Royal Enfield Twin Engine : History to repeat soon

It is learnt that after the success of the new UC Engine, Royal Enfield is now aspiring to repeat the history by its Cafe Racer and also by now working on a big Parallel Twin Engine. It really tickles the fancies of many middle age guys  who still recall the powerful 750 Interceptor of 1960's days, here is an interesting new video & article at visordown.com from Aniket Verdhan, the guy famous for developing a 350+350  V-Twin Bullet, is now working on to redesign a 998 CC version his Musket V-Twin.

Now when the race is on for what comes first: the Verdhan’s powerful V-Twin Musket or the RE’s own Big Parallel. Whichever it'll be, the Royal Enfield Lovers are now to see a big twin beauty soon………… 

1939 Royal Enfield having a V-Twin engine

1960 Interceptor having a parallel twin engine

Aniket's custom engineered V-Twin 700 CC Bullet

One Love, One Passion from a Harley to a Royal Enfield

Just visited the Harley Davidson India facebook page and had seen some great beauties of Chromed & Painted. 

I've been asked many times for what I feel or say about the Harley Davidson India after giving my heart & soul to a British Classic and writing the Royal Enfield Blogs here.  My answer comes from a recent post I read on the same page as Willie G. Davidson says:

“Harley-Davidson owners, myself included, will tell you that their motorcycles are very close to the center of their lives. When we’re not riding them, we’re thinking about them.”

now I don't think anyone fails to understand the One Love, One passion that connects the two legends. The chrome reflected the same Sun,

and whether on a Harley Heritage or on a Royal Enfield Classic we carry the same dream on that highway of freedom where the road never ends.........

Mighty Machismo featured on History TV 18

It's very usual now but it always feels great to see the legend rides on a road less travelled on a global TV Show.

This season History TV 18 features Royal Enfield Motorcycles in the show Road Less Travelled. Passionate traveller and the show's host Jonathan Legg shares the story of  Motorcycle God  'Bullet Baba' near Jodhpur before he sets-off riding the mighty 500 LB Machismo on his way from Manali to the Great Himalayas through Khardung Pass - claimed as the highest motorable road in the world.

The series explores India and  the Culture :
Socio-economics scenario, Urban trends, Traditional Food, Yoga, Woman Police Training and finally Legg's real purpose to carve his mark on the mountains of the Himalayas, and he chooses to do it on a 500 CC Royal Enfield Bullet 'Machismo'.

Hand Painting the Bullet tank - When did they started ?

One of the iconic features of the Royal Enfield 'Bullet' is its hand painted pinstripes on the fuel tank and if are you a Bullet lover who keeps exploring the passion of the legendry brand then you must have seen the interesting video of Magic Hands - Painting the fuel tank of a Royal Enfield Motorcycle .

While for many the golden border is the mark of the original “Bullet’ styling, I’m really a kind of curious about how old are these lines on the Bullet tank ?

I mean when did they actually started hand painting it? are these strips as old as the legendry marque ? Has it a beginning at Redditch, England or later sometime in India where they still seem to continue the tradition at the Chennai factory. Here are some of early pictures of British bullet  around 1950s and of some Indian production.

So what do you guess ?

 

author Gordon May joins the Royal Enfield’s official magazine as a regular columnist.

Feels great to read that the renowned author Gordon G May will be joining the Royal Enfield’s official magazine The Beat as a regular columnist. He will be sharing important events & stories about the motorcycle and its passion.

Known as an expert writer on motorcycle brands, Mr. May has written some of the remarkable books on Royal Enfield including the "The Legend Rides On" Celebrating 50 years in India.
I eagerly wait to read from his great experience and insights:

return of the Cafe' Racer

With its all new Unit Construction Engine & EFI, Royal Enfield wishes to repeat the history with Cafe' Racer. The original styling & subculture that originated in European countries in 1960s, Cafe Racer bikes were modified for speed and handling rather than comfort. Cafe racers' bodywork and control layout typically mimicked the style of contemporary Grand Prix roadracers featuring an elongated fuel tank, often with dents to allow the riders knees to grip the tank, low slung racing handlebars, and a single, rearwardly mounted, humped seat.















Addition to the contemporary changes and advancement Royal Enfield is now seeking to boost production up to 1.5 lakh units per annum from the first quarter of the next fiscal year with the opening of a second plant at Oragadam near Chennai, also the CEO Venki Padmanabhan promises to bring down the waiting period for customers to receive their bikes.

even God rides on a 'Bullet'

Well, this has been an interesting idea for me to think that if God ever visit us on a weekend and find out what'up amongst the Human as a Human being, what transport will he choose to travel ? I mean will he go by bus in the city, catch a local train, hire a cab or will he ask for a lift?

Now you know and I know that God is a real smart guy who’ll get himself the best way to commute & meet people around, and if he is in this 21 Century, I’m pretty much sure he’ll choose a motorcycle!

but why on a 'Bullet' ? now that’s the stroke of a genius ! Since 1939, being the longest production of a motorcycle brand till date, serving the services of Indian Army & Police Forces, Royal Enfield ‘Bullet, I believe, has really got the honor of being the God’s bike. 
Not only my curious idea but there are actually common stories of ‘Bullet’ being loved & worshipped by the people who once rode it and now are being owned by it. Mark of Respect, Power & Love here are some of the interesting pictures that reflect the same feeling:

Maharaja takes his Maharani on a Bullet as depicted in Rajasthani Painting  

A Yogi going on his Bullet in local town in India

God (played by Akshay Kumar) riding a customized Bullet in the movie Oh My God)

Om Banna- a shrine dedicated to the Motorcycle god, also called Bullet Baba near Jodhpur, India

 

Royal Enfield launches Thunderbird- 500 tomorrow !

