[Dazzler]

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]

Very good choice. Welcome to the family. Enjoy your stay, enjoy your RE and ride safe.

[Bulletman]

Welcome, you have made an awesome choice, great minds think alike
Be safe and enjoy that very Regal ride you now are a proud owner of. 

[Ducati Scotty]

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]

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

[Sectorsteve]

 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]

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 over the last 15 months or so -i've done it several times.
enjoy your ride
regards

[REdmonton]

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]

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! 

[singhg5]

@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.

[GreenMachine]

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    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

[Sectorsteve]

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]

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.....

[ace.cafe]

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.

[D the D]

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.