My Royal Enfield Cafe Racer project.

Bike looks great. I think the Enfield's are a beautiful bike, and you've improved it even more

I just got into riding and have always loved the style of cafe racers. However being new I want the look with reliability (my other option would be a modern triumph thruxton, but the enfield is much cheaper in Australia). I was wondering if any one could offer any advice on Enfields as a bike - reliability, handling, performance etc.

I currently own a Honda VTR250 for learning purposes but in a year I will be looking to fulfil my dream of getting a cafe racer style bike and I am looking for the best option to suit me.
 
Bike looks great. I think the Enfield's are a beautiful bike, and you've improved it even more
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Thanks Hughi :) The Enfield is quite reliable. I've had no problems except when my stupid mechanic made mistakes and was careless. Other than that I've had no issues. Coming to performance, there isn't any. Its just 18bhp for the 350cc and 22bhp for the 500cc. It'll max out at around 100kmph on a 350 and around 120kmph on a 500. Push more than that, and you may harm the engine.

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Didn't recieve the photos from the shoot yet. I'm planning to pick them after I see it in the magazine. Its due to hit the stands end of this month. Till then, here is a pic taken three days ago against an Indian Military Truck.
 
I got the sideboxes out. Did it to clean them. But now having weird thoughts about making a panel out there. Check out the pics, I made a template for the right side, for the left side I used Photoshop. I don't know whether to go ahead with this. The sideboxes are still in very good shape and it'd be a pain to let them go.

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It'll max out at around 100kmph on a 350 and around 120kmph on a 500.
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That being said Gordon, if you want a bit more go off the line and are not too concerned about top end, try going on tooth less on the front sprocket (easy) or up a couple of teeth on the rear (harder).
If you are using the bike around the city you will notice a nice bit of difference in acceleration.
On the other hand, if you want to go longer distances, go up on tooth on the front or down a couple on the rear.
The advantage of changing the front sprog is it's usually easier and it should not need any cchain work done, IE: the adjuster should be able to compensate. Compared to removing the rear wheel and if you go larger you may have to lengthen the chain or smaller take links out, plus a front is cheaper then a rear. *NOTE* If you decide to go larger on the front, check for clearances on the cases, it may only be a matter of a MM or two but make sure everything clears before reassembly.
Keep up the good work, I think the panels make the bike look more streamlined and would look great with the "DO THE TON" logo on them!


Cheers, Graham
 
Some more pics with the Goldstar seat on.

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A friend of mine was soo inspired by the cafe, that he followed suit. Is trying to convert his red Bullet into one too. Still in the process. Managed to complete clubman bars, rearsets, flat seat, shortened front n rear mudguards, got a BSA taillamp, a free flow exhuast and a single Eliminator RVM. Hmmm, quite a co incidence :)

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BANDIT said:
That being said Gordon, if you want a bit more go off the line and are not too concerned about top end, try going on tooth less on the front sprocket (easy) or up a couple of teeth on the rear (harder).
If you are using the bike around the city you will notice a nice bit of difference in acceleration.
On the other hand, if you want to go longer distances, go up on tooth on the front or down a couple on the rear.
The advantage of changing the front sprog is it's usually easier and it should not need any cchain work done, IE: the adjuster should be able to compensate. Compared to removing the rear wheel and if you go larger you may have to lengthen the chain or smaller take links out, plus a front is cheaper then a rear. *NOTE* If you decide to go larger on the front, check for clearances on the cases, it may only be a matter of a MM or two but make sure everything clears before reassembly.
Keep up the good work, I think the panels make the bike look more streamlined and would look great with the "DO THE TON" logo on them!
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I ditched the panels. May consider them later. Got the sideboxes on again. About the sprocket thingy, mostly I'll keep such stuff stock. Thanks for the explanation, if I ever think about it I now know what to do :)

JRK5892 said:
dude i dig your bike! i also have a CAFE royal 500 bullet!
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Would be nice to see some pics of it. May get some ideas n stuff. Is it an Indian made Bullet?! And what year?!
 
Looks good!!! A Goldstar silencer and that huge filter is nice...
Thats an Indian made model. And the best part of these exported bike is the bend pipe. It isn't available to the Indian market.

Do you have more close up and larger pics of it?!
 
sure do! was going to go with the chrome tank but i like how the stock tank pulls it all together... maybe later i will strip it an polish everything but for now... i like it as is! just a head turner!
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I see you had to remove the right sidebox because of the filter. Somehow the gap between the seat and tank is too prominent. I've delibrately left about an inch so that the paint or chrome on the tank is not affected.

Are you happy with the performance?! Isn't it a 5s?! The thump is quite addictive 8)

Where are you located?! How much did you get the grips for?! Don't think they are stock equipment on Enfields.
 
I love it! i am in chicago... always been a big fan of the Royals... actually i am selling it this weekend to my best friend... he is absolutly in love with that bike! plus all of us ride, i have 5 and am going to cut him a great deal... he has helped me out countless times... nice part is it will open up for me to finish my current project and i can ride it any time i want!
Grips are from ebay actually, 7 bucks! ya the gap is pretty big, my balls hurt every now and then... but i dont know why but i love the stock tank, i was going to fill it and maybe put a small pad there but i left it, just got used to not riding up on the tank... it is a 500 yes, huge diff wiht the silencers, intake (k&N), and jetting... but it is still a 500 single, so i would really have to get into the motor to make her work! i have not even re geared it to be honest. i love it, just the way it is... out of all my bikes this is the only one that i finished and was actually finished! i will eventually replace it wiht another enfield but i think i will do a bobber style on the next one
 
huge diff wiht the silencers, intake (k&N), and jetting
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Hmm, I've changed the silencer, an open filter and upjetted to 130. I'm having trouble with it though. The bike doesn't pull well in each gear. It seems restricted. Maybe its the silencer or maybe its the jet. I've put the stock filter back. Thinking of changing the jet to 110.
 
Hey Gordon,

Nice Ride.

Quick question, or maybe not so quick...

What are the realistic Maint/reliability concerns for a modern RE? Are we talking adjustments every 200 miles or new top end every 1000?

There's a Bullet Military on CL that looks pretty freekin sweet if I can come up with some cash.

Thanks,
T
 
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