Royal Enfield Motors

Royal Enfield Motors is a motorcycle manufacturing company based in Chennai, India. Infobox_Company
company_name = Royal Enfield Motors Ltd.
company_
company_type = Private
company_slogan = Made Like A Gun
foundation = 1955 as Enfield India
location =
key_people =
num_employees =
industry = Motorcycle
products = Motorcycles
revenue =
net_income =
parent = Eicher
homepage = [http://www.royalenfield.com www.royalenfield.com]

Enfield India (1949-present)

Royal Enfields made in England were being sold in India from 1949. In 1955, the Indian government looked for a suitable motorcycle for its police and army, for patrolling the country's border. The Bullet was chosen as the most suitable bike for the job. The Indian government ordered 800 350 cc model Bullets, an enormous order for the time. [ [http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/enfield/india.html] IanChadwick Enfield India (Retrieved 22 October 2006)]

In 1955, the Redditch company partnered with Madras Motors in India to form 'Enfield India' to assemble, under licence, the 350 cc Royal Enfield "Bullet" motorcycle in Madras (now called Chennai). The first machines were assembled entirely from components shipped from England. In 1957, the tooling was sold to Enfield India so that they could manufacture components. By 1962, all components were made in India. The Indian Enfield uses the 1960 engine (with metric bearing sizes), in the pre-56 design frame.

An independent manufacturer since the demise of Royal Enfield in England, Enfield India still makes an essentially similar bike in 350 cc and 500 cc forms today, along with several different models for different market segments. [ [http://www.royal-enfield.com/history.htm] Royal-Enfield History (Retrieved 22 October 2006)] In 1986 UK civil servant Raja Narayan, returned to India and organised an export arm for the company to market the Bullet in England. Starting with a 350 in 1986, he was soon giving feedback that led to improvements. By 1989 the Enfield Bullet appeared in UK motorcycle shows (I am sure they were imported to the UK from the mid/late 70s by Bavanar. No ideas re sales volume but definitely available before the 80s). In 1994 Eicher Group bought into Enfield India. [ [http://www.royalenfield.com/app/IN/company/History.asp] Royal Enfield "1991 - 2000 Enfield becomes Royal Enfield" (Retrieved 30 October 2006)] In late 1995, the Enfield India firm acquired the rights to the name Royal Enfield. Royal Enfield of India now sells motorcycles in over twenty countries.

They are being imported into the United States, United Kingdom, and other western countries in increasing numbers, though the newer versions (2001) with electric start are becoming more popular than the 'classic' version which is little changed from 1955. There are a few changes: indicators, a 28 mm Mikuni carb, 12 volt electrics, an improved seat and, since 1990, twin leading-shoe brakes.

The 2006 the latest top level export version of the "Bullet" is the Electra-X a 500 cc machine with a 'lean burn' engine incorporating a new cylinder head and piston, alloy barrel, gear oil pump and roller big end bearing. There are also some styling and frame changes as well as a front disk brake. The recently designed left foot change 5-speed gearbox and electric start are also part of the package. Other improvements are a more modern Micarb VM 28 (CV) carburettor, 280 mm front disk brake, 150 mm rear single leading shoe drum brake, electronic ignition, and new, gas filled rear damper units. [ [http://www.royalenfield.com/Content/UK/images/Downloads/pdf/sixtyfive-pdf.pdf] Royal Enfield UK Specifications pdf] (Retrieved 22 October 2006)] This is an export-only model, and in India the top Electra is a 350 cc, though a basic right change four speed 500 cc version is available. [ [http://www.royalenfield.com/app/IN/downloads.asp] Enfield specifications pdf (Retrieved 22 October 2006)] The lean burn 350 cc engine produces Auto bhp|18|0 @ 5000 rpm, and 32 nm @ 3000 rpm. The 500 cc version produces Auto bhp|22|0 @ 5500 rpm, and 35.9 nm @ 3000 rpm.

The main thrust for its development has been meeting increasingly stringent emissions regulations. This lean burn engine should ensure the future of the Bullet for some years to come and will replace the older, original design engine.First designed around 1947, but still including elements from earlier machines such as the Model G, the "Bullet" claims to have the longest continuous production run of any motorcycle. It is also significant that the Indian factory has itself now celebrated its own 50th birthday.

