[royalbeastrider]

Hi there,

Just picked up this 500 UCE with 3200 miles in Texas. I'm not very much familiar with these UCE engines, so wanted to check what all shall I do as a preventive maintenance.

Thank you,

RB

[axman88]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your Bullet!

I think I'd change the oil and brake fluid, and give a glance to all the items on the 6000 kms column of the service manual. 

And personally, I wasn't impressed with the quality of the O-ring chain that came as OEM on my C5, so I'd be inclined be suspicious of that, and look for stiff links, even though it's not due for replacement for quite a while going by the chart.   This isn't so much of a mileage thing, as it is environmental exposure.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwju_vSAi66EAxUH38kDHf1ICI4QFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmotorcycles-villefranche.store%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2Fmanuel-entretien-roayl-enfield-500.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2Y-csucfUB6ejihbizV2eA&opi=89978449

Hows the battery and the tires? 

[royalbeastrider]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your Bullet!

I think I'd change the oil and brake fluid, and give a glance to all the items on the 6000 kms column of the service manual. 

And personally, I wasn't impressed with the quality of the O-ring chain that came as OEM on my C5, so I'd be inclined be suspicious of that, and look for stiff links, even though it's not due for replacement for quite a while going by the chart.   This isn't so much of a mileage thing, as it is environmental exposure.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwju_vSAi66EAxUH38kDHf1ICI4QFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmotorcycles-villefranche.store%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2Fmanuel-entretien-roayl-enfield-500.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2Y-csucfUB6ejihbizV2eA&opi=89978449

Hows the battery and the tires?

Thank you!

I'll keep get everything done as you suggested. Battery looked new, so did tires.

OEM chains sets are not that great quality anyways. I far I remember, I'd change complete set every 8k KMS when touring in Northern India. And I always keep a chain lock handy on me. I installed Indori Exhuast today and loving it. It takes me 16 years back to India.

Thank you so for responding.

RB

[BulletBrian]

Man, that's a GREAT looking Bullet!  I have a 2018 Classic 500 in Battle Green and it's really taken hold of me.  They're such honest, simple and fun machines. 

There are lots of mods and options to make the bike really fit your style...bags, seats, tires, bars, exhaust, grips, etc.

  Welcome aboard and have fun!

[Morgan65]

Hi there,

Just picked up this 500 UCE with 3200 miles in Texas. I'm not very much familiar with these UCE engines, so wanted to check what all shall I do as a preventive maintenance.

Thank you,

RB

Congratulations on the new to you UCE 500. This is my favorite single cylinder motor RE has ever made. It has the character. That being said the stock motor is made for putting around on the slower roads.  Not running 70-80 mph all day long.

[royalbeastrider]

Man, that's a GREAT looking Bullet!  I have a 2018 Classic 500 in Battle Green and it's really taken hold of me.  They're such honest, simple and fun machines. 

There are lots of mods and options to make the bike really fit your style...bags, seats, tires, bars, exhaust, grips, etc.

  Welcome aboard and have fun!

Agree! Easy to work on them as well.

I've CB1100EX and GSA to accompany Bullet. But nothing beats character of a single cylinder.

PO added saddle bags and few more mods, but I kinda of like it stock. So I got rid of lot of stuff.

RB

[royalbeastrider]

Congratulations on the new to you UCE 500. This is my favorite single cylinder motor RE has ever made. It has the character. That being said the stock motor is made for putting around on the slower roads.  Not running 70-80 mph all day long.

Absolutely agree with you. My sweet spot is 50 MPH, anything over feels like pushing little bit.

I something wonder how I travelled India on a 350 Bullet. 

[Handirifle]

Nice looking bike, congratulations.

Am a new 500 CE owner as well.  Mine is a 2011 that sat since 2017.  I know you said the tires looked new, so did mine, with only 1308 miles on them.  But look closely, if those are 2017 tires you might need to replace them too.  Mine had lots of tiny cracks near the rims.  I replaced them with knobbies since I ride dirt roads a lot. 
We went opposite directions.  I am adding hard luggage to mine.  My other bike is a 2014 Harley Ultra Classic (all black like your bike) and I have gotten so used to the convenience of the saddle bags, for everything.  Camping, errands, you name it, so I am adding them.  Just can't do much without them.
Good luck, and look it over close.

[BulletBrian]

Nice looking bike, congratulations.

Am a new 500 CE owner as well.  Mine is a 2011 that sat since 2017.  I know you said the tires looked new, so did mine, with only 1308 miles on them.  But look closely, if those are 2017 tires you might need to replace them too.  Mine had lots of tiny cracks near the rims.  I replaced them with knobbies since I ride dirt roads a lot. 
We went opposite directions.  I am adding hard luggage to mine.  My other bike is a 2014 Harley Ultra Classic (all black like your bike) and I have gotten so used to the convenience of the saddle bags, for everything.  Camping, errands, you name it, so I am adding them.  Just can't do much without them.
Good luck, and look it over close.

Yeah, I can't deal with a bike with no luggage either!  I put on the big(!) 20mm M548 ammo cans, hinged the lids and installed locks.  I can get tools, extra fuel bottle, jackets, water, whatever I need on board.  It's a bit of a swing to clear over them while boarding, just have to be careful.  I put on the Duro HF307 trials tires...more bite on the ditch banks around here.  Bike sits taller for sure and the center and side stand geometries changed a lot.  Adaptation necessary.

[Beeza]

There have been cases of the frame cracking where the side stand mounts. Maybe just India, but I’d take a look at what’s there before you do the side stand, footpeg, leg over trick too many times.

They may have beefed it up. The 350 Classic got a better frame design in this area. I don’t have either; just saw it in passing. In India, the GVW is determined by stacking limitations…..

[manxmike]

Same model as mine (2018). I've added a locking top box on a tail rack, a short reach megaphone - sounds great and has improved the MPG, I'm adding rear-set footrests.
As far as things to watch out for - if removing the fuel tank do disconnect the fuel pump line first (DAMHIK). New fuel pumps are not cheap! Check the oil and chain regularly. Replace the oil at the suggested intervals. In the UK it's as well to clean the bike often - we use salt on the roads in the winter - plays havoc with the chrome bits.

[Silverback]

Congratulations! I  ride mine daily here in el paso. Great little bike
 Runs like a tank and is super easy to work on.  55 to 60 is perfect speed.

[danketchpel]

Congrats on the new to you bike!

I have to ask, are you sure it's a 2017 model? It appears to have the leading axle forks which are from earlier models. I think the forks changed to inline axle around 2013 (my 2012 has the leading axle).

[Silverback]

Congrats on the new to you bike!

I have to ask, are you sure it's a 2017 model? It appears to have the leading axle forks which are from earlier models. I think the forks changed to inline axle around 2013 (my 2012 has the leading axle).

Yep my 2012 has leading axle.

[Haggis]

Congrats on the new to you bike!

I have to ask, are you sure it's a 2017 model? It appears to have the leading axle forks which are from earlier models. I think the forks changed to inline axle around 2013 (my 2012 has the leading axle).

The Bullet model stuck with the leading axle forks for a few years longer than the C5 classic 500.