Royal Enfield
- Thread starter Disco
- Start date
Uncle Ernie
Been Around the Block
Really, only odd people like them, I think. Some people put a ton of money in them and race in AHRMA, but a decent Gold Star is still going to be a better racer. There's really nothing you can do to make them fast- unless you just about re-make the whole engine; 600 bore and piston, high output oil pump, polish and port the heads, better piston, rod, crank, bearings, etc.
The interim models (AVL) have E-start, but they need to be carefully taken care of. Ever heard of a "sprag"? The new EFI models seem to be faster (70mph) and much more dependable / less to fettle. Some people love them, and the ones who don't let them sit in the garage and then sell them on eBay :
;D
Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I like mine a lot. The SR500 I couldn't start and was afraid to ride because of that. The GB500 is a purpose-built bike and it's about 3/4 size- I'd get cramps after 30 or 40 miles. (Both are much better bikes, really) So- with rear-sets and superbike bars, mine fits pretty good. Handles well in the twisties where I average 35 to 45mph anyway. I can do 60-65 on the freeway for a while.
The importer (CMW) sponsors a pretty good forum, so a fair amount of help is available, too. WARNING: Filters and gaskets are too expensive!!!
The interim models (AVL) have E-start, but they need to be carefully taken care of. Ever heard of a "sprag"? The new EFI models seem to be faster (70mph) and much more dependable / less to fettle. Some people love them, and the ones who don't let them sit in the garage and then sell them on eBay :
;DHere in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I like mine a lot. The SR500 I couldn't start and was afraid to ride because of that. The GB500 is a purpose-built bike and it's about 3/4 size- I'd get cramps after 30 or 40 miles. (Both are much better bikes, really) So- with rear-sets and superbike bars, mine fits pretty good. Handles well in the twisties where I average 35 to 45mph anyway. I can do 60-65 on the freeway for a while.
The importer (CMW) sponsors a pretty good forum, so a fair amount of help is available, too. WARNING: Filters and gaskets are too expensive!!!
Uncle Ernie
Been Around the Block
Well- since you asked...
Basically, these were designed as commuter bikes for English roads built in the 40's and 50's. If that's what you expect, you'll be happy.
Basically, these were designed as commuter bikes for English roads built in the 40's and 50's. If that's what you expect, you'll be happy.
I don't understand why the SR500 has to be a hard starting bike. My '78 SR has a VM36 carb, a White Bros. pipe with Supertrapp silencer, two weeks worth of time working out the jetting and I can start it by hand. Roll to TDC, choke on, key off, two kicks to prime, then choke off, idle adjustment screw 1/4 turn to the right, key on, don't touch the throttle, one kick, she fires and that's from cold. When warmed up I turn the idle adjustment screw 1/4 turn to the left and she thumps at 1100 rpm. When hot no choke, no throttle and one kick.
Terry
J'ville, Fl.
Terry
J'ville, Fl.
Uncle Ernie
Been Around the Block
The problem with the SR500 was not with the bike- it was ME. Bad leg, mainly.
Little kids used to come over and say, "Hey mister, can my friend start you motorcycle?" Everyone could start it but me. And I mean EVERYone. Very sad...
Yesss- big difference between a Gold Star and an Enfield. I thought I said that. ? Have a friend who races one. Lovely bike.
I grew up with /2 BMW's, and have had 3 Indian Chiefs. Never had a problem starting bikes until a car T-boned me. Now- sometimes I start the Enfield with the kicker, but I'm mighty glad to have the button, too.
All the Enfields are basically of the 50's design, really. The last couple of years, they switched to an all aluminium engine with electric start- or I should say ADDED an electric starter. Not a great design, but whatever.
The new unit construction/EFI lumps are allegedly far superior mechanically, but for some reason I wasn't drawn to them. While not as fast, I'm pretty happy with mine, (although it's not my only bike, either).
Little kids used to come over and say, "Hey mister, can my friend start you motorcycle?" Everyone could start it but me. And I mean EVERYone. Very sad...
Yesss- big difference between a Gold Star and an Enfield. I thought I said that. ? Have a friend who races one. Lovely bike.
I grew up with /2 BMW's, and have had 3 Indian Chiefs. Never had a problem starting bikes until a car T-boned me. Now- sometimes I start the Enfield with the kicker, but I'm mighty glad to have the button, too.
All the Enfields are basically of the 50's design, really. The last couple of years, they switched to an all aluminium engine with electric start- or I should say ADDED an electric starter. Not a great design, but whatever.
The new unit construction/EFI lumps are allegedly far superior mechanically, but for some reason I wasn't drawn to them. While not as fast, I'm pretty happy with mine, (although it's not my only bike, either).
Uncle Ernie
Been Around the Block
/2 or /5 ?
Either way, an older BMW is very different -
Either way, an older BMW is very different -
phrige
I'm a pig, I'm A dog so exuse me if I drool.
Wow. Holiday, i was thinking of doing that a few years ago too. i never really pursued it too far. I was thinking of doing the grease conversion.. putting in a small diesel tank, then using the main tank for the cleaned/refined Fry oil... instead i ended up getting a Peugeot 505 Diesel Wagon.
Can only imagine how heavy it must be to ride a diesel bike around town.
itd be a cool build for someone to do.
Pete
Can only imagine how heavy it must be to ride a diesel bike around town.
itd be a cool build for someone to do.
Pete
Uncle Ernie
Been Around the Block
Holiday said:
I was just passing by and this caught my attention. Just in case...
http://youngstown.craigslist.org/mcy/1391453422.html
There's quite abit of stuff you can get straight from Enfield...aluminum tank$$, offroad muffler, clipons, rearsets, cafe seat, and actual performance stuff. They even have a cafe package but it's pretty pricey. What other company even offers anything like that? Maybe Triumph but probably at twice the price. I think you can get a new Enfield for under 5k and now they're FI. You can find them fairly cheap for being a newer bike but then again. There isn't much there as their pretty simple bikes.
