[Boots]

Hello Forum Readers and fellow Enfield Enthusiasts,

I am pleased to report that a brand new B5 is currently en route to my local dealership. The delivery of this bike will mark the end of more than three years of wanting a Royal Enfield for my own. Those of you who already have your own bikes know just hiw exciting this news is for me.

To make things interesting, the dealership is getting. G5 Deluxe in black as well.  I've been "sold" on the B5 for a long time now as I love it's spartan composition, but my dealer says the G5 Deluxe is a show stopper.

I want to thank all of this who so kindly answered all my questions and made suggestions.  I'm sure there'll be more, such as what silencer to get!

When I take delivery of the bike, I will post a picture.

Boots

[Arizoni]

I sure like my G5 Deluxe but there is a certain "old time" appeal for the B5.

Those tank badges on the B5 are so "art deco" they just spell "O L D" to me.

The photos in "Royal Enfield, By Miles The Best" show them first appearing on the 1953 Model G, J, the Bullet and the Meteor.
By 1956, the regular Royal Enfield Bullets had replaced them with different tank badges.

I know all about your frustration in waiting for your new bike.  Been there, done that.
Attached is a photo of my G5 Deluxe right after I first rode it home from the dealer.

[Maturin]

The B5 is without any doubt the straightest descendant of the 1954 Redditch build Bullet. The frame´s layout is almost identical and the lack of chrome is very typical for the postwar bikes in Europe. Even the engine is, despite the injection and hydraulic tappets, still a pushrod-single from the year dot. In addition to the long-strocker´s appeal you´ll get the Indian tank batch, a touch of Bollywood.
Beautifull bike and excellent choice. Best regards and congratulations, Br. Boots! You certainly will have plenty of fun!
Maturin

[GlennF]

The B5 is without any doubt the straightest descendant of the 1954 Redditch build Bullet. The frame´s layout is almost identical and the lack of chrome is very typical for the postwar bikes in Europe.

Well the thin enamel tank badges are definitely Indian not redditch, but if you purchased a pair of the heavy brass tank badges you see online and sent them to a chrome shop you would have something very close to a mid 50's redditch bullet.

I left mine brass, but chromed would me more authentic ...

[Maturin]

Well the thin enamel tank badges are definitely Indian not redditch

The colour-pimped Bollywood-batch adds that certain something, don´t you think? After all, it´s the Indian superbike 

[Bulletman]

Congrats Boots, where are you finally getting the bike from? And once you break her in, let's all go for a decent group riding session.
Cheers,
Mark F

[Boots]

Ya, I've been frustrated to say the least.  But, I've been assured that these bikes are on their way as they are now "assigned" to the dealer by VIN number. This means commitment and now I can finally see the light at the end of tunnel.  The dealer is in Soquel, just outside of Santa Cruz, which means I get to take killer roads home... old San Jose Road to Old Santa Cruz Highway.  Lots of slow swooping turns amidst redwood trees, pure bliss.

BTW, for what it's worth I absolutely LOVE those brass tank badges!!!

[jartist]

Congratulations and good choice, Boots!  Time to ride! The Santa Cruz mountains are perfect for breaking a new bike in. I've been breaking mine on for 6500 miles now!

[Ice]

Congrats Boots !

[motorat]

congrats. we'll have to meet up at alices some saturday.

[Boots]

How about next Saturday?  Hahhahaa!
( Fingers crossed )

[gremlin]

congrats !