Dreaming of Enfields, I must be mad

[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.

1931 the Bullet 350 & 500 became OHV

Maybe they made both engines alongside each other? I don't know about that but what I do know is that the original one we had was a 1939 model and I had the engine in enough pieces to know that it was a side valve one. We also picked up a 1951 bike with a side valve engine that was stripped for spares because the frame was bent.

There were a lot of WD/C bikes made during WWII and having just had a look at the notes made from the rebuilds on the ones we had they say that the army complained about the side valve lacking power and got an ohv version just before the end of the war. Apparently a lot of bikes made for the army weren't issued to them and were sold off after the war which was where the 1951 bike came from but maybe that was a rogue one?

I'm not that bothered really. I was obviously wrong and should have checked when they actually stopped making the engines, not when they stopped being available.

[SteveR]

Just a thought for the OP...

CL400

Almost as pretty as the Enfield Trials/Woodsman machines, and as it's a real Honda, far more reliable I would suggest and certainly less vibes at speeds in excess of 35mph!

Simple motor and not much in the way of electrickery needed to make it go !

[chopper_harris]

I finally gave in to a long standing urge, and bought an RE Electra X, at a very reasonable price from a seller on the UK-GSER forum.

I love it, ideal for Sunday morning pootling, when the ride is more important than the arrival time.

There is a virtual prize for the first reader to identify the location

[chopper_harris]

And it gets way more positive comment and feedback than either the KLV or my old TL1000.

[Big Red]

I dont understand why people say they vibrate a lot. My Electra X has a bit of a rough patch at about 50mph but smooths out nicely at 55 to 60 mph, and its smooth enought to do 2hour stints without stopping

[Freeloadeur]

Thanks all,

Steve, I'd looked at the Honda, especially as that dealer is just down the road from me, but they're expensive for what are 20+ year old bikes, and close up they need some work. And, call me a lazy sod, but I'd actually like the option of electric start for those "can't be bothered"mornings. There's always the CB400SS though, a little bit if extra work gets one looking very Scrambler-esque and they're far easier found.

But I get the feeling buying a Japanese bike and making it look like an older Brit bike would always leave me feeling like I hadn't quite bought the real deal. And Enfield bits seem cheaper too. Of course I could hop on the RE and hate it and be back to square one, but they just seem to fit where I'm at at the moment. I know it's a heart purchase, and the head is trying too find reasons not to but sometimes it's best to tell the head to shut up.

So I'm on the look out for the newest, post 2008 Electra, unless that is I get suckered into the £99 down, £99 a month deal.

[Big Red]

Hi freeloadeur, once you have passed your test have a trip along to your local Enfield dealer and take one for a road test. I did it that way and loved it, mind you it took me nearly 10 years to get one. Failing that get a cheap train ticket to Berwick and I will pick you up and you can try mine or even ride your bike up and meet me somewhere half way ish.

[SteveR]

Of course I could hop on the RE and hate it and be back to square one, but they just seem to fit where I'm at at the moment. I know it's a heart purchase, and the head is trying too find reasons not to but sometimes it's best to tell the head to shut up.

So I'm on the look out for the newest, post 2008 Electra, unless that is I get suckered into the £99 down, £99 a month deal.

IKWYM, I really was keen on the idea of an Enfield too. I am slowing down and it seemed to make sense to have a bike that fitted the mood... I suspect that my riding my Vara over for the test ride on the Trials Bullet was a mistake in hindsight, to big, fast and comfortable in comparison! The "Head" and butt won out in the end...


Have a look

As I said before if you have that itch, scratch it! There will be some low milage bargains around in a few weeks time Lets be honest, 95% of us have a bike as a toy and as long as it gives you a buzz, (No Enfield jokes notice!!) that's what matters (thumbs)

[SteveR]

Steve, I'd looked at the Honda, especially as that dealer is just down the road from me, but they're expensive for what are 20+ year old bikes, and close up they need some work. And, call me a lazy sod, but I'd actually like the option of electric start for those "can't be bothered"mornings.

THat is a bit disappointing. They are not that cheap and I assumed an absolute minter for the money... My Honda NX400 Falcon is same engine but electric foot in trailie styling. Nowhere near as pretty as the CL or an RE Trials though. B)

I do feel Honda are missing a trick at not offering these models into the EU and USA at times...

[chopper_harris]

post 2008 Electra, unless that is I get suckered into the £99 down, £99 a month deal.

Why ? Many owners of injected bikes are junking the lousy Indian injector/emissions set up and going back to Amal concentrics.

I run a small classic workshop, and I have seen some poor quality control on '90s - '00's RE's causing oil control and compression issues.

For me, the late Electra X bikes offer the best reliability with easy tuning and performance u/g options.

This is a useful forum for real life RE information :

http://www.midlandbullets.co.uk/smf/index.php