Well, It just been a month when I first saw the beauty before my eyes at our Lucknow Brand Store, India and now the new 500 Royal Enfield Thunderbird is to going to be launched tomorrow on 11 October, 2012. Apart from the Royal Enfield’s traditional styling as a British Classic continuing the longest motorcycle production of the legendry 'Bullet', Thunderbird is a cruiser bike for the new age rider.    

Till now available as a 350 CC model, Thunderbird is now unleashed by the power of 500 CC engine with EFI. While the excitement is on for tomorrow’s launch the Bike already had its presence in 2012 Delhi AutoExpo and is featured in promos of an upcoming movie with actress Katrina Kaif who learnt to ride the Classic Bullet for the movie Zindagi Na Milege Dobara  was again found curvy on the new Thunderbird 500 however the young Dudes wondered which curve is more hot: of Katrina’s or of the Thunderbird’s cool Tank !

While the awaiting bikers look forward for the Booking lines and Showroom Delivery, here are some of the advanced feature & specification of the new Thunderbird 500 which makes it aspiring as a new age cruiser.

The Thunderbird 500 features:

Projector headlamps

Oval section swing arm

Rear wheel disc brake (with front disk as in earlier 350 model)

Twin trip meters

Bungee mounts

High capacity fuel tank for touring

LED Tail lamp

Specifications:

5 Speed Transmission

Digital Electronic Ignition

Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, SI Engine, Air cooled UC Engine with Keihin EFI

499 CC Displacement

Maximum Power27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm

Maximum Torque41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm

The Hunt for the Real Classic !

I'm wondering which is the oldest running, uncustomised & still shining
Royal Enfield 'Bullet' owned in India
and this got me really excited ...............Wow!

coming soon........
'The Hunt for the Real Classic'

The Rajputana Glory

If you are like me – a purist kind of a lover who is not easily impressed by any bike customisation next door, then you got to appreciate this art work of Rajputana Customs, like I do.

Here the legendary Bullet is not customised but rather glorified as the true legend : The Power, The Love and The Respect.

RE to soon launce the ‘Carburetor Version’ of 500 Classic

Just read  the news  that coming production  of Royal Enfield 500 Classic motorcyles will have a ‘Carburetor Version’ (due to the impendence in supply of EFI unit parts) and I remember the day when my Bullet ‘Classic’ was delivered to me. As a child I had a  crush on Royal Enfield Bullet and what could be more romantic for a guy like me to get my machine on this Valentine’s Day !

On the day, discussing the special features of new Royal Enfield ‘Classic’, Piyush Gupta -The Brand Store Manager at Lucknow Showroom confirmed me that while all the Classic 500 models have the EFI (Electronic Fuel Injections) my ‘350 Classic’ ,however, is carburetor based. Well, before I miss the modern EFI, the word ‘Carburetor’ got  me into a nostalgia where I see the mechanic tuning it in 1980s style  and I think that the carburetor is an interesting part to discuss & learn about the motorcycle history & riding culture. So today I went on googling and here are some interesting links for you to follow:

http://www.motorcyclecarbs.com/Mikuni_Carburetors_C8.cfm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carburetor

http://www.royalenfields.com/2010/04/think-before-you-repair-royal-enfield.html

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question377.htm

Love at first sight

Motorcycle Women of India

Fork mounting on new classic model 2012

Did you noticed the change and wondered why ?

The Hon’ble Bachchan and The Bullet

It’s really great to see Mr Bachchan on a Royal Enfield Bullet !

While the superstar continues his remarkable 50 years in Indian cinema, the Enfield ‘Bullet’ serving the Indian Police & Arm Forces celebrates 50 years of it’s production in Chennai factory. Both living legends are now honoured and loved by millions of hearts as :

Truly Royal, By Miles the Best !

 

The Signature part

ask any 'Bullet' lover -
This is the Famous &  Beloved 'Neutral Finder' !

while many modern guys find it a little unusual, I believe it's actually a signature feature of Royal Enfield Motorcycles. A magic stick in the gear box,

and if you ask me what I really miss in modern UC Engines,
I say, ' It's the iconic Neutral Finder' !

explore more about Royal Enfield Vintage Parts at :
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manish-Pathak-Followers-Page/203792906329715#!/media/set/?set=a.347887655286807.78378.100001967251402&type=3

Nuts & Bolts of a Master Piece

Royal Enfield Tapped Cover with Wing Stud Nut
A less noticed feature in Royal Enfield Motorcycles gives a real classic touch if used in restorations.

explore more about Royal Enfield Vintage Parts at :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manish-Pathak-Followers-Page/203792906329715#!/media/set/?set=a.347887655286807.78378.100001967251402&type=3

in a giant shadow

"Riding my way to Dignity, Power & Grace
My pair of wheels turns swiftly with a classic pace
and all that chrome shines bright under the Sun
I gear a machine made like a gun.

To ride is my pride, nowhere to rest
My pair of wheels turns swiftly
by miles the best.

I ride my pride far on roads
under the laden trees,
on the grass,
across the meadow,
and the legend rides on in a giant shadow".....