Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The sound of Black Betty the Airhead

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…

Sunday, September 25, 2011

So it is not a Royal Enfield but it is a classic bike

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…

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I have done a few things to the bike so far. Here is a list:

  • Oil change
  • Brake fluid change
  • New battery
  • Cleaned all aluminium parts (ongoing process)
  • Repaired holes in the fuel tank
  • New front mud guard
  • Re-sprayed tank and front mud guard
  • Repaired seat (ordered seat cover from the UK)
  • Ordered new left hand side exhaust (ordered from the UK)
  • Ordered new BMW badges for the tank, carb gaskets and float needles (turned out to be the incorrect ones)
  • Fixed odometer as it was not ticking over
  • Fixed the rev counter it was an electronic problem that a friend of mine helped me with.
  • Replaced all the globes in the instrument cluster
  • Replaced one of the fuel taps (sourced from BMW)

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”…

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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!!!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Royal Enfield Riders–Part 2

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?

Royal Enfield Riders–Part 1

First Ride

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….

What’s new in the world of Enfield

International News

New Website

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.

New factory

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.

Local News

Pretoria Distributor

The is a new place to buy Enfields, CIT Motorcycles in Pretoria.

CIT Motorcycles

1222 Pretoria Street,

Hatfield

Contact Ronnie on 012 342 8571

Stock

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.