Old and new stuff

"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
02/23/2017 at 21:59 • Filed to: None

One of my coworkers is into military history so when looking for a commuter bike he chose a retro styled Royal Enfield. Sorta reminds me of the old BSA I saw at the Carlisle Import and Kit Car show a few years ago.

Surprised at the RE having decades old styling but updated with Keihen fuel injection and an oxygen sensor. He has had it a few months and loves it. I’m sure with the old military look that he gets some stares in traffic.

He got me interested in the Royal Enfield history and I’ve been reading a bit about them. They have a great heritage and came to being in England at the same company which produced Enfield firearms. There is a pretty good Wiki on them . Never knew that some of the old 1950s Indian motorcycles here in the US were actually Enfields. The newer bikes hold on to that same styling and from what I’ve been reading the quality is improving. Something to consider if you want something out of the norm. Another plus is they seem to hold value somewhat well.

Here is the old 1940s BSA I saw for sale at Carlisle.

Real deal BSA WWII M20 model.

DISCUSSION (14)

Frenchlicker > Dave the car guy , still here
02/23/2017 at 22:03

I saw a ton of these on some auction site from over there. Or maybe it was India. I find myself on some random websites.

Dave the car guy , still here > Frenchlicker
02/23/2017 at 22:10

His came new from a dealer in Texas.. There is a growing network of dealers in the US. If you order replacement parts they ship from the UK because of some weird issue with India shipping the pieces to the US.

jimz > Dave the car guy , still here
02/23/2017 at 23:00

there were some of the “new” Royal Enfields at the motorcycle show in Cleveland last month.

I wouldn’t give you a plugged nickel for one. not because they’re made in India (BMW makes the G310 R/GS there, KTM makes the 390 Duke there, and Harley makes the Street there) but because the bikes they had on display were shit. all of the “chrome” pieces like the handlebars, headlamp surrounds, etc. had glaring defects, as though it wasn’t chrome plating as much as it was poorly applied “chrome” paint. If Yamaha can get chrome right on a $4,000 XV250, they have no excuse.

Xyl0c41n3 > Dave the car guy , still here
02/23/2017 at 23:53

San Antonio? They’re one of the few shops I know that carries RE. I think the Classic 500s are sweet looking bikes. I might be a bit jealous of your friend. Heh.

runnersp, formerly known as t_s > Dave the car guy , still here
02/24/2017 at 03:46

The single most hateful motorcycle I have ever ridden. Never has so much noise, vibration and general mayhem translated in to so little forward propulsion.

Dave the car guy , still here > runnersp, formerly known as t_s
02/24/2017 at 08:14

Which is because its a 5 decade old design that’s hardly been updated. Its what bikes were like many years ago. Its not that much different from old 60's Bridgestones, BSA or Triumphs. Its not meant to be a modern rice rocket. I rode bikes like that back then. They all had kick starters and you had to be a man to ride them. I can recall a night when one of my friends had 15 minutes getting his old Harley shovel head started. Everyone took turns kicking it over. It would fire and cut off repeatly. It finally started and ran fine for months afterwards. Thats what most bikes were like in the older days. They weren’t as smooth and quick. I thought my Honda 750k was the best in the world back in the 70's because it usually started on one or two kicks.

Frenchlicker > Dave the car guy , still here
02/24/2017 at 08:16

I have noticed that more and more places carry an RE sign. Normally those places also sell other “niche” bikes like Urals and such.

runnersp, formerly known as t_s > Dave the car guy , still here
02/24/2017 at 08:46

I can’t cut it any slack, it was just too shit. The Modern Classic range Triumph sells is at least a vaguely competent motorcycle.

Dave the car guy , still here > runnersp, formerly known as t_s
02/24/2017 at 08:57

And the Triumph should be a better bike being it’s at twice the money.

runnersp, formerly known as t_s > Dave the car guy , still here
02/24/2017 at 10:46

I’d gladly pay the extra if I was in the market for one of those stupid faux-vintage contraptions.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dave the car guy , still here
02/25/2017 at 08:35

Ya’ know, if I were going to buy a motorcycle, that would be it. I have a deep need for practicality and sensibility, along with a desire to recognize Older Ways. That motorcycle is perfect.

Also, I posted some wheel & tire updates on Rusty. I bought a set of rims that I was told were from a Camaro, but turn out to be from an S-10, which is serendipity. $75, the set.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > runnersp, formerly known as t_s
02/25/2017 at 08:37

I think you should tell us how you really feel.

Dave the car guy , still here > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
02/25/2017 at 11:32

Saw that post on the wheels. Sorry I didn’t comment.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dave the car guy , still here
02/25/2017 at 11:41

It’s good; just keeping you apprised.