So in my last post I deviated a bit from the quest for an Enfield to tell you about the restoration of a ‘78 BMW R80/7 that I acquired from a friend. I mentioned that I would post a video of it running so you can hear what it sounds like. So here it is…
So the main theme of this blog is about the quest to own a Royal Enfield, it is not the “Quest to own a bike”. However if you are in my position where you have wanted a bike for many years, pretty much any bike will do.
Now if I was to get my hands on a bike and it was not an Enfield, I would be chuffed if it was at least classified as a classic bike. So here is the deal, thanks to a friend of mine, I got my grubby paws on a 1978 BMW R80/7. Now that is a Classic (at least in my book). This bike has been standing idle for about 10 years. Actually I have a feeling it is a bit longer than that. Probably closer to 14 years. Tony and I struck a deal for me to take it off his hands and restore it.
This is what it looked like when I got it…
I have done a few things to the bike so far. Here is a list:
Bare in mind this bike had not been started for, as I am told, a minimum of 6 years. Once I had changed the oil, with the help of a friend we started the engine. It practically started on the third attempt. What a machine, a true workhorse.
The only major item that is outstanding is the licensing. The bike needs to go for Police clearance and a whole list of other administrative hurdles. This is going to be done shortly. The bottom-line is that this bike to is ready to ride…..So meet “Black Betty”…
She runs like a dream. The balancing of the carbs could probably be tweaked a bit more but it is close enough for now.
So for those of you that are interested I sourced the parts from www.motobins.co.uk, www.feked.com and BMW SA. The repair on the tank and the re-spray was done by Kaleidoscope Customising (Ralph - 011 4938749). Seat recovering was done by Paul’s Auto & Aero Trim (Brian - 011 6838308)
I love this bike, it has character and we have bonded over the last 2 months that I have been doing the restoration. I will post a video shortly with her running so you can hear what she sounds like.
In spite of this, the quest for a Royal Enfield continues…so don’t worry it over yet!!!
Here is another happy Enfield customer….
Follow this link…http://www.vimeo.com/28460858
I think this video will make a commercial for Royal Enfield….What do you think?
Here is a photo of Stuart and his father with their new Military Enfields.
Stuart tells me that the reason they both got the military spec was because his late Grandfather was a dispatch rider in WW2 up in North Africa and they were equipped with Royal Enfields (Fly Fleas). So they got them for sentimental reasons.
Congrats guys…..I hope you both have many hours of fun on your bikes….
The official website has recently been upgraded. I think it is more user friendly .It has a bike comparer which is great but for those of us that are outside India is does not serve a huge purpose as we only get the 500cc. Well is creates room for new models to be comapred in the future. Maybe a 750 or 1000cc.
A new state of the art factory is being built in Chennai. It is due for completion in 2013. This will increase the annual production of Enfields thus meeting the growing demand for these pieces of art.
The is a new place to buy Enfields, CIT Motorcycles in Pretoria.
CIT Motorcycles
1222 Pretoria Street,
Hatfield
Contact Ronnie on 012 342 8571
It seems that the Black Classic is a popular bike. Therefore if you wish to buy a black one you will have to order one specifically. The other colours seem to be available.
So we have mentioned colours to choose from when it comes to the Classic model. As if the decision was not difficult enough here is an other variation. One of this blogs readers pointed me to a post that a fellow Royal Enfield Blogger made recently (http://www.royalenfields.com/2011/07/royal-enfield-to-offer-military-in.html). It speaks about a potential colour variation to the current olive drab military version. It seems like an obvious variation to me. The colour has been dubbed “Desert Storm”. I think it is an appropriate name
I suppose that after choosing the bike, Enfield of course, you need to decide on the colour. I have blogged about this before, different paintjobs and which colour to choose.
No there is more choice. Some of you might have heard that there is a chrome version of the Classic available. This is true and it is on its way to South Africa. If you haven’t seen it here it is….
When I first saw a photo of this bike the first time I was not convinced that it was an option for me. This was until I saw an aerial shot of the tank. Now I love it. As if I did not have enough problem making a choice in colour.
As you might know the 1000 bike show was held at the Germiston High School this past weekend. I made a turn there on Saturday to see what it was all about. I have never attended this event before, probably because I never knew that it existed. Fortunately Allan (Royal Enfield Gauteng) mentioned it to me when I visited the showroom recently.
So what were my expectations? Well I didn’t really have too many except as I knew I was going to have a chance to see lots of classic bikes and off course the Royal Enfield. I had mentioned to my wife that I wanted to attend the show and she agreed to come along. This was perfect, now show her the bike that I am so passionate about.
I was pleased to see such a large turn out. Of course there were plenty of bikers that turned up and their bikes were parked in front of the large marque tent. There were many beautiful bikes to be viewed, ranging from superbikes to Harleys. But the really treasures were in the tent.
