Forum

[another Allan]

I saw on a certain internet auction site that new fork stanchions (legs) to fit an 'Enfield City Bike' are available. Apparently they are 27" long, rather than the 23" or thereabouts of the standard legs. I've tried to find some info on the 'City Bike' but I've drawn a blank. Does anyone know anything about this model? I quite fancy the idea of longer forks - I guess 4" extra would translate into 2.5 - 3" more ground clearance.
I already have the longer Hagon shocks, and I am planning a swinging arm mod to increase wheelbase (like the late Interceptor, I believe.) I'm tall, so these modifications together should give me a me-sized bike!

[Colin F]

Alan,i have one of these bikes and they go by the name of "Lightning",either 500 or 535 came out
from the factory in the late '90's till about 2004,till they updated to the Thunderbird.
I have a Bullet but would prefer the Lightning any day as a ride to work bike.Much more laid back
although the standard seat is horrible and needs replacing for comfort.Not sure if the forks
are any different to the Bullet
cheers
colin

[Norm]

Correct Colin, but you need longer springs as well

[another Allan]

Aahh! Thanks Colin and Norm. I'll investigate further. Longer springs needed as well, then, but what about dampers, I wonder?

[Pete (Staffs)]

My 'converted' Lightning.

[Colin F]

Something else i noticed,when i first started riding the Lightning harley riders started waving and nodding. when i passed friends on there British bikes would ride past stiff necked,with no acknowledgement.Change back to the Bullet and the opposite.Happens all the time.

[Alan (Lancashire)]

just a thought chaps , most of the indian home market bikes were fitted with an additional "helper" spring in the legs , about 3-4 inches long I fitted those to get rid of the "clonk" as the bike was lifted/taken off the stand.

those springs are available from our hosts for a couple of £

this is my old bullet with progressive springs + the helper ones

[another Allan]

Thanks for the pic of the converted Lightning, Pete. It is hard to judge from the camera angle, but the general 'stance' of the bike doesn't suggest that the forks are any longer than the standard Bullet. Did you change them as part of the conversion? I also did a bit more searching on t'internet for 'Enfield city bike' and I found pictures of the Lightning and Machismo. There are obvious differences from a standard Bullet, such as the weird (IMO) tank and seat, but again, the 'stance' and therefore fork length appear to be standard. Curiouser and curiouser......