36 years ago dad rode his motorbike to India from England. He lived in a small Indian village for 9 months in total. We had decided to try and find the village and re-trace some of his steps and what better way to do it than on Royal Enfield motorbikes.
An Indian company bought the Royal Enfield brand, designs and production equipment from the original English company and set up making the bikes in India in 1955. They are still made here today.
We had arranged to meet our driver from the Golden Triangle, Ram, to show us a place he knew for me to buy one and dad to rent. He didn't show up at the agreed meeting place so we headed back to the travel agent to try and contact him. They also knew a place and began making phone calls. We arranged to see a couple and got in their car. We pulled up in a lay by which was a bit strange because we thought we were going to a garage/showroom. 10 mins later two Enfield bullets turned up. They took me up the road on the back then offered me to ride. I had never ridden a bike bigger than 125cc semi automatic so getting on the Bullet on the busy Delhi roads was a bit daunting. I rode it down the road, stalled it a couple of times then arrived back in the lay by. We went off to think about it over a McDonalds.
We flagged down a tuk tuk and a couple of English speaking Nepalese lads moved over to make space. The driver asked what we wanted and we replied with buy a Royal Enfield. Luckily the English speaking Nepalese were able to translate exactly to the driver what we were after. He took us to a street full of motorbike shops known as Delhi motorbike market. Hundreds of bikes parked up, loads of Enfields and bikes blasting up and down the road. This was more like it. We approached a shop specialising in Enfields and he had two old ones parked out the front with our names written on them. They were such good value that dad bought one and will ship it home as well as an early 60th birthday present. We gave them a good look over and agreed a list of things to do to them. They began work immediately. Mine was older and needed more work, it was given new wheel bearings, new chain and sprockets, new clutch plates, new headset, new brake shoes, new battery and new wheel damper blocks. Basically every wear item on the bike. Dad's was much better to start with but got the same thorough inspection and worn parts replaced where needed.
It took two days to complete the work. We spent most of that in the workshop drinking chi, learning what goes where and checking all the work was completed as agreed. We bought piss pot helmets, glasses, security chain and sorted insurance through the seller. It was an interesting and good two days. The next task was to ride them back to the hotel. We paid the same tuk tuk driver who took us there to show us the way back. We gave ourselves a quick lesson, that one makes you go, that one makes you stop and that one changes gear. We were ready to hit statistically the worst roads in the world in Delhi rush hour! We got to the hotel fine. The bikes are brilliant. 350cc singles, kick start, lots of chrome and almost straight through exhausts. They're not quick compared to modern bikes but they sound brilliant, you can hear the individual firing strokes. After a week of riding we were returning to the shop for a re spray on each bike also included in the purchase price.
We were happy, we had two bikes and were all set for a weeks riding around North India.
Rob
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