Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: jjoe256 on January 26, 2011, 04:18:58 pm
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Don't get me wrong, but when I first started looking for a classic bike years ago, visually, this is what I had in mind:
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/ariel_military.jpg
I love, love, love my Military G-5, but this Ariel (with a G-5 tank), number plates like the Enfield, that rugged luggage rack, the centerstand that folds from the rear fender, the external rods and oil lines, the girder forks and clean, isolated headlight , the oh so British "where are we going to put the horn? lets just tack it here" ,that totally assembled in pieces look. Just sayin'. :'(
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nice ariel but not a daily ride. but a great second bike to take to rallys and shows. another part of motorcycle fun.(besides riding)
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Don't get me wrong, but when I first started looking for a classic bike years ago, visually, this is what I had in mind:
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/ariel_military.jpg
I love, love, love my Military G-5, but this Ariel (with a G-5 tank), number plates like the Enfield, that rugged luggage rack, the centerstand that folds from the rear fender, the external rods and oil lines, the girder forks and clean, isolated headlight , the oh so British "where are we going to put the horn? lets just tack it here" ,that totally assembled in pieces look. Just sayin'. :'(
You planning on doing some mods to your G-5 ? ;) ;D 8)
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Hmmmm...
With a solo seat, luggage rack, and ditching the nacelle for a stand alone light you could get much closer to the look for not too much invested. The swing stand and girder fork, you'd need to get those cutom made and the fork would be pricey for sure.
It'd be super easy to add some lines to the outside of the engine for looks with some Copper tubing and JB weld ;) I'd say that's the one major drawback of the UCE engine looks, the loss of those external lines. They were cool.
Scott
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nice ariel but not a daily ride. but a great second bike to take to rallys and shows. another part of motorcycle fun.(besides riding)
Beg to differ - I rode a WM20 nearly every day when I was a wee little children. I put about 40K miles on the little heep in about three years. The Ariel has those new, modern over your head valve thingies, too ..... it MUST be better ....... ;)
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Hmmmm...
... the fork would be pricey for sure.
Maybe not so much. There's a Dutch or Belgian company that makes retro parts for SR500 singles - including a beautiful girder fork set. It would probably bolt right on with little or no modification. I can't find the link, but it's out there....
(They have some pretty sweet cafe racer bits, too.)
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bob, when you were a wee child that thing was a lot newer. and as these things get older they get more valuable and parts get expensive . best ride a new enfield.
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Maybe not so much. There's a Dutch or Belgian company that makes retro parts for SR500 singles - including a beautiful girder fork set. It would probably bolt right on with little or no modification. I can't find the link, but it's out there....
(They have some pretty sweet cafe racer bits, too.)
Bob, know anything about this girder fork company? I know the Indian one was dodgy.
Scott
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I gave it a good two-hour search, but I can't find it. It may be defunct. On the other hand, googling "SR500" is like googling "Bob Smith". If anyone knows the company, they were low-countries based and specialized in cafe racer and retro bits for Yamaha singles. I think they were the first ones to turn out an SR-engined BSA Goldstar replica. I had an SR 250 at the time, hence my interest.
During my searches today, however, I note that quite a few people have retrofitted Harley springer and Brit girders to their Yamahas with apparently little effort. Don't see why it can't be done with the RE, too.
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Bob, know anything about this girder fork company? I know the Indian one was dodgy.
Scott
I don't really know squat about a girder fork fitment for the SR500 .... BUT ..... I do know that a WM20 and the TRW Triumph girder fork will practically bolt right onto the RE ... and there are some out there to be had .....
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bob, when you were a wee child that thing was a lot newer. and as these things get older they get more valuable and parts get expensive . best ride a new enfield.
Are you sayin' I'm OLD?? Hahaha! I'm hoping to get my "new" one done by late spring or so .... we'll see if the glasses were rose coloured or not. I honestly don't remember having to do TOO much to the original WM20 that I had ..... so it couldn't have been THAT bad to run around on. I do like the philosophy of the new Enfield, though .... That's why I have three of the darn things - I just can't make up my mind!! Hahahaha!
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I loved the girder on my M20, a girder and sprung seat will look after you pretty good.
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I loved the girder on my M20, a girder and sprung seat will look after you pretty good.
Funny - I've recently read a whole bunch about how the girder rides on the front of the WM20 ..... but I swear I don't remember anything outstanding one way or t'other on it .... I must have been young and dumb and didn't KNOW any better. It'll be interesting to get back in the saddle of one and see what it's like 30-some years later ..... ::)