Showing posts with label old is gold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old is gold. Show all posts

Saturday, 23 June 2012

1901 Enfield Detailed Specifications


These are from an article on a Supplement of Motor Cycling of April 2nd, 1902. The first Enfield motorcycle was introduced in the Stanley Show in 1901. The article goes into detail about the bike. Some of the descriptions are quite convoluted. Here are some excerpts:



"The engine, as will be noticed, is of an extremely robust form, and is provided with ample wearing surfaces. The power at full speed is 1.75hp; the timing gear wheels are enclosed in a special outside case, and both axles have good long bearings, whit phosphor bronze bushes.

The contact breaker plate has a bush fitting over an extension of the aluminum chamber; this bush is of large diameter, and about 0.75 inch wide. There is, therefore, no chance of the plate developing side play through wear, and upsetting the accuracy of the adjustment between cam and spring.

The makers claim that by fitting the motor in front of the head, not on the handle bar, but bolted to the frame it self, they obtain the maximum of air for cooling purposes, which is undoubtedly correct; at the same time the motor is well out of the dirt. The belt drive differs from the majority of machines which wwe have seen being V section, and run crossed instead of open. By means of the long drive, the belt can be run slacker without slipping, and the crossing causes it to encircle the small driving pulley much further.




Large valves are fitted to both exhaust and inlet, the exhaust pipe being especially large and strong, terminating under bottom bracket, where a silencer of ample dimensions is firmly bolted to the bridge of the bicycle frame.

In our illustration of the inlet valve, the arrrangement for testing whether valve is free is clearly shown.

The stalk of the valve extends through the dome, and as the body of the inlet valve is provided with a special casting with two seats, air cannot be drawn in through the top of the dome. This small fitting is very useful, and often saves a great deal of time; the joint is not disturbed, and consequently lasts much longer than it otherwise would do.




The exhaust valve is fitted with a very certain, but simple, lifter, and as the lever operating it is attached on the right handlebar, and the switch on the left, the whole command of the machine is in the rider's hands, without leaving go of the handles.

The carbuertter is quite automatic, and is entirely governed by the adjustable illed top of stalk A, referring to the illustration in section; stalk marked A terminates in needle point with a screw adjustment. This has to be opened from a quarter to half a turn; the petrol flows along the passage marked B and rises to the needle valve, which is under the stalk marked D. The height of the lift of this valve is set when the machine leaves the facotry, and need not be disturbed when running; a supply of more or less petrol will govern the carburation, and when the best position is found, a letter O is marked on the top of A when open, and the letter S when shut, these letters being opposite the needle or indicator between the two milled tops.





The tank to which the carburetter is attached contains one gallon of petrol, and a compartment for induction coil and accumulator.







The frame is specially made throughout, and has been designed purposely for a motor-bicycle. Special thick gauge tubing is used everywhere, and the wheel base has been considerably lengthened. The front forks are of a most substantial pattern, being made in D section, and of great strength. The crown is the same as the one used on the Royal Enfield tricycles for the last 18 months, and which has given entire satisfaction.

The brakes are two in number; both are hand brakes, one acting on the back wheel, and the other on the front. It was deemed advisable to fit two brakes, as running down a steep hill with the valve lifter raised, one brake was not found sufficient to arrest the machine suddenly, but with a gentle application of both, this machine can be stopped in a few yards in case of emergency."







Friday, 4 May 2012

Royal Enfield - New Wine Into Old Wineskins!


Royal Enfield has introduced a range of bikes for the modern day biker with a quieter engine, a first of its kind! However, demand for the ‘king of the roads’ new baby has already exceeded supply, as the makers of the bike struggle to make them at a rapid pace.

The Royal Enfield old-fashioned iron engine has made way for a new engine, which makes acceleration, mileage, performance and dependability a whole new experience.

The company is renowned for the mighty Bullet model, however the modern Classic series is spurring growth in a booming and growing Indian market. According to reports, 10 million bikes were sold in 2011!
 

Motorcycles’ prices of the company start at around Rs 1, 08,000 to Rs 1, 75,000 in a metro like Mumbai. Although not in the same class, the company faces competition from bikes like Bajaj Avenger (220 cc) that is sold in the market for Rs 72,000.

Even with the launch of the new engine, love for the old engine hasn’t completely died. Bike enthusiasts still look for the old engine, however their gateway to fulfill their desire is the second-hand market, as production of the old engine stopped in 2010.

According to reports, the Royal Enfield plans to launch a new 50- acre plant in Tamil Nadu in 2013, increasing the capacity to 1,50,000 vehicles.

Motorcycle companies like HeroMotoCorp and Bajaj Auto sell low-end bikes in comparison to the Royal Enfield, mainly targetting general transportation usage. With other players that cater to the masses, Royal Enfield has carved a niche for itself in the Indian market.

The company now plans to increase its export sales. According to reports, it has inked dealerships in Malaysia and Philippines, and also aims at revamping its distribution network in Germany and France.

Turning back the pages of time:

The company had launched its maiden motorised bike in 1901 and penetrated the Indian market in 1949. The Bullet, which is in its 80th year of production, became the most popular bike on the country’s roads.




