Hi all, I plan on taking my north American market bullet 500 to south America next year. Just wondering if there are some things I should modify for more longevity. So far the plan is to upgrade valve train, take bike to bare chassis and sandblast it, re weld the factory welds for more strength then paint/ powder coat it for protection. Also doing a carb swap, swap battery terminals for some heavy on the duty ones. From what I hear the factory Chain is not very good so possibly that too. I was also thinking of redoing all of the wiring with python tape or something of that nature just to keep it more waterproof. I will be caring some spare parts like sprockets , spare NGk plugs and some other things but Im not going to carry all the replacement parts obviously. Is there any spares or mods that you guys would reccomend that I do that I haven't mentioned? And please no comments on don't do the trip on this bike or anything along those lines. I've already heard it, I'm doing it on this bike because it's the bike I love. Thanks to all replys!

If there is room run an x or o ring chain. If not buy good quality chain. I from preference use Elite non o ring chains because there is not enough room for an o ring chain to pass by the primary chaincase.. I always buy two at a time and run them as a pair. When a chain has worn enough to need adjusting, just fit the other younger chain. then when you have run both to the same length you only need to adjust once for double the distance of one. Changing a non o ring chain take just a couple of minutes and you only need a screwdriver and pliers. If non o ring, it is easier to oil chain each morning with the bike unloaded.

Make sure your tyres, tubes and rim tapes are all in good condition. Take a spare rimtape. fit heavy duty tubes. Take a spare tube. (can be non heavy duty and it will fit both wheels) Take a spare set of control cables. Check that non of the wiring is stressed over any frame points. take a few spare spokes, weigh nothing but might be hard to find locally on atrip.

Take it easy and enjoy the ride. Make sure you are set for the night at least an hour before sunset. Try to fuel up at midday ish and have lunch. also fuel again around 4pm when you should start looking for your nights stop. That way in the morning you are good to go. This has been my routine on my AVL engined Enfield (95 mpg).

Some good points there! Thanks! How long have you been on you trip for? Any problems getting parts?

Not had any problems with getting parts. But it is best to set up an account with someone like Hitchcocks in advance of your trip.

Yes I am actually ordering my upgrade and carb kit from them. Best site for enfields Ive found so far

Might be of some help to know there are 2 dealers of Royal Enfield in Ecuador.
If you have some troubles they might help.
I do not know them personally so don't know if they are good.

Royal Enfield Ecuador

Enjoy your trip

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Yes I will get a list of all the enfield dealers in CA and SA. There are some as you have mentioned and other ones that are scattered throughout the continent.

Why are going from EFI to carb? The altitude changes you will experience in South America make EFI a much better choice.

Do as little fiddling about as possible IMHO. My Bullet only ever had one issue, a wire in the headlight shell fixed in minutes. The ones that give the bike it's reputation for problems are the ones the owners have tried to turn into Goldstars without the benefit of an R&D department.


Andy

It allows me to upgrade the exhaust and air filter without buying a re mapped ecu. Also yes there are lots of parts in a carb but it can all be maintained where as if the ecu shorts, fuel pump shits the bed, or injector fails I'll be stranded waiting for parts. I agree 100 percent that efi especially these bikes which I hear are tuned in the Himalayas, is better than hassling with re jetting. I would just be more comfortable with a carb setup and if I can't fix it , I think the mechanics in central and South America would have an easier time fixing it. Just my two cents.

I rode my 1994 350 cc Enfield from India to Uk without any hassels last year. I has to replace all the spokes in the rear due to some horrible roads in Uzbekistan. I did not have a single puncher all the way. In Uk had to change the spoket as it took a lot of bashing due to overload. A change of a spark plug in Denmark. Thats it.

Nice! Yea I keep hearing good things about people traveling with enfields, almost like a little tractor that won't quit, and simple to work on when it does break. Couple that with my fuel milage averaging 85 imp MPG and burns regular fuel, im quite pleased with my purchase

Have you seen the Carberry vibe reduction plate?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv-_lfswsTo&t=8s

Other than that you can reduce the secondary vibes on a new engine by running it in properly.

My ex-Eli 500 classic (recently crashed into by myopic car driver) managed 85mpg on a camping trip around wales.
The valves adjust themselves which is a bonus. Just make sure you put in fresh oil @ 3000 mile intervals.
Silkolene Comp 4 15w-50 and NGK Iridium sparkplugs are recommended.