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Registered ConfUser
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waterlogged
Posts: 23,396
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Who knows Royal Enfields?
Still thinking about a bike for tinkering and came across a 2005 military version Enfield 500 Bullet (single) that looks very cool. I know they're made in India and have heard mixed reviews regarding quality and durability. Here's the ad:
Enfield Bullet for sale A single 500 isn't going to be fast by any measure but that could be part of the fun. Anyone have any experience with these bikes?
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Mike “I wouldn’t want to live under the conditions a person could get used to”. -My paternal grandmother having immigrated to America shortly before WWll. |
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06-10-2016, 02:40 PM
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Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
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I see one around on Saturdays at a car show, the guy seems to like it, it's totally stock, not like that one.
Just not my cup of tea, If I were to get another street single it would be one of the Hondas, maybe the FT500 or a Yamaha 500 single. Honda made some neat 500 singles. |
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06-10-2016, 03:15 PM
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RETIRED
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Made in India, leaks worse than a Harley....
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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06-10-2016, 03:55 PM
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Band.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 13,303
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Hard drive has one I think.
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1983 SC Coupe 1963 BMW R60/2 1972 Triumph Tiger 1995 Triumph Daytona SuperIII |
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06-10-2016, 03:58 PM
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....
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,614
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I think you would be happier with a ural.
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dolor et pavor |
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06-10-2016, 04:20 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: secure undisclosed locationville
Posts: 24,253
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i have ural. but i think most of the same caveats apply. i like to tinker. there are a thousand maintenance and repair videos online. watch them. if this seems like a good time to you go ahead and buy one.
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1971 R75/5 2003 R1100S 2013 Ural Patrol 2023 R18 |
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06-10-2016, 04:30 PM
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Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,150
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I have a 2004. Let's get one thing out of the way: By any modern standard, these are not good motorcycles. That bike you are looking at looks damn cool, but it's less than $3k for a reason. It was made in 2005 and it has drum brakes. Expect fit and finish to be crude.
Now that said, I have not sold mine either! Its a single 500cc, makes a nice thump. And (hope I'm not jinxing myself), the damn thing always starts. My electric start long ago broke, I've got a bad back, and I have no problem starting it with a kick start. I swear it would run on vodka. Crude? Yes, but also absurdly easy to service. You can pull the bike apart under a tree and service it....because that exactly what happens in India. Few moving part, bone simple, looks cool. Don't expect to be riding it on the freeway. It will do 65, but that 500 will be buzzing like mad, and good luck if you need to stop quickly. Bikes 2008 and later are a different animal. Disk brakes, modern FI, better suspension. Mine before I put some bar end mirrors on it. 
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2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor. 2012 Harley Davidson Road King 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. 2014 Cayman S, PDK. Mercedes E350 family truckster. Last edited by HardDrive; 06-10-2016 at 05:24 PM.. |
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06-10-2016, 05:21 PM
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Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,150
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You want to 'tinker'? I would buy a basket case BMW airhead. Better basis for a project. Tinkering on an Enfield is like restoring a 928.
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2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor. 2012 Harley Davidson Road King 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. 2014 Cayman S, PDK. Mercedes E350 family truckster. |
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06-10-2016, 05:27 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: secure undisclosed locationville
Posts: 24,253
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Quote:
just bought an R/100 a month ago. am collecting parts and getting ready to restore her. p.s. i need new switch gear. any leads?
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1971 R75/5 2003 R1100S 2013 Ural Patrol 2023 R18 |
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06-10-2016, 05:31 PM
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Registered ConfUser
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waterlogged
Posts: 23,396
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Quote:
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Mike “I wouldn’t want to live under the conditions a person could get used to”. -My paternal grandmother having immigrated to America shortly before WWll. |
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06-11-2016, 03:12 AM
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Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Posts: 11,704
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It's English. It leaks oil and has a goofy electrical system..
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I used to be addicted to the hokey pokey..........but I turned myself around.. 75 914 1.8 2010 Cayenne base |
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06-11-2016, 05:13 AM
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Registered ConfUser
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waterlogged
Posts: 23,396
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Quote:
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Mike “I wouldn’t want to live under the conditions a person could get used to”. -My paternal grandmother having immigrated to America shortly before WWll. |
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06-11-2016, 05:26 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lake Cle Elum - Eastern WA.
Posts: 8,416
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In the early 70's, a college roommate of mine had the REAL DEAL.....I still want an old one:
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Bob S. 73.5 911T 1969 911T Coo' pay (one owner) 1960 Mercedes 190SL 1962 XKE Roadster (sold) - 13 motorcycles |
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06-11-2016, 06:58 AM
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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I really wanted one... a local Triumph dealer was selling them... but as others have said a Japanese 500 makes way more sense... but we are not here to make sense.
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone  1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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06-11-2016, 07:00 AM
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Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
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The first bike I rode to 100 in the quarter mile drags was my friends half mile/TT prepped 750 RE. He did good with it and always liked it.
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06-11-2016, 08:14 AM
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Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,150
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Musket V Twins are made locally here in Columbus. Aniket Vardhan, the builder, is a great guy. He brings this bike to local shows. Same bike was on Leno's Garage in the past few years.
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2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor. 2012 Harley Davidson Road King 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. 2014 Cayman S, PDK. Mercedes E350 family truckster. |
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06-11-2016, 12:42 PM
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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06-11-2016, 02:09 PM
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Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
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Another 500 single I always liked was the Honda GB500 from 89/90
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06-11-2016, 02:38 PM
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Da cab
