Author Topic: With the extinction of the UCE imminent (Read 4236 times)

Farmer_John · **on:** January 26, 2020, 04:26:14 am

I think it's time to come home to the Lagoon...

Negotiating a fun little project.

gizzo · **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2020, 06:51:17 am

Welcome back. How's life in cx500 land?

Farmer_John · **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2020, 04:03:20 pm

I haven't owned one in several years. Still like them though.

Have a Triumph Street Twin that while is certainly a high quality ride, does nothing for me in the long run.

Workin on a "project".

Nice to be back.

Farmer_John · **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2020, 01:56:29 am

I'm here to tell you, if you want a 500 and your dealer doesn't have the color you wish, you may or may not be able to find one. Warehouse has zero Lagoon blues. Zero Black. A few Tans, stealth blacks, Gunmetal, Battle greens and Chrome Blacks.

The current end is near. Long live the Bullet UCE

I decided to take a stealth black. My dealer only has a green and a Trials in stock, plus a few 650s and Himalayans.

Arizoni · **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2020, 03:38:38 am

Maybe it's not but this decision to stop making the 500's has raised my 2011 Deluxe Bullet into the "Classic bracket" in my mind.

No more "big singles"? That idea makes me even more determined to hang on to it.

Farmer_John · **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2020, 04:20:27 am

I have decided, come hell or high water, I will not part with this one. I really regret letting my CGT go.

Narada · **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2020, 03:45:10 pm

I've always said my Bholenath's a keeper, more so now.

Seems like the Chrome/Maroons dried up a year or two ago.

Anyone know when that color was last offered?

GlennF · **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2020, 04:01:24 am

My impression was it was only the 500cc UCE that was disappearing. Sales in India officially stop on 31st March. Global sales seem to be up in the air but it is a reasonable bet all production may eventually stop.

I have not aware of any indication of a proposed replacement for the 350cc UCE single. It is their biggest seller domestically and does not compete with the 650 in the same way the 500cc model do.

Mad4Bullets · **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2020, 06:30:41 pm

It seems the 500 UCE will not evolve to meet the ever tightening global emissions standards. Production will soon come to a halt in India, and the rest of the world is likely to follow in short order I'm afraid. I certainly plan on holding onto mine for as long as I can. After 5 years of nearly trouble free enjoyment it's become a member of the family. I'd sooner shoot the bloody dog.

An updated version of the RE Classic with the new 650 twin engine is about the only option I can think of that might ever sway me to part with her. Otherwise I'll go on happily thumping through the vast countryside with a perpetual smile on my face for as long as the bike an I are both able. Such a simple pleasure in such a complicated world.

Ove · **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2020, 10:49:37 pm

Quote from: Mad4Bullets on February 05, 2020, 06:30:41 pm

Such a simple pleasure in such a complicated world.

Well put

Farmer_John · **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2020, 03:22:18 am

So, the crate hasn't yet arrived at my dealer and I believe I've gone off the deep end.

Before I ever throw a leg over it, it'll be cammed, valvetrained, fully exhausted, Carberryed, Dynojetted, K&N'd, Saddled, rebared/gripped/mirrored and 7" relamped...Then MAYBE it'll make it next winter before round 2.

My tech is trying to convince me to punch the virgin cylinder out and go 535 with a hi-comp piston he worked out...I'm hoping to get close to 30 rear wheel with the standard bore, wheel see.

Like I opened with, it's a project.

Snotball · **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2020, 05:54:10 am

Price point of the 500 is too close to the 650 to allow it to be viable. The 350 will still be available for years to come. I picked up my Classic 500 two months ago and will be keeping it forever.

Farmer_John · **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2020, 07:13:11 am

Honestly, I think the twins are priced the way they are to help solidify RE’s place here in the states.

Selling on price...

kdxandrew · **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2020, 10:14:09 am

Quote from: Mad4Bullets on February 05, 2020, 06:30:41 pm

It seems the 500 UCE will not evolve to meet the ever tightening global emissions standards.

XX@@!! Greenies!!

Narada · **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2020, 09:59:22 pm

Here's a pretty good article from Adv rider;

https://advrider.com/reports-of-royal-enfield-500-singles-death-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/?fbclid=IwAR1ue9tL4t7j2MyXClplmLRStKll-tiLJ0e75ZGIX4pSz37B8pC0q7NOm4Q

GlennF · **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2020, 10:53:59 pm

Interestingly the Flying Flea may be back:

https://www.rideapart.com/articles/398539/royal-enfield-trademark-flying-flea-roadster/

olhogrider · **Reply #16 on:** March 04, 2020, 01:54:45 am

Quote from: GlennF on March 03, 2020, 10:53:59 pm

Interestingly the Flying Flea may be back:

https://www.rideapart.com/articles/398539/royal-enfield-trademark-flying-flea-roadster/

A folding 125 that can be thrown from a plane?😁

GlennF · **Reply #17 on:** March 04, 2020, 03:11:32 am

lol ... well if it follows modern trends it will be electric and inflatable

Of course ... not to be outdone by the British in the "throwing motorcycles out of a plane" stakes post war, the French developed the Vespa 150 TAP with 75mm M20 anti-tank recoilless rifle for use by French paratroopers. It apparently even saw action in Algiers in the 50's.

Richard230 · **Reply #18 on:** March 04, 2020, 02:29:53 pm

At one time Vespas seem to have had a big attraction for the European armies. (Likely something to do with being short of cash after WWII.) But they never seemed to fly very well.

Somewhere in my files I have a photo of a Vespa towing a 75mm field gun. Time to bring back horses to tow that rig.

Farmer_John · **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2020, 01:11:54 pm

So, I started this as a journal of sorts to document my journey back to Enfieldism. It became something a little different and that's ok, as it often works out this way in cyberworld.

Anyway, this is "Thumper Noir" nearly ready. I'm around 70% Done. It also includes my ugly mug, please excuse that...

ace.cafe · **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2020, 02:09:20 pm

It looks fine!

Farmer_John · **Reply #21 on:** March 09, 2020, 12:32:51 pm

I hope you mean the bike, Ace...

ROVERMAN · **Reply #22 on:** March 09, 2020, 03:26:08 pm

Hey Farmer John, you must be at Detroit Iron. That looks sweet, have fun!
Roverman.

ace.cafe · **Reply #23 on:** March 09, 2020, 08:22:27 pm

Quote from: Farmer_John on March 09, 2020, 12:32:51 pm

I hope you mean the bike, Ace...

Ha!
Yes.

Farmer_John · **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2020, 08:58:35 pm

Quote from: ROVERMAN on March 09, 2020, 03:26:08 pm

Hey Farmer John, you must be at Detroit Iron. That looks sweet, have fun!
Roverman.

Is there anywhere else?

suitcasejefferson · **Reply #25 on:** March 18, 2020, 02:05:08 am

I'm definitely keeping my converted to a carb 2013 B5. I have also installed the no longer available premium EFI silencer on it, without the baffle. Sounds and feels beautiful. I hope Hitchcock's keeps supplying parts. My local dealer has a tan military in stock, but wants about $1500 to much for it in bogus fees. Royal Enfield needs to watch out for this. Dealers like this can ruin their reputation no matter how good their bikes are.

I checked out a Triumph Street Twin. Despite it's 270 degree crank, it's just another sewing machine. My 2013 RE and 2006 H-D Sportster actually sound and feel like MOTORcycles.