Gettin