has suggested that the exhaust is 'wrong'. Don't know and I can't answer Willbrunei's question about the mudguard stay.
The only aspects of the bike's appearance I am less happy with are the handlebar switches and the colour of the saddle. It was a pale tan, so have obtained leather dye and isopropyl alcohol and having a go at changing to a much more mellow chestnut.
Photos attached. Cheers, Raymond