[LotusSevenMan]

Well, Bullet production is due to cease in the current month of October
I believe, do we have an exact date for this?? I would like to be able
to commemorate the day if possible. A very sad day, but I think joyous
as well when we consider that the Bullet has been in production for
about sixty years, and it's roots go back even further, this must be
some sort of record.

Tell me more please!!!     

[luoma]

Where did you read that? Last I heard, the factory was planning to make more Bullets than ever. Remember, we export riders are only about 10% of their business.

[Kevin Mahoney]

If we refer to previous posts by me ,the factory has said that there will be cast iron engine Bullets made at least into 2008. We will have enough for 2008 for sure. At present the cast iron engine and the Electra engine can no longer be imported Europe because of Euro 111 emmsioin norms. (There are some exceptions to this depending upon the country until December 31, 2007. The main European importers have stockpiled cast iron engines and Electras so they will have plenty to sell in 2008. Even after all of this I would expect to see some sort of Bullet with whatever the current engine is in it.

[VMAX]

RE1: What, if any, will be the impact on the US market as you see it. Spare parts etc. Also, are there any moves in Congress to put the same restrictions on US Bullets etc?

[LotusSevenMan]

I have been doing some hunting/research.

Interim 2007/2008 bike

http://tinyurl.com/2wkbq6

This seems to be the new 2008 fuel injected machine too 

http://www.moto-station.com/article3152-news-moto-2008-royal-enfield-adopte-

Love the way the modern injector has a good ol' jubilee clip holding on the fuel delivery pipe!!! 

[exiledcarper]

I don't think it's a bad looking bike, there's certainly much worse, the modern BMW's spring to mind along with some of the Buells.  The sad thing for me is that there's nothing left of the last British thumper.  It just doesn't look like an Enfield to me.  Very sad.

[deejay]

Glad I got my classic when I did! 

[Kevin Mahoney]

I have done some more research and the bike in the picture is indeed an "interim" bike in Europe. The Electra has sold quite well in Europe which I guess is why they are preparing that engine for that body. The ultimate disappearance of the cast iron engines will not be a sad event for us. While it is certainly been proven by the test of time, it is not easy for non-technical types to deal with. It simply is not "plug and play" like the Lean-Brun engine is. It looks and sounds great to be sure, but the newer engines are vastly superior from a marketing and support point of view. The cast iron engine will be supported for parts longer than anyone on this forum will be alive. There are so many of them in the world market that parts will be available for years and years to come. Royal Enfield itself is obligated by Indian law to supply parts for 7 years after they finally decide to discontinue it.
There are tons of aftermarket parts suppliers as well. There are probably close to a million of those engines out there at present.
  The laws which threaten the engine in the US are already on the books. The old engine has been fixed, patched, re-engineered and generally jiggered about as much as it can be. To meet the latest emmiosion norms that we will have by 2010 or so in the US, REM will go to the new Unit Construction engine. As a technical point you cannot directly compare the European norms to the US norms because we go after NOX in addition to the other gasses.
  I think those of you who are concerned about the disappearance of the Bullet will be relieved in the not too distant future. I have seen the future and it is beautiful. I would also be shocked if the regular Bullet does not remain available into the future with the UCS engine in it.

[stipa]

On that note Kevin, how much longer will the non- unit 5 speed gearbox be available?

[Kevin Mahoney]

Good question. My current information seems to indicate that the Lean-Burn engine will be around for a while in countries other than Europe. On the other hand the unit 5 speed is not much different than the non-unit 5 speed. They have very cleverly used a lot of parts from the older drive train for commonality. For example the chain on the UCE is now on the right side, but the rear brake and sprocket  is the same. They  just turned it  around so the same part will fit any model.

[stipa]

That's reassuring,  and even nurturing on their part.  I have an engine I'm putting together, would like to buy an entire 5-speed  (non unit) box in the not-to-distant future. 
The new engine, (in my opinion), looks both modern, and stays true to the original design, (Bullet anyway);  I'm looking forward to seeing it.
In 30 years they will be vintage also. 

[luoma]

One question Kevin: I hear that a unit engine usually loses about 10% power between ratings at the crank and at the rear wheel. The non-unit RE (by my calculations) loses about 26%. Is there any way to get more power to the ground with the non-unit motor? Such as converting from primary chain to belt ?

[Kevin Mahoney]

To be frank I have no idea. Someone else will have to answer this one.

[Leonard]

  Maybe we should try and curb our enthusiasm until the new machine is actually in production and available to us.  I'm sure it won't take long before there are go fast parts available.
 

[birdmove]

    Still, I think the bike looks good and its a street thumper! Street thumpers are almost extinct today (not included the dual sport thumpers here). There hasn't been much available since the old Honda 500 Ascot,Yamaha SR500,MZ's street thumpers, and a few others.I am very much a thumper fan.I was quite excited when the Buell Blast came out.I'm riding a KLR650 and  a Yamaha XT225 right now.

    jon