[General_Apathy]

I realise the humble 500 is not to everyone’s taste, especially in the U.K. but as someone who has ridden everything from a scooter to a Hayabusa I have to say they may just be my favourite bike. The GT650 has not got a look in since the 500 arrived.
Might be my age or it maybe I’m just bored of all the new stuff but I literally cannot stay off the thing.

[AzCal Retred]

The pre-unit provided my first long-term motorcycle exposure to 1940's "long-stroke, heavy flywheel" biking. Basically all modern design Japanese hardware before that. The loose-surface traction available is amazing. The engine seems to set the riding pace on the pavement, less so I'm sure on your 5-speed. There is a visceral feel to these bikes, you are a more active participant in the journey. Chuffing over to a destination becomes a journey, not just making miles.

[General_Apathy]

Chuffing over to a destination becomes a journey, not just making miles.

This is so true. Went on the famous Cat and Fiddle road yesterday. Lots of bikes out. I waved a Panigale past, got overtaken by an XSR and an NS400R of all things (smelt amazing) but guess what, we were all still together at the end of the road and I was way more chilled than I would have been on my GT. on the right road the 500 is golden.

[Turbofurball]

See, it's talk like this that's liable to cause me to make a very unwise purchasing decision ...

[General_Apathy]

See, it's talk like this that's liable to cause me to make a very unwise purchasing decision ...

Do it! Prices are so low it’s crazy and the only thing you lose is speed and that has its own attraction as well. In the U.K. you simply can’t go anywhere fast now. Wasted utility having something that only comes into its sweet spot at illegal speeds. Plus as long as you buy a decent one zero depreciation if you end up not liking it.

[Adrian II]

Ah, a What-have-I-got-to-lose-mobile!

A.

[MowgliB5]

I realise the humble 500 is not to everyone’s taste, especially in the U.K. but as someone who has ridden everything from a scooter to a Hayabusa I have to say they may just be my favourite bike. The GT650 has not got a look in since the 500 arrived.
Might be my age or it maybe I’m just bored of all the new stuff but I literally cannot stay off the thing.

It’s your age!!! I am the same. Up until a few years ago I would have struggled with its lack of performance but now I ride and enjoy everything about it, even its laid back character is intoxicating!!!
The only struggle I have is the lack of get up and go for overtaking on faster A roads.

[Turbofurball]

Do it! Prices are so low it’s crazy and the only thing you lose is speed and that has its own attraction as well. In the U.K. you simply can’t go anywhere fast now. Wasted utility having something that only comes into its sweet spot at illegal speeds. Plus as long as you buy a decent one zero depreciation if you end up not liking it.

Unfortunately the prices of 500s here (in Europe) aren't very low ... I went and checked!  I did stumble across a 1947 Bullet for sale though, simply gorgeous

[Brockett]

Tomorrow my most recent purchase will arrive. 2020 500 Classic Matte Black Stealth ?
The last time I bought a Royal Enfield was in early 1966 just after I passed my test. It was a 1961 350 Bullet Red and chrome.
Having learned on and ridden two strokes I had no idea how the bike worked and rode it all year without ever changing the oil filter. I didn't even know it had one, but I did change the oil in the engine. After a year of abuse ( I know ....) I sold the bike when I changed jobs to work locally.
As the years have passed and with many bike changes I still think that bike was the best looking bike I ever had.
I am not trying to re-capture my youth, it was miserable. I just feel the need for single cylinder bike to thump along the country roads.
On reflection, I realise, that all of my bikes are air cooled with two valve heads, with two Moto Guzzi V7s and a Yamaha XJ600 I am hoping the Enfield will fit right in.
 

[General_Apathy]

Tomorrow my most recent purchase will arrive. 2020 500 Classic Matte Black Stealth ?
The last time I bought a Royal Enfield was in early 1966 just after I passed my test. It was a 1961 350 Bullet Red and chrome.
Having learned on and ridden two strokes I had no idea how the bike worked and rode it all year without ever changing the oil filter. I didn't even know it had one, but I did change the oil in the engine. After a year of abuse ( I know ....) I sold the bike when I changed jobs to work locally.
As the years have passed and with many bike changes I still think that bike was the best looking bike I ever had.
I am not trying to re-capture my youth, it was miserable. I just feel the need for single cylinder bike to thump along the country roads.
On reflection, I realise, that all of my bikes are air cooled with two valve heads, with two Moto Guzzi V7s and a Yamaha XJ600 I am hoping the Enfield will fit right in.

I think it will fit in just fine. Amazing how it’s stuck in your head after all these years. I hope you enjoyed new bike day would be great to hear your thoughts.

[Brockett]

I topped the oil to mid sight glass and fitted a new exhaust to silencer gasket and gave it run around the block.  Oh! it vibrates worse than any bike I've ridden in the last sixty years.  My Guzzi V7s were dreadful when new but as the mileage increases they do get smoother. They say 10k is needed to bed them in.
The Enfield has just over 2k miles on the clock so I am hoping it needs an extended running in period. What do you think?

[Haggis]

Be aware that the sight glass is a born liar.
Pouring oil in the oil filer cap does not relate to what happens in the window, as most of the runs forward to the alternator area which only gets circulated when the engine is running.
The only reliable way to gauge the level is to run the bike up to temp and place it on its centre stand on level ground with the engine running.
Switch of and leave it alone for 5 or 10 mins then look at the window.
If you lean the bike left or right, especially left, the oil will disappear out the window and won't return until you have run the engine again.

[peasant]

lack of performance

pff ...lack of performance ...
This thing pulls like a train !!

(just not like a very fast one  )

up a steep hill in 4th gear ..where else would you get that and still be able to enjoy the scenery

https://youtu.be/FxW0rcQO-dw

[General_Apathy]

I topped the oil to mid sight glass and fitted a new exhaust to silencer gasket and gave it run around the block.  Oh! it vibrates worse than any bike I've ridden in the last sixty years.  My Guzzi V7s were dreadful when new but as the mileage increases they do get smoother. They say 10k is needed to bed them in.
The Enfield has just over 2k miles on the clock so I am hoping it needs an extended running in period. What do you think?

This is my fourth UCE 500 and to be honest none have vibrated as much as I thought they would unless you wring them out. Biggest thing to get accustomed to is being in 4th or 5th way before you would imagine. Holding onto the gears increases vibes for little forward momentum. Saying that, it’s not uncommon for people to dislike these bikes until they have stuck it out long enough to get their head around it 🤣

[Brockett]

When the bike arrived, the tank was full of fuel.  I believe it has been in there for a year or more as it did stink a bit and the previous owner sold the bike because he didn't use it enough. Without being able to see inside the tank and not knowing how much was in there, I topped it up with E5 and the bike did seem to smooth out a little. I see on You-Tube, fitting a booster plug can help and also stop the engine stalling which it did two of three times when I pulled in the clutch and was a bit slow changing down approaching junctions. Anyone have an opinion on this?
I would like to fit bar end mirrors but I need them to be black to match the bike and Stadium only have s/steel in the shape I want ( not round)
I would like to fit Avon tyres but they don't seem to have the rear size in stock 110/80-18 . I see someone has fitted a 120 - is this an ok thing to do?