Dreaming of Enfields, I must be mad

[devon john]

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

or INDIA or MONGOLIA theres more Enfields in these places than BMs

john

[Freeloadeur]

Will,

You're possibly right, but I also want something to tinker with when I don't have the time to ride to Essex and I'm worried that a Beemer would be like the Derbi (only faster), great to ride but lacking in scope for tweaking and customising. It's also that question of which one will make me smile when I see it in the morning with my first coffee and ciggy.

The good news is I'm in no hurry, it's not like I've got the licence or anything.

[Willandkate]

Oh your life is so complicated!

[Brenhden]

Will,

You're possibly right, but I also want something to tinker with when I don't have the time to ride to Essex and I'm worried that a Beemer would be like the Derbi (only faster), great to ride but lacking in scope for tweaking and customising. It's also that question of which one will make me smile when I see it in the morning with my first coffee and ciggy.

The good news is I'm in no hurry, it's not like I've got the licence or anything.

I like this thinking.

[Mad Hatter]

My old man had one of the repro 350's, he'd always wanted one and found it at the right price. He hated it, didn't get on with it at all, it was heavy, under powered, fickle and vibrated like a b**tard. He always said he couldn't get it over 50.

I on the other hand loved it, probably for the same reason i like Chinese bikes, it had so much character. Id happily take that out over my CBF most times (bland bike I know).

The new 500 efi's should get rid of a couple of those problems, it will still lack a lot of power but those bad boys will chug along day and night, until they break down.

Coming off a 125 you'll probably get on fine with it tbh, its about the same riding style.

Would I buy one if I had the cash, definitely (thumbs) do it, if you don't like it you sell it and get something else.

[byway billy]

Enfieldlanes036.jpg (67.99 KiB) Viewed 1437 times

you know what i think, said so often enough. if i had to keep just one it would have to be the tenere due to its reliability and versatility, however, when i just want to go out for sheer pleasure, the Enfield comes out every time! and there is always plenty to do on those days when you want bike time but cant get out on it.
remember the quote in that video a few months back from india? "the first time you ride a royal enfield, you are fucked for life"

[andybev]

If I was going to buy an Enfield and wanted to keep it simple I'd be looking at one of the original British built ones that really can be rebuilt at the side of the road and need a set of feeler gauges along with a light bulb on two pieces of cable to set the timing.

The old side valve engines are simple to work on and they're hardly stressed at all so once you've set it up they just keep plodding along all day plus you can still get plenty of spares for them.

[picos mestizo]

If I was going to buy an Enfield and wanted to keep it simple I'd be looking at one of the original British built ones that really can be rebuilt at the side of the road and need a set of feeler gauges along with a light bulb on two pieces of cable to set the timing.

The old side valve engines are simple to work on and they're hardly stressed at all so once you've set it up they just keep plodding along all day plus you can still get plenty of spares for them.

Not many gutless side valvers around they've been ohv for about 80 years :whistle:

[AndyB]

If I was going to buy an Enfield and wanted to keep it simple I'd be looking at one of the original British built ones that really can be rebuilt at the side of the road and need a set of feeler gauges along with a light bulb on two pieces of cable to set the timing.

The old side valve engines are simple to work on and they're hardly stressed at all so once you've set it up they just keep plodding along all day plus you can still get plenty of spares for them.

Not many gutless side valvers around they've been ohv for about 80 years :whistle:

They're out there if you look hard enough. There was one in my family for 30 years and it was finally sold about 10 years ago.

I think they changed to ohv in the mid '50s but the bottom end stayed the same.

[picos mestizo]

If I was going to buy an Enfield and wanted to keep it simple I'd be looking at one of the original British built ones that really can be rebuilt at the side of the road and need a set of feeler gauges along with a light bulb on two pieces of cable to set the timing.

The old side valve engines are simple to work on and they're hardly stressed at all so once you've set it up they just keep plodding along all day plus you can still get plenty of spares for them.

Not many gutless side valvers around they've been ohv for about 80 years :whistle:

They're out there if you look hard enough. There was one in my family for 30 years and it was finally sold about 10 years ago.

I think they changed to ohv in the mid '50s but the bottom end stayed the same.

1931 the Bullet 350 & 500 became OHV