New Royal Enfield Bullet65

Please Can anyone give my the run down.
I have orded my New Bullet65 and would like to know if anyone has had
one on the road for a while and what they think of it
Many Thanks Terry in Windsor.

 

Please Can anyone give my the run down ... Bullet 65

What the Enfield needed more than another gear was a proper means to engage
them. Absolutely horrible long-throw, sloppy, vague, frequently missed
shifting! IMO, the new 5th speed is intended to keep the bike higher into
the rev range and out of the low rev pollution zone (note the new sensor in
the header). The closer ratios will make it more snappy, but a CB250 can
still outrun it (seriously). Top ratios on both the 4 and 5-speed are 1:1,
thankfully, because the brakes are still comparable to those on a Moped
(seriously). Other than that, and the fact that it vibrates strong enough
to unstitch your undies, it's an interesting ride if you are into
experiencing a pre-60's motorcycle. Don't expect an easy sale or financial
happiness when you want to be rid of it.

 

I own a Bullet. Bought it new two years ago, so it has the four speed
transmission and no electric start.

The bike needed some attention right away due to third-world assembly
standards. Examples: tail and brake lights quit working sometimes
because the light was "grounded" through paint. The clutch dragged when
released until it was opened up and rivet heads machined flat so that
the rivet heads weren't the only contact point between the plates and
the clutch basket. The carburetor was attached to the head with a cheap
rubber tube that almost immediately began to leak air, and the slide
would often stick wide open, necessitating removal of the top cap to
push it down again. This was fixed by replacing the carb with an Amal.

With either carb, the bike doesn't know how to idle with any sort of
constancy. If the idle is set high enough that the bike doesn't stop
while it's cold and I can't blip the throttle to put on h****t and
gloves, then it idles too high after it is warmed up.

Owning a Bullet is quite different than owing a modern bike. You are
considering buying a brand new antique. It is low-powered, not quick
and doesn't go fast. This engine doesn't like to rev, and no tachometer
is supplied or needed as it runs out of breath around redline, 5500 RPM.
The factory claims 22 hp, but I doubt it. I squeezed out a little more
power by fitting a less restrictive air filter and "muffler". It's kind
of loud, but sounds like a big single ought to sound. There's enough
power to cruise all day between 60 and 65 mph, once the stock 17T tranny
output sprocket is replaced by an 18. (Dunno if that is true for the
5-speed.) The bike definitely needs more maintenance than most modern
bikes, but it's all easy for the owner to do, no electronics, just one
set of points, one spark plug, and a spring-weighted spark advance. It
runs happily on regular gas, and the whole thing is so understressed
that it is completely nonplussed by extended large throttle openings.

The Bullet is very easy to start, once you get the drill right, which I
guess, or hope, is intimidating to potential thieves. Tickle the carb,
push the compression release, and turn the engine a few times to ensure
the clutch is free and the oil is moving a little. Turn on the
ignition, push the piston to top dead center, which is discerned by the
ammeter needle jumping as the points open, and give it a manly heave.
First kick, and thump-thump-thump. Away you go. It's very pleasant to
ride, with a torquey engine and cush-drive rubber between the rear
sprocket and the hub. The transmission is very stiff at first, but has
worn in nicely. It's pretty much impossible to get into neutral with
the engine running at a stop, so a little finesse is needed. The
neutral finder is a terrific feature but I have to hit it as I'm rolling
to a stop.

If you buy the Bullet, you will be humiliated often by other bikes at
stop light dragraces, and it's best to stick to the two lane highways.
You will find yourself spending time fielding questions from old guys
who want to talk old bikes, and questions from younger riders who remark
on the absence of disk brakes, an electric starter and the lack of any
plastic bodywork.

I like mine just fine, and it reliably has taken me across the continent
twice.

 

Many thanks for your remarks on the Bullet sounds like great fun and
it will bring back the memories of my old biking days when I had a BSA
c15

Terry Bryant

PS Always gratful of advise on clubs and Meetings many thanks.

 

Many thanks for your coments on the bullet 65 looks like I may have
some fun braking it in. PS if you know of any clubs and meetings I
would like some info thanks again.
Terry

 

Many thanks for your coments on the bullet 65

Look in the yellow pages under 'psychiatric'. I'm sure you will find a
group session that fits your schedule and needs. In the long run, it will
be less expensive than that horrible motorcycle.

 

Look in the yellow pages under 'psychiatric'. I'm sure you will find a

Coming from India, where the Enfield Bullet is made and revered as a "big
bike" for cops, rich kids and film stars, i can attest the charm and
character of the Bullet is undoubted.
Reliability is another issue. You have to remember that the Bullet is
manufactured in a country where labour is dirt cheap. Any mechanic around
the corner in india can fix the bullet for peanuts. IBut if you are in the
first world, be prepared for spending that much time and $$.