Author Topic: My first awareness of Royal Enfield.  (Read 5886 times)

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Dazzler

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on: July 07, 2013, 04:46:59 am
Hi

I have written one post on this forum, being the proud owner of a new C5 for all of two weeks.  In that post I was something of a complaint regarding alignment issues with the subframe and the pieces attached thereto.  Having set myself the task of reading through all the past pages of this forum ( currently up to page 55, and feeling like I am getting to know a number of the luminaries who contribute regularly ) I am at peace with the notion of loving the Enfield for what it is rather than regretting it for what it is not.

Anyway, my intention in writing this post was simply to share what it was that drew me to these particular motorcycles.  A couple of years ago I spent a few weeks in India.  For reasons beyond the scope of this post I spent many hours sitting at an open window four floors above a five ways intersection in a city in the south of that country.  The movement of traffic, which included every conceivable form of conveyance, from rickshaws to cyclists to buses, trucks, cars, motorcycles in abundance and pedestrians, seemed to my observation to be a constantly unfolding miracle of mass consciousness synchronicity. Kind of like those of the East see spaces while we of the West have minds tuned more to objects.  Now here comes the Enfield bit.  At intervals I would hear, above the cacophony, an approaching thump, thump, thump whereupon a motorcycle of presence would proceed in steady and stately motion through the throng bearing a relaxed yet regal looking Indian.  I found myself anticipating the next manifestation and began to search out these strangely attractive machines on my wanderings through the city.  Seen up close the pull of their charm was strong enough to have me stand still to gaze and meditate upon the appearance and character of these motorcycles.  Now, having one of my own I feel a kinship with Toad from 'Wind in the Willows'.  So THIS is motorcycling!.

My warmest regards to Bare, Ducati Scotty, Kevin, Wild Bill, Craig, Arizoni and many others who keep this forum alive and have provided me with hours of absorbing and informative reading.
 


JVS

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Reply #1 on: July 07, 2013, 04:57:45 am
Very good choice. Welcome to the family. Enjoy your stay, enjoy your RE and ride safe. :D
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Bulletman

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Reply #2 on: July 07, 2013, 05:36:40 am
Welcome, you have made an awesome choice, great minds think alike ;D
Be safe and enjoy that very Regal ride you now are a proud owner of.  :)
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #3 on: July 07, 2013, 06:07:05 pm
Most of the people in my life aren't "perfectly aligned", but their good qualities far outweigh the bad and they enrich my life.  Enfields are the same.

Glad to hear that you're starting to understand Enfields now.  Enjoy!

Scott


barenekd

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Reply #4 on: July 07, 2013, 11:07:07 pm
There is no other motorcycle in the world that comes anywhere near the Enfield for character and soul! They are the greatest. More Smiles per Mile than anything else.
Bare
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Sectorsteve

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Reply #5 on: July 07, 2013, 11:45:38 pm
 nice story! I too saw my first enfield in india and hired one for a week or so. really loved the thing Was a bit of wreck but worked really well and got me thinking about them. A few months later i befriended an Indian fella who owned a restaurant and he had an Enfield sitting at the back of the restaurant that he didnt want. It was rusting, as this place was right near the coast - about 30 metres actually. He gave me the bike, but i did not have the means to get it home.
7 years later and i have my own and i absolutely love it. Heres a few pix in India in 2006.





wildbill

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Reply #6 on: July 08, 2013, 02:24:15 am
i'm very happy with this forum. like you i too read through page upon page of threads. good reading and you learn quite a lot.
you can't beat experience and the long time members have this in bucket loads.
dealers might have the warranty but if you strike any drama - here's the place to post the problem........and a very good chance of getting the correct answer.
i know :D over the last 15 months or so -i've done it several times.
enjoy your ride 8)
regards


REdmonton

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Reply #7 on: July 08, 2013, 03:04:46 am
I saw my first Royal Enfield in India in 1989. When I saw one I said to myself if I ever have the opportunity to get one I will. It only took until 2012 for it to happen.


heloego

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Reply #8 on: July 08, 2013, 03:11:30 am
My first was of a stolen interceptor in pieces in a guy's garage. Said his brother was going to make a "chopper" out of it. Since, I've always had an RE in the back burner. 'Till now, anyway!  :D
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singhg5

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Reply #9 on: July 08, 2013, 04:20:15 am
@Dazzler:

Welcome to the Forum. Enjoyed your description of Indian roads, its traffic and the beauty of an RE thumping through it  :)

@SectorSteve:

Great memories with those pictures !  Were they taken in the Southern parts of India or Sri Lanka (title on your pictures) ?

