You can't use the holesaw method for these shocks Ian. 😁 It would be nice to replace those top bolts with some studs that have a section of shank and threads on both ends. Locktite the domed nuts on and use a Nylok nut on the inside.

Hello Ian, thanks to your judicious step-by-step explanations for adjusting the valves, I will be able to adjust them without fear 🙂! A big thank you for this video that I will share with great pleasure ! Roger.

Imagine how much longer the job takes the critics to do. If they don’t have the attention span to watch a how to do it correctly video, their bike projects must never get done. Bunch of hacks.

A bit to the north of you(RO) I have the exact same issue with my BS6 Himi, so indeed I have to consider replacing the fuel pump. Do you mind sharing the place where you bought the fuel pump from? Thanks!

Its my wife that stops me enjoying my self , she worries so much she has taken all the pleasure out of it, I’m only bloody 75 FFS.

Hi from NZ I have the same bike, also orange. I adopted your recommendation to fit the triumph springs to the front with great success. I think I am a similar weight to you and without extra preload, the front is perfect. It’s smooth and assured and I think you nailed it. Thank you.

Ive used hagons for years. Ecellent company to deal with. Ive got a pair in for rebuild at the moment 👌

With Dumlop TT 100/K81 rear tyre on, my Bullet feels sloppy, compared to the K70 that was on before. If I knew what I was doing, I could adjust it. I don't like the K81, it's too quick to lean for this bike, and I like to feel well planted and grippy. But we couldn't get a K70 in time. Having mucked around with non-factory tyres, I'm a bit wary of replacing shocks and so forth. I saw Bullet Wanderer pull off his rear tyre with the drum brake on the roadside like it was nothing and I knew that it would be impossible with rear disc. They were retrofitting too much to the old frame and it became unstable. Better to build it up from scratch, which is what they did with the J series.

Hi Ian thanks for the vid and you Sue for editing, well I go along with your thought processes Ian, iam 69 now 70 next may, have a hunter and a 2007 350 bullet, love em both differently, as for the project bike for me film as you build, suit me down to the ground, thanks again guys NW biker dude over the hill but refuses to grow up, just keep breathing nd riding does not matter what anyone else thinks or does be yourself Ted

Nice work Ian. The clearance for the top shock bolt is actually even less on the Classic 500 than it is on the Bullet because the mudguard side tubes are directly behind the bolt. Oh and have you put back in the stock engine breather tube which goes into the air box? It looks like it here in this video.

Smart work Ian. I think they will work out for you.😃

Oooo ya shocka

Nice job Ian !fyi the mudguard stay on th rear of the C5 fouls the top shock bolt so the job looks the same (pain)

can you please tell if the sprocket from continantal 535 16T will fit on this adaptor ???? Or both the adaptor and the sprocket will fit on the bullet/ classic 500 ? I am trying to achieve the ratio similar to the 19 inch rear wheel - which the bike originally came with... Btw I don't like the 19t front sprocket it's too big.

Hi, I got myself an Interceptor when they first came out as it (to me) was the only modern bike that looked at all like the Brit twins i had in the '60s. It's the first bike i bought new, first bike with - electric start, indicators, disc brakes - even mirrors! and six gears ! I love it. It will be really interesting to see what you do with yours over the winter. Today i was fixing a rear wheel puncture -whell out, no problem, new inner tube - easy. Putting the rear wheel back in - nightmare ! I believe you changed the tyres on yours so must have had the whhel out - did you have any trouble putting it back in ? Or anyone else out there?

Great video Ian! You've inspired me to off road my Himalayan more👍 Not done any since competing in Trials years ago, enjoy mate! 😎

Happy birthday Ian! Sue will give you a birthday present of cleaning the garage & the house! Modern classic is the way to go! Just like yourself! Cheers 🍾

Great work. Can you please let me know the exact part number from TEC. Thanks. Keep up the good work.

Any videos on changing or cleaning the secondary filter screen in the sump?

It would be really good to see some videos as you progress with with the Interceptor project Ian. It would make for great content. I agree with you regarding Classics/retro classic bikes. Probably the only true classic which was available brand new up until recently is the RE Bullet/Classic 500, which is basically a gentle evolution of a genuine 1950's bike. A one of a kind and the reaction and compliments I get to mine, from pretty much everyone is staggering. I have very little time for the new 350 Bullet/Classic versions. Whilst the engine is a genuine retro engine and RE should be complimented on it, the rest of these bikes are just pure plastic fakery. A 3D photocopy of the old 500's made to fit over a modern generic frame using plastic mouldings. The battery isn't even in the battery box! Pure fake. I think the Interceptor and GT 650's are the nearest you can get today to a real retro classic because they have air/oil cooled engines and keep the bikes simple. Modern Triumph's just look like retro classics but the new Norton Commando is, I think, a genuine retro classic but very pricey. Just my thoughts 🙂

