Dreaming of Enfields, I must be mad

[Big Red]

Hi Trev, the single seat on your bike is it very comfortable compared to the standard dual seat? Thread hijack over

[Trev]

Hi Trev, the single seat on your bike is it very comfortable compared to the standard dual seat? Thread hijack over

Sorry can't answer as it came with this single seat already fitted, certainly very comfortable for the sort of riding I've done so far, may be a little soft for longer stints. Not too wide either when standing up (on the occasional trail )as the pegs are pretty widely spaced anyway. I think it's a Hitchcocks seat, certainly the previous owner had added lift handle, mirrors and rack from them.

[Freeloadeur]

Thanks all, the thing I wonder though is that this would be my only bike, unlike some of the people here who have sheds full, we can't afford for me to have two. Would an Enfield be just too err particular for day to day London traffic?

I'm slowly piecing together a picture of which model is which, but then just when i think I've worked it out I read something and confused again. Bullets, Electras, Classics, which is which?

PLUS...You sound like you give up on biking in September......don't!! There are great winter rides to be had when the roads ain't full of the fine weather brigade!!

Lord no, Ginger I'll ride any season, just not when there's frozen London slush on the road.

PS You're all talking about your bikes but where are the photos ?

[daytona-supersport]

I ride my 63 Matchless more than other more modern and faster bikes in the garage. Ridden in torrential rain, no problem. A single plodder has loads of grip in bad weather conditions, I have used them in snow and slush with no worries. The Enfield and similar bikes are light and low, not great motorway bikes but fine in pretty much all other conditions. The army style bikes have strong pannier racks and nice comfy seats. Why not take one for a test ride, you may love it or hate it, but one thing is sure, it is different and fun.
I don't know how much you have to spend, but a decent AJS or Matchless goes for around £3750, best and sought after are the earlier long stroke bikes. They are only 350cc but have stacks of pulling power and cruise at around 60 - 65mph depending on gearing. A complete engine rebuild carried out by a specialist will set you back around £600 to £1200, so always try to get a good restored bike with a rebuilt engine. The old Enfield's are pretty much the same sort of deal. Going for an old machine does have the advantage that the prices consistently go up over time, so you can easily get your money back and often make a few quid. Can't do that with the Indian copy Enfield bikes. If considering buying any old Brit bike, take along somebody that knows what they are looking at and how to start and ride older bikes, there is a knack to starting some machines.

[SteveR]

If you fancy a Bullet and can afford one, then buy one, BUT, take a long test ride first. I managed 10 miles before coming back with the bike to the Dealer who was beaming at the thought of a sale. Or in my case, No Sale.

I still really love the look and feel of the Trials Bullet and had fancied one for Sunday pootles and a spot of green laning after a few minor mods.

However the reality of why so many never do more than a few hundred miles a year was writ large as the jack hammer vibes at 40mph came home along with Zero mirror action. I am not a "4 cyl multi" rider and never have had more than 2 cylinders on any bike in 40+ years, but it was too much and I realised I would join the 500 mile club pretty quickly. I ended up with a Single, a Honda 400 that lacks the appeal and character, but does get ridden.

I would say if you have an Enfield itch after a ride, then scratch it, you are not long on this world and you'll regret not having a go (thumbs)

[Trev]

Good point, I don't commute on a bike but have ridden the Enfield in Saturday 'Primark traffic' around Bournemouth on a few occasions and it coped well. Light and easy to handle at low speed with enough punch to go for gaps and outdrag normal traffic. Again, the beauty of the later models are decent brakes (disc at the front), lights and indicators - all must haves in city traffic.

I would strongly recommend visiting a dealer and getting the longest test ride you can, apart from styling and the odd minor tweak they haven't changed since 2008 so you can then look for the best price/condition one you can afford. I paid £1900 for mine but took some looking for as I was after one for the lowest price and preferably a bit of wear and tear as I want to use it as a winter bike. Most are well cared for and in excellent condition and hence a little pricier, there are plenty around though so under £2500 should get you a nice 2009-10 model with a few extras/mods

[Fordy]

I'm drawn to a bike to tinker with, something I can make my own, without spending shed-loads of cash .....

That's why I bought a C90, and kept my daily runner to run daily :whistle:

[daytona-supersport]

When a big single vibrates a lot it is usually due to it not being balanced properly.
The ignition timing also has a big effect of power, no head steady fitted and even incorrect chain adjustment can cause vibration. I ride my old bikes quite a lot and can honestly say that if they were giving me nasty vibration problems, I would soon be looking for the cause.
There are a couple of decent bikes in this months AJS / Matchless owners club mag.
Matchless G3 1959 fully restored with rebuilt engine £3300.00
Matchless G3 1959 Alternator model (these use a polished ally chain case) £2500.00
Either one of these will convert to trials / trails bike. OK not a pukka factory comp bike, but who cares, the plan is to ride it not polish it.
Do not bid for classic bikes on auction sites without checking the bike out first. There are some crap bikes at silly money out there. Any private seller / club member will be only too happy to tell you all about their bike and usually sell at a fair price.

Just for interest here are a couple of pictures of a 1950 all ally comp motor, just had a full rebuild by T & L Engineering, A superb company specialising in old motors.
These guys are seriously kitted up and there was no way I could beat their prices, so I decided to let them put the motor together as they had done the crank rebuild and other machine work including new crank bearings, fitting cam follower guides and followers and machining the original piston to take the thicker / later rings. Also a top end rebuild with new parts as required. I'm hoping this will go for another sixty years now. The only risk was using the original solid skirt high comp piston. A tiny bit under optimum fit but should be fine once warmed up. If it is too loose, I'll just fit a new, (heavier), piston.
The motor also has high lift SH cams and polished inlet. It is after all a scrambles motor. The mag in the picture is a Wader comp mag. Apparently these can work submerged.
I have plans for some interesting rides on this bike. Beware you guys on fart and hoppit KTM's. The old farts are back in town. :laugh: :laugh:

IMG_0931.JPG (83.46 KiB) Viewed 1716 times

IMG_0932.JPG (79.26 KiB) Viewed 1716 times

IMG_0933.JPG (109.98 KiB) Viewed 1716 times

Hollins Clough - I shit em.

[Freeloadeur]

Hmm, I'm still torn, Enfield or Beemer, Beemer or Enfield? Heart says one, head says other. The heart will probably win, but not before the head has made sure I've had a good test ride, which means it's DAS time (finally).

What I'd really like is something like this Royal Enfield Scrambler...

MATTE_ENFIELD_0004.jpg (86.92 KiB) Viewed 1716 times

A combination of Hitchcock's and eBay reveals it wouldn't be THAT expensive to do and a bit of research reveals almost all the recent scrambler/trails conversions are based on Electra, so it's an Electra looking for. Now do I buy secondhand or take advantage of their £99 down, £99 a month offer?

[Willandkate]

In reality you can go no further or faster on that than the Derbi. Broaden your possibilities and get a 'proper' bike that you can use for longer runs to places further afield, like Essex