As for my First Awareness of RE goes, I was only 4 years old growing up in India when my dad had bought one, a 350cc iron barrel Bullet (that was the only model at that time). When he would come back home in the evening from work, the sound of the motorcycle could be heard from far away as the thump reverberated throughout the narrow street lined by rows of houses on either side of street. Everybody knew that he was back !

It was a surprise and shock when I first saw an RE here in USA and I bought it in 2009, many years after my first awareness of this machine.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2013, 04:28:39 am by singhg5 »
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GreenMachine

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Reply #10 on: July 08, 2013, 02:11:19 pm
Sectorsteve:  Saw my first enfield in India too...I might have been the only one at the time that was riding a 450 Honda nighthawk through the India gate/parliament area (1989) ...Use to have fun racing all the Enfields (that wasn't a fair race)...I always liked those slow thumpers  ;D  and finally had the opportunity to get one here with the 500cc engine....
I bet riding in Ceylon was a blast...Colombo is a great town and the charm of being by the sea made it even better...They had a casino and nightclub "Blue Elephant" where all us   expats hung out.. Things were getting a bit dicey with the tigers on the move and the war just around the corner...  GM
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Sectorsteve

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Reply #11 on: July 09, 2013, 08:32:30 am
The label on those pix was Sri Lanka because they were part of a bunch of Sri lankan pix. Was in Sri Lanka for 6 months building after the tsunami. Used to ride all over Sri Lanka but I was based in arugam bay on the east which was a total war zone after the tsunami. No water , no power, sleeping rough. Those pix are in goa India. Good times after troubled ones. Lucky boy being able to get outta Sri Lanka considering the locals couldnt...


D the D

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Reply #12 on: July 09, 2013, 01:57:22 pm
Nice pics and good stories from everyone.
I don't have an exciting story to tell.  I remember as a gradeschooler in the '60s my older brother had a Triumph.  I used to look through his magazines and remember the adds for Enfields.  He tells me I used to say I was going to have an Interceptor someday.  I do remember always wanting a WWII bike.  Well, while I was in high school, Enfield in England was closed down.  I had no idea new ones were still being made until about 2 years ago.  First chance I got for a used one cheap locally I bought a Bullet.  She needed work and I've got her reliable now.  Not an Interceptor, but I can ride the new old bike daily and not feel guilty.  If I ever get an old twin Enfield, she'll sit in the garage most of the time being babied as a collectable.  I am feeling the need for a highway machine and may look for a used Triumph, BMW, or Sportster this Winter.  Of course, there is the UCE bike.....
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ace.cafe

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Reply #13 on: July 09, 2013, 02:30:12 pm
Nice pics and good stories from everyone.
I don't have an exciting story to tell.  I remember as a gradeschooler in the '60s my older brother had a Triumph.  I used to look through his magazines and remember the adds for Enfields.  He tells me I used to say I was going to have an Interceptor someday.  I do remember always wanting a WWII bike.  Well, while I was in high school, Enfield in England was closed down.  I had no idea new ones were still being made until about 2 years ago.  First chance I got for a used one cheap locally I bought a Bullet.  She needed work and I've got her reliable now.  Not an Interceptor, but I can ride the new old bike daily and not feel guilty.  If I ever get an old twin Enfield, she'll sit in the garage most of the time being babied as a collectable.  I am feeling the need for a highway machine and may look for a used Triumph, BMW, or Sportster this Winter.  Of course, there is the UCE bike.....

