Royal Enfield
 

I saw an incredibly cool old Royal Enfield today. At least I thought it was cool. A '46 made into a bobber, kind of a forerunner of a chopper. It was in for service - actually, a new wiring loom - at a shop near me. It's small and slow, the shop owner told me, but I don't care. The thing absolutely seems to reflect what its owner thinks a motorcycle should look like. I like it. What do you folks think?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412222360.jpg

The first motorcycle I rode to 100 in the 1/4 mile was a 1964 Enfield Twin my buddy raced on the half mile at Ascot in Gardena. We took it to Fontana Drags in 1965 where I got to run it. It/I got beat by a Honda.

I am lucky. There is a RE that shows up at C&C frequently. The bike just screams "I am an important link in the evolution of motorcycles!"

If I owned that bike, I wouldn't care if it were slow because going slow would just give everyone more time to be jealous of what I a riding!

Damn cool bike.

I wonder how many of today's motorcyclists could even figure out how to get it started...

That looks pretty cool! And Yes, it is probably slow as hell, but at least it will vibrate your fillings out for you free of charge.

Yes, especially without letting the thing break your leg or toss you over the handlebar!

Oh, and then there's the part about "tickling" the carb to prime it, which I don't imagine too many riders these days remember how to do. That carb does look like an old Amal....

Very cool...Doesn't need to be fast. .A good friend of mine has a 600 AJS single and also a 500 Matchless....None of these were considered slow in their day......Jeff is right, starting these isn't easy.

Same with my new looking '82 GS1100G I rode yesterday; it seemed slow conpared to modern iron.

That fork angle looks pretty steep, how would that handle?

Looks great to me and yes, if it doesnt have a key and starter button I have no idea.

Better than a raked out chopper. Brakes and suspension will also limit your speed.

Love it. I've got one in the garage. Not a bike to ride if you need to get anywhere quickly, but makes a great sound and its comfortable. They're tough bikes, and stone age simple in their design.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412266471.jpg

A little off-topic, but...
Remember the old days?
My first street ride (1959)...BIL's (Candy Apple Red with Gold trim) Ducati Americana (200 cc), had a headlight, brake light, and a horn (and sometimes they did work).
No turn signals, no neutral light, no gas gauge, no mirrors, no oil temp gauge, no starter, no hydraulic brakes, no cup holder ... :)
.
We signaled w/our hand, looked over our shoulders for traffic, and we always knew what gear we were in.
We knew that sweet spot for kicking it over.
Popped-off the gas tank lid and shook the bike back/forth to check gas level.
Lovely simplicity.
.
.
Lovely...except when it wanted to kick our sorry asses over the handle bars.