Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the brand produced by the Enfield Cycle Company, an English engineering company. Enfield Cycle Company was famous for producing motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers, stationary engines, and rifle parts for the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield.
History
Enfield was called upon in 1914 to supply motorcycles to the British war department for use in World War I. It was also contracted by the Russian government to build motorcycles. The 6hp was used for carrying a machine gun as well as used for a stretcher-carrying. Enfield started using its own engines, a 225cc two-stroke and 425cc four-stroke V-twin about 1915. In 1917, women's police force officers were issued a 600cc, 2.1\4 RE 2 stroke with inlet-over-exhaust closed valve gear, two speed countershaft gearbox and chain final drive, and hand operated oil pump.
Royal Enfield as Indian
When Indian went under in 1953, Royal Enfield acquired the rights to the Indian name under the Brockhouse Corporation. The bikes were painted red and marketed as Indian Motorcycles from 1955 to 1960. The largest Enfield "Indian" was a 700 cc. The "new" Indian was not received well and the venture failed. In 1960, the marketing agreement expired and from 1961 Royal Enfields were available in the U.S. but under their own name until 1970.
In India
In 1955 Enfield of India began assembling Bullet motorcycles under licence from UK components. By 1962 were manufacturing complete motorcycles. Enfield of India, based in Chennai, continued, and bought the rights to the Royal Enfield name in 1995. Royal Enfield production continues today. The original Redditch, Worcestershire - based company dissolved in 1970.
For sale in the U.K.
- 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.
