Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: LotusSevenMan on October 04, 2007, 09:24:06 pm

Title: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: LotusSevenMan on October 04, 2007, 09:24:06 pm
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!!!     :'(
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: luoma on October 05, 2007, 03:29:22 am
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.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on October 05, 2007, 07:35:00 am
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.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: VMAX on October 05, 2007, 06:30:22 pm
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?
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: LotusSevenMan on October 05, 2007, 07:49:11 pm
I have been doing some hunting/research.

Interim 2007/2008 bike

http://tinyurl.com/2wkbq6  (http://tinyurl.com/2wkbq6)

This seems to be the new 2008 fuel injected machine too  :o

http://www.moto-station.com/article3152-news-moto-2008-royal-enfield-adopte- (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!!!  :D
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: exiledcarper on October 05, 2007, 09:52:08 pm
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.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: deejay on October 06, 2007, 12:40:08 am
Glad I got my classic when I did!  ;D
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on October 06, 2007, 12:44:14 am
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.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: stipa on October 06, 2007, 07:23:21 am
On that note Kevin, how much longer will the non- unit 5 speed gearbox be available?

Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on October 06, 2007, 09:25:31 am
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.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: stipa on October 06, 2007, 08:36:40 pm
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. 


Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: luoma on October 06, 2007, 09:33:22 pm
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 ?
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on October 07, 2007, 05:49:58 am
To be frank I have no idea. Someone else will have to answer this one.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: Leonard on October 07, 2007, 12:07:43 pm
  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.
 
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: birdmove on October 07, 2007, 07:17:01 pm
    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
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: exiledcarper on October 07, 2007, 08:37:48 pm
You have a point there, I'm sure it will be a good bike in that class.  I think I could have got excited by the Buell blast too, if it weren't so damned ugly!
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: prof_stack on October 07, 2007, 11:43:59 pm
You have a point there, I'm sure it will be a good bike in that class.  I think I could have got excited by the Buell blast too, if it weren't so damned ugly!
Hey, I resemble that remark!   ::)

I rode the Blast for 10k miles and had a, well, blast.  Remember that when you are riding, you really don't see much of the bike, if you're paying attention to the road, of course.  The Blast motor is strong and designed to run with the big hogs all day long at 70mph.  I can attest to that and that it outhandles the Harley boys. 

One test-ride of the bigger Buell, the XB9S, affected my head somehow and I traded in the Blast.  Wish I still had it, but now the RE is in my my head. 
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: cyrusb on November 26, 2007, 02:20:02 am
Wow , It looks to me like enfield clearly is misjudging its usa market with that new bike. The "living antique" aspect is gone.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: RagMan on November 26, 2007, 10:58:26 am
Problem I had with the Buell is it is just too cramped to ride the thing. I think I rode it 30 miles, and sold it.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: cyrusb on November 26, 2007, 05:27:21 pm
The big difference i noticed between the blast and the RE is the RE doesn't sound like a sporster with a dead cylinder!
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: HRAB on November 26, 2007, 06:54:08 pm
I don't think thumpers are dead by any measure.
Check this thread out:
http://www.motorcycle.com/products/450-super-single-project-68605.html
While the old iron engine won't easily compete with the 60hp KAW and Honda Singles, maybe there is hope for the UCE.

RE back in the game, woudn't that be nice?
jim
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: RagMan on November 26, 2007, 09:33:36 pm
That would be very nice, indeed.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: Blackthou on November 27, 2007, 01:10:47 pm
the new engine is being exhibited at the Motorcycle Show in Birmingham UK. I'm going there tomorrow and see what I can find out. In the meantime here's a bulletin I received from RE author Gordon May ( I hope)

[old attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: RagMan on November 27, 2007, 02:51:23 pm
Thank you posting that - a very interesting article.
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: prof_stack on November 27, 2007, 03:00:08 pm
Great article and wonderful pictures.  Thanks.

I'm saving my pennies and saving my dimes...
Title: Re: Read this on another forum. Is it true????????
Post by: t120rbullet on November 27, 2007, 04:02:05 pm
When I look at that new unit motor,
 http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=461 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=461)

I can see that motor in my 99 black deluxe chassis.
Make a cover for the starter motor that looks like one of the old Lucas MagDynos.
Off the fuel injector and replace it with a Amal GP with a long stack on it.
Maybe strip the whole engine and polish it until it blinds ya in the sun.
Yup, I think I could live with it.
No, I'm not selling the 99,,,,,,,,,ever, but I could always use another piece of eye candy !
CJ