Forum

[Velominatus]

Hi All,
I'm new to Enfield's but not classic bikes and I'm data gathering before I make my first Enfield purchase.

I've got some quite tight criteria so please stick with me whilst I get it all stored into my thick skull.

Preferably the bike will be 1960's
I'd like a bike low enough for someone of reduced stature (5'2")
Be easy to start (see above)
Look like a trials / scrambles bike
Be able to keep up with my 500cc Goldie Pre65 Scrambler; about 80mph tops on the open road but more normally 60mph cruising
Flexible enough to use down the Devon and Cornish back roads and light green laning

Also I've been told:

Earlier bikes have a weak oil pump drive so don't like to be pushed
Pre preunit bikes (2006ish) are the ones to go for

Help!

Cheers
Velo

[PeteF]

I doubt any RE could be made low enough for someone only 5'2" to ride safely. All depends on inside leg measurement rather than height though.

[neddy]

Don't belive Peter F, you can move the height, may cost, but its always upto you

[Mark M]

Perfectly possible to do this. There is a well known RE Club member who is about that size and has no problems with his EFI which even tows a trailer. The key is lowered seat and shorter shocks but all simple stuff really. He also has a 500cc Meteor Minor (1950s 500 twin) which is on 17" wheels as standard and that works well too.
REgards, Mark

[PeteF]

I stand corrected.

[1950s Bulleteer]

If you are wanting to keep up a 500cc Goldie at 80mph then you will be looking at fitting some of Mr Hitchcock's excellent tuning parts. You won't need to go the whole hog with the 612cc kit though, that's for the ton-up boys

[samj]

I wouldn't think that anyone who can start and ride a 500 Goldie is going to have any problems riding an Enfield!

[Velominatus]

I can start the Goldie, the better half can't, my mistake I should have made that clear.

Thanks for this, went and looked at a few Bullets today at North Cornwall Motorcycles, I think it'll have to be a Pre-Unit motor as the Unit ones don't look as nice (IMO).

Any advice on the bikes in general though, what to look for etc?

Cheers

[PeteF]

If you want an electric start then the Sixty-Five model is the best bet of the classics. The 5 speed gearbox is better than the Albion box.

[Barry N]

I'll second that! Look out for a decent Sixty5. You don't see that many for sale these days and you might have to travel to get a good one. Well worth it for the five-speed box if nothing else - and you can always convert it to kickstart-only (like I have done to mine) should you be worried about the electric-start scare stories! It's got the classic "pre-unit" engine (not to be confused with the later "lean-burn" pre-unit Electra engine) which lends itself well to tuning, if that's your thing!