Of the course the best treasure were the Royal Enfields. I had a chance to meet Brice the man behind Royal Enfield South Africa. Here he is alongside the poster of the new Military version. He told me they only have one left as the others have been snapped up already.
I am happy to say that my wife was impressed with the Enfields. She prefers the teal colour over the maroon (my choose). The teal as I understand is a more “classic” Enfield colour so that might not be a bad choose when I eventually purchase one of these beauties.
The Classic Motorcycle Club is hosting the 10th annual 1000 bike show this year. Royal Enfield will be represented there, so go have a look at the bike that is built like a gun. Below are the details….See you there
I finally got my butt into gear and made a trip out to the showroom in Germiston.
Firstly is was not as far I as I expected it to be. I was driving from Randburg and it took me less that half an hour to get there. This is not bad considering that sometime it takes me as long to get to Fourways.
The showroom is situated at the Classic Motorcycle Club (CMC) premises. This is the ideal position in my opinion. The showroom is not big but is suitably sized to display several bikes.
I met Allan whose is the person to speak to if you are wanting to test ride or buy an Enfield. Allan is a great guy and is very enthusiastic about Enfields (well classic bikes in general). He is also the vice president of the Classic Motorcycles Club. We chatted for several hours about Enfields and bikes in general.
Unfortunately I did not go for a test ride as my learners license has just expired. Poor planning on my part.
The showroom is kitted out with high quality mounted pictures of Enfields. On the back wall was a history of Enfields in picture form. This is great if you want to know more about the heritage of the Enfield.
It is great to see the bikes in person as photos never do these bikes any justice. In my case I have only see the classic in the green/cyan colour. I initially was keen on the maroon Classic but I have seen many photos where the bike looks candy red as opposed to maroon. Well let me say that there was one in the showroom and it was everything I expected it to be. So I am sold on the maroon colour.
I realised something when I was standing the chatting to Allan, when you buy an Enfield you are not just buying a bike you are buying into a lifestyle. If you buy this bike you need to join a club like the CMC. The CMC have regular meets, outings, etc. This really appeals to me I must say. I intend to bring you more information about the CMC in the near future.
So my advice is this….if you are fond of classic bikes do yourself a favour and visit the showroom. Where can you get a new classic styled 500cc for around R43 000.
If you do happen to visit the showroom, drop me an email let me know what you think of the showroom and the bikes….
Showroom Address
Pavillion sports Centre, Cnr Power and Refinery Street, Germiston.
Contact Alan: 078 1375609
The local Royal Enfield website (www.royalenfield.co.za) is currently under construction but should be live by the end of June so visit it soon for more information on the bike that is built like a gun….
I was really pleased to see in the latest Royal Enfield newsletter that the Military version is now available in South Africa.
I have to admit even though I would really like the Classic in the green (Cyan), the military version does have some appeal.
Some of you might know that Royal Enfield has an official presence in South Africa again. There are "showrooms" in Durban, Cape Town, Kimberley and Johannesburg.
Here are the details
GAUTENG
Classic Motor Co
Alan on 078 137 5609
royalenfieldjhb@gmail.com
Pavillion sports Centre, Cnr.
Power and Reñnery Street,
Germiston
KWAZULU-NATAL
Headquarters
Brice on 076 361 7615
sales@royalenfleld.co.za
24 Kings Avenue,
Westville, 3629,
Durban
NORTHERN CAPE
Mr Bike
Herman on 082 464 1042
mrbike@telkomsa.net
65 Transvaal Road,
KmberIey
WESTERN CAPE
Thruxton Motorcycles
Garth on 072 436 3642
thruxtonmc@gmail.com
Unit 6, Tazra Park, Somerset
Business Park, Somerset West,
Cape Town
Here are some photos of the Gauteng showroom from the Latestt newsletter 
So go and visit you nearest showroom.
It is also important to note that f you are not in those areas and you purchase a bike they will deliver to you free of charge anywhere in South Africa.
Okay, it has been a long while since I posted on this blog. I have decided that it is time to make a concerted effort to maintain this blog as well as get my grubby paws on an Enfield.
So watch this space…
Good news, it seems that there is an Official South African distributor again. This might be old news to some as I clearly lost my focus. I will give some more details in my next post…
Lastly I would like to hear from some South African Enfielders (can I call you guys that). I would like to know about you riding experiences. Where have you been in South Africa? How far have you travelled in a day? Have you been outside of SA with your bike? Dropped me an email at drewfen@gmail.com. I would like to start doing a few posts dedicated to the Enfield riding experience in South Africa, the bikes and their owners. Surprise me and flood my mailbox. 
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