Thursday, 12 April 2012

OLD IS GOLD FOR BULLETEERS


If you buy a vehicle, its value dips about 10% the moment you take it out of the showroom. But, if you own a pre-2009 Royal Enfield Bullet with the original engine things seem to work in reverse: its worth actually goes up! The  demand for the “original” Bullet, the classic 350 cc bike with gears on the right and brake pedal on the left, has pushed up the prices of the pre-owned bikes. The average waiting period of four months for a new Royal Enfield Bullet has also pushed up the demand for pre-owned bikes.





“A 1966 Bullet in working condition costs between Rs 65,000 and Rs 75,000 while a 2008-09 model can go for up to Rs 1,20,000 depending on its condition. The Machismo 350 that was made in 2000 is very rare and that costs more than its original worth. That model was manufactured for only four-and-a-half years,” said Mohammad Shafique, who has run a garage in Mumbai for 30 and also facilitates sale of pre-owned Bullets. “Just a year back the prices were 30% lower and two years the same bikes cost half the current price.”

Javed Khan, who runs a Bullet-only workshop in Kolkata, said, “The prices of older bikes have gone up because the company stopped making the original engine in 2009. The pre-2009 350 cc Bullet today sells for Rs 1lac upwards.”

Eicher Motors, which acquired Royal Enfield in 1994, has moved over to the new unit construction engine, said Venkatesh Padmanabhan, CEO, Royal Enfield. “The new engine has 30% less parts and 30% more power. However, like with many other moves to update technology, there are those among our followers who miss the original beat, the original motorcycle with the gear shift on the right side. While we work very hard at getting the new engine to be equally enchanting, the desire for the old one apparently is on the rise,” Padmanabhan said.

Another reason for the rise of prices of the re-conditioned Bullet is due to the fact that expats returning to their homes take advantage of emission law provisions that exempt antiques from the regular stringent regulations, explained Padmanabhan. “Foreigners are usually okay with paying more for a bike they like. That has also pushed up the prices of classic bikes,” Khan said.

Though it is not as popular as the Bullet, the prices of the erstwhile Yezdi’s Road King have also increased over the last year. The Road King stopped production in 1996. These bikes used to cost around Rs 10,000 till 2007. Current prices hover around the Rs 40,000 mark.


Tuesday, 10 January 2012

ROYAL ENFIELD THUNDERBIRD 500cc REVIEW / ROAD TEST / SPECIFICATIONS / PRICE



The Thunderbird 500 has been perhaps one of the most anticipated offering from the Royal Enfield stable considering that the Thunderbird 350 has been doing yeoman service for the last ten years. The Thunderbird has built for itself a reputation of being a comfortable touring motorcycle and is often the first choice amongst the Royal Enfield models for touring enthusiasts. The Thunderbird has earned itself the reputation of a capable highway tourer and established itself firmly in the cruiser market. The Thunderbird broke away from the mould of Royal Enfield’s traditional motorcycles and redefined a new lineup. In that direction, the new Thunderbird has come as fresh motorcycle. 



Styling :

The ‘black’ engine is one of the first styling elements that catch your attention the moment you see the motorcycle. The seat has been completely redesigned to suit the new foot pegs position. The handle bar too has received changes for better reach and ergonomics.The high rise handlebars, forward placed foot-pegs and a low seat height enable a rider to cover distances comfortably for longer periods of time. Other small styling elements that a keen enthusiast will notice are the Royal Enfield logo on the all new foot-pegs, new design mirrors.



Seats :

The seat now opens using a lock mechanism, accessible through the side panel. True to its design concept as a more touring friendly motorcycle, the separately mounted pillion seat can be removed to accommodate luggage. The pillion grab rail is an all new pressure die cast component and lends to the modern design of the motorcycle. Bungee hooks provide the much needed bungee points to tie luggage.



Instrument Cluster :

The new front end lends itself nicely to the muscular stance of the bike. The instrumentation also includes two digital trip meters, allowing riders to keep a track of total trip mileage as well as intermediate mileage between tankfuls. The speed and engine rpm are shown via tastefully designed analogue clocks, housed in all new twin pods at the front. The main ignition lock also functions as a central steering lock. The inclusion of hazard lamps in the switch gear is a first for a motorcycle manufactured in India. The tank cap is placed asymmetrically on the top right hand side of the tank, instead of the conventional central mounting; a distinctive styling element of the Thunderbird 500.




Engine :

It now comes loaded with a 500cc Unit Construction Engine (UCE) and additional power makes covering distance an easier task. The seamless torque delivery will keep the rider entertained through the twisty sections. A flick of the right wrist is all it takes now to overtake a slower moving vehicle or climb up a twisty section. When it was time to build a Thunderbird 500, Royal Enfield decided that it had to offer more than what customers were used to seeing from the Thunderbird in its current guise. Apart from the larger engine, the bike now features 41mm thick forks in front and an oval section swingarm at the rear to allow the rider to handle the additional power. The inclusion of a rear disc brake will now allow the rider to confidently explore the upper limits of the motorcycle’s performance capabilities. 



