Sing something single

Some people buy a motorcycle to move themselves from A to B, but when singer Songwriter Gray Hawke bought a Royal Enfield it moved him to write a song. Here's his story;

"I got a wonderful motorcycle earlier this year - a Royal Enfield Bullet 500efi DL. As with most truly life-changing experiences, it had to have a song. I'd written a lyric, found what I think is a really catchy chorus and got a rhythm and feel for the song nailed about a month ago, but I was really struggling to find a tune and structure for the verses".

"Anyway, I decided to give it another bash yesterday (27th May) and finally got something that worked. A bit quirky and asymetrical - also quite difficult to remember! As I was already planning to go to Commonfolk yesterday, I gave the new song a run out in front of an audience - the first time I've ever finished and performed a song on the same day".

"It went pretty well - a few very positive comments from audience members afterwards, even though it was obviously a bit rough. Definitely one to polish up".

A sample of Gray's song can be heard on his Myspace site.

Charity CD "A Place to Live" is now finished and available for sale at £7 inc £2 p&p / admin. The CD includes the track "Bullet".  To obtain a copy people should email Gray at grayhawke619@gmail.com with their name and dispatch address details. He'll then send their copy of the CD by first class post with instructions for making payment.

Present from the past for the future

Royal Enfield's Electra EFI DL - directly descended from the original 1955 model

This is the Royal Enfield Electra EFI DL, the latest incarnation of the Bullet, which has been in continuous production since 1955 (or possibly earlier, depending on how you measure it).  At any rate, this machine has rolled out of the same factory that started making Enfield motorcycles in 1955.

Its frame, 19" wheels, headlight nacelle, black and chrome tank with hand painted gold pinstripes and rubber knee pads, and chrome mudguards are instantly recognisable as coming from the original Bullet and and authentic Avon Speedmaster tyres enhance the period appearance of this 500cc air cooled single cylinder motorcycle.

Park it up at any classic bike event and it will blend in seamlessly - even the exhaust note captures the essence of a classic British bike.  

But the engine is a thoroughly modern affair.  Just like its predecessor, The Electra's engine retains pushrod construction, with a bore of 84mm and 90mm stroke.  Which is why it sounds like a classic bike and delivers plently of torque (41.3 Nm of torque at 4000rpm, if you wondered).  However, fuel injection, unit construction, improved lubrication and 5-speed gearbox operated via a wet multiplate clutch, makes the Electra EFI a pleasure to ride.  Power is increased to 28 BHP and it is possible to use this to the max with complete reliability - meaning that cruising at motorway speeds and spritied riding along A-roads is achievable all day long. 

For more details visit http://www.royal-enfield.com/electradl.html

Billy Joel on a military style Bullet

 

Singer-songwriter Billy Joel has a well documented collection of British bikes and there are several images of him riding this army-spec Royal Enfield Bullet on the Splash website. 

Royal ride for Harry Potter

Watch out for the Royal Enfield Classic 500/Watsonian Manxsidecar outfit in the latest Harry Potter movie.  Deathly Hallows premieres in UK cinermas on 19th November and we're expecting some spectacular sidecar stunts.

In case you're wondering why the young wizard is travelling by sidecar, he's being rescued from his home by Hagrid.

You can see a clip in the latest trailer at http://www.facebook.com/#!/HarryPotterUK

Now that's magic!

BEER BIKE UP FOR GRABS

Wychwood Brewery's Hobgoblin has teamed up with the classic British motorcycle brand Royal Enfield to create an exclusive ‘Hobgoblin Bullet' model.

The craftily crafted Hobgoblin beer brand features on the unique machine, which will be given away free in a prize draw.

Ian Ward, brand manager at Wychwood, said: "The Hobgoblin Bullet is a great ‘one off' with a unique blue paint job and legendary graphics of the Hobgoblin, there was no way we could put a price on it. So we've chosen to give it away to one lucky beer and bikes fan."

The Royal Enfield Hobgoblin Bullet is a 500cc single cylinder motorcycle, designed in a classic 1950's style but suitable for today's modern roads thanks to fuel injection, indicators and electric start. Look out for the bike at this year's Great British Beer Festival and the NEC Bike Show.

The prize draw will be open until November 30th 2010 and entrants can put themselves forward to win by texting HOBGOBLIN ENFIELD to 60300 or through the Wychwood website www.wychwood.co.uk. For information on Royal Enfield motorcycles go to www.royal-enfield.com.  Winners will be notified by post following the prize draw.

Royal Enfield Woodsman EFI

Unveiled at the NEC Bike Show on 26th November, the Woodsman EFI is the latest UK-designed variant of Royal Enfield’s Bullet to be powered by the new fuel-injected unit construction engine and is new for 2010. Like the original Woodsman, which was produced by Royal Enfield between 1955 -’59 and sold in the USA under the Indian brand, it is a 499cc Bullet single with high bars and a raised exhaust. However, there the similarities end, because the new Woodsman also features a solo seat, handy mini luggage rack, rear set footrests and an alloy bash plate too.

Routed around the machine’s left side (standard exhausts run along the right side) the high level system is lighter than the original part and has been re-engineered to work in harmony with the engine management unit, allowing the engine to breathe more freely and creating the classic ‘British single’ exhaust note.

Introduced to comply with tough new European emissions regulations, the all-new 499cc engine retains bore and stroke of 84mm x 90mm, but with electronic fuel injection by Keihin of Japan and a 5-speed gearbox. This is operated via a 7-plate wet clutch, so it is both light and accurate. Power output is 28 BHP in standard form with 41.3 Nm of torque at 4000rpm and tested under Euro 3 conditions the engine returns just under 80 mpg, which means an impressive tank range of over 200 miles before switching to reserve.

Due in dealers' showrooms in the New Year, the Royal Enfield Woodsman EFI will sell for £4,699 on the road.

Contact 01386 700907 or visit http://www.royal-enfield.com/