A few points about your comments on the BSA Gold Star. Buying brand names has been going on since the dawn of motorcycling. Many British brands names have been bought such as AJS, Matchless, Norton, Triumph, Sunbeam, Villiers, to name a few, so what's different about the BSA name being bought? With regards to the Gold Star not looking like a Gold Star, what would you expect from a bike 60 years later. Imagine if BSA were still going in its original form, wouldn't they want to improve the bike over the years. What's wrong with a 4 valve head, double overhead camshaft, twin spark plugs, water cooling and air cooling, fuel injection, Brembo brakes and a 5 speed box. These have all added tremendously to improving performance, efficiency, reliability and rideability. The new Gold Star is way better than the old one in many respects. I think BSA have done an excellent job in making a new motorcycle that has good performance, very nimble handling, powerful brakes, very reliable and most of all, a clear and very attractive resemblance to the original and all at a bargain price. By the way I have owned both old and new Gold Stars, so I have experienced both. Have you ever ridden either one?

I've not ridden either the bullet or interceptor,but to me the bullet does look spot on

Wouldn't buy anything from a country that swamps our communication systems with scams.

Nice quiet spot to film Ian. Looking forward to you retroizing the orange crush. There is others out there that like the CB 350 which is interesting. ( The cost is a deal breaker for me )Honda was never going to let Enfield bask in the limelight without playing catch-up. The Scram will get the sherpa engine and the Himalayan will become a 650...more of a road bike. ( from my take on other videos on Enfield). Big Sid mentioned 28 new models over the years which is quite the undertaking...but look at the CB 350. Monkey see, Monkey do. Average age from what I see out there is 45-70.( In Vegas ) 95% on road riding. Electric bikes will soon be on our roads. We have to be conformable in what we ride. I could of rode the 411 30 years ago...and I can ride it until I cant get on it or petrol gets rationed again.

My first bike was a 1971 Honda CB450. While I dearly loved that bike as it was reliable and capable (and beautiful), my RE Interceptor is much better. No need to fuss with the ignition, no carbs to synch (the EFI delivers much better economy as well), no cold start choke or fuel petcock. The o-ring drive chains are FAR superior to the old style. I picked the Interceptor for several reasons: 1) There was no radiator/coolant issue to be bothered with for maintenance 2) I could easily adjust tappet clearance (no fussing about with shims or camshaft removal) 3) The riding position was comfortable for me, no leaning forward as on a race bike 4) I liked the overall looks, it does not look like an insect or a Transformer toy 5) A test ride confirmed what I had read: it is a wonderful motorcycle to ride. I really don't care if it replicates "old" motorcycles or not. I just wanted a motorcycle with these characteristics. No need to remove a lot of fairings just to get at the mechanical parts to adjust/service. 6) The suspension as purchased is plenty good enough to not cause to my aging body when riding pain over bumps Interesting video. Thanks! Keep up the nice content.

I'm lucky in that I have several old machines which could be seen as classic.... I was never a Harley fan..... new ones are overpriced... over weight... but I always loved the old 45's.... I now have a pair.... great old bikes.... My 2011 RE Bullet, with Cozy sidecar... is a very good unit.... unlike the 2009 and older versions ewer Bullets can handle 55 mph all day and get you home .... I've done 1200 camping trips. I have a RE 650 Interceptor..... I simply tell others... everyone for the pass 80 years built a 650 Twin.... they all were try;n to build the RE 650. Would I call it a classic.... no. Classic is a term that's earned... The Interceptor has great lines and has that old school classic look.... but it hasn't earned ..... " classic ".... Yet. 😎

About the interceptor looks: I think the hitchcocks polished stainless steel front mudguard with stays really transforms the look to a more classic style. I didn't think such a small change would make such a big difference but I think it shows just how wrong the original mudguard is. If I owned one that's the main change I'd make.

Blokes like to categorise things to the last degree, and motorcyclists are as guilty of this is anyone. My take on classic is any bike before the Suzuki Katana, and bikes that were influenced by it. So, motorcycles that had organic shapes for tank, engine and cycle parts, not triangles and wedges in the modern idiom. I care much less whether it has a carburettor, pushrods, and a separate gearbox, than it satisfies those virtues. I never try to pass of my Classic 350 as an old bike, even to passers by, and see it less as an exercise in nostalgia than a continuation of motorcycle design before sports bikes took all bikes down a misplaced aerodynamic dead end.

G’day Ian, in 2006 I purchased new my RE Bullet 500 5 speed, electric-start in classic black. Originally I was looking for a British made bike of the 50s through to 70s era. 18 months of research for a reasonable conditioned bike suitable for restoration to be a fully registered & rideable bike in retirement as my goal. After further research I decided to purchase a new RE 500 bullet as basically it was pretty much still the same model built for decades. To me it’s just a cast iron barrelled 2006 built RE bullet, but full of charm in my opinion, still has similar problem ancestry with its origins from a truely classic era. My Interceptor is a modern 650 bike built by RE loosely styled from the British built interceptor that suits my current needs well. Looking forward to your next round of mods & fixes to your RE’s. Thanks for sharing your thoughts mate… cheer Phil 🇦🇺

