Forum

[James BLT]

Why do I ride a bullet? 


Certainly not nostalgia. . I'm 29.  


I learnt to ride as a kid on motocross bikes and have always loved motorbikes. But I never really cared about the bikes, just the riding of them. 


 Over the years I had a couple of cheap 125s  and was very happy with them. 


 Then I went to India for 6 months and did all my travelling on a mid eighties bullet that I borrowed. And I haven't looked back since. 


 To me, a bullet with a single seat is just about as goodlooking as a motorbike can get. And as for the sound . . . Oh don't get me started.


I honestly don't know what else I would buy if I were not allowed my iron barrelled beauty. 


 As I watch people flash past me on louder, faster, flasher, pricier, computer aided eyesores. . . . I smile a smug smile and pop pop pop on my way.


(hello to all in the forums. I've been lurking here for a while with the occasional post, but now I'm signed up proper.)  

[Alan R]

Welcome aboard me hearty!!!  I likes the cut o' yer jib Sir, so I do. You've started early discovering that it's the journey that matters, not the speed haven't you ??  But---,great fun, eh? My body is nearly 63 ( and don't I know it !1) but the 20-year old inside is still in charge as regards the love of motorcycling. The bikes, the people, the hands-on,  the variety---- you can adapt a Bullet to almost any type of biking event you care to mention------and still have fun. Do keep your posts coming ---if only to tell of your latest escapades. Nice one, son !!

[TimG]

Hi James BLT


May I echo Alan R's nautical-flavoured welcome (posted from the Crow's Nest was it Alan???


I am a mere 51 but, like Alan R, consider I have a 20-odd year old living inside me as regards biking (my wife has her own views on that subject...).


My own single seat iron-barrelled Classic gives me the most biking fun I've had in years, and I've ridden bikes since I was 16...if you count the first one (Honda SS50).


Without being ageist (as if!), we need younger Enfield Nuts around to boost the Classic movement generally.


Looking forward to hearing of your exploits on this Forum...whereabouts in the country/world do you hang out? 


Cheers


TimG

[geoffro]

To be honest i dont really know because if i had read the problems that owners seem to have with their later Enfields i would'nt touch one with a bargepole  I have a 1960 Crusader Sport and it is a little beauty but as for the later Enfields you can shove em where the monkey stuffs his nuts, sorry lads but thats how reading this site makes me feel.

[Norm]

 Geofro,


      Tis a bit harsh, I know of a few which don't give any trouble at all

[Barry_Q]

Just to change the tone a little.


Nothing went wrong with my Lightning this week. It flew through its MOT. It never missed a beat as I rode it through the sunshine. The chrome shone in the sunlight. Some days, it started first kick every time. Bliss.


Of course you won't see Posts like this as we're mostly here to get help solving problems. I've flicked through a number of Forums for different machines and they're all the same (You want to see some of the moped and scooter Forums. They make Enfields to mega-reliable!). There's hardly any Posts saying that nothing happened. I've not Posted much since last year simply because nothing happened!  What's the point?

[Alan R]

Hello TimG----there are those who say I talk a load of bilge-water ( Yes, hard to believe I know !! ), well----bollards to them.( And rowlocks as well, come to think of it ). A whole load 'o flippity jibbets' ----I may be broad-of-beam, and shipping some greeny but there's still a few more turns around the horn for this Jack Tar."So what's all this clap-trap to do with Enfields then?" I hear you ask------When I was in The Andrew, and doing my Basic Training ( Engine Room) at Torpoint, Cornwall ---1965 to 67,  we had a boat house and seamanship centre on the Tamar at Jupiter Point ( Still going I believe ). There was a small fleet of, I think 6 or 8 clinker-built  motor launches powered by Royal Enfield HO2 diesels and Kitchener Bucket reverser. MUCH later, I became  involved with the local Sea Cadets here in Telford and we aquired a similar but shorter launch powered by a Royal Enfield VS1 diesel.  So,--- Roger the Cabin Boy. Statement or question??  I never met Seaman Staines nor Master Bates either but there is a whole load of Pugwash's out there on any Sunday. Time to sling me 'ook.    Farewell and adieu ( to you Spanish ladies ).

[Riggers]

It's been a fabulous spring Sunday afternoon here in East Yorkshire. So me and my mate have just been out pottering around the Wolds (David Hockney country) phut, phut, phutting around at 50mph watching all the sports bike lads blasting past us and then getting nicked by the coppers on the Hull to Malton road. Stopped at a bikers cafe at Fimber for cuppa tea and a slice of cake, and a great conversation with a guy from Scarborough who'd put a Reliant engine into a Sunbeam S8. Then a potter back to Hull, a thumbs up from my mate as we parted along with a 'See you soon pal'.


That's why I ride an Enfield.

[Alan R]

Riggers---ditto over here on the mid-Wales borders. What is it about those rocket ships ?? I think it's that certain "something" about smiling gracefully at Jack-the-lad as he indulges in the roadside version of--- "Assisting the Police with their enquiries" whilst only moments ago he was sharing-the-didgit with you and gunning the 4-cyl sourkakky Hon yamthing past about 6" away. God bless 'em !! God bless 'em all---for whilst they play their annual summer sport of "Catch-me-who-can" with the boys in Blue--- you and I just amble on by with that distinctive "Thump"----" Thump"-----"Thump"  OR >>>> "DUMP"----"DUMP"----"DUMP" (Grunda & his clan) and fade gently into the yonder.   OOer !! I've come over all lyrical..

[James BLT]

Ahoy Alan an' Tim. Thank ye fer yer carbunculously warm welcome. I'll smoke 'em if yew got 'em matey as I be put aloft near the docks oer east London, wait'n fer me call.


 "Cough cough" (clears throat). . .


I wonder if there are many others here on the forums in London? I remember suggesting a good mechanic to someome here who was asking.


Funny thing is I have visited the mechanic recently and he had 5 Enfields in the shop. Ha! He looked at me with a grin and said "you Enfield boys talk" 


 And i Echo the sentiments of Barry_Q (above) I have had 3 years of trouble free enfield ridding on my 2003 500. By that i mean she always starts.


 Ofcourse . . . . I've had cable breaks, the horn fell off, a flasher unit died, she rattles head lamp bulbs to death 3 times a year, the front break sucks, the Carb pops off twice a year despite being tightened, there is a considerable oil stain where I park her and in the cold my seat can squeak like a pig. . . . . . . . .


. . But when I turn a corner, find my self faced with an open hill, open her up and hear her thump under the load. . Oh My! Can there really be anything better in motorcycling?