Forum

[Chris Tindal]

Interesting. Is a 1949 350 or 1953 500 Bullet still classed as being 'in production' when modern counterparts share the same name. EFI's are substantially different bikes. My 1959 Bighead isn't still in production, but it's a '500 Bullet' and they still are. I guess this is a grey area that no one has thought about yet ( apart from Diesel Dave). Common sense says Redditch or 40 year old Indian iron barrelled Bullets are no longer in production, but it might be worth clarifying this with the list of 'experts' on the DVLA website.

[Adrian]

What's sold as a Royal Enfield Bullet now is NOT the same classic Bullet design with the bolt-on gearbox. After older model exports stopped in the late naughties, the very last traditional Bullets were a batch of 4 speed 350s for the Indian home market in 2010. Now we just have the name, the same bore and stroke and not a lot else from the old Bullet.



As for modified vehicles, twin and single engine swaps in the same manufacturer's classic frame out to be OK (alternative original equipment engines, surely - Would Sir like an ES2 or Dominator engine in Sir's Norton featherbed chassis?), but unless it was carried out before 1988 things like Honda 4 powered BSA A10s wouldn't now qualify, and I'm not sure how a newly-built Tribsa or Triton would fare.



A.

[Chris Tindal]

I know Adrian, like I said, common sense says they are no longer in production, but could someone argue that they are.

[Adrian]

Chris. did you notice both those messages were posted at 7.54PM? You just got yours on the board a few seconds ahead of me!



A.

[Chris Tindal]

Ah sorry Adrian, thought you were replying to mine

[John M]

Some people seem to fret about proving that their exempt vehicles are roadworthy however this never seems to be a problem for vehicles under 3 years old or those registered in the Isle of Man or remote Scottish islands that are not subject to testing. It is also worthy of note that an MOT certificate is not proof of it roadworthy other than at the time of the test.

It would also be for others to prove that your vehicle was un-roadworthy, the onus would not be on you to do so.

As for the original poster's point, the classic Bullet is no longer in production, the continuity of a model name is irrelevant, a bit like saying that a 1950's Triumph Trophy is still in production because of the Hinkley offerings.

As for engine swaps, the guidance relating to these does not relate to motorcycles, the whole guidance appears to be aimed at preventing V8 Hot-Rods being exempted.