OVERLOOKED: BUELL FIREBOLT XB9-R
The strange, and strangely compelling American sportsbike.
SHE’S NICELY LUBED UP
If it’s the better-looking pre-unit construction motor (separate engine and gearbox) then you need to check/change three lubricationers: the engine, the gearbox and the primary. Engine oil is 20W50 and needs renewing frequently – ideally every 2500 miles (or once a year). Check your transmission lube using the level plug on the side of the gearbox after a 20-mile spin, and use 10W ATF to keep the primary’s level in order after you’ve checked it with the primary chain case’s level plug. When you’re thrusting a fresh oil filter into the motor it needs to be pre-soaked in engine oil to avoid the time it takes to build up oil pressure on the first post-service start-up. Forgetting to do this can mean oil starvation and inevitable mechanical misery.
THE BUNDLE OF COGS
Older Bullets have a four-speed Albion gearbox. It’s got a neutral finder which is sort of good (clutch in, press your heel down on the lever and you return to neutral from any gear), but you are lumbered with a slow shift action. Go for a five-speed unless you like playing hunt the ratio – it was developed with help from Cranfield University (yes, really), first seen on the Bullet Sixty5 model in 2003, and is far superior. Most Sixty5s were sold into the Indian market and came with a trad’ left-foot gear change, but renowned parts specialists Hitchcocks developed a kit to turn the bike back to right-foot shift.
There’s lots of bare metal, so use an oily rag to keep the wheel rims and engine in decent nick, and smother in anti-corrosion potion like ACF-50 for winter. Don’t buy from a jet wash addict: water gets in and corrodes the steering and wheel bearings. Keep an eye on the exhaust heat shield bolts because they like to undo themselves. Use spring washers rather than Loctite – heat from the exhaust will loosen threadlock glue. Side panels drop off unless located properly. Expect blown sidelight bulbs, misted clocks and other small irritations during ownership.
MAINTAIN ITS GOOD LOOKS
KICKING BACK
Buy a trickle charger and keep your battery in fine fettle. Attempting to start a Bullet with a weak battery can cause kickback through the sprag clutch as there isn’t enough momentum to turn the crank past top dead centre. This can cause the sprag clutch to break at which point you’ll be looking at a £350+ fix. All Bullets came with kickstarts, so if you suspect a tired battery just use your leg instead.
NO LONGER ROYAL OILFIELD
Avoid 1990s bikes as they’re a bit ropey. It’s also better to go for a UK model than an Indian-market bike: as well as meeting Euro standards, export examples always had British tyres, stainless steel spokes, plus a superior paint finish to grey imports. The best bikes are from 2006-on when quality, performance and reliability took a lengthy stride in the right direction thanks to the alloy-engined, five-speed Electra X – it’s got the on-road ability of later injected unit-construction Bullets (introduced 2008) but the aesthetic appeal of the original. Fancy electric start and one of those high-tech disc front brakes, too. Coo…
‘Don’t buy from a jet wash addict: water gets in and corrodes the steering and wheel bearings’
ELECTRICAL GUBBINS
Later Bullets had a metal spark plug cap. If it’s still fitted expect ignition bother when it’s damp or wet, as water on the cap lowers its resistance and the spark jumps between the plug and the cap, rather than the plug’s terminals. Simple fix, mind: plastic caps are a fiver. Check the earth lead where it joins the battery, as the wire is thin and snaps easily if the battery’s been jiggling about. It’s a small thing but can mean a call to the AA. The cure is to double-up the wire, re-crimp and re-attach to the battery.