Author Topic: Where to find a used Enfield to buy? (Read 5828 times)

pat_don_el_lee · **on:** January 20, 2013, 05:00:01 am

Hey guys, I'm in the market for an an old (early 2000s) iron barrel Enfield in British Racing Green but can't find any close to me (California) for the price I'm looking for ($3000). I'm new to bikes and want to learn how to do my own wrenching and I figure an Enfield would be a great beginner bike to get started as it seems not too complicated. I was considering the EFI models but I want the real deal and am excited to start wrenching away, but I can't find any. Seems like royalenfields.com is the best site but so far I've had no luck. There are bikes that look good but are in other states and I don't really want to pay another $700 or so to ship it and without even seeing it in person. Any thoughts on what I can do? Anyone selling here? Many thanks.

RGT · **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2013, 07:54:06 am

http://www.royalenfields.com/
he keeps pretty good track of what's out there.I like Craigslis and ebay is always there.
Goodluck

AgentX · **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2013, 09:49:48 am

You gotta realize you're looking for something that might not exist. Enfields aren't that common in the US anyhow; thinking a different Internet search will make one appear for sale locally is a pipe dream.

Craigslist, Ebay, (and the consolidated search you already mentioned on royalenfields.com) print classifieds, and maybe taking a road trip or three will likely be your only options...and hey, if it's got problems, you'll get to learn to wrench faster. (edit: forgot cycletrader.com. too)

If you've got a dealer locally, great...maybe they'll have something...or can find a dealer selling online, maybe he'd give you more of a trustworthy feeling to buy long-distance.

cafeman · **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:08:54 pm

My search for Enfields began back in early October and although I found the one I eventually bought early on, I still was checking the above mentioned sites for some strange reason, I recall seeing quite a few from California that were listed in November and December. Take your time and read up, get a book or two on them, and keep looking. One will pop up before you know it.

ERC · **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:25:59 pm

I put a wanted to buy add on craigslist and got what I was looking for close to me. ERC

bullethead63 · **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:55:11 pm

I bought my 2002 for $2500,and it only had 166 miles on it...my '99 was in New Orleans,only six hours away,for $1800,and my '00 was local,on Panama City Beach,for $2000...the first one was from a friend,the last two were on Craigslist,but I found them via David Blasco's fine blog,royalenfields.com...I see California ones on there all of the time...be patient,one will find you...

Mike_D · **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2013, 08:21:07 pm

I too found myself in your position last year. I believe I put up a post too, similar to yours. I stalked royalenfields.com for months before I found my bike on said site last May. I got damn lucky, I believe. I was pretty specific with what I was looking for, iron barrel, right shift, black. Got all that with electric ignition and a disk brake. I couldn't be happier. 2000k miles in, no problems really. Dumped the hump, new chain and sprocket, new clutch, I'm learning and I love it!

That said, agent x is right, what you are looking for just might not exist. I was prepared to buy outside of where I live (new York) and you should be too. Do you have friends that live in other places that could scope a bike for you? Widen your range. Do a ton of research. And stalk royalenfields.com; I see plenty of bikes in Cali. There also was a racing green 535 in maryland recently on royalenfields.com....I know its far but worth looking into. Good luck. Who knows just when I was about to give up my bike plopped into my lap.

pat_don_el_lee · **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2013, 08:27:10 pm

I truly appreciate the help guys. I guess I have to be patient and keep looking or bite the bullet, pun intended, and get one out of state and be prepared to fix any flaws I might not like. Thanks again and I will be looking out frequently. By the way, I saw the one in Maryland and was intrigued. Perhaps I'll look into that one.

Denny K · **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2013, 10:03:39 pm

I know of a 2005 in Grand Junction, Colorado. If you are interested let me know.

AgentX · **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2013, 01:57:07 am

Quote from: Denny K on January 20, 2013, 10:03:39 pm

I know of a 2005 in Grand Junction, Colorado. If you are interested let me know.

Now there's a win/win situation...road trip to CO plus a possible new bike!

pat_don_el_lee · **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2013, 01:44:09 am

Quote from: Denny K on January 20, 2013, 10:03:39 pm

I know of a 2005 in Grand Junction, Colorado. If you are interested let me know.

Got anymore information on that?

cafeman · **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:08:25 am

Was that a silver one??

Denny K · **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2013, 04:08:13 am

Regarding the 2005 in Grand Junction, it is BR green, it has the vintage package, low miles and a new flatslide carb.

pat_don_el_lee · **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2013, 02:10:38 am

Hey Everyone,

I was close to sealing a deal for an Enfield from Dennis K. in Grand Junction, CO. Unfortunately, due to California registration laws, I couldn't receive his bike because it had less than 7500 miles on it. California law says you cannot register a used bike purchased out of state in California if it doesn't meet CA emissions standards with less than 7500 miles on it. You can, however, if it has more than 7500 miles.

So I continue my search, but I must say how helpful and courteous Dennis was and is. He sent me tons of pictures of his bike and it is just beautiful. If anyone not in California is looking for a Royal Enfield, don't hesitate to contact Dennis. I hope the bike I do finally land is as nice as his.

