Royal Enfield Single

[Motig]

After a few years with out a bike due to health I'm now thinking about something just to putter around the back roads. Seriously thinking of something like the RE Classic 350 as I'm not interested in things like fastest to the ton ( the classic would have no trouble achieving this). So any KB members got an Enfield either 350 or 500 that they could give some info on specially the latest models?.

[tri boy]

Not certain a 350 will get to the ton, (down hill with a strong tail wind), but I spent a fair bit of time on a 500 years back, and it is very suitable for pootling around the back roads on. I would suggest riding the 500 too.;)

[Bonez]

The 350 is gutless. Slower than my '77 CJ250 Honda Go for the 500.

[Oakie]

A guy on my delivery run has got one. Not sure what size but he's always got a big smile on his face when I see him riding around.

[Ginge09]

It’s a power to weight thing. Also a road conditions thing.

You’re in Otago somewhere so you will have hills, and cop some headwinds. That’s no fun on a small bike with no aerodynamics and an upright riding position.

Go the 500 as a minimum unless you’re a short lightweight rider, no pillion or luggage.

The 350 is priced nicely but it comes with some practical limitations.

For the price of a new 350 you could probably get a vintage 350 which would have reasonable torque, be cheaper to rego ( by about $400 p.a.) and be easier to work on. It would come with the same limitations, especially top speed but would pootle extremely well.

[Motig]

Well the 500 is no more so I guess the ones in NZ now will be it. According to the RE website theres a limited edition to mark the end. Just the 350 and the twin road bikes. Not suprised as especially here in NZ the 500 and the Twin were to close in price and sensible people would pick the twin, more for your money. Interesting to see what happens to the pricing if they come down after the virus I'd certainly look seriously but like I said to dear at moment for what you get.

[pete376403]

What about the 400(?) Himalaya or is that gone too? There a really good Youtube channel of one being ridden all through Asia to Europe and then down and up South America (as far as Peru, where the rider was evacuated back to Holland due to covid lockdown). Look for Itchy Boots on YouTube

[Motig]

Himalyans still in line up but I prefer the retro look.One of the shops has a custom one they made which I like the gear they added but about $2000 dearer than stock.

[Navy Boy]

A work colleague owned the 500 a few years back - It's the one to go for over the 350 from what he reckoned. He enjoyed it but ended up selling for a secondhand air cooled Hinckley Bonnie instead.

The 350 Rumbler may be worth a look if you're still keen on the 350 too.

[Grumph]

If you go for a secondhand of whatever size, find out what's been done to it before buying.

Some years back, I had a 500 through the workshop. Indian market bike, bought by a kiwi in India, ridden round then shipped home.
It was relatively low mileage - but it was very tired indeed in the motor. Everything was available so it got done.
Then it became apparent the biggest problem was the OE points ignition. The points cam shaft runs in a bronze bush lubricated by optimism - and the blessings of Shiva...
There may have also been a small amount of chicken fat there too.
As the bush wore, the points gap - and the timing - changed.
I fitted a pertronix points replacement module. The shaft could wobble around without changing the timing.
Made a huge difference.

BUT - I also had an early 50's Norton ES2 here at the same time. The ES2 was as fast in 3rd as the Enfield was flat out in top....

[Gearup]

If you go for a secondhand of whatever size, find out what's been done to it before buying.

Some years back, I had a 500 through the workshop. Indian market bike, bought by a kiwi in India, ridden round then shipped home.
It was relatively low mileage - but it was very tired indeed in the motor. Everything was available so it got done.
Then it became apparent the biggest problem was the OE points ignition. The points cam shaft runs in a bronze bush lubricated by optimism - and the blessings of Shiva...
There may have also been a small amount of chicken fat there too.
As the bush wore, the points gap - and the timing - changed.
I fitted a pertronix points replacement module. The shaft could wobble around without changing the timing.
Made a huge difference.

BUT - I also had an early 50's Norton ES2 here at the same time. The ES2 was as fast in 3rd as the Enfield was flat out in top....


Apart from this instance, what do you think of them in terms of build, reliability etc Grumph?

[pritch]

Seriously thinking of something like the RE Classic 350 as I'm not interested in things like fastest to the ton ( the classic would have no trouble achieving this).

Have followed the thread with interest. Not sure if I've misread the above though. My 1954 AJS 350 was capable of either 74 or 76mph according to the contemporary road test. (It was a long time ago.) At that speed I'd suspect the well worn euphemistic phrase "some vibration was apparent" became relevant.

To get over 80mph you needed a 500, but most 500 singles still didn't get much over 80. Nowhere near a "ton".

Although made new in 2020 the Royal Enfield 350s are still basically 1950s technology. You can't compare their performance to modern singles like KTM f'rinstance.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Honestly if you are looking at that, buy a Yamaha SR400. Particularly if you want to go VERY SLOWLY INDEED. I bought one a couple years back thinking, Yes, this is the thing to give me the retro experience, single cylinder blah blah. Sold it still not really run in after two months because the stark reality is 23 hp is insufficient even in a commuter. getting dragged off by a fat bitch in a shitty old Ford Flacoon was the final straw. Yes I do have a tiny penis, but thats not relevant right now. SR is a good bike, thee are a myriad of aftermarket parts and you will pick up a second hand one for under 6 large. At least take one for a strop.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-2581608373.htm?rsqid=b25836340bd744869ff49b53ed7d4 64d-004

Tell him $4500 cash (tank dent and it will cost you 5 hundy to get it to you from Orkers (biketranz).

