Does anyone have some experiance with these? I may have a chance to buy one real cheap and was wondering if it was worth it or not? I've riden a few 500 singles before(BSA and a Trump)and thought they were quite fun and would make sweet lil' comuter bikes, specialy in a TT trim. This one is a 2005 which means that it is a 5 speed and a lectric start for when I'm lazy. Are these anything like older brit singles in their performance? -Jesse
The new RE's are the exact same thing as the old ones (except for retrofitted electric start and a five speed). Royal Enfield had a factory in India and they stayed open when the one in England shut down and they've been making bikes there ever since.
A subject near and dear to my heart. Yes, RE's are being built again in India. When they began production in the mid 90's they were about as good as Indian hand tools you get at Harbor Freight. However, every year they improved quality and the bikes today are every bit as good (if not better) than the originals. And even brand new bikes can be had fairly cheap. Especially compaired to American and Jap bikes. I'm glad to see these back in production. I have a '61 Constallation 700 and I love it. The Bullets look like a bike should. No pimped up lines or plastic Racer Rick crouch rockets that look like everybody else's crouch rocket. Besides, it's fun to see peoples faces when you tell them you have a Royal Enfield. What the Hell's a Royal Enfield? Ride on brother. Charlie
I had one for a while enjoyed the shit out of it. I never really had problems with it but the guy I sold it to has had to replace alot of little things.
I've got a couple of buddys that have em' and they love em'. Both ride daily with little problem. I want one myself, they'er a blast to ride.
If it helps at all... I toured A.E. Petsche's (very rich) car/bike collection, his newish Royal Enfield from India was one of the few things in his "showroom" while his fully restored Mercedes SL300, and '57 Vette were in the warehouse. Yes, they're very nice.
was going to buy a new last spring but dealer was a dick tried to higher price & then wouldnt let me ride it round his lot as they have a stiff trans that takes a few hundred miles to shift easy also wireing is shady & drum brakes well we all know drums on bikes suck but over all there a hella good deal at price look great & are fun to ride but they dont got a lot of resale some dude on here is AZ has one hes trying to sell/swap wish he would see this & responed
Don't know much about the Royal Enfield's made in India,but for those who own one of the originals: I believe that Avellino's Cycle Sales on Route C-1 in Revere Massachusetts still has quite a few parts available.The old man(Sam)passed away awhile ago but I think his son still runs it.Don't have the number but a Revere phone directory should get it.For a long time he was the only dealer left in the country.
I don't know anythng about the new REs, but heres a shot of my '38. Still searching for a few parts, and then I'm going to build a bobber out of it.
Cool, sounds like a deal then. I did a lil' looking around on www.enfieldmotorcycles.com and they say that the front drum is a 7" dual leading shoe? -Jesse
the new ones are just like the old ones... there are some upgrades available from the company (jets, exhaust, etc). they are worth it, and you can push the hp up. they're good cheap commuter bikes.
I got a '68 441 Motocrosser so a TT style Bullit would be sweet. Can you use a 350 and bore it to 500cc? -Jesse
Heres a link to a post scroll down Duster fellow hamber has one for sale. Later Shoe http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49649&highlight=royal+Enfield
-On the adventure (motorcycle) touring sites that I frequent, the Indian made Enfields aren't thought highly of at all... But, that could just be elite-ism, or rumors. Sounds like from the other posts here, that they've improved and may be as fun and "reliable" as the originals.
Someone asked a rare question that I can answer so here goes. Close it if it's off-topic. I have a 2000. Basically little different than owning a restored vintage brit bike. You have to adjust this, adjust that but not anything out of the ordinary. Adjusting the tappets take a little getting used to as there is no setting, you do it by feel. NOT a big deal once you do it a time or two. They are not cruisers. 65 is winding one out. You can of course do things to make it run faster and what have you but it's still a 500 thumper. There was alot of problems with the electric start at first. I don't know if they have fixed it yet. Personally, I'd go with a 2000 (where they made some quality improvements) to 2002 before the electric start. Once you get the hang of starting a thumper, it's not that big of deal.
I don't remember the RE thumpers but I remember the Interceptor 750 (I think) with twin carbs like the Triumph Bonnie. One sat in one of our local shops in the 60's for at least 3 years without selling. I almost bought an old Indian once that looked an awlful much like and Enfield. I just hate shifting with the right foot. Guess it just depends what you learn on.
I have an 01 500 that I bought new. It has about 20,000 miles. I've spent a lot of time working on it, but mostly maintenance and replacing things of a "want to", not "need to" nature. I ride daily,rain or shine. I've ridden it on four longer trips of 600-800 miles. The bike has been very dependable, but it's dependability is directly related to my adhering to the maintenance schedule. In short, the Enfield is a solid bike with a lot of potential, but is not for everyone.
Nothing quite like the sound of one of these big 'thumper' singles going down the highway, they seem to only fire at about every second lamp post! Cheers, Glen.
Here's one of my favourite pics of my dad in the late 50s on his Royal Enfield, I have it framed in my garage.
I'm betting that there are few here that would be willing to buy a bike from a guy who is unable to follow simple directions.
I just got back from a local auto jumble(like a swapmeet),and it was mainly old motorcycle spares including full bikes for resto.Talking of Enfields..there was a a couple of full motors on display for sale plus AJS,Vellocete,Sunbeam, and plenty of Triumph and Beezer stuff..you could have built a full bike easily from what was on offer.I saw a real nice Vincent owners badge for sale.The parking area was crammed with old bikes and old geezers..even saw a couple of old dyed in the wool Rockers with their old leather jackets and 60`s style bikes keeping the faith. We passed quite a few bikes coming and going, and the noise was great...in contrast ,last night there was a parade in town of about 400 Goldwingers and I thought I had gone deaf...not a sound(apart from sirens and yelpers and stuff)...even had a display team in from Florida USA.....not really my bag, but they all seemed to be out having fun...average age about 60 by the looks of it.
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