Lately, the Royal Enfield bikes have enjoyed a resurgence in India after the release of some new models of these bikes with a constant vacuum (CV) carburettor and an aluminium engine. These models are the Royal Enfield Thunderbird and Machismo. A model called Electra, which is a slicker version of the classic 350 cc bike with electric-start kit is also popular. This model is not normally exported outside of India, but is replaced by the 500 cc Electra-X.

"Recent models"

Over the last few years there have been a number of basic models on sale in the UK:

* Classic (350 & 500 cc) - close to the original 1955 specification with some basic modifications.
* Bullet 500 ES - Classic with electric start.
* Bullet 65 - Bullet 500 ES with new 5 speed gearbox and left foot gear change.
* Thunderbird (350 cc)- New 5 speed gearbox, left foot gear change, stylish look with dual color/shade body, curved handle bars and electric start. It is also compliant with UK/EU emission standards.
* Bullet Electra-X (500 cc) - Much modified/re-designed lean burn, alloy barreled engine with the new gearbox and many chassis modifications. The Electra-X looks like a modified and improved Bullet.

All of these basic models have trials, cafe racer, and other derivative models.For noise and emission reasons, the old engine will cease to be imported into the UK/EU starting in 2008, and the 'lean burn' engine will then become the standard.

Unfortunately, even this lean-burn engine may be short-lived in the EU as further emissions restrictions are to be introduced in the form of Euro 3. A new engine will be introduced in the Fall of 2007 called the "Unit Construction Engine" or UCE. It will be fuel injected and the engine casing and transmission will share a single casting. The Royal Enfield has been imported into the USA since 1995. The models which are available in the USA are:
* Classic 500cc- In the Classic, Deluxe and Military models.
* Bullet Electra - X
* Bullet Electra - ClassicThe 350 cc bikes were sold for a few years in the USA, but the US market heavily favors the larger 500 cc model. The 350 cc models are no longer imported into the US. No kick start only models are sold in the US as there was no market demand for them once the Electric Start models were developed.

"EGLI Royal Enfield Super Bullet"

Famed Swiss motorcycle tuner Fritz W. Egli, a distributor of Royal Enfield motorcycles, was approached by a customer to create the ultimate Egli Super Bullet. Of course, the basis for this bike would be Egli’s famous central tube frame constructed from nickel-plated chromium-molybdenum steel, the hallmark of Egli’s motorcycle tuning efforts. The engine could of course, no longer be stock as it usually is. An aluminium cylinder, US-sourced piston, larger valves in a redesigned cylinder head, longer stroke crankshaft (105mm), special main bearings, dry clutch, timing belt primary drive, 36mm Keihin flat-slide carburettors were added among other tricks (Egli’s option list for Bullet specials span 29 pages!). The output is 40PS from a 624cc engine fed via an electric pump from a classic-looking aluminium tank. [http://www.bikervoodoo.com/2008/04/02/egli-royal-enfield-super-bullet-624cc/ Egli Super Bullet 624cc]

"Royal Enfield models"

Bullet 500 cc

Royal Enfield Bullet specifications
*Engine: four stroke, OHV (two valve, pushrod)
*Bore & Stroke: 84 mm x 90 mm
*Compression ratio: 6.5:1
*Engine Performance: 22 bhp (16 kW) @ 5,400 rpm, 3.5 kgf·m (34 N·m) at 3,000 rpm
*Electrics: 12 volts, battery & coil
*Lubrication: dry sump lubrication, positive plunger type
*Clutch: multiple plate, oil immersed
*Transmission: four speed constant mesh transmission, one up and three down with neutral-finder
*Brakes: twin lead, drum 7 in, rear drum 6 in
*Tyres: front 3.25 x 19 in, rear 3.5 x 19 in
*Fuel consumption: 70 mpg imperial or 4.0 L/100 km
*Size (l/w/b): 82.25 x 27.25 x 41.5 in (2,089 x 692 x 1,054 mm)
*Wheelbase: 53.5 in (1,359 mm)
*Ground clearance: 5.5 in (140 mm)
*Seat height: 30 in (760 mm);
*Dry weight: 370 lb (168 kg);
*Max speed: 125 km/h (the speedometer is mildly inaccurate, and this may be closer to 110 km/h) [ [http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/enfield/india.html] IanChadwick Enfield India (Retrieved 22 October 2006)]

