[Parm]

I am looking for a clean iron cast bullet 500. I have been looking for one for quite some time now. Does anybody have one for sale? If it's around the bay area that's even better. Not looking to go outside of cali.

[GreenMachine]

Hi Parm..Well that sucks that I'm in Va nd u in California....I have a 06 unmolested 5 speed for sale with the usual slight visual mods done to it....if u know anyone who might be interested closer to my locale; have them send a PM to me.....Green Machine still riding both bikes but less every year....Hope all is well with u...

[axman88]

Here's one that might be close enough for you to consider.

Pretty cheap too!  Better get on it, the good deals don't last.

https://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/d/delhi-royal-enfield-2003/7292337030.html

[Parm]

Here's one that might be close enough for you to consider.

Pretty cheap too!  Better get on it, the good deals don't last.

https://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/d/delhi-royal-enfield-2003/7292337030.html

I messages this guy he said the bike had sold. Idk why he even has the ad up now.

[Karl Fenn]

Well l often keep my eyes open for a cheap one as well that needs some recommissioning l like working on older bikes as long as the crank and mains ok.

[Karl Fenn]

That silver one is a nice bike, sad l don't live in the US.

[AzCal Retred]

A $1500 machine and a $1500 Hitchcock's crank and you have a 6000+ RPM, 40 HP capable machine, assuming you are willing & able to do the work. A $250 forged piston, $200 alloy barrel and $1100 5-speed gearbox and you have a real runner. Another $1100 for a disc-brake front end and she'll stop like a modern machine too.

[Parm]

Hi Parm..Well that sucks that I'm in Va nd u in California....I have a 06 unmolested 5 speed for sale with the usual slight visual mods done to it....if u know anyone who might be interested closer to my locale; have them send a PM to me.....Green Machine still riding both bikes but less every year....Hope all is well with u...

I'm not too sure where va nd u is but I'd be willing to come out there and take it off your hands if you want. we could also transport it. my pms don't seem to be sending so could you please send a pm?

[axman88]

I messages this guy he said the bike had sold. Idk why he even has the ad up now.

Sorry, I realized just now that this is the same machine that was shown on Charro's thread and that you said it was already sold three weeks ago.  Some of the Craiglist ads seem to be totally bogus, my brother realized this years ago in San Diego, and I've seen the same phenomenon here in Chicago.  Usually the price is quite attractive.  Not sure what the point of them is, perhaps just to collect valid cell phone numbers to sell.  A friend who pursued one such deal from a Craigslist ad, said the seller initiated the common "I'm in a foreign country, pre-pay via wire" scam.  I report ads that look fishy, like those that have the same pictures on ads with different descriptions and different locations listed.

Here's another possibility, a 2008 military that looks well kept:  https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/d/concord-royal-enfield-500cc-bullet/7299025999.html    Been up for two weeks, ... you've probably already seen the ad.

And another possibility, although this ad was placed 8 months ago, so it's a long shot.  There's no charge for Offer Up ads, so these tend to linger.  Seller doesn't state the model year, and my eye isn't very good, but this looks like a pre-2009 to me.  Price is right too.  https://offerup.com/item/detail/914290789/

Maybe GreenMachine is talking about one of the VA hospitals?  Or Van Nuys?  who knows...  I'll try sending him a PM and pass along any response.

[Bilgemaster]

As a VA (Commonwealth of Virginia) resident, perhaps I should interpret:

When 'GreenMachine' wrote in abbreviated fashion, as is much in vogue with the kids nowadays, ''I'm in Va nd u in California", what he probably meant in full was, "I am in Virginia and you [are] in California."  That comment likely stems from the fact that the original poster had expressed a desire to find a bike in the (San Francisco) "bay area." This seemed fairly obvious to me, but on the other hand "bay area" to me might usually indicate either the Chesapeake Bay or perhaps the other commonwealth of my birth, Massachusetts, or "The Bay State", while "Cali", another term used by the original poster, typically first brings to my mind some town in Columbia where the nose candy comes from.

Not that I'm in the market for another Iron Barrel, but I'd still be curious to see a few pix of 'GreenMachine's' '06, some more details, and what he may be asking for it...just because. And why the hell IS  "abbreviation" such a long damned word?

