350 enfield

[andy230]

Gents,

Advice please!  Who has a 350 enfield- Jethro, still got yours, or was it 500?  Steffan?

I need a rear shock for the DR, which I got a cheap stop gap bike and has been great, but I'm starting to have to throw cash at it.

So I'm thinking about a 350 enfield for my commute into central london.  By no means do I want a tidy one, but also not one that is dissolving....!

Usable in traffic?  The DR's brakes are rubbish, so I'm probably used to that.  No power is not a problem.  Cheap spares are a bonus- is this the case on the enfields?  Are there bargains to be had??

(Or do I just shell out the 300 quid for a Hagon shock for the DR?)

cheers

a

[SRXer]

Theres still my Yam XJ550 knocking about...

Still aint got round to sticking it on the fleabay.

[Richard]

Don't do it.

Enfields are lovely country lane plodders, but practical city commuters they are not.

Richard

[andy230]

Theres still my Yam XJ550 knocking about...

Still aint got round to sticking it on the fleabay.

Thanks, good to know.... but a "big" four may be rather overkill for the trek into town (tho I must be in the minority thinking that!).  Thanks for the offer tho.

Don't do it.

Enfields are lovely country lane plodders, but practical city commuters they are not.

Richard

Hmmmm!  Also good to know, thanks Richard.  Why?  No go, no stop?

a

[SRXer]

"Thanks, good to know.... but a "big" four may be rather overkill for the trek into town (tho I must be in the minority thinking that!).  Thanks for the offer tho."

Im glad you see 550cc being big - does go like sh!t off a shovel - quoting the man who sold it to me. I think id rather have a 250/400 myself.

[mini-thumper]

Dr D
Get yourself a CB250RS - plentiful & cheap on Ebay - mine has been brilliant all through the winter (I'll gloss over the slight electrical problems at Llanthony!!!) - and very 80's retro darling! Will run rings around most bigger bikes in the commuter ducking-and-diving. Getting about 70mpg, with tyres, chain, other consumables last well and easily/cheaply replaceable. If you do as I've done pick up a serviceable wreck for spares and it should last many years with minimal cost! Also easy to work on, and responds well to the heavy hammer school of home mechanics. You can also then join the official RS Owners Club which only has three members at the moment, RobG, Foxy & myself!!!!

Cheers
Boyd

 

[guest18]

Get a Brompton 

[mini-thumper]

"To you Sir, £50 Sir........dredged from the local pond only this morning Sir!"



From Ebay in case you're interested, which I hope you're not!!!!!!!!!!! They're havin' a larf......some of these bike breakers need to source some reality tablets.

Uncle Boyd

[Andy M]

I had a 500. Used it every day, no problem until my place of work changed. While a 301 MZ will pile onto a dual carriage way with sufficient purpose to find a gap, get in it and then make some progress, the Bullet feels stressed and like it really doesn't want to be there. I'd bet a 350 would be even less happy. The Bullets maintenance needs BTW are nothing like as silly as the mechano brigade over on the Bullet discussion groups will make out. If you use it every day it's just an oil change and a few checks every couple of months or so.

If your commute is in 30 and 40 limits and you'll use the Bullet in the countryside on a weekend, go for it, they are great bikes and I'd have one tomorrow if that was my route. If you have to do the M-25 or worse, get something lighter or more powerful that doesn't need such frequent oil changes.

Andy

[andy230]

Hello!

Dr D
Get yourself a CB250RS

Possibly..... thanks for the tip.  And yes, I saw that crap on Ebay- no effing way!

Get a Brompton 

I'd rather shove wasps up my arse, thank you smudge!

AndyM:  No M25 or other nonsense, just urban streets, and about 1/4 mile of 30 limit dual carriageway. 


I may well end up getting the shock rebuilt, or if not possible buy a hagon.  It does make for a most amusing ride tho!

a

[Steffan]

I agree with Mr M et al. Don't do it. They are lovely but need constant attention and whilst you will forgive them all their sins once you're moving they are temperamental. Romance over function in the modern world. I had Andy's off him and actually slowed her down ie back to original carburation and she still did her mains on a leisurely run through Ireland.  Once I got the MZ running that was it they had to go - faster, lighter, more reliable

Steffan

[andy230]

Hmmm, ok

Rear shock for the DR it is then....  GAAAAAH!!!   However, my enfield lust lives to fight another day.

cheers

a

[SRXer]

Problem solved!

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/05/13/hammarhead-volta-102-electric-royal-enfield/

[Mark]

I love my Enfield, it's been no...not much trouble since I've owned it. A new £12 rect/reg and fresh instant gasket on the head gasket has sorted things out. Oh and a £2 throttle cable(so I bought a full set of 4 spare cables @£9 but that was before I had a load of spares lumbered on me  )

It was pretty well sorted before I had it, someone must have chucked loads of money at it. but I would consider the commute before purchasing whereas I'm lucky I don't have a job and have all the time in the world:'(

Mark

[guest18]

Get a Brompton 

I'd rather shove wasps up my *******, thank you smudge!

  My pleasure 
Joking aside how far is it? Also if it's just 30 limit dual carriageway have you considered the inimitable CG125? 100mpg+ hard to break spares for sweeties and ideal for the work you describe?