[rastuscat]

Honestly if you are looking at that, buy a Yamaha SR400. Particularly if you want to go VERY SLOWLY INDEED. I bought one a couple years back thinking, Yes, this is the thing to give me the retro experience, single cylinder blah blah. Sold it still not really run in after two months because the stark reality is 23 hp is insufficient even in a commuter. getting dragged off by a fat bitch in a shitty old Ford Flacoon was the final straw. Yes I do have a tiny penis, but thats not relevant right now. SR is a good bike, thee are a myriad of aftermarket parts and you will pick up a second hand one for under 6 large. At least take one for a strop.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-2581608373.htm?rsqid=b25836340bd744869ff49b53ed7d4 64d-004

Tell him $4500 cash (tank dent and it will cost you 5 hundy to get it to you from Orkers (biketranz).

Had a woman who turned up for a course with one of those. Her husband rode it to the venue, she had no idea how to start it. Kickstart only.

The engineers had put a wee window on the cam cover, so the rider could see top dead centre for the purpose of kick starting. Trouble is, the wee window was so small, she had to bend down to see it, andvthen couldn't get a decent kick on the kick starter. I put a bit of tape over the window, and told her to feel for TDC.

I kind of liked the SR, but they aren't for everyone. Kick starting is a lost art.

[Motig]

Also see another rumour from India that the 350 will be replaced by a 400 putting out power similar to the 500. There is a 500 I like but cant (yet) justify the extra $4000 over a 350. Off course they could just do the 350 for the nostalgia market (me?) and make the 400 modern, they do seem to have some nice modern competition in their home market. Yes the Yamahas a nice wee bike but hips rule out kickstart only. GB 400/500 I've always liked but their getting a bit long in the tooth now I feel.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I kind of liked the SR, but they aren't for everyone. Kick starting is a lost art.

I never had an issue getting it started but maybe the synaptic memory from learning to ride on a kick only bike. And trying to start a mates XT500 back in the day... the SR was a piece of piss by comparison.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Also see another rumour from India that the 350 will be replaced by a 400 putting out power similar to the 500. There is a 500 I like but cant (yet) justify the extra $4000 over a 350. Off course they could just do the 350 for the nostalgia market (me?) and make the 400 modern, they do seem to have some nice modern competition in their home market. Yes the Yamahas a nice wee bike but hips rule out kickstart only. GB 400/500 I've always liked but their getting a bit long in the tooth now I feel.

I dont know why but I thought the RE singles were kick only too.

[OddDuck]

I'd run a GB400 for nearly ten years and it served me well - light weight, easy to manage, very easy to maintain. Enough power rather than anything exciting, a bit limited on the open road. Definitely getting a bit tatty by the time I finally sold it, roughly six (eight?) years ago, there might still be a few minters around but you'll pay silly money for what they are.

[Grumph]

Apart from this instance, what do you think of them in terms of build, reliability etc Grumph?

The castings and metallurgy of the home market 500 weren't up to 50's Enfield originals. We replaced rings and valves with export quality bits.
There was a head gasket problem which was a mismatched machining error which got fixed too.
I'm told the later ones are better - as tooling wears they're making stuff on better gear.

If you want a good single, it's hard to go past the GB500. Yes, they're getting old but the bits are available.
A mate's got one I did the ignition trigger gap mod on and I could happily live with that.

The mod should be well known to people on here - I've mentioned it before.
Close up the air gap - trigger to rotor - to about .015in. Riding afterwards I'd say it feels like aniother 5HP at the wheel.

[Motig]

I dont know why but I thought the RE singles were kick only too.

Electric as well now days. By the way pritch the 100 mph for the 350 was tongue in cheek.

[Gearup]

The castings and metallurgy of the home market 500 weren't up to 50's Enfield originals. We replaced rings and valves with export quality bits.
There was a head gasket problem which was a mismatched machining error which got fixed too.
I'm told the later ones are better - as tooling wears they're making stuff on better gear.

If you want a good single, it's hard to go past the GB500. Yes, they're getting old but the bits are available.
A mate's got one I did the ignition trigger gap mod on and I could happily live with that.

The mod should be well known to people on here - I've mentioned it before.
Close up the air gap - trigger to rotor - to about .015in. Riding afterwards I'd say it feels like aniother 5HP at the wheel.


Thanks for the info. 5HP is a good increase too.

[rastuscat]

Electric as well now days. By the way pritch the 100 mph for the 350 was tongue in cheek.

Thrown out of a helicopter from a great height is the only way that'll happen.

[Motig]

Just for interest brought the 500 Trials model which is pretty much the Classic with a different exhaust. As I hate cold only been for a couple of rides but I'm pretty happy.

[scumdog]

Just for interest brought the 500 Trials model which is pretty much the Classic with a different exhaust. As I hate cold only been for a couple of rides but I'm pretty happy.


Good one, keep us informed how it went, any negatives etc.

[Bonez]

Electric as well now days. By the way pritch the 100 mph for the 350 was tongue in cheek.Apparently pritch rides around everywhere at 170kph according to him.:eek: