Islander
2nd October 2007, 17:28
Folkie,
I love my Enfield Bullet. It takes me back to a simpler time in machine technology. But let's keep this in context, I own it in India. I have worked in the western Himalaya three to four months a year for the last ten years.
I am not interested in owning it at home in Canada(except as a conversation piece in my shop). Nothing sounds quite like a well tuned marginally muffled Bullet going up a slight incline at the bottom of it's power band. The Rpm at this speed must closely match the human heart rate because it is the most soothing mechanical vibration I have ever experianced.
After 50 years of prodution and no major model changes the classic Bullet is really easy to service in India. Everyone has a trick to get by and roadside mechanics are cheaper then buying tools. Parts are available and priced very reasonably. A routine of mine is to stop by my favorite mechanic after work have tea and have him address the current issues while I watch the increidably interesting Indian road traffic. He will pull covers walk two shops down and come back with a new primary chain for example, install it and charge me about $10 equivilent. In Canada that could be a $300 job and you wouldn,t see your bike for days.
I ride the most remote mountain roads in the himalaya and have stripped all unneeded weight to allow scrambling in very primitive conditions. I run the lowest gearing on the drive chain and prefer the original 350cc to the more recent 500cc. The low speed low RPM torque has got me through mud, snow and boulder fields that would challenge many dual purpose bikes of large displacement. High speeds back in the hills is about 40kmh so you can see that it is a very different environment from western hwys and freeways. The traffic flows in front of my farm here in Canada at 100kmh and would kill my Enfield fast. Maybe in Europe if one was selective about routes you could have fun but it would be mostly a novelty.
I am leaving for a month of touring in November in the western himalaya and will try to take some photos and post some stories when I return. If anyone ever wants to try this good rentals are available for about $60 US a week and I can provide information. Used bikes sell for about $600 depending on location and condition.
Islander
I love my Enfield Bullet. It takes me back to a simpler time in machine technology. But let's keep this in context, I own it in India. I have worked in the western Himalaya three to four months a year for the last ten years.
I am not interested in owning it at home in Canada(except as a conversation piece in my shop). Nothing sounds quite like a well tuned marginally muffled Bullet going up a slight incline at the bottom of it's power band. The Rpm at this speed must closely match the human heart rate because it is the most soothing mechanical vibration I have ever experianced.
After 50 years of prodution and no major model changes the classic Bullet is really easy to service in India. Everyone has a trick to get by and roadside mechanics are cheaper then buying tools. Parts are available and priced very reasonably. A routine of mine is to stop by my favorite mechanic after work have tea and have him address the current issues while I watch the increidably interesting Indian road traffic. He will pull covers walk two shops down and come back with a new primary chain for example, install it and charge me about $10 equivilent. In Canada that could be a $300 job and you wouldn,t see your bike for days.
I ride the most remote mountain roads in the himalaya and have stripped all unneeded weight to allow scrambling in very primitive conditions. I run the lowest gearing on the drive chain and prefer the original 350cc to the more recent 500cc. The low speed low RPM torque has got me through mud, snow and boulder fields that would challenge many dual purpose bikes of large displacement. High speeds back in the hills is about 40kmh so you can see that it is a very different environment from western hwys and freeways. The traffic flows in front of my farm here in Canada at 100kmh and would kill my Enfield fast. Maybe in Europe if one was selective about routes you could have fun but it would be mostly a novelty.
I am leaving for a month of touring in November in the western himalaya and will try to take some photos and post some stories when I return. If anyone ever wants to try this good rentals are available for about $60 US a week and I can provide information. Used bikes sell for about $600 depending on location and condition.
Islander