Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Asbo 50 short test ride after rebuild and tuning at Performance Classics.

This was the first time this machine moved under its own power following a full engine strip and rebuild for tuning work. The crank was lightened and rebalanced, a steel conrod and roller big end were fitted, new main bearings, new alloy barrel, shortened and bored out a little to accept a 9:1 piston, the head was ported, the inlet cam timing was retarded and every other component checked and then it was all reassembled.

[@shug831]

Lovely. That was a good run without holding back too much, nice. You said the carb needed up jetting possibly, that should let it breathe fully.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Hugh, I had already jetted up the carb before this ride, it is running really well - a Black Mountain ride is uploading!

[@John900C]

That's a nicely styled bike too. The lighter colour suits it.

[@seanfavouritesongswithkayb9868]

These videos are great 👍

[@neilmcintosh1200]

Lovely bike with tame staid looks concealing hidden teeth. Wonderful!

[@iivaridark6850]

Well it sounds good and pulls nice from low too! Great video, thanks!

[@bsa_brummie7775]

That was a good shakedown run 👍

[@ianlawrie919]

😂jostling between Oompa Loompa’s, impressive 😂 great ride 👍👌

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fergushooper9755]

Sounds really nice, lovely video!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you very much!

[@ryanrodgers1826]

nice one Paul one more to the gang keep it up nice work as ever thank you👍

[@MegaTubescreamer]

nice rich baritone throat to it paul, sounds spot on and seems to pull good and hard, bet you`re happy with that ,and clean-ish dry roads ! looks dull and cloudy ,about same as here ,in south yorkshire.

[@joebloggs1583]

I was interested in a 2006 electra x until I heard about failed big end bearings expensive starters failing suddenly I understood why the bike was 2 grand as it could cost that again to fix it whenever it decides to lunch itself 🙁👍

[@hermangibbs8163]

Very nice. Thanks!

[@morrisminor56]

Very nice 😊

[@martinrice9190]

Great video Paul. Who make that seat on the bike? I might want one for my Royal Enfield over here in Pennsylvania USA.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi - and thanks. Not sure, but Hitchcocks probably sell those seats.

[@noeldoran8884]

Hi Paul that sounds great and strong on the power I know its a bit subjective but how close in performance is a Venom/Goldie or similar as this seems to go so well and well mannered, great job mate.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Noel and thanks. I am sure this machine would be able to see the other side of 90 mph when it is run in. It still has standard cams, with the inlet retarded, but a more sporty set of cams would probably see it capable of reaching 100 mph or so, I would think.

[@davidvardy8582]

Paul once again the Welsh Wizard as been at work again what a cracker! So how do you make it stop ??

[@kjm-ch7jc]

A video showing road and headlamp without commentary ?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Yes, allowing the viewer to use their own imagination and form their own opinions - a novel concept, isn't it?

[@amnv4]

Nice run, is it the alloy barrel making that ticking sound?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Alloy barrels can be noisier than cast iron ones, but my camera mic is also over sensitive.

[@jimdonnelly5727]

Did you have any trouble putting it into neutral when you stopped? You had machined the clutch plate cover center. Dragging clutch problem. Was that successful? Hope so!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Jim, yes, I would think the clutch job worked, thanks!

[@tjr1064]

Hi - is a modern enfield a reliable proposition, or is the bearing and manufacturing quality etc a problem? Thanks!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Joey, it is mainly the older Indian Enfields which could have quality issues, although even some of the UCE models could have things like primary chain breakages and the odd big end failure. I don't know about their current models, so I can't comment on those.

[@tjr1064]

Great thanks - i'm find the riding position on modern bikes not suitable and they're also so big, so an enfield could be the way to go as i get older,

[@philmuskett265]

I'd say it passed the test. Now for the mountain. Why don't these bikes have a valve lifter -- just lower compression?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Phil, they have a decompressor, which can have advantages over a valve lifter. Earlier RE machines such as the models G and J had valve lifters.

[@peterwilson8797]

I don't suppose you fancy tweaking a 2020 500 EFI. It's so flat compared to what you have done there.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Peter, does that model have the UCE engine? If so, it can be done, but it would need a carb conversion, cams, a top end strip to work on the head and shorten the barrel and, preferably a valve kit, too!

[@peterwilson8797]

I will be in touch👍

[@gordonbriggs2345]

Hi paul is there any reason you do not bore the barrel out to 87mm anf fit a 535 piston i am thinking of doing it to my bullet .thanks paul great vid as always.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Gordon, there are a couple of 535 kitted Asbo Bullets in the count, but I prefer the more rounded dome and higher compression ratio of the American made 9:1 pistons, and they are my first choice when tuning a 500. These pistons come in various oversizes, but not in a standard size, so reboring is necessary and I usually choose + 0.040" oversize, which is 1 mm, giving 512 cc and a margin for reboring again in the future if it would ever be required.

[@gordonbriggs2345]

Thanks for the reply paul i think i might take your advise and go with the american piston my bike has only done 7000 miles i will be keeping the floating bush big end i dont want to put too much more pressure on it i dont know how much more they will take thanks paul any news on your book yet i cant wait to read it.@@paulhenshaw4514