A Fireball will cruise at 80mph all day long on the highway, and break The Ton for top speed.
It essentially will match an Interceptor for performance in the real world.
Your Iron Barrel Bullet can be converted to it, it's a highly reliable engine, is tractable to ride around town and in traffic, is lighter and nimbler than the twins, and gets 70+ miles per gallon.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2013, 02:35:54 pm by ace.cafe »
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D the D

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Reply #14 on: July 09, 2013, 03:35:39 pm
I knew you would write that!  ;)
That may be a winter project.    I've been perusing the internet looking for a parts donor 500 engine or, at least, a spare head, so my down time won't be too long.  I'm down to the Bullet and dirt bikes, so would have to drive cars everywhere.  I run all my local errands on the Bullet.
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Reply #15 on: July 09, 2013, 03:49:41 pm
For my two penny's worth... I have been aware of Enfields for some time, test drove one in 2007, convinced a good friend to buy a lean burn 500 trial back in 2008, saw many zooming around in India last year, but the clincher (now this is the strange part) was March this year, when we went to Nepal, and I borrowed a 500 electra, came off it avoiding a bus coming around the corner on the wrong side of the road, and thought to myself 'this is a tough old bike.. I must have one !!!' Strange logic I know, but the smile my Sixty-5 gives me is 'priceless' (apart from the cost of stainless bits and upgrades  :) ..)
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Bulletman

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Reply #16 on: July 09, 2013, 06:11:25 pm
Those pix are in goa India. Good times after troubled ones. Lucky boy being able to get outta Sri Lanka considering the locals couldnt...
@Sectorsteve...what part of Goa were you in...I've had the good fortune of renting a 350 bullet there and visited in Madgao (aka salcete), Panjim, (aka Panaji), Cavelossim, calangute beach, and many more that I can't remember now...it was awesome....
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ace.cafe

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Reply #17 on: July 09, 2013, 07:12:45 pm
I knew you would write that!  ;)
That may be a winter project.    I've been perusing the internet looking for a parts donor 500 engine or, at least, a spare head, so my down time won't be too long.  I'm down to the Bullet and dirt bikes, so would have to drive cars everywhere.  I run all my local errands on the Bullet.

And then again, I just spoke to Aniket, and he's getting ready to produce a short run of crankcase kits for this 998 Musket sometime next month.


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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #18 on: July 09, 2013, 07:19:16 pm
Nice!  Ace, do you know if he considered using UCE heads or other parts?  I know his last effort was using 350 parts and before the UCE came on the scene.

Scott


barenekd

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Reply #19 on: July 09, 2013, 07:21:38 pm
I had been lusting on a low grade level since Kevin started importing them, but since they weren't available in CA, they weren't on the top of my list. I went though a lot of motorcycles since he started importing tehm, including my Nortless. But most of the bikes I had in thsoe days were Superbikes, Hondas Yamahas, Ducatis, Hinckley Triumphs, etc. I '97 I gotte the point that all that performance was nice, but it was costing me too much money in tickets and stuff. I got a Triumph Scrambler with its grand 44 rwhp. The thing sounded like a Honda 305 with a snuffr'n'not in it so I got some different mufflers which unfortunately were louder than most Hardleys. The tires that came on it were gawdawful and the Avons I replaced them with were a lot better, but not real confidence inspiring. At any rate, I soon developed a real dislike for the bike and seldom rode it. A friend in Tulsa offered my his Sixty-5 very cheap in '07 that had about 150 miles on it, but at the time I was on hard times in the money department, and that and not knowing what would need replacing on it because it had been sitting for a year, I reluctantly turned it down. I never really forgot about but he ended up giving it to his nephew. The last I heard, it's out here and still sitting! At any rate, when the UCEs finally hit the shops out here, I was past ready to get rid of the Triumph, so I called around to the dealers and found one that was willing to take mine in on trade, and the rest is history. It was so great to have an olde English thumper, with the reliability of a modern bike! I never had so much fun on a bike in my life!
It was an adventure every time I rode it. Such a treasure!
Bare
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ace.cafe

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Reply #20 on: July 09, 2013, 07:34:44 pm
Nice!  Ace, do you know if he considered using UCE heads or other parts?  I know his last effort was using 350 parts and before the UCE came on the scene.

Scott
Scott,
The engine shown is a 998 59-degree V-Twin, using two Bullet 500 top ends from the Iron Barrel engines. It can also be a 1070 with a pair of 535 kits, and can accept two Fireball kits on the top end too. So, it has quite a range available for power output, depending on the owners' desires.

