Raymond, do you have any opinion about the cause for the seizure?
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2003 Royal Enfield 500 Deluxe
- Thread starter Raymond
- Start date
It's a fair question and I don't know the answer. Could be manufacturing error in the piston and rings but seems unlikely so rule that out. I am guilty of not thinking to check the piston-bore clearance so the STD piston might have been too tight in the STD barrel but the barrel is about 10,000 miles worn so while it should have been checked it's probably not going to be too tight. I measured and set the ring end gaps and I set them just a smidgeon above the minimum spec but I don't think the rings nipped up. So I'm going take it on the chin and say maybe my assembly procedure was sub-par, maybe not enough lube on assembly or maybe I over-worked the engine in the first 3 or 4 short trips?
Whatever was wrong led to a small area of the rear piston skirt getting over-heated and coming into contact with the barrel.
Among riding it - two outings, about fifty miles - adjusted the rear brake pedal. Which was sitting too high, just touching the sole of my shoe, so every time the rear wheel went over a bump I could feel that through the pedal. Not a problem, just a minor distraction. Just needed a longer bolt in the pedal stop so it can't come up so far. These are the little tweaks . . .
At the mo, Bullet has become the daily rider. Bit like @gggGary - https://www.xs650.com/threads/just-ride.54772/post-852947 - I can't resist it's plaintive "pick me" cries.
More than 600 miles since the piston picked up. Not 100% totally happy about the engine, there's rattling noises from the valve gear/top end but the position I've reached is that I'm going to ride, use, enjoy the bike until it presents me with a problem or until I get on with a growing list of planned jobs. Adjust the clutch again, check the clutch plates, replace clutch push pad with a roller-bearing one, 'nother look at the tappets, hopefully not another look inside the engine, though that cannot be ruled out . . .
Ordered https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/accessory-shop/4-speed/3279 from Hitchcocks today so I guess I'll be taking a look inside the gearbox at some point.
But for now make the most of the waning Summer.
More than 600 miles since the piston picked up. Not 100% totally happy about the engine, there's rattling noises from the valve gear/top end but the position I've reached is that I'm going to ride, use, enjoy the bike until it presents me with a problem or until I get on with a growing list of planned jobs. Adjust the clutch again, check the clutch plates, replace clutch push pad with a roller-bearing one, 'nother look at the tappets, hopefully not another look inside the engine, though that cannot be ruled out . . .
Ordered https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/accessory-shop/4-speed/3279 from Hitchcocks today so I guess I'll be taking a look inside the gearbox at some point.
But for now make the most of the waning Summer.
Sigh. I'm waiting for it to pass, so I can go out and ride. In the meantime, snap a pic or two of that lovely machine out on the street.
Moi? Thank you, Marty, I woulda though folks would be getting sick of pics of the still nameless Bullet.
But I take your point about out on the street. Mostly photograph the bikes in the back yard. Honestly try to take pics when we're out and about but sometimes it's not convenient and sometimes you're in a hurry and somehow it's not really my habit to stop for photos.
Understood. That's my story as well. Worse since the camera in my phone no longer functions. Just the same, I like to see what regular folks have to show me. I don't have the time to see the whole world for myself, as much I've tried. I don't get tired of your RE.
Maybe a poor choice of words, but intended as a compliment.
Well that looks interesting, I’ll be waiting to hear your review of the changes.
BTW, never get tired of any of your bikes, love reading what you’re up to and always enjoy seeing your part of the world! 
You and me both brother! Supposed to be 112 degrees here in a couple of days. We’re supposed to be in our monsoon season but it has been bone dry.
My grass makes a crunching sound when I step on it.We’re supposed to be in our monsoon season but it has been bone dry.
We'll let you know when we're tired of pics young man. 'Till then, keep 'em comin'
Strikes me as Bullet's a good a name as any.
Btw, even though he's not yet up and running, my BSA already has a name. He's known 'round these parts simply as Victor.
An uninspiring name perhaps.... but a name nonetheless. I see nothing wrong with uninspiring. I mean... Jim don't exactly set the world on fire, does it?
Victor... Bullet.... Good solid names. Sir Bullet perhaps...
Btw again.... piston rings and sneakers 'sposed to be here today. Victor is giddy with excitement.
Last night I watched an interview with Elspeth Beard. She was asked what name she had given to the bike she rode around the world on. She said she didn't give it a name but referred to it as "Old Girl."Btw, even though he's not yet up and running, my BSA already has a name. He's known 'round these parts simply as Victor.
An uninspiring name perhaps.... but a name nonetheless. I see nothing wrong with uninspiring. I mean... Jim don't exactly set the world on fire, does it?
Victor... Bullet.... Good solid names. Sir Bullet perhaps...
Btw again.... piston rings and sneakers 'sposed to be here today. Victor is giddy with excitement.
In an idle moment of musing, plenty of them chuffing along all stately like on the spring saddle, occurred to me the bike was made in Chennai, formerly Madras. And in St Andrews where we used to live there's a school, Madras College, students known as Madrascals. So the 500 could be called the Madrascal. Or even just the Rascal.
We'll see - not all my bikes have gained a moniker, them that do it's sometimes earned and other times just sort of evolves.
We'll see - not all my bikes have gained a moniker, them that do it's sometimes earned and other times just sort of evolves.
This morning, managed to stop and take a picture. Greenknowe Tower - seem to have the builders in.
Wasn't in a hurry, convenient, there's a lay-by, just the wrong bike . . .
If the weather looks cold, cloudy and damp that's because it is. Woohoo, August in Scotland.
Hey! My dad's name was Jim. But then again in good Southern tradition, he went by his middle name, Ronald.Btw, even though he's not yet up and running, my BSA already has a name. He's known 'round these parts simply as Victor.
An uninspiring name perhaps.... but a name nonetheless. I see nothing wrong with uninspiring. I mean... Jim don't exactly set the world on fire, does it?
Victor... Bullet.... Good solid names. Sir Bullet perhaps...
Btw again.... piston rings and sneakers 'sposed to be here today. Victor is giddy with excitement.
It's very hot and sunny here. If I could give you a taste of it, I expect you wouldn't trade with me. August in Mississippi is something different entirely.
miketweedie
XS650 Addict
Well, I guess you could say I also had an itch to get one of these bikes. Unfortunately, it was a two-for-one deal, so...
Brilliant catch, looking forward to the progress.
Nice one.
You've got the post 2010-ish UCE version. Great buy, if you fancy the idea of a proper classic Royal Enfield Bullet? Coz of course there's a growing number of bikes RE offers borrowing the Bullet name/style but on modern platforms. Nowt wrong with that neither.
The UCE has a similar engine to the one Noah rode off the ark, still long-stroke but modernised with unit gearbox & trans, alloy barrel and other improvements. They had gotten better at 5-speed boxes with left-foot change by then. And the UCE also comes in the 535cc Continental GT guise, very pretty but not really a proper goer so to speak.
So the UCEs are probably the best buy if you want a traditional Bullet.
However, I'm still pleased to have ended up with the 2002 Iron Barrel. Just as God intended a Bullet to be, long-stroke, heavy flywheel, 4-speeds, right-foot change, separate oils in engine, trans and gearbox, a few minor leaks but we're dealing with those. Appreciates and requires a bit of owner attention. The GFE of motorbikes . . .
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