Fuel tank :

Since Royal Enfield's are mainly associated with tour and leisure purpose and to tackle this issue Thunderbird 500 comes equipped with a massive 20-litre fuel tank for an enhanced range.



Ergonomics :

The designs are now oriented to the cruiser character of the motorcycle. The seat has been completely redesigned to suit the new foot pegs position. The handle bar too has received changes for better reach and ergonomics. The seat now opens using a lock mechanism, accessible through the side panel. True to its design concept as a more touring friendly motorcycle, the separately mounted pillion seat can be removed to accommodate luggage. The pillion grab rail is an all new pressure die cast component and lends to the modern design of the motorcycle. Bungee hooks provide the much needed bungee points to tie luggage.



Headlight and Tail light :

Night time visibility has been the biggest challenge faced by most motorcyclists while cruising on the highway hence the new headlight with a 55w projector lamp for its low beam and a 55W halogen bulb for the high beam addresses that issue. The lighting is at its brightest with the high beam on, working in combination with the projector lamp giving ample spread and penetration on the road. Tail lamp comes with LED lamp with position light guides which is new for Royal enfield family.


Brakes:

The bike comes loaded with front 280mm Disc, 2-Piston caliper brakes. Stopping power has been aided with the addition of a disc brake at the rear. The braking system is supplied by Bybre, a fully owned subsidiary of Brembo. It is mounted on the new improved oval section swing arm. These changes will enhance the riding experience of the motorcycle on the highway. 












Price :

The price of the Thunderbird 500cc is expected to be ten thousand higher than the Classic Chrome which makes the bike the flagship motorcycle of Royal Enfield’s portfolio.




Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 Specifications: 

EngineSingle Cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, SI Engine, Air cooled, and Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection
Displacement499 CC
Bore x Stroke84 mm x 90 mm
Maximum Power27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm
Maximum Torque41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Transmission5 Speed constant mesh
IgnitionDigital Electronic Ignition
Dimensions
Ground Clearance135 mm
Width895 mm
Wheel Base1350 mm
Length2060 mm
Height1300 mm
Seat Height/ Saddle HeightInformation not available
Tyres
Front90/90 - 19
Rear120/80 - 18
Electricals
Electrical System12 Volts - DC
Head lampProjection type headlamp, H7 bulb 55 / 55 W
Instrument clusterDigital cluster with LCD
Tail LampLED lamp with position light guides
E-Start Starter Motor0.9 KW, DENSO
Brakes
Front280mm Disc, 2-Piston caliper
Rear240mm Disc, single Piston caliper
Maximum Speed
Speed130 Kmph
Suspension
FrontTelescopic 41mm forks, Stroke 130 mm
RearTwin gas charged shock absorbers , 80mm stroke
Vehicle
Fuel Tank Capacity20 ltr
Compression Ratio8.5 : 1
Air CleanerPaper Element
Engine Oil Grade / Qty15W 50 API, SL Grade JASO MA
Weight(Kerb)195 Kg (with 90% fuel & oil)










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Monday, 9 January 2012

ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC DESERT STORM 500cc - REVIEW / SPECIFICATIONS / PRICE




The Classic Desert Storm comes to you with a “sand” paint scheme reminiscent of the war era, a time when Royal Enfield motorcycles proved their capabilities and battle worthiness by impeccable service to soldiers in harsh conditions of the desert. Donning a younger today resplendent with styling cues one would expect only from a genuine Royal Enfield: single cylinder air-cooled pushrod engine, 1950s style nacelle and toolboxes, traditional paint scheme and buffed engine components, this motorcycle is all set to bring you the pleasures of modern motorcycling while reflecting the aura of eternal classic styling.

The Desert Storm has a sandy hue and comes priced at Rs 1.58 lakh, on road, Mumbai. (Price vary in different cities)



Royal Enfield Classic Desert storm 500 EFI Specifications: 

EngineSingle Cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, SI Engine, Air cooled, and Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection
Displacement499 CC
Bore x Stroke84 mm x 90 mm
Maximum Power27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm
Maximum Torque41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Transmission5 Speed (left foot gear shift)
IgnitionDigital Electronic Ignition
Dimensions
Ground Clearance135 mm
Width800 mm
Wheel Base1370 mm
Length2180 mm
Height1080 mm
Seat Height/ Saddle Height800 mm
Tyres
Front90/90 - 19
Rear120/80 - 18
Electricals
Electrical System12 Volts - DC
Head lamp60 W / 55 W, HALOGEN
Battery14 AH
Tail Lamp21/5 W
E-Start Starter Motor0.9 KW, DENSO
Brakes
Front280mm Disc, 2-Piston caliper
RearFoot Operated 153 mm Single Lead Internal Expanding
Maximum Speed
Speed130 Kmph
Suspension
FrontTelescopic, Hydraulic Damping, Stroke 130 mm
RearTwin gas charged shock absorbers with 5-step adjustable preload, 80mm travel
Vehicle
Fuel Tank Capacity14.5±1 ltr
Compression Ratio8.5 : 1
Air CleanerPaper Element
Engine Oil Grade / Qty15W 50 API, SL Grade JASO MA
Weight(Kerb)187 Kg (with 90% fuel & oil)






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