Old or new, Enfield owners like challenges

Peter E. Raymond of Brooklyn, N.Y., wanted a new Royal Enfield Bullet, but decided not to wait for the newest model. That's just the way he is.

"I just couldn't wait any longer, I just put a deposit on my new bike last week," he writes.

"I bought the old engine because I like the sound and tweakability." That, too, is just the way he is.

Like so many people drawn to Royal Enfield motorcycles, Raymond works in a complex and sophisticated field. His on-line bio: "CEO and Creative Director of Human Condition an innovation firm. We are a company that designs and develops innovative solutions for challenges of our modern world. Our expertise in media, design, emerging technologies and human factors uniquely qualifies us to develop truly innovative concepts, products and experiences that solve modern business challenges. Immersive multi-sensory simulations and experiences for the commercial, health care, military, educational and entertainment industries to products and process for NGOs and emerging fields. Human Condition maintains an advanced R&D Lab that developsour own emerging technologies."

And, yet, he made this comment on my post about the appeal of the Royal Enfield:

"I agree lack of perfection makes the journey more interesting. I had an '86 Alfa Romeo GTV6 which was a ball to drive and work on but left me in a few predicaments.

"One time going north on the Westside Highway heading north out of Manhattan the accelerator linkage decided to take a vacation. I thought the engine had stalled at first but the tach was still at about 800 rpm. I had my little sis in the car and we were heading uphill up to the elevated section of the highway near 57st in heavy traffic. I quickly pulled over to an inch of the mirror on the right and popped the hood to take a look. After about 15 seconds I found the linkage problem and had to ask my sister for a barrette that I quickly fashioned in to a lever and C-clip. In under two minutes I was back in the car and we were rocketing up to 90 mph again. Pure bliss.

"Another time I was at almost the same place heading south into the city and lost the engine; this time the distributor cap cracked. Super glue got me home.

"And yet again lost the headlights on a long night drive. Ate up two fuses fiddling with it and found a short because of missing insulation. Fixed that with a piece of chewing gum and used the foil wrapper for the fuse. Good stuff. I learned that 95 per cent of things could be fixed with a rock, screwdriver, duct tape, zip tie, gum and a Gerber.

"This is exactly why I want to pick up a Bullet, lots of character, lots of bugs and is a rolling engineering challenge."

And, about his pretty new motorcycle:

"Can't wait to take delivery. Now just need to see how I can keep cars from parking by feel into it (I'm in NYC and Brooklyn)."

"Leon at Cycle Icons was great.

"A few little changes and we will be really set up. Beehive and bullet lights for tail and pedestrian slicer up front.

"I can barely wait for delivery. She is one pretty bike. $5k was a great deal for new with both classic pipes and single seat.

"I'll send some pics from NYC when I get her on the road for your blog."

And he ended his latest email: "Thumbed from my mobile."