Questions? Looking for parts? Parts for sale? or just for a chat,

The WD Motorcycle forum

WD Motorcycle forum
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
Off topic...

This is off topic but may be of interest to anyone thinking of buying an 'Indian' Enfield...

My 500 Classic 'Ghandi' is now approaching 10,000 miles and to date has served well as my daily hack...Problems to date, a sticky piston in the brake caliper (last winters salt I should think)...That was rectified easily enough with a strip and clean up. No replacement parts were required....
The after market silencer fell to pieces in 4,000 miles but I can't blame Enfield for that...
The rear sprocket and gearbox sprocket are showing some wear but don't need to be replaced yet...That's it!!!...

Finish wise the bike is keeping pretty well, including the chrome, though I do wash it after each trip when the salt is on the roads...One exception is the wheel rims which have deteriorated and it makes me wonder why Royal Enfield don't fit stainless or alloy rims, or at least ones with better chrome...Particularly as the bike comes with stainless spokes as standard!...

So, pretty good so far and a lot better than some of the much more expensive bikes my friends own...

Also, it's returning high 70's to low 80's to the gallon consistently and doesn't leak oil....I'm pretty happy overall with what is a relatively cheap bike and it rides and feels pretty much like all the other singles I've owned, so I feel quite 'at home' on it....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: Off topic...

Hi Ian,

Very interesting.
What year is it please just out of interest?

Regards,
Paul

email (option): eastwood007@ntlworld.com

Re: Off topic...

2015...But I bought it second hand with just over 1000 miles on the clock...I added the rear rack, pannier frames and bags and made the sumpguard..Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: Off topic...


Hi Ian,

That looks great.

Funnily Saturday I purchased a very nice 2000yr 350cc Bullet in the same colour/chrome tank etc.

Regards,
Paul

email (option): eastwood007@ntlworld.com

Re: Off topic...

I rode one of these - a 2007 I think - I was very happy riding it

They are a decent modern alternative - this one was a military style with metal boxes in the back which made it very practical

Nice choice Ian

Job

email (option): jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Re: Off topic...

Hi Ian,

Here's mine.

I think I've managed to upload ok, here goes........

Regards,
Paul

email (option): eastwood007@ntlworld.com

Re: Off topic...

I also have a bullet, except mine is an Enfield Indian, not an Indian Enfield. It has one of those racing heads and a competition mag.

email (option): cas.vanderwoude@gmail.com

Re: Off topic...

Is that a Woodsman or a Westerner Cas? I've just be working on my mates Woodsman. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: Off topic...

If the Indian made Enfields are good motorcycles, and I am not saying they are not, why can't they make good reproduction parts.

email (option): tknalder@iinet.net.au

Re: Off topic...

Because the new RE's are made in a correctly equipped factory that has to turn out parts to regulations and standards that are laid down by it's foreign customers. The reproduction parts are often made by a Wallah sitting cross legged in the sand, who puts a picture on ebay that often has no resemblance to the part he made.:stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: Off topic...

Pre Covid R.E. were selling 50,000-60,000 bikes PER MONTH....or around 650,000 bikes per year...On that basis I think they need to be considered reasonably seriously..For comparison Triumph sell 60,000 bikes in a year...

Obviously numbers don't necessarily equate to a good product (think of the Chinese) but R.E. have invested heavily in two new factories and their latest model, the 650 twin has been universally praised....

I certainly rate the later version of the single that I own and wouldn't hesitate to recommend that model to others...I was a little dubious before buying it as I remembered how bad these bikes were in the 70s, 80s and 90s...However, they have consistently been improved so I thought the only way to really find out how much was to own one, so I took a chance...

I have been tempted to try a twin but that has rather moved away from the 'traditional' style and feel of the singles and that's what really attracted me to the bike in the first place...'

They do have the obvious limitations of a 500 single in terms of performance etc. but electronic ignition, fuel injection, hydraulic tappets and automatic primary chain tensioning have resulted in a low maintenance machine that works well...A 5 speed gearbox, an engine and gearbox that doesn't leak at all and exceptionally good fuel consumption are a bonus...

At the end of the day the Indians are still making and improving them and we're not...What does that say?..:laughing: Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: Off topic...