The castings are made with extra room in the cylinder area, so that other heads and barrels can be used, and the UCE heads and barrels and their shorter con-rods have been preliminarily considered as a future development on this crankcase. However, there won't be hydraulic roller tappets, as it will use the vintage cams or the Ace cams. We'd have to build one up as a prototype for the UCE heads, and it would be a while down the road before we can get to that.
We realize that many people have many different "wants", and while we want to please, we already have all we can handle on our plate right now.

After seeing both the Iron Barrel and UCE engines internally, I can safely say that the Iron Barrel top ends are capable of doing every bit as much(or more) in the hp department as a performance build. So if you are looking for a Musket in the near future, it would be advised to go the route with the Iron Barrel top ends, and preferably with a pair of Fireball kits which would simulate the power output of the famed Vincent Black Lightning 1000.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2013, 08:58:35 pm by ace.cafe »
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #21 on: July 09, 2013, 09:36:23 pm
Nope, not looking for one now or probably every but I love the work he has done!  And the one thing that really bumber me out about the UCE was that they dropped the external oil lines, they are so pretty.

I figured there was already a lot of preliminary work and knowledge on the iron barrel heads and that's part of why he used them.  No reason not to, as you said they are every bit as good as the UCE heads.  I can certainly see limitations with they hydraulic lifters in the UCE though.  I was just curious since the UCE seems to have had many of the parts made to a higher design spec to start with.  Thanks for the info. 

Scott


ace.cafe

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Reply #22 on: July 09, 2013, 11:06:18 pm
Nope, not looking for one now or probably every but I love the work he has done!  And the one thing that really bumber me out about the UCE was that they dropped the external oil lines, they are so pretty.

I figured there was already a lot of preliminary work and knowledge on the iron barrel heads and that's part of why he used them.  No reason not to, as you said they are every bit as good as the UCE heads.  I can certainly see limitations with they hydraulic lifters in the UCE though.  I was just curious since the UCE seems to have had many of the parts made to a higher design spec to start with.  Thanks for the info. 

Scott
In stock form, the UCE has the edge over the Iron Barrel in terms of quality of construction.
But, once the process of performance modification gets started, then that part of it becomes essentially moot, because all the internal parts get replaced with racing parts, and then it's all down to what can perform the best. I'd say that at fully modded capability, they would be similar, and the Iron Barrel hemi chamber might even have the edge with methanol fuel and very high compression.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #23 on: July 09, 2013, 11:20:48 pm
Yup, as soon as you start swapping out the weak bits of the old design it's on par with the UCE, but with the advantage that people have already put in tons of R&D on that design so parts and know how are plentiful.

Scott


D the D

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Reply #24 on: July 10, 2013, 02:53:59 am
Too pretty!  And will probably cost more than I paid for my entire oil sucking Ironbarrel (which new rings and ACE's breather fix took care of).  I'll have to see what they're going to price out at.
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Dazzler

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Reply #25 on: July 10, 2013, 09:31:48 am
fxrskrsa,  great tag line. 


Sectorsteve

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Reply #26 on: July 12, 2013, 01:24:15 am
@bulletman. That was palolem. So glad i hired that bike. My friends hired scooters to save money, but i just had to get the enfield...


Sectorsteve

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Reply #27 on: July 12, 2013, 01:31:30 am
Nice stories. Bare its interesting to hear you like the enfield more than the scrambler. I nearly got a triumph, would have either been a scrambler or a thruxton. Im very happy with the UCE. I enjoy every ride. People said "dont buy an Enfield" but i did it anyway. They are surprised what it can do. 22k in first year , hasnt missed a beat. a 2000k round trip over 4 days - no worries. Meanwhile these guys harleys and triumphs sit in the garage except on the odd weekend... My bikes out everyday and loving it!


Sectorsteve

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Reply #28 on: July 12, 2013, 01:33:02 am
And on that note its a lovely day outside, a little chilly but im off for a jaunt around the coast...


barenekd

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Reply #29 on: July 12, 2013, 06:20:29 pm
Quote
its interesting to hear you like the enfield more than the scrambler.