[axman88]

As a VA (Commonwealth of Virginia) resident, perhaps I should interpret:

When 'GreenMachine' wrote in abbreviated fashion, as is much in vogue with the kids nowadays, ''I'm in Va nd u in California", what he probably meant in full was, "I am in Virginia and you [are] in California."  That comment likely stems from the fact that the original poster had expressed a desire to find a bike in the (San Francisco) "bay area." This seemed fairly obvious to me, but on the other hand "bay area" to me might usually indicate either the Chesapeake Bay or perhaps the other commonwealth of my birth, Massachusetts, or "The Bay State", while "Cali", another term used by the original poster, typically first brings to my mind some town in Columbia where the nose candy comes from.

Not that I'm in the market for another Iron Barrel, but I'd still be curious to see a few pix of 'GreenMachine's' '06, some more details, and what he may be asking for it...just because. And why the hell IS  "abbreviation" such a long damned word?

Of course!  It's so obvious now, thank you .....     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzIcec_bQss

I've sent our textese speaking member a PM, which honestly I'm not sure is working for me either?   We don't seem to have the benefit of a "sent" box.  Or perhaps mine just doesn't work.  I know I've sent several PM successfully in the past, because folks responded with PMs and quoted my PM, but now, ... just don't know.

The other issue with PMs that may be routed to emails, is that those tend to end up in folk's spam filters.  Lots of new tricks for us old dogs to learn.

[Bilgemaster]

Of course!  It's so obvious now, thank you .....     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzIcec_bQss

I've sent our textese speaking member a PM, which honestly I'm not sure is working for me either?   We don't seem to have the benefit of a "sent" box.  Or perhaps mine just doesn't work.  I know I've sent several PM successfully in the past, because folks responded with PMs and quoted my PM, but now, ... just don't know.

The other issue with PMs that may be routed to emails, is that those tend to end up in folk's spam filters.  Lots of new tricks for us old dogs to learn.

There is a "Sent Items" box in the Forum's PM service. Just go to "Messaging" as one does by clicking the little black envelope icon near the upper right of the screen, just to the left of one's user name, open any message by clicking it, mouse-over or click the "Messages" tab (white text on red), and there it is. You can also get thereabouts (at least in "Desktop Display" mode, if not on all devices) by clicking the little 'Send Private Message' icon () below a user's profile. There's also a 'Send Email' icon () next to it. These icons may not display by default in Android or some other device browsers.

[axman88]

How about this 1964 in Lomitas CA being offered up on 2040 cycles?  http://www.2040-motos.com/Royal-Enfield/bullet/1964-royal-enfield-bullet-458877/

There is a "Sent Items" box in the Forum's PM service.

Thanks sir.  I realize now, I probably set it to not keep Sent messages in my preferences.

[Seipgam]

That "64" model looks later than that.  Late 80's - 90"s I'd say.
Plenty of them came with a plate that stated a certain year but found to me much later   Can be dated by the chassis/engine number of course.
My "1970" model was made in 1995.

Geoff.

[ddavidv]

Someone tried hard to make it look older, I think. Amp meter is same as on my 2007. Carb is no Amal. Big front brake is not from the 1960s. Tool box decals look too new to my eye. It's nicely done though.

[Stanley]

This looks like a retro-mod tribute with a bouquet of fresh paint.
I recall the first Indian 350 Bullets sold in California offered by Ricky Racer Supply around 1972. They were olive drab and had small SLS front brakes, dull castings and scant chrome. At a time when real Britbikes were often shunned, an Indian copy was hardly desirable. Maybe by that time Arizona had a supplier of future bikes?

[viczena]

A $1500 machine and a $1500 Hitchcock's crank and you have a 6000+ RPM, 40 HP capable machine, assuming you are willing & able to do the work. A $250 forged piston, $200 alloy barrel and $1100 5-speed gearbox and you have a real runner. Another $1100 for a disc-brake front end and she'll stop like a modern machine too.

That makes 5600$ . For this you could easily buy a nail new machine. With warranty. And no wrenching necessary. No old cables, no old electric, no old anything.

Thats better than a doped old warhorse.

[AzCal Retred]

True that, that's why these are largely hobby machines. Like yourself, other people derive entertainment from modifying equipment to fit their personal preference. If a guy was saving money he'd largely skip personal vehicle ownership and use Uber, Lyft, trains, busses & aircraft. Not much practical justification for owning a fleet of motorcycles other that ability to purchase and personal preference, eh?

[axman88]

That makes 5600$ . For this you could easily buy a nail new machine. With warranty. And no wrenching necessary. No old cables, no old electric, no old anything.
Thats better than a doped old warhorse.