I am quite tempted by these Indian RE's, especially now that I see from Paul's that you can find one with right hand gear change. I've worked on a mates 2005 "Bullet Sixty 5" and the road test was fraught with concentrating on the pedals instead of the issue at hand.

I've only ever sat on the new RE twins once and thought how hard the saddle is, which seems to be a common complaint.

As it happens, a local mate of mine who's always chopping and changing has done a comparison road test with a Triumph Street Twin. Here is what he wrote on another forum. Ron.....


Test rode both the RE and the Trumpet today. Not ideal weather or conditions to be fair but I learned a lot and in more ways than I was expecting.

Where to start... The RE is cheaper by quite a considerable amount but you can see and feel that. It is immediately obvious that the Triumph is of superior quality in every way that i can think of). Not that the RE s a bad bike but can't hold a candle to the Triumph when it comes to fit, finish or indeed appearance, (though the latter is obviously subjective).
Most strikingly for me though can best be summed up as thinking I'm getting a lot of wind in the face riding the Triumph but then looking down and realising I'm doing 70mph in 3rd gear effortlessly. In comparison you need to work the RE a lot more to get it to 70mph (Though it is more than happy to do so). Both are very relaxed bikes to ride but the Triumph is just relaxed at a higher speed. The Re pulls well low down but I was quite amazed at just how low down the Triumph will pull from and how smoothly. In very many ways though the RE is more "authentic" if you want that "Brit bike" look and feel.

I own a (modern) Kawasaki Z400 twin which, on the face of it, isn't a fair comparison but the little Kawasaki is lighter and I would say out handles both the Re and the Triumph. There again it revs like crazy and is anything but relaxed to ride. Exciting, but draws you in to a riding style that needs a lot of concentration. The complete opposite of the other two. On the other hand. If you were to come across a sudden sharp bend or needed to turn off in a hurry, The Kawasaki wouldn't think twice but the Triumph (in particular) would struggle.

The Triumph seat is infinitely more comfortable then the RE and is much lower (which suits my short legs) though didn't have any problems with the RE.

Over all though, the Triumph simply feels more "classy" than the Re and I couldn't help thinking that, if I bought the RE, I would always be wishing I'd spent the extra on the Triumph.

Having said that. The RE is a very good bike for the money (if you change the seat).

Finally, and on a completely different tack, The Triumph dealer was very "efficient", pleasant to talk to, informative and took his time to go through all the options.
On the other hand the RE dealer (who was one of those dealers that specialised in "budget" bikes such as Benelli and FB Mondial etc) seemed exactly that. budget.
The young man who served me didn't seem particularly interested, neither did he try and extol the virtues of his product. I left thinking that, if i was going to buy an RE it would be from a different dealer who I thought I might be able to trust.

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: Off topic...

Interesting comments...Personally though, I think a direct comparison between the Triumph and the Enfield is misleading...

The Triumph is a 900 and the Enfield a 650 so obviously the power characteristics will be different even if the power output is similar. Regarding price, the Triumph is around £9700 on the road and the Enfield is £5600 OTR...A £4100 (40% approx.) price difference that obviously means specifications will be different, in fact it's reasonable to argue the Enfield is not really in the same category on that basis...

Rather than look at what your not getting with the Enfield for £4000 less than the Triumph it's better to look at what you are getting for the £5600 cost of the Enfield...On that measure you are getting very good value for money and it should perhaps be compared to other bikes you can buy at that price...That may be the reason why the Enfield twin was the top selling bike in the UK in the summer of 2020....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: Off topic...

"Cosmik" has sold several bikes from his hoard and seems to keep buying new bikes lately for different reasons and use. Just lately a BMW and a Kawasaki (Don't ask me what models, but not sports bikes) And a new Indian Scout. I don't think his intention was to compare the two bikes like for like. More to do with what suits his needs. This is what happens when covid shuts your business down and you then end up with too much time and money from selling off some of your classics. Ron:slightly_smiling_face:

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: Off topic...


Continued.......

Titled:

The Book of Enfield Riders.....