Yeah, I shoulda gotten a T100. I would have liked it bettor than the Scrambler But I still like the size and weight of the Enfield a lot more, and the rest of it is just a given. The Triumphs don't ahve the soul and character of the Enfield. I like the old Brit bikes. the only thing old about the Triumphs is a vague recollection of the styling. I'm glad you ahd the nerve to stand up to the people's opinions. It's amazing the badmouthing REs get from all the people who've probably never even seen one, let alone ride one! I had the salesman who sold me the Guzzi start ragging on the Enfield. I had to straighten his butt out! Had fun with that one! The Guzzi has been down longer waiting for parts than the Enfield ever was! And something as stupid as a spark plug connector!! the Enfield would never be down for that! I may have waited for a part or two for awhile as I was turning it into a Cafe racer, but it was nothing that kept me from going for a  ride.
Bare
« Last Edit: July 12, 2013, 06:24:28 pm by barenekd »
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #30 on: July 12, 2013, 06:28:28 pm
I love when people like to throw me a bone and say, "Yeah, well, it's a nice 'in town' bike."  I show them a picture of the bike by the Golden Gate bridge.  I live about 650 miles away.  They usually don't have any more to say after that.  I find the Harley/Starbucks type get especially quiet.

The Triumphs are nice bikes.  They've captured the essence of the vintage while making a wholly modern bike.  There's a good market for that.  The Moto Guzzi is more true to form, much closer to the original it's modeled after in so many ways than the Triumph.  The Enfield is the same bike it always was but with EFI, electronic ignition, disc brakes, and hydraulic lifters.  As my dealer explained it, "They changed what they needed too and left the rest alone."

Scott


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Reply #31 on: July 12, 2013, 06:39:04 pm
Bare - Are you still waiting on that plug connector?

Scottie
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barenekd

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Reply #32 on: July 12, 2013, 06:56:51 pm
Yup!! Supposed to be here today. I'll believe it when I see it! It was kinda my fault, the parts guy said he'd order me one last week, and I told him to order it, but no rush as I was going to get one locally. Boy, was that wrong! So, not having found one here, I talked to him Tuesday and he said the one I ordered should be here today, but he'd order one overnight if I wanted him to, but, he wasn't sure how much the overnight would cost, so I declined the offer. I did find a couple of essentially same ones (I hope) at Bike Bandit and ordered them for spares if nothing else!  But they won't be here until next week. I can guarantee I could find one that would work on an Enfield locally! Definitely got a lesson in spark plug connectors! Ah, modern technology!
Bare
« Last Edit: July 13, 2013, 12:51:49 am by barenekd »
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High On Octane

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Reply #33 on: July 12, 2013, 07:09:41 pm
Sounds like my bad luck rubbed off on you.  It sucks waiting on parts.  I got my fingers crossed for you it shows up today.   :D

Scottie
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #34 on: July 12, 2013, 07:16:42 pm
What connector do you need Bare?

Scott


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Reply #35 on: July 12, 2013, 11:11:38 pm
bare
You've got to think "Italian".
Ferrari, Ducati, Alpha Romeo, Moto Guzzi! 
Ah!  The Sport!  The Speed! The Sexiness!  The Wait For Parts!

They say if you own Italian machines, you need three of them.
One waiting for the mechanic.  One waiting for parts.  One to ride/drive.
Jim
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #36 on: July 12, 2013, 11:23:39 pm
And don't even bother calling Italy for parts in July/August.  Everyone is on vacation :)


barenekd

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Reply #37 on: July 13, 2013, 01:00:20 am
I called the shop and they didn't get it in, However, Derrick, the parts guy, said come on down and we'll give you one off a new bike. So, I did. And I'm back in business!
Actually the caps, connectors, boots or whatever you want to call them, they are different in every parts book I looked at, are actually Japanese by NGK! Unless they have a factory in Italy. But, having gone through a lot of NGK catalogs, I never did find a reference to this particularly one, which is neoprene. So it may be a specific Guzzi OEM part. There is a similar one that is made of plastic which is what I ordered from Bike Bandit. I hope they fit so I can have a spare.
Bare
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