Enfield Bullet Vs Machismo

**Donal** · #1 18 Jul 2003

I hope to travel to India to buy a Royal Enfield for importation back to Europe.I like Bullets and would probably go for a 500 for the extra power, but I also like the look of the Machismo which is a 350 - a more modern bike with equal appeal.

Can anybody give me advice on this matter?
I have heard that the Bullet 350 is underpowered for european driving so that is my main concern - if the Machismo would be a poor choice.
ALso - is it possible to get registration documents(on a bike for export) -'altered' for a small fee in order to qualify for classic insurance at home?
Cheers
Donal, Dublin <IRL>

**frnas** · #2 23 Jul 2003

Hello

Search for Lalli Singh, Inder motors he can provide you with the option for bikes (Higly recomended).

Building a 500cc to look as an 350 is possible, and in India everything is cheap.

I have myself an 350 machismo, but would choose the 500 for the extra power and higher cruising speed.
But I think none of the bikes is really up for european driving, unless you stick to slow roads, and town riding. The quality of the material is not up for the extra stress continius high speed riding provide. (Top end problems)

Why not by an old one, fully restored? the cost is only sligtly higher than for a brand new, and then you can customice it as you want. Mr. singh need approx a month for full restoration.

http://www.lallisingh.com/

Frode

[This message has been edited by frnas (edited 23 July 2003).]

**Donal** · #3 23 Jul 2003

Thanks you for your reply –
I was thinking of the 500 for extra power, but I guess you are right – it would be worth customising it in India to look like a Machismo. Its just that it looks so much better than a 500. I really like the one that this French guy used to get from Bombay to Paris(http://membres.lycos.fr/enfieldtrip/ ) I have heard of a modification that can be done to the 500 engine to slightly increase power output – do you know what this is?

Also – on www. Royalenfield.com – they advertise an export model of the Machismo which has aluminium fittings – would these be worth the extra cost?

**frnas** · #4 24 Jul 2003

Hello

When i bought a enfield it was apparently not possible to get hold on an export model, in India. I did some customising, shorte exhaust, singel leader seat, hard panniers, diffrent rear mudgard (standard on all modells now i see). Mods that cost wery little.

In England Hitchcock? motorcycle do some performance parts.

Frode

**Donal** · #5 29 Jul 2003

Thanks for all the info Frode -
Has anyone dealt with Madaan Motors or Inder Motors in Karol Bagh. I was in Delhi in 2000 and I saw these dealers, but no other Enfield Dealers.
Lalli Singh has a much better reputation I think.
If I was to get a custom machismo looking 500 built on a 30 year old frame(to get low import duty,tax and insurance) do you think it would work out ok? - I guess I am a bit worried that the frame would disintegrate after a while!
Cheers
Donal

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**Grant Johnson** · #6 30 Jul 2003

Just an idea...

why not buy a new bike, and an old frame. Get them to swap all the bits, perhaps including a few less than perfect painted bits, ship the new stuff home as spare parts, and the bike as a 30 year old restored old bike?

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Donal** · #7 11 Aug 2003

Thanks - that sounds like a good idea. But if I were to swap the new frame for the old one on my return home, would that be problematic or could I just get it stamped with the numbers from the old frame?

Also - are there test for weakness/hairline cracks etc that one can do on a motorcycle frame, in India?

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**Boxer** · #8 12 Aug 2003

Try this site for information.Regards.

http://www.cybersteering.com/cruise/...et/bullet.html

**Grant Johnson** · #9 12 Aug 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Donal:
Thanks - that sounds like a good idea. But if I were to swap the new frame for the old one on my return home, would that be problematic or could I just get it stamped with the numbers from the old frame?

No problem - same as what happens when you have an accident and need to replace the frame. The new frame numbers are incorporated.

Quote:

Also - are there test for weakness/hairline cracks etc that one can do on a motorcycle frame, in India?

uh, that would be a no!

So long as no visible cracks it should get you home.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com