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. 

Icicle works at Royal Enfield UK HQ

Royal Enfield's British distributor, Watsonian Squire, has been experiencing increased interest since one of their distinctive Bullet Classic sidecar outfits featured in the latest Harry Potter blockbuster.  So the team at the Cotswold factory wasn’t going to let a little bit of cold weather and a light dusting on snow interrupt their business.

 

In this photo General Manager Rob Jones can be seen checking that all icicles are neatly arranged and of regulation length.  

 

Staff at company HQ in the Costwolds had to battle through sub zero temperatures and up to 12" on snow to make it into work, but in spite of the exceptional conditions (the coldest winter since 1986) the company continued to function..

Royal Enfield sidecar outfit at Motorcycle Live

Fury unleashed at Motorcycle Live

Developed by Royal Enfield's UK distributor, Watsonian Squire, and based on the fuel-injected Electra, the flat-track inspired Fury is being launched Motorcycle Live this November.  Produced exclusively for British customers, the Fury is first new model in 40 years to feature twin silencers, which allow the 499cc single cylinder engine to breathe more freely, producing a distinctive exhaust note.
Wide western style bars dominate the front end of the Fury, sitting on a specially made billet aluminium top yoke. The traditional nacelle, seen on all other models in the range, is replaced with a chrome headlight and digital instrument panel.

The design team at Watsonian also gave the rear end of the bike a radical makeover, replacing the twin saddle with a flat track style glass fibre seat unit, incorporating a discrete tail light and chrome mini indicators.

Its original namesake was introduced in 1959 and destined exclusively for the US export market. Less than 200 were built in Royal Enfield's Redditch factory and production ceased in the early 1960's.

Due in showrooms early next year, the Royal Enfield Fury will sell for £5500 in black and at £5895 in blue and white colour schemes.

See the Fury along with the full range of Royal Enfield motorcycles at Motorcycle Live, which opens on 27th November and runs until 5th December 2010.

Classic role for Royal Enfield in Harry Potter movie

ONE of the “stars” of the latest, much-anticipated Harry Potter blockbuster due to be released nationwide next week hails from the north Cotswolds.The pale blue Royal Enfield motorcyle and Watsonian sidecar which features in the seventh Harry Potter movie- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 -have been supplied by Blockley-based company Watsonian Squire.

Read the full article in The Cotswold Journal.

Royal ride on the side for Harry Potter in the Deathly Hallows

Royal Enfield motorcycles will get off a to flying start in the latest Harry Potter movie – Deathly Hallows – which is due for UK release on 19th November 2010.  Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is rescued from his relatives’ house by Hagrid (played by Robbie Coltrane) riding a Royal Enfield Bullet Classic, paired with a Watsonian Manx sidecar.  Royal Enfield UK supplied a number of sidecar outfits to be used in the dramatic chase sequence, filmed on location in and around London.  The Blackwall Tunnel has never looked so exciting!  Visit the official movie website at http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html