Paul's Story:

I decided at the end of March 2019 that I wanted something 'modern old'
New, reliable, Quirky yet good looking.
I decided on the Royal Enfield Continental GT 535 in Red (the best colour in my eyes.)
A really beautiful looking Cafe racer style caught my eye.... I wanted one of these!
I searched but in the end decided...buy new for peace of mind!
Picked it up from the Dealer, shiny and brand spanking new.
The last time I bought a new bike was 1975 a Suzuki A100M.
Anyway.....
Rode the bike home, my now pride and joy, it was gleaming.
Running-in I was told 20-30mph for the first 2000 miles.
What a laugh I said, l will probably never run it in while I own it.
2000 mile to me was a lifetime.
Went out for my first ride.....it felt cyclists were overtaking me.....
I noticed that the engine developed a rattle with 57 mile on the clock.
Took it back to the dealer....
Oh yes it has, nothing serious they said and promptly video'd it to send to Royal Enfield UK.
A week later I got a message from the dealer.
Can you bring the bike in, Enfield uk say you may have a blocked oil port in the cylinderhead.
Head was removed and all flushed out.
A week later I collected it back....'all sorted now' and road tested.Any problems get back to us.
Rode it home and rang the dealer......
It still rattles!
We'll contact Enfield uk again they said.
A week later the dealer rang me.....
'Enfield uk say it needs a new cylinderhead and it will be sent direct from India to us, probably take 2-3 weeks. carry-on using the bike, it will be fine!
I continued to run the bike in as told.
Now approx 280 miles on the clock.
Head arrived and the bike went in again to the dealer.
Ready in 3 days for you to collect. They rang me 'it's ready'
Went to pick it up........
I asked 'what's been done ?'..........
New cylinderhead fitted, oilways flushed out and new oil fitted.
Oh.... the fuel injection transfer flange was cracked when we removed the head....one on order, we'll let you know when it arrives but it's still ok to use it.....?
Road tested by us (the owners) and the mechanic, it's spot-on now and rides like a dream.
I rode off...... it was Friday and we were going to a 40s event.
It still Rattled!
Monday morning I loaded the Bike into the van and took it back!
Hi Paul, how's the bike doing.....
It Rattles still I said and nothing has changed!
Dealer quoted..... 'it's not a kettle from Argos you can keeping taking back you know! we've spent enough time on this bike and not prepared to spend anymore time on it at our expense......!
No it's £5000 of my hard earned money I said bluntly!!!
He also quoted 'they all rattle'
........wot!
Do you want to book it back in? they said?
NO! I want my money back!!!!!
They quoted the Argos Kettle line again.....
Under the Consumer Rights Act of 2015 I said.......
He stopped me dead........
You'll get a check in the post by Saturday!
I gave them all the paperwork, got a receipt, jumped in the van and rode-off.
The cheque arrived minus the OTR fee.

I purchased a Triumph Thruxton 900 the following Saturday.

Apologies if I've bored you!
But true.

I actually loved the bike for what it was and would buy another, but not one that 'Rattles' !!!!!

I've now got an 'old school' Bullet.

Hoping you enjoyed reading my story.

Dealers eh.......?

Regards,
Paul


email (option): eastwood007@ntlworld.com

Re: Off topic...

'we've spent enough time on this bike and not prepared to spend anymore time on it at our expense......!'...

My pal got told exactly that when he took his 'still under warranty' £23000 Harley back for the fourth time with a deteriorating finish... They also suggested he had misused the bike because he'd taken it out in the rain...

Another friend with a Triumph Rocket 3 had to have a new rear wheel and steering yokes whilst still under warranty due to the lacquer lifting off the base material and his clutch thrust bearing went after 16,000 miles....

I won't mention the gearbox failure on a brand new BMW 1200...Oh, I did!...It seems even new bikes have problems sometimes!..(Ducati?..Lets not go there at all.)...

If my experience of the Technicians? at a Harley dealer is typical then getting anything repaired properly is going to be a challenge...After they spent nearly an hour trying to fit a wheel bearing I got them to bring the wheel out of the workshop for me to look at...It took about 15 seconds to realise the idiot had the wrong wheel bearing which was wider than the original....That was why it wouldn't go all the way in...The problem for me was the Harley bearing is fitted into a blind hole and you need the Harley tool to get them out (great design)...I didn't have that so headed to the dealer for them to carry out a 'simple' job for me...Ian:laughing:

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: Off topic...

