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26 Sep 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar
The problem with older bikes is that in many cases they are not simpler and easier to fix.
Look at brakes - disc brakes have considerably fewer moving parts than a drum, and if you have a failure then you can replace parts from just about any bike e.g. master cylinders are almost universal, calipers are also interchangeable if you are prepared to fabricate a mount.
Ignition - modern systems don't fail. By comparison, points cause regular difficutlies, never mind weight based ignition advancers.
Wheels - spoke wheels bend their rims and snap spokes. Tubes burst and you have to remove the tyre to fix a flat. Cast wheels are much, much stronger and can run tubeless tyres - fixing a flat is a 2 minute job using an externally fitted mushroom plug.
The list goes on and on. To each his own as far as the type of bike you like to ride, but do understand the implications of your choice.
Relying on local mechanics to be able to repair your vehicle is never a good a thing - often they are the cause of further failures - so you want something that either is unlikely to break, or if it does break, then something you can repair yourself.
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Some good points there Gary ,especially concerning local mechanics.
But one good thing about drum brakes is that they don't have seals that can let you down ,also a primitive repair shop could reline the shoes if necessary .Apart from a cable there is not much else to break .
Points ignition can be replaced with a Boyer type sytem .Modern sytems are more reliable but need a good battery voltage .Older systems can have a capacitor fitted that will ensure the bike starts with a flat battery .
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2 Oct 2010
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Hello Dodger,
Was thinking of having both point system and CDI system. will read up on boyer system too. I discussed with a local mechanic who said thats its possible to have both systems and switch between systems.
Yet to decide on it actually.
Disc brake have good braking properties. In my existing bike i had no problems in the disc brake system. But had no problems with the drum brakes of the rear wheel too. One time had relined the brake shoe in past 7 years..and was easy to do too.
Pare.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger
Some good points there Gary ,especially concerning local mechanics.
But one good thing about drum brakes is that they don't have seals that can let you down ,also a primitive repair shop could reline the shoes if necessary .Apart from a cable there is not much else to break .
Points ignition can be replaced with a Boyer type sytem .Modern sytems are more reliable but need a good battery voltage .Older systems can have a capacitor fitted that will ensure the bike starts with a flat battery .
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2 Oct 2010
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I know that planning this kind of trip is half the fun but I wouldn't get too hung up on trying to plan for very contingency. Just go for it and worry about problems if or when they occur. If you weren't up for a challenge you wouldn't be considering this trip at all especially on a bike which you know will need a lot of on-going maintenance.
Personally I think 200k every day for 100 days is more than I would want to aim for. A days hold up would mean 400k the following day to catch up.
Good luck though and I would have no hesitation on doing the trip on an older Enfield.
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2 Oct 2010
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Hello Harleyrider!
you are right on mark when you said that planing is half the fun 
i think the problems and solutions and people who help to do it is all what makes a trip of a lifetime.
and i am afraid i was thinking, 200km/day was a very conservative estimate. I have ridden dirt tracks in india similar to what i expect to see in africa.
also, i dont expect to cover 200KMs everyday...its he average distance to maintain...so i will know if i can spare some days along the trio\p, say for a climb of Mt.kilimanjaro, or for scuba diving...i dont know...
do you think i should reconsider these distance per day estimates?... I will be riding at 50-60km/hr speed even on good roads...i think on bad roads speed in the not the concern...its patience and endurance...
Pare.
Quote:
Originally Posted by harleyrider
I know that planning this kind of trip is half the fun but I wouldn't get too hung up on trying to plan for very contingency. Just go for it and worry about problems if or when they occur. If you weren't up for a challenge you wouldn't be considering this trip at all especially on a bike which you know will need a lot of on-going maintenance.
Personally I think 200k every day for 100 days is more than I would want to aim for. A days hold up would mean 400k the following day to catch up.
Good luck though and I would have no hesitation on doing the trip on an older Enfield.
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2 Oct 2010
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__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
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12 Oct 2010
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Enfields in Africa
Hi Pare, I'll be leaving Dubai more or less at the same time, I'm riding my Enfield back home (France) but because I have a friend living in south sudan I draw my itinerary like this
Long way home - Google Maps
As of now, I have very little knowledge about mechanic and I don't really know how to acquire it, but I can't see myself leaving this place without my bike, so I'll take my chances
I'm looking for 5-day course intensive mechanic and maintenance training, but I don't know exactly where to get that, especially in dubai... do you know if it's possible in india?
I'll be happy to meet you on the road!
Cheers,
Clem
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14 Nov 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clemclem
Hi Pare, I'll be leaving Dubai more or less at the same time, I'm riding my Enfield back home (France) but because I have a friend living in south sudan I draw my itinerary like this
Long way home - Google Maps
As of now, I have very little knowledge about mechanic and I don't really know how to acquire it, but I can't see myself leaving this place without my bike, so I'll take my chances
I'm looking for 5-day course intensive mechanic and maintenance training, but I don't know exactly where to get that, especially in dubai... do you know if it's possible in india?
I'll be happy to meet you on the road!
Cheers,
Clem |
Hello Clem,
Sorry for the late reply. The maintenance of bullet is simple...its just needs a lot of care and constant monitoring. If you do that none of the problems become complicated in a short time. If you want a indepth guide with also details enough to do day to day maintance, get or buy the Pete Sindal's enfield manual.
I would love to meet you on the road. Only thing is that i my planning is not going as per plan and i am getting worried about my feasibility. I will certainly let you know when i am on road anywhere near by.
Have you made the list of spares you will be taking?
Good luck.
