 Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Pun intended. Bought a spanking new Royal Enfield Bullet yesterday. Crappy pics but if I took pictures for a living, I wouldn't be using a phone ! Amazing when you look at Apple's pictures that people have supposedly taken with their iPhone. Mine look crap   
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7 |
Nice.I have always liked these.
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 146
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 146 |
Thumpers have a special place in our hearts.
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 663
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 663 |
A great looking bike...great pictures too!
2013 Speedmaster Matte Black
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Thumpers have a special place in our hearts.
There is something nice about the thudthudthud of a single 
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20 |
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 124
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 124 |
love 'em but not built for a 325 lb fat boy.
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Quote:
love 'em but not built for a 325 lb fat boy.
You could buy 2 and put one under each a$ $ cheek.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
Quote:
Thumpers have a special place in our hearts.
There is something nice about the thudthudthud of a single
Still got your 900LB Honda?
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Very nearly bought one of those a couple of years ago. Still love the looks. I hope you give us an "evaluation" after a few thousand miles. I'd love to hear what you think!
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Although I've only seen one in the flesh I've always liked the looks of them.The one I saw was sweet and had a lovely exhaust note.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Still got your 900LB Honda?
No, I sold that a couple of weeks ago.
The damn thing took up half of the garage!
This way, I can get a second Enfield for less space than the Goldwing 
With a little moving round in the garage, my current two bikes should make space for a third 
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
I hope you give us an "evaluation" after a few thousand miles. I'd love to hear what you think!
I'll let you know how I get on with it.
Been too busy so far this week to ride but pootled round for 10-12 miles yesterday.
I think we're going to get along just fine
Like the good old days, these things have to be run in so the first 300-500 miles are at reduced speed (is there anything BUT reduced speed on an Enfield I wonder?!) which is a little boring.
To get anywhere from where I live involves 60mph+ roads and people over here don't take too kindly to driving at the speed limit, let alone 20mph below it so I'm staying local to run it in.
At least I'll get to know all of the back roads after living here just a year
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374 |
So good looking! Great around town bike. I like the way smaller bikes are getting attention now.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
nice scoot always liked the sound of those little thumpers.
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
I have a soft spot for these bikes....
It's a peat bog in Southern Ireland.
Actually I owned one and liked mine....but in the end found it was 20 mph too slow....fun though.
Enjoy
Al
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
I have a soft spot for these bikes....
It's a peat bog in Southern Ireland.
Badum tsssssh. He's here all week folks
Quote:
... but in the end found it was 20 mph too slow....fun though.
Exactly. I have another bike that gets me my 100mph+ fix 
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Sounds kind of like my 64 BMW R50, slow but fun to ride as long as I am not chasing a bigger bike. It will do 80MPH all day long easily but takes a while to get the rubberband wound up to get there.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Exactly.
I just changed my car because I was convinced I was destined to lose my license. Similar principle with the bike.
Apart from motorways, it should be plenty quick enough to keep me legal
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
I am interested to see how dependable this bike is, I have liked them from day 1 but always heard they are not well made in India and break a lot.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
I'm not expecting, say, Honda reliability but they are made and used in a pretty tough environment and have been since 1955. A lot of the motorcycle touring companies that tour India and the Himalayas use Bullets. To give you an idea of cost, over here a brand new Bullet costs just £3,999 (around $6,000) and a bog standard basic Bonneville is £6,999 (around $10,500). That's gotta tell you something And ... no plastic mudguards or side boxes in sight Then again, Triumphs aren't exempt from being unreliable and from breaking down ... .
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
If it has wheels or boobs, someday it will give you trouble. Hey I didn't author that, just a little un PC plagerism. 
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
I always hear if it has titties or wheels it will cost you money.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
What's the difference? 
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Then again, Triumphs aren't exempt from being unreliable and from breaking down ...
.
Since I have been on the saddle again in 2002, my Triumphs have never stranded me or let me down. Well...there was that one time in MO the battery just died at a gas station and Donny and I had to push start my TBA. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
My 04 has never failed me, wendy had a CDI issue but still got her home from Niagara NY to the Poconos PA and ran fine most of the way. My old bikes are dependable too, I rode my 66 TR6C all over the country, Wyoming, Sturgis, the Keys, Daytona, Madi Gras, Laconia, Johnstown, Myrtle Beach... just to name a few and never on a trailer or truck.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
Quote:
Thumpers have a special place in our hearts.
There is something nice about the thudthudthud of a single
Always loved the sound of a 441 Victor.....Beeeza.
Have fun with that single. 
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
The sweet spot for RE Bullets seems to be 30MPH - 50MPH 2-lane roads.
I tested a 2012 RE C5 & liked it more than I thought I would, but not enough to be a primary ride.
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
I know what you mean. It would need more oomph to be my main ride. Like 50bhp more I'll be using it as my lazy Sunday plodder I think.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Quote:
I know what you mean.
It would need more oomph to be my main ride.
Like 50bhp more
I'll be using it as my lazy Sunday plodder I think.
I think you can get Aftermarket bits,high comp.pistons etc., to oomph[the technical term]them up a bit.I'd say the bits would be readily available in the UK,
but they'll never be a power bike,and as it's just new,I don't know if you would want to start pulling it to bits at this stage.I know I wouldn't.
As you say a nice, day in the country, Sunday ride.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Quote:
I know what you mean.
It would need more oomph to be my main ride.
Like 50bhp more
I'll be using it as my lazy Sunday plodder I think.
I think you can get Aftermarket bits,high comp.pistons etc., to oomph[the technical term]them up a bit.I'd say the bits would be readily available in the UK,
but they'll never be a power bike,and as it's just new,I don't know if you would want to start pulling it to bits at this stage.I know I wouldn't.
As you say a nice, day in the country, Sunday ride.
It is possible to get a big bore 612cc upgrade giving a 150% increase in bhp and there are power commanders, K&N filters and 'performance' pipes available too.
Apparently a big bore equipped bike (with fairing) has hit 120mph.
As for ripping a new bike apart to do this and thereby voiding the warranty, had it been a £10,000-£12,000 bike then no, I wouldn't do it.
As it was just £1 less than £4,000 then I wouldn't be too concerned about doing it.
I bought it to be a plodder though so other than an aftermarket louder pipe (for pedestrian safety, obviously!), I won't be messing too much with it, engine-wise anyway.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
...I bought it to be a plodder though so other than an aftermarket louder pipe (for pedestrian safety, obviously!), I won't be messing too much with it, engine-wise anyway.
I suggest an airfilter, Power Commander, & pipe - & then call the engine good. Anything more than that defeats the purpose.
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
... airfilter, Power Commander, & pipe ...
Thats what I was going to do
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
I think you and Ken are right pipe airfilter and tune , power commander.Best bang for the buck.When I said pulling it to bits, I meant major surgery.
These days with the emissions regs., pipe[s]/air filter and tune are almost mandatory
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Those remind me a bit of the 500 Velocette I had when I was a yute. On a good day it would go 90MPH if I could get it started.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Well, I bit the Bullet ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
On a good day it would go 90MPH if I could get it started.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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