Saturday 19 February 2011

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. 

Sunday 13 February 2011

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