India-UK
 

Hi,

My girfriend and I are in the early planning stage (ie we've just thought of it) of a trip from India to the UK. We want to fly out to Pondicherry, stay there with a friend for a while before buying a couple of Enfields and riding them home.

We're thinking of the Enfield Bullet Electra 5S models. We're told they're far more reliable than the old ones. Anyone put one of these through the UK SVA test?

The route we're thinking of is India-Pakistan-Iran-Turkey-Bulgaria-Serbia etc. Anyone done the I-P-I bit? Is the India-Pakistan border open all the time?

Thanks for your help!

Rich

Enfields
 

The Electra is available in the UK and parts of Europe (Germany for certain).
On that basis, I sure the UK importer could help you or sell you any bits you might need for the SVA.

I will be doing the P-I - I-P-I bit in August/Sept. Will let you know after. I "think" you can only cross at Wagah but others will probably prove me wrong:laugh:

John

It could be tricky as you will get no help at all trying to get tuv conformity paper work. The bike you want is the lean burn engine model. I think you will find the electra 5S is a europe/usa for export only model.
It will be -much- easier importing an old ( pre 1970 bike). You could get them completely refurbished. A good touring option is the longer stroke crankshaft ( order the heavy weight crank) using a nicasil barrel. this will give 575cc set the compression low say 6 6.5 until you back in europe. ( just a matter of shims) At the same time have the heavy duty main bearing upgrade fitted as well as the new heavy duty oil pump. shake it down in India before riding back. If you are really flush, have them install a 5 speed gearbox ( specify RH shift.)
These bikes have more options than harleys :) Or, have a new lean burn engine fitted (and recorded) into the old bike. Take your time and think what you want to end up with.

I will be doing the P-I - I-P-I bit in August/Sept. Will let you know after. I "think" you can only cross at Wagah but others will probably prove me wrong:laugh:


There's an overlanding company who are running UK-Australia-UK bus trips, starting this year. Their route map shows them going through Iran, Pakistan and India so I'm assuming it's possible to cross the borders in a vehicle.

Another idea, should the Enfield thing get a bit complicated (we want to be able to use the bikes in the UK, assuming we make it back!) is to drive to India in my old Peugeot 205. I drove it to Azerbaijan a couple of years ago and taking it to India to end its days seems fitting.

[QUOTE=oldbmw;135973]It could be tricky as you will get no help at all trying to get tuv conformity paper work. The bike you want is the lean burn engine model. I think you will find the electra 5S is a europe/usa for export only model.



The Electra is listed on Enfield's Indian-market website so I'm guessing it's available over there?

Are pre-1970 bikes easier to register in the UK?

Cheers

Rich,

You have some paperwork issues on that plan: carnets and visas.

You should have a look around the site on the question of carnets for Indian registered bikes.

If you are a UK national then visas for Iran present some problems. Again, have a look around the site for discussions.

The borders on the route you suggest are all open and often frequented by overlanders. It is a fine route and a plan well worth pursuing, but the vehicle you are looking at will give you quite a few challenges, bureaucratic and mechanical.

Keep your options open I would, but yes, the route is a good one.

Simon