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25 Jan 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clemclem
Hi Pare, I'll be leaving Dubai more or less at the same time, I'm riding my Enfield back home (France) but because I have a friend living in south sudan I draw my itinerary like this
Long way home - Google Maps
As of now, I have very little knowledge about mechanic and I don't really know how to acquire it, but I can't see myself leaving this place without my bike, so I'll take my chances
I'm looking for 5-day course intensive mechanic and maintenance training, but I don't know exactly where to get that, especially in dubai... do you know if it's possible in india?
I'll be happy to meet you on the road!
Cheers,
Clem |
Hello Clemclem,
How is your planning coming along? I am keeping my fingers crossed on the situation in sudan. Hope it turns out good and peaceful both for us and the people of sudan.
pare.
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14 Nov 2010
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Last September I did a trip through eastern Europe on my Enfield.
I had two problems, neither of which was I equipped to fix.
The first was the front brake (disk) would lock on when I used it. would ease off after couple hundred metres of riding. was ok cold, but when hot would lock on.
The second was that by the time I got to Poland my big end had started to rattle. It got me back across Germany , Holland and as far as Antwerp in Belgium where I left the bike with a friend. It might have got me home, it might not. But it was safe in my friends garage and trains from Antwerp to home are easy. I went back two weeks later and picked it up with my car and trailer.
It has been my experience that tubeless tyres run on aluminium rims are less reliable than tubed on spoked wheels.
disk brakes do seize from time to time. Often they can be fixed with a repair kit and a bleed, but drums are easier to fix.
I have learn the hard way, always replace a tube when you replace a worn tyre, Modern rubber does not seem to last very long before degrading.
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16 Nov 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw
Last September I did a trip through eastern Europe on my Enfield.
I had two problems, neither of which was I equipped to fix.
The first was the front brake (disk) would lock on when I used it. would ease off after couple hundred metres of riding. was ok cold, but when hot would lock on.
The second was that by the time I got to Poland my big end had started to rattle. It got me back across Germany , Holland and as far as Antwerp in Belgium where I left the bike with a friend. It might have got me home, it might not. But it was safe in my friends garage and trains from Antwerp to home are easy. I went back two weeks later and picked it up with my car and trailer.
It has been my experience that tubeless tyres run on aluminium rims are less reliable than tubed on spoked wheels.
disk brakes do seize from time to time. Often they can be fixed with a repair kit and a bleed, but drums are easier to fix.
I have learn the hard way, always replace a tube when you replace a worn tyre, Modern rubber does not seem to last very long before degrading.
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Thanks for sharing the experience on brake. i was thinking for a while whether to go for disk brake or stick to good old drum brakes. Since i am planning on buying an old bike, it will be having a drum brake.
braking and antifad properties of disk are supposed to be better than drum brake. But i think, drum brakes will suffice. let me know your thoughts.
Pare.
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16 Nov 2010
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In North Italy at traffic lights the car in front of me pulled away and stopped suddenly.
I actually locked the front wheel and even loaded with gear the back end lifted a bit. The sudden stopping was such a shock it made me think I had hit the car but my front wheel was six inches ( 150mm in new money) away from the car. the forks literally bent back and sprung back out. The Enfield front brake is the best I have ever experienced on a bike. The sticking will be due to corrosion of either the piston or case. Repairable, but not on the road for me.
So Yes "modern" disk brakes are better than 50 year old drum brakes.
However due to there being much less grip with rear brake, a drum there will provide all the braking your tyre can cope with. A definite plus on the front though. If you upgrade an old bullet to the newer disk front brake, be sure also to use the newer Electra front fork tubes and stanchions. Th eold forks are not strong enough. That should tell you something.
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20 Dec 2010
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I've found a Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc - its a 1998 model from India - Going cheap(ish) and I'm rather tempted to get it although been hearing that the Indian made bikes can be a bit iffy ..... but still very tempted - it'd be my first bike though and a little worried that it could be a complete ball ache, but looking at getting a bike maintenance course through the ILA so at least I know what I'm doing
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20 Dec 2010
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Where is Dave Ede when ya need him?
He owns a couple of Enfields, albeit Diesel ones....you could probably run faster but he seems to like em! 
He will be along in a minute or two.... much like his 0-60 time on an Enfield Diesel...... 
Hi Dave! 
M
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20 Dec 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Officialslacker
I've found a Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc - its a 1998 model from India - Going cheap(ish) and I'm rather tempted to get it although been hearing that the Indian made bikes can be a bit iffy ..... but still very tempted - it'd be my first bike though and a little worried that it could be a complete ball ache, but looking at getting a bike maintenance course through the ILA so at least I know what I'm doing
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in edinburgh it would probably be a ball ache for the first little while, but you'd learn lots and make it reliable. Hitchcock's would be on speed dial for you. to be honest, get the manual (it's way better than any modern bikes manual, it has humour!) and ask. a bike maintenance course would probably not cover Enfield's faults (mainly wiring/earthing), though would be generally useful. especially if they cover electrics. did I mention electrics ?
if you need a hand just ask. my enfield was mechanically reliable for 16,000 km over west africa. it only needed a new clutch cable, chain and sprockets.
(sorry to hijack-ish the thread: we're doing an Ausin Vince night in Edinburgh on 24th Feb. Matt's coming, and he's an Edinburgh Enfield Expert, I'm sure he'd pass on his knowledge)
Last edited by DougieB; 20 Dec 2010 at 21:53.
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20 Dec 2010
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Apart from Hitchcocks becoming your 2nd best friend I also found this manual and parts list extremely useful.
THE PETE SNIDAL ENFIELD BULLET MANUAL
2007 UK DELUXE EDITION
I can't remember where it came from. I think it was recommended on one of the Enfield forums. It may have been a download or it may have been a CD in the post. There are plenty of references to it on Google.
It covers the UK models as well as the Indian ones.
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