If anyone has a Royal Enfield with an iron barrel engine and in BRG, with more than 7500 miles, let me know

Chuck D · **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2013, 04:18:22 am

I think RE actually refers to that color as "velvet green".

barenekd · **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2013, 05:21:41 pm

There are speedo shops around that can take care of the 7500 mile problem.
Bare

baird4444 · **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2013, 11:10:48 pm

years ago there was this guy in Placerville, CA looking to get his RE registered but it didn't quite
have the miles.... there was this guy in Illinois that pulled his speedo with about 17,000
miles on it and shipped it to California to help a brother out... it was January and what the
HELL; you aren't doing a lot of riding in Illinois that time of year...
the speedo was shipped back after the bike was regged in Cali....
just saying - Mike

bullethead63 · **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2013, 02:10:10 am

We do,indeed...my 2002 Bullet 500 ES is "Velvet Green",like the felt on a billiards table...to my eye,TRUE "British Racing Green" is a dark green metallic,almost black,like "Inverness Green",or "Sherwood Green",like my friend Cary's Austin-Heally "Bug-Eyed Sprite"...

pat_don_el_lee · **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2013, 03:08:43 am

I appreciate the correction, Velvet Green. Either way, it looks good. The odometer/drill procedure was proposed but was declined for understandable reasons. If I have no luck in my search, perhaps I'll revisit it and see if something can be worked out. Thanks.

cafeman · **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2013, 05:37:06 am

You can easily repaint bodywork, or source green bodywork take-offs. It's not too expensive, something to ponder...

nymonzajr · **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2013, 02:23:00 pm

I have a 2006 velvet green iron head here in NY. Looks very nice, a few scratches on the front fender and side covers. 2200 miles or so. Sprag has been removed. $2950 and it is yours, includes uninstalled electron ign and blue coil. If this is an unallowed post I apologize.

Whoops, didn't realize you needed one with over 7500 miles. Sorry about that.

RGT · **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2013, 09:05:12 am

I wonder if CA has a "True Mileage Unknown" (TMU) option when registering or titling used vehicles? I would think the widely inaccurate speedos on these bike would keep you from having a guilty conscience by checking that box, or just have the seller loosen the cable so that it is disengaged and not working and drive it around the block so that it is not showing the true mileage anymore and not working when you receive it....Good luck

C.C. · **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2013, 11:09:07 pm

Quote from: pat_don_el_lee on January 31, 2013, 02:10:38 am

Hey Everyone,

I was close to sealing a deal for an Enfield from Dennis K. in Grand Junction, CO. Unfortunately, due to California registration laws, I couldn't receive his bike because it had less than 7500 miles on it. California law says you cannot register a used bike purchased out of state in California if it doesn't meet CA emissions standards with less than 7500 miles on it. You can, however, if it has more than 7500 miles.

So I continue my search, but I must say how helpful and courteous Dennis was and is. He sent me tons of pictures of his bike and it is just beautiful. If anyone not in California is looking for a Royal Enfield, don't hesitate to contact Dennis. I hope the bike I do finally land is as nice as his.

If anyone has a Royal Enfield with an iron barrel engine and in BRG, with more than 7500 miles, let me know

I would move

cafeman · **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2013, 11:28:04 pm

Quote from: RGT on February 03, 2013, 09:05:12 am

I wonder if CA has a "True Mileage Unknown" (TMU) option when registering or titling used vehicles? I would think the widely inaccurate speedos on these bike would keep you from having a guilty conscience by checking that box, or just have the seller loosen the cable so that it is disengaged and not working and drive it around the block so that it is not showing the true mileage anymore and not working when you receive it....Good luck

Like, just unscrew the speedo cable from the backside of the speedometer, pull out the drive cable from the cable housing, and then screw it back together? Or....Or you could remove the speedo drive, disable it somehow, reinstall and then everything is there and then chalk it up to the previous owner was a butcher and reinstalled the wheel incorrectly and you have no idea what the mileage is. Of course it would take a seller to conspire with you in all this!!

cafeman · **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2013, 01:53:14 pm

You wait long enough and here you go:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/3561956110.html
I'd be all over this one!

Mike_D · **Reply #25 on:** February 06, 2013, 06:01:13 pm

^^^----------Yep, my thoughts exactly--------^^^

See if you can talk him down. Do the speedo thing everyone else is talking about above. Bike looks good and clean. Plus I'm all about the right shift!

Chuck D · **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2013, 04:37:18 am

Quote from: cafeman on February 06, 2013, 01:53:14 pm

You wait long enough and here you go:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/3561956110.html
I'd be all over this one!

MMMM... sweet. Saw that on David Blasco's site yesterday. Right shift. Proper breather setup. No crappy electric starter to deal with It's even got a set of Hagon's. Jump on it.
Chuck.

pat_don_el_lee · **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2013, 03:03:50 am

I don't know. The ignition looks pretty nasty and the price is a bit high. I appreciate the help though and I'm still looking!