It would be interesting to do a poll on "how many more biking years to you feel you have left in you?" I would certainly hope to keep going as long as i can, but at 61 I suspect I've probably got ten years. Fifteen if I'm really lucky, but more likely ten maximum. I was in Matlock Bath last Thursday and looking around at all the lads riding in on their bikes, eating lunch and sitting outside the cafes, it's abundantly clear that most uk bikers are in the age range 55 to 75. I could narrow it down to say the biggest pool would be 60 to 70. On that basis, in ten years time, we could see huge reductions in the number of people still riding. There are very few really young guys coming through to take our place. But for now, it's great to see everyone still soaking up the sun and continuing a hobby that has gone on for years. I , like you, started with bikes being my only form of transport and that lasted for several years. Twenty years ago I had a Blackbird. Those days are long gone. Two Enfield 350s now, and I feel 17 years old again. Wonderful bikes. And your Bullet 500 is a glorious bike. Last of the hand built modern classics; something to treasure. Character in abundance. Now there's a subject for a future video; define "character". Interesting video Ian, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Having just been to an antique motorcycle show on the Bullet 500, my experience is that there's a lot of ignorance here about the modern Bullet being a reproduction, and this is the lecture I have to give five times a day: The Classic might be a reproduction, they're not badged as Bullets. However, the Bullet is unique in being an unbroken production run, unlike the others, Triumph, Norton, BSA, even Brough Superior now, which are revived brands and reissued models. Everything is mass produced in robotised mega-factories now, and materials are so consistent, it doesn't matter which country they're made in. There were dozens of variations and improvements on the Bullet over the decades, electric start, UCE, EFI, and ABS, etc, are just the latest. But it's still the same model, only it doesn't meet the AMCA show definition of a classic, vintage, or antique bike, because it isn't over 35 years old yet.

Similar age to you & agree with what you're saying re classic bikes. I think many people get mixed up in proper classic bikes & bikes they feel are classics...I'm guilty over a few bikes I've had, GSXR 750wt Srads 1996 & the Honda VFR 400 NC30. I'm guilty because both were before their time when produced & owning them, became classic bikes to me. But as you say, proper classic bikes were well before those. Just brought a 10month old Himalayan 411 & I must watch your vlogs again, about your thoughts on it. After 30yrs of sports bikes, I don't want anymore, I've slowed down & speeding around doesn't do it for me anymore. I hope to enjoy the 411 & get good use out of it. Thanks for your vlog & the stunning location.

Can only speak for myself, but would like to see the build. I'm happy with mine as is, for what it is. But will be taking the Honda NT over to Lincs next week as it is more suited to motorway trip in rain etc. There's a place for both. Agree though it is almost impossible for teens to get on road on a petrol bike. So they all ride illegal electric motorbikes, (Sur Ron) no number plate, insurance, tax, no helmet, just a balaclava. Police don't stop them. I don't blame them in some ways.

I dont think anything can be classed as a true classic unless it's over 30yo. And right, I dont want to be sat at the roadside fixing bikes or cars. Plus there's the cost, I love classic land rovers but they've wandered completely out my price range. As for retros the z900 rs is more my cup of tea as its more my era I guess.

I agree, what i've seen over the years with all the new rules, law, regulation and prices of owning a bike is insane in many countries but specially in the UK. They actively try do discourage youngsters from riding bikes. Don't know why, maybe they are few reasons at once.

Guilty as charged. I’d love a classic, but I can’t afford one and don’t have the know how to keep one on the road. Interceptor for me😂.

I couldn't agree more about the new psuedo BSA Gold Star(?),it's not a Gold Star,the market is seeing straight through that visage and that's why they're not selling and have dropped their prices by as much as £1000 here in the UK! The "retro" theme,for that's what it is,is selling bikes and that suits the industry in lean times,so we can't blame them for that. I'm a little older than you at 71 and still riding,hopefully for a loonnnggg time yet.It's the riding that's most important to me these days above all,currently on a 2024 Honda Cb500X and a 2020 Suzuki DL650,both bikes which i love to ride but the DL650 is an ugly duckling if I'm honest,the Honda not so much,but as one Albainian YT poster once said "a Japanese motorcycle may not be the prettiest bike in the world but like a good wife,it's very reliable" . I get your nuanced bikes of the old days view but for me riding(in the UK)it's all about the reliability of the ride with not,or very little fiddling 'n fettling,I also seek comfort in my 250mile on road riding days on the bike,as I'm too old and decrepit for off road riding in the slippy muck and mud of UK weather.much as like that kind of riding. keep up the good work and thanks for a very insightful video.

I think it would be a great watch to see you build it Ian,I can't think of anything better to watch on a winter evening, 🙂👍🏍🇬🇧

Standing up , sorry not for me that’s why you have tar macadam and a seat lol. At least you enjoyed yourself .

You could solve all your problems and delete the fuel injection. Theres carb kits out there for the injected versions to revert them to gravity feed carbs, back to the good old days where the only electronic bits are the dash and cd ignition i

That was helpful, thanks for sharing. Nobody highlighted the slant in the new design.

Fantastic, love it all 😊