I own several Harleys. My 2009 Fatboy is totally chromed out. Even the swing arm. Not a bit of deterioration on anything. It has 36,000 miles. My 2013 XL1200C Sportster With 3300 miles has chrome popping off the wheels. The chrome quality Is not there. The paint on both bikes is outstanding. I do keep them polished and waxed. I also wipe off the moisture that forms when the temperature changes. I believe that dew caused a lot of finish problems. My neighbor has a Harley VRod and the chrome is totally gone off the wheels. It is ugly. The finish sucks on his bike. He is embarrassed to be seem on it.
It is had to beat the ride of a Fatboy with a windshield and backrest the interstates. I used the Sportster for blasting around town. I did Stage one with Rush 2” slipons. The pipes are extremely loud, but the engine really came alive. I am adding some torque inserts. They will dampen down some of the noise.
The Fatboy is a stage 2 with Rush 1.75” and much quieter until you go full throttle.

email (option): cbhaws@verizon.net

Re: Off topic...

Here’s mine,
Last of the pre unit Indian bikes. I’ve had it about four years now, great bike with a few modern features (not brakes :astonished: )
A photo from camping last year,
Loved it!!

304-CE589-5-FFE-4104-8-C11-66-EDF0-CE27-B7

email (option): gino_kerekes@yahooooo.co.uk

Re: Off topic...

And you all think Indian made girder forks are bad ?

https://news.maxabout.com/bikes/royal-enfield/royal-enfield-himalayan-chassis-breaks/

Re: Off topic...

The article and video about the Royal Enfield Himalayan breaking in two is pretty shocking!

I have owned several Royal Enfields - two were British made, one was India made. When I first got the India made Bullet, a 1999 year model, I liked it very much, but the gear change linkage on the left was the type that had been used to convert what was originally designed as a right side change box, and it was dreadful. It was so Heath-Robinson like that I was amazed anyone had dared to market it. So I went out and got a used Enfield (British made) gearbox and gave it a scrub, inside and out, and returned the bike to right hand side shifting. Perfect! The 60 year old gearbox was just fine.

It was then that I started to do some comparisons. The alloy on the India made crankcase and gearbox case was clearly of coarser texture. It was certainly of poor quality as studs would strip out of their holes with regularity -- which had never happened on the British made castings. Recutting the threads was like cutting into cheese. Moreover, a major problem was the wiring. The headlight never gave more than a yellowish glow -- something I discovered was a very common and almost unfixable fault with this model.

In the end the exhaust valve started throwing oil into the exhaust and I got rid of it because I couldn't face fixing it again. Yes, I'd had the head off and checked everything and been generally disappointed at the poor quality of the valve gear.

My previous Enfield had been a 1958 Model G (350cc) and had given no such problems as these I've described.

I had thought of scrapping the engine and wiring entirely and replacing them with vintage Enfield items, but by then I was out of love with the project.

Those years of the 90s were rough years for quality control with India Enfields. I had thought they'd improved since then, but it doesn't look like it.

email (option): allanmatchless@yahoo.com

Re: Off topic...

My mates 350 Injun bullet let go of the big end assembly just after 16000 miles, mind you he gave the poor old thing some stick but it was still well serviced with regular oil changes.Now rebuilt with a alpha big end all seems well. Some people are saying the video in my last post was fake but look at the headstock and down tubes, the tube sections look like something you find in retail shelf racking I certainly would not trust it.

Re: Off topic...

Any older Indian Enfield single will be troublesome in my experience and there is a thriving market for updated parts to improve them...As for the Himalayan it certainly seems to have a serious design weakness which they'll have to rectify quickly if they want the model to survive....I believe early examples had some clutch problems as well...

I've a friend who bought a 650 twin last year and to date he's very happy with that...As noted in my initial post I've got no real complaints and had no substantial problems with my 'C5' unit single as yet and I'm basing my comments on my experiences with that...It's certainly a very different bike to the pre unit models....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: Off topic...

Sadly I have now put mine up for sale.

New project, funds required sadly.


Until next time...... I will search for another one day.

'Old school' boys bike, great fun these, sound great, as good as the old Brit Bikes did!

Happy day's......:slightly_smiling_face:

email (option): eastwood007@ntlworld.com

Nieuwe pagina 1