ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET 500S CLUBMAN
ROYAL ENFIELD RETURNS......
Take a look at the picture above and you could easily think that this machine is a
genuine 1950's cafe racer.
It is in fact a brand new Royal Enfield and costs only £3999.
The Enfield Motorcycle Company of India now exports the once famous British machine
to many countries all over the world. Their story goes something like this.
The government of India required a seize-proof bike for military,
police and border patrol duty, and only the 350 Bullet could withstand the rigours of the
subcontinent.
The bullet was so successful, Royal Enfield shipped enough production equipment to
Madras to enable complete manufacturing. Unfortunately the parent
company suffered from poor marketing and they ceased operation in 1970. Enfield India
however is still going strong, and has produced over half-million bikes, based on the
archetypical, mid 50's model.
ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET 350cc £1995
One of the original ideas that came out of the Reddich plant was carrying the oil for
the engine in a cast in reservoir behind the crankcase bowl. This kept the centre of
gravity low and eliminated external oil lines and inherent leaks, while retaining the
benefits
of a dry sump motor that used an efficient disposable oil filter.
They also built a unique gearbox, with a separate foot lever for selecting neutral
directly from second, third or four gears without downshifting.
Enfield's
were one of the first to use swinging arm suspension and rear shock
absorbers on their standard floor model bikes.
Two more examples of their ingenuity can be found on any pre-1975 Norton Commando.
The first is the large O-ring and single, centre mounted sleeve nut to attach the
primary chain case. The second is isolastic suspension, which was on the Royal Enfield
drawing board when they were absorbed by the polyglot of motorcycle manufactures, of which
Norton was the flagship.
All those once-high-tec features (with the exception of the isolastics) are on the
Royal Enfield's
made today.
However they are not a time warp machine. The company has made genuine improvements.
The UK versions come with 12 volt electrics, twin leading shoe front brakes, battery
coil ignition, turn signals and improved carburation.
These bikes are light, strong and very dependable. They have to be, no one could
argue that the tracks leading to the Khyber Pass, the traffic in New dehli and the fetid
heat, interspersed with monsoons, make anything that our country dishes out as
challenging.
The 350 Bullet achieves around 80mpg and cruises most comfortably around 95 to 100
km/h.
To put it simply this bike is slow. On any road with a speed limit up to 60mph you
are happy; beyond that you are not. Oddly, when commuting during the 'rush
hour' the traffic is slow enough to put the Enfield back in the running!
The Royal Enfield is one of the very few motorcycles that can have its oil changed,
tappets adjusted and chains set without special tools or training. In many respects this
is an ideal first bike.
The machines start well and have extraordinary handling. So before you think they are
just a footnote in modern motorcycling, if you are looking for an inexpensive easy to
maintain bike that offers comfort, reasonable braking, exceptional fuel economy and
absolutely superior handling, all for the price of speed, then you should at least look at
the Bullets. Riding them is a hoot. These bikes are pure romance.
Warranty
Royal Enfield Motorcycles are guaranteed for 12 month/12000km
The price includes 12 months road side assistance cover
Effective from the date of purchase
Full written details are available on request.
Prices may be subject to change without prior notice
as always finance is subject to status
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