Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: '45 WD CO on June 08, 2011, 03:59:00 pm

Title: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: '45 WD CO on June 08, 2011, 03:59:00 pm
what year did RE start the UCE?  models?  Thanks,  Bill
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: Okie Enfield on June 08, 2011, 04:03:07 pm
I believe it was 2009. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: '45 WD CO on June 08, 2011, 04:12:48 pm
thanks.  that's what I think too.  Is it all of the models?  Everything I've read about the UCE is very good, so I'm considering selling my 06 iron barrel and buying a UCE.  I think a LOT of my break-downs and weekly repairs will go away.
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: r80rt on June 08, 2011, 04:34:14 pm
'09 was the start of the UCE
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: Okie Enfield on June 08, 2011, 04:43:34 pm
I had wanted to get on an enfield since about 2000 but was hesitant due to the maintanance. Started watching again when the UCE came out and had a few years under the belt. Picked up my 2010 C5 in April and have had very few issues, the ones I did have were minor or dealership set up related, loose wire and inproperly inflated tires. Now the bike is almost through the break-in and running great. About to slap the EFI silencer on and looking forward to much longer rides. They have had several variations on the models, G5 military, C5 military, and the deluxe and chrome packages but the engines are all the same, B5 to G5 if I'm not mistaken. Hopefully you have a dealership with all three bikes and you can test ride em all.
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: '45 WD CO on June 09, 2011, 01:30:44 am
thanks everyone.  Yep, I'm looking at the 2009 G5 deluxe EFI that is identical to the 2006 iron barrel I know have.  I'm certain that I'll miss playing around with the carburator though.

Cheers,  Bill
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: Karl Fenn on March 04, 2021, 08:01:22 pm
Pretty sure it was 08 09, must say l prefer the pre unit in that model, could not be doing with complete engine strip to deal with minor gearbox problem, the pre unit has the neutral finder anyway.
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: 9fingers on March 04, 2021, 11:23:21 pm
I'm pretty sure the quality got incrementally better every year, from wiring harnesses to overall QC, since they were working on sales to AU, EU and USA. My 2016 has been mostly excellent, other than the small negative battery lead that broke at 400 miles, thankfully, at my buddies house .25 miles away.......he trailered me home.......I could barely walk after getting over my encounter with a deer a few months before. And I had the kickstand safety switch removed after it cut on on me one day while cruising at 45 or 50 MPH. Never happened again but why tempt fate. Love the bike!
9fingers
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: Adrian II on March 05, 2021, 10:35:04 am
I think the actual production of the UCE/EFI bikes started as far back as 2008, when they first appeared in Europe. The first model imported would have been the Electra EFI, with the C5 Classics next.

In the UK Euro3 regs which killed the older models hit at the beginning of 2008, but the UK importer was permitted to sell NOS 2007 IB/AVL models throughout 2008.  For the USA, Kevin Mahoney didn't import the final IB and AVL 500s until 2009, I remember his forum post at the time with the very last 500 IB off the line, so I'm guessing mid-to late 2009 would be when the first UCE Bullets were shipped to you.

A.
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: Keef Sparrow on March 05, 2021, 08:00:11 pm
I'm certain that I'll miss playing around with the carburator though.
You can fit them to the UCE engine though - quite a few people have converted them back from fuel injection.
Title: Re: what year did RE start the UCE? models? Thanks, Bill
Post by: suitcasejefferson on March 11, 2021, 09:02:35 am
I have a 2013 UCE and love it. As far as the actual engine design, I believe the UCE is better than the Iron Barrel, and still looks vintage. To me the biggest issue with the UCE was EFI. I simply won't own an EFI bike. To me a motorcycle is a machine, not a computer on wheels. Even before I bought the bike I had heard about a carb conversion kit for it, and I verified that before buying the bike. I converted it to an Amal carb (just like a vintage British bike) using a kit from Hitchcock's. It was a MAJOR improvement in rideability besides getting rid of the computer garbage. I don't think a bike could run any better. There really is no need to play around with the carburetor though. I have put over 12K miles on the bike with the carburetor, and have had no problems. The only times I touch the carburetor is to "tickle" it when starting, something I very much missed from the old days. The Amal carb is as simple as it gets.