List of Vehicles Manufactured by Royal Enfield, India

* Classic (350 & 500 cc) - close to the original 1955 specification with some basic modifications.
* Bullet 500 ES - Classic with electric start and 4-speed gearbox
* Bullet Continental - US model 350 or 500 with 4 speed gearbox with left foot gear change.
* Bullet Sixty-5 - Bullet 500 ES with new 5 speed gearbox and left foot gear change.
* Thunderbird (350 cc)- New 5 speed gearbox, left foot gear change, stylish look with dual color/shade body, curved handle bars and electric start. It is also compliant with UK/EU emission standards.
* Bullet Electra-X (500 cc) - Much modified/re-designed lean burn, alloy barreled engine with the new gearbox and many chassis modifications. The Electra-X looks like a modified and improved Bullet.
* Bullet Machismo 350/500
* Mini-Bullet 200
* Fury
* Explorer
* Silver plus
* Mofa a 22 cc shock-absorber less mobike.An updated list of Royal Enfield vehicles available in India: [http://www.infibeam.com/bikes/make/royalenfield.html]

ources

External links

Official Distributor Sites

* [http://www.royalenfield.com Royal Enfield Motors (India)] Indian Manufacturer / Global Exporter

* [http://www.royalenfieldaustralia.com/ Royal Enfield Australia] Australian Importer
* [http://www.zmtgmbh.de/ Royal Enfield Deutschland] German Importer
* [http://www.royalenfield.hu/ Royal Enfield Magyarország] Hungarian Importer
* [http://www.royalenfielditalia.net/ Royal Enfield Italia] Italian Importer
* [http://www.enfield-japan.jp/ Royal Enfield Japan] Japanese Importer
* [http://www.royalenfield.co.nz/ Royal Enfield New Zealand] New Zealand Importer
* [http://www.royalmotorcycles.com/ Royal Enfield Sweden] Swedish Importer
* [http://www.royal-enfield.com/ Royal Enfield Motorcycles (UK)] British Importer
* [http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/ Royal Enfield Motorcycles (USA)] United States Importer
* [http://www.royalenfieldusa.com/ Royal Enfield Online Store] An official Royal Enfield online store

Technical Information

* [http://www.nandanmotors.com Bullet - From Running in to Fix it yourself]
* [http://www.infibeam.com/bikes/make/royalenfield.html Royal Enfield models search and find]
* [http://www.geocities.com/ronniejacob Ronnie's Royal Enfield Bullet, Tips & Techniques]
* [http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/index.php?page=news.php Enfield Engine Diagrams] - click "parts books online" icon
* [http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum Enfield Technical Forum] - Large forum for enthusiasts and owners

Owners Clubs

* Royal Rhinos (Assam Bullet Club)
* [http://www.aussieenfields.com Australian Royal Enfield Enthusiasts forum]
* [http://www.ozemate.com/interceptor Royal Enfield Interceptor Owners Page]
* [http://www.royalenfield.nl Royal Enfield Club of the Netherlands]
* [http://www.flanders-enfields.be Flemish Royal Enfield club]
* [http://www.royalenfield.dk Royal Enfield Club Denmark]
* [http://www.wanderers-hyderabad.net Wanderers]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DaBull Da Bull]
* [http://www.60kph.com 60kph]
* [http://www.inddiethumpers.com Inddiethumpers]
* [http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlustmc Wanderlust MC, Orange City, Nagpur]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/madrasbulls Madras Bulls]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/royalbeasts ROYAL BEASTS]
* [http://roadshakers.com RoadShakers]
* [http://www.rtmc.info Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club] - RTMC
* [http://silver-bullets.org Silver Bullets Motorcycle Club]
* [http://roadsurvivorschd.com Road Survivors Chandigarh]
* [http://www.easternbulls.in EASTERN BULLS - Kolkata, India]
* [http://www.bombaybikers.com Bombay Bikers - Mumbai, India]