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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Richard230 on April 15, 2015, 03:38:57 AM

Title: The old and the new
Post by: Richard230 on April 15, 2015, 03:38:57 AM

I like all different types of motorcycles and when my BMW dealer took a 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, with only 1K miles on the clock, in on trade and then decided that they hated the thing being on their lot, I took advantage of their predicament to update my collection.  For little more than I paid in taxes and fees for my Zero, I acquired this nice looking, all steel, Indian-made, relic from the 1950's. It is quite a contrast to my Zero.  It weighs 440 pounds of road-hugging weight, makes less than 20 hp at the rear wheel and 27 lb-ft of torque.  Other than the engine being updated about 10 years ago to comply with modern emission regulations, the bike is pretty much like the 350 introduced by Royal Enfield in 1952 - although it is slower.   ::)  Top speed is 80 mph, but you wouldn't want to go that fast for long, unless you had a lot of paint to shake and have no sympathy mechanical devices that are being stressed out .  Royal Enfield is concerned enough about the engine running hot that they want you to use 15-50wt synthetic oil and change it every 2000 miles. And besides, a million Indians can't be all wrong. At least parts are cheap and the bike is easy to work on - which is good, as the local Royal Enfield dealer doesn't want to work on them and can't figure out the parts fiche to order parts.  Fortunately, there is the internet.  ::)

So now anytime I get tired of riding my vibration-less, fast and almost maintenance-free Zero, I can jump on the Enfield, kick the thing for a few minutes until I finally give up and push the electric starter button and pop-pop-pop on down the highway while shaking up my innards - all the while recalling the way it used to be back when I was growing up and Royal Enfields were some of the best British motorcycle engineering that money could buy.  ;)

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: firepower on April 15, 2015, 03:59:07 AM

I only ever seen one in Australia, ridden by 80 year old in a country town. He and the bike were well matched, he real love to be riding.

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: Mike Werner on April 15, 2015, 12:25:24 PM

Congrats! The Bullet has always been on my bucket list. Should be quite a difference between electric and old technology. Envious....

(http://photos.imageevent.com/motorbiker/newspics3/Intermot-2008-2-Enfield-01.jpg)

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: MadwitTY on April 15, 2015, 09:31:20 PM

Wow, never seen one of those before. Grats Richard!

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: trikester on April 16, 2015, 03:17:42 AM

I have a 2001 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES that I ride every once in a while. It's also my standby when none of my "real" antique bikes are in running order for an antique motorcycle club ride.

My problem is that I'm so spoiled by riding my Zero's (& zero powered trike) that I don't even like starting one of my antiques anymore.

See photo.

Trikester

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: Richard230 on April 16, 2015, 03:24:51 AM

They sure haven't changed much over the years.  One thing about the Enfields is that you can drop them over a cliff and it won't hurt them much.  They have the strongest frame and chassis that I have ever seen on a motorcycle.  All steel and no plastic. What a great boat anchor!   ;)

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: Justin Andrews on April 16, 2015, 12:51:31 PM

That's just the legacy of good old British Birmingham over-engineering...

Same reason the Short Muzzle Lee-Enfield rifle is the rifle that's considered to nearly reach that most hallowed of all engineering goals, that of being squaddie proof.

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: mikeisted on April 16, 2015, 01:06:44 PM

Trikester - would love to see a picture of your electric trike. I have harboured a similar ambition...

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: nigezero on April 16, 2015, 04:18:46 PM

I think we are all of a similar mind set. I nearly bought am Enfeild a whole back, but stuck with what I knew- pushrod v twin moto guzzi. The purity of such old fashioned solid engineering and the joy of being able to work on them on the side of the road is alluring and brings back memories of youth. But as every day passes, when I ride ice bikes, I feel disappointed.

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: Justin Andrews on April 16, 2015, 07:48:46 PM

Just remember, like all old Brit bikes, if they are leaking oil, they are working.  ;)

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: trikester on April 16, 2015, 11:32:20 PM

Quote

Trikester - would love to see a picture of your electric trike. I have harboured a similar ambition...

I posted the entire project as it progressed, on this 2013 forum. So lots of photos there at various project stages. You don't even need to look back any farther than the page before this one because I recently added an update when I added a 2013 FX dash. The subject title is: "Gas trike becoming 2013 Zero electric" It has over 6300 views now.

The last comment added was on March 30

Trikester

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: mikeisted on April 17, 2015, 04:16:04 AM

Many thanks!

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: oobflyer on April 27, 2015, 09:03:57 AM

Spotted in Stockton, CA

Title: Re: The old and the new
Post by: Richard230 on April 27, 2015, 08:29:49 PM

Tisk, Tisk, a blinged-out new "Classic" with all of the the smog equipment removed, including the stock catalytic-converter muffler.