Double Trouble 2 - Test riding the two Royal Enfield Bullet 500's for the first time.

Things don't always go as expected, but I was kind of expecting that!
At least I have some ideas as to what sort of action I need to take and it shouldn't be too difficult to deal with the issues on both machines.

[@norsehall309]

G'day Paul, if those two Royal Enfield have not been rode for a while problems with time happen, fiddling with fuel and carburettors go's with the territory, love the sound of a big single cylinder, next ride on both will be interesting, like too know if one's better than the other, still waiting for the new high compression piston and rings for my Cafe racer Royal Enfield 500 to arrive, then I'll get my beast back on the road, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

[@neilmcintosh1200]

I much prefer in-line filters, to those hidden in tanks, because they are so much easier to deal with.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

The old British motorcycles were built to be long lasting and dependable transportation. It had to start and get you back and forth. It was also designed to be serviced by the owner. It was also rebuidlable forever ♾️. They were also very pretty to look at. Parts are better than they were in the old days. You can get alloy cylinders, belt drive, and electric starter conversions. You can make them so much better than original. Classic motorcycles become part of the family. Loved and not a disposable appliance. They out live their owners, they get handed down from one generation to another.They are in your family album. They become something special.

[@PatrickWhitaker-ls2cs]

Both got that elasticky throttle response sound

[@ArbutusWVI]

Before I retired, I used to use our shop's ultrasonic parts cleaner for removing fuel deposits from jets and carburettor passages. Sometimes even the ultrasonic could not bring some parts back from the dead, because the ethanol and water corrosion was too severe. My son's buddy had to buy a new petcock for his son's small Honda dirt bike after a winter's storage spell. Thankfully we saved the carb, as it wasn't as far gone.

[@hermangibbs8163]

Paul, you sound more chipper today. I always wondered how they took care of the hedges, now I know. Looking forward to ride two. Thanks !

[@MegaTubescreamer]

cold damp air cant help much either if the mixture is borderline ! but you`ll soon fettle it paul👍😎

[@agee8322]

Seafoam for cleaning and Stabil for adding to fuel. Tried and tested - no more claggy jet trauma.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Neither had any muck in their jets, as will soon be revealed ...

[@robertcovell2787]

Well #2 was a nice ride. I like big thumpers. #1 may need a tank flush.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Just goes to show how important test rides are after most adjustments.

[@williamnethercott4364]

Mixturitis must be catching! I'm having an idling issue with my AJS but I'm suspecting an air leak at the carburettor flange rather than needle or fuel tap problems, it pulls like Suffolk Punch once the throttle is opened a bit.

[@davidvardy8582]

Looks a cracking day out your way Paul, so will you alter the came time on these as on other RE's ??

[@bsa_brummie7775]

You probably cleared the fuel tap, filter / line and it pulled some more dross from the tank ? maybe 👍. We know it will get sorted.

[@marvinwilbur9903]

could it be you have water in the gas from sitting ????

[@denerumsby6789]

Hi Paul are these indian Bullets still running with the original carburettors? I'm no Bullet expert but weren't they a strange little Villiers unit instead of the Amal you'd expect to find on a British one?

[@richardandrews6754]

Hi Paul the first bike sounded too far advanced and lean as well the second one may be a tad lean

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Their timings and fueling were put right - you need to see the videos which followed this one.

[@anythingoldmechanical]

See what I mean Paul? Running issues through being left standing. Being stood does NO GOOD at all. Why do people have bikes and leave them idle for long periods? No wet sumping either??

[@user-gv3bt5mi3o]

Colour tune the mixture or sediment in the tank. Are these bikes reliable may get one next week it’s a 2008 500 RM

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Best bike ever made

[@paulhenshaw4514]

It is a fuel tap problem on one and the carb needle needs raising on the other. Watch this space. They can be reliable, as long as the wrong people haven't messed with them.

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

The Bullet is the best motorcycle ever made.Bar none.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hmm, not sure I concur, but they can be great, fun machines!

[@andysmith2013]

Sense of proportion please.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

My Sportster 1999 883 has 400,000 miles on the original engine. My BSA C-15 250 is both lighter and makes 22 HP. It stands the test of time.