One advantage of an old machine is that it can pay YOU to ride it.  I like to buy vehicles at the tail end of the flat section of the value curve, something like 20 years old (aka "junk").  Once they get to 30 or 40 years old, the yearly appreciation in value is effectively paying for all costs, including gas money.  This can work even if the thing is sitting in a field and slowly turning to rust.

There's a rough approximation of the value curve published in this article, which gets the idea across:  http://classiccarinsuswa.blogspot.com/2015/10/classic-car-value-curve.html

Of course, with research and some economic modeling, much more accurate valuation is possible:
https://csddaily.wordpress.com/2016/07/17/modern-classics-a-hard-look-at-the-appreciation-curves/

Eventually, many vehicles become too valuable to ride, unless you are Jay Leno.  This probably won't happen with an Indian made Bullet, but don't be surprised if the IBs shortly become more valuable than UCEs fifteen years their junior.  I think that the older REs will increase in value in the US as brand awareness grows. 

[viczena]

You are right. The question is do I want to ride the bike or do I want to collect them. If you are not Jay Leno.

[AzCal Retred]

I want the job of exercising Jay Leno's motorcycle collection...

[axman88]

That "64" model looks later than that.  Late 80's - 90"s I'd say.
Plenty of them came with a plate that stated a certain year but found to me much later   Can be dated by the chassis/engine number of course.
My "1970" model was made in 1995.

Someone tried hard to make it look older, I think. Amp meter is same as on my 2007. Carb is no Amal. Big front brake is not from the 1960s. Tool box decals look too new to my eye. It's nicely done though.

I was ready to accept the '64 at face value, at least here in my comments in the forum, ... after all the price tag is only $3500.  If the title said '64, that's what I'd tell all but my closest friends, even after I knew the truth.

But something about this alleged '67 makes my nose twitch.  http://suprememotos.com/royal_enfield/128527-1967-royal-enfield-british-racing-greenpearlgold-accents.html  It's SO shiny, and that cannon medallion?  And the nice round, $10K price tag seems much more in keeping with an intentional misrepresentation.  We've been warned many times, here in the forum, and elsewhere, that Royal Enfields from the 'tween period, after Redditch stopped production and before importing from India started in earnest, are quite rare in the US.  I'm no expert though, my instincts can be, and often are, quite wrong.

Paul Henshaw's video may be relevant:  https://forum.classicmotorworks.com/index.php?topic=30202.0

When did the importing of "large" numbers of REs to the USA commence?  I wonder what the actual numbers were in those days?   A hundred, yearly?

[AzCal Retred]

The main point of the C.I. Bullet is that it provides an affordable taste of motorcycling's past. A pre-unit machine with a 50+ year production run means parts availability. Pushrods & about 6 bolts and the top end is off. The transmission guts can be in your hands in an hour. Even the bottom end can be taken apart, a new pin, bushing & con rod installed, line up the crank halves by rolling across the flattest surface you got India-style and it'll run OK, at least for awhile. You can invest a lot of time, money & effort and it'll run very well indeed, but it's a labor of love. Enjoy them for what they are, not what some collector book hypothesizes that they're worth. A '55 thru '05 are all going to run in a similar manner; the enjoyment and sensation don't care where or when they come from. These machines embody a moment of brilliant, pragmatic engineering by folks that rode motorcycles themselves. Easy to maintain tappet clearances & points, easy flat repair access with the flip-up tail section, a stub-shaft retaining the chain & rear brake so you need deal only with the wheel, drain plugs for all the fluids, an actual oil filter, swing arm rear suspension, oil dampened telescopic forks, magneto or points/coil ignition. With an attentive & mechanically sympathetic owner these old beasts have gone amazing places, and because of the parts availability they're easy to keep running. No practical difference between running a 1955 machine or a 2005 model, you'll feel at home on either.

[ddavidv]

AzCal, excellent post!
I bought my Bullet as a hobby project. I didn't expect to like it all that much when it was done but the 1950s riding experience is SO enjoyable I've kept her. In the process of working on it I was highly impressed with the engineering and ease of repair. Those folks at Redditch really knew what they were doing.
So convinced of their genius was I that I then bought my '64 Interceptor. 
I'm the type that likes 'interaction' with a machine. The smooth-yet-soulless performance of most modern machinery does little for me. Technically superior in every way on paper but not providing that immersive mechanical feel the mechanic part of me adores.
Bullets certainly aren't for everyone. I understand why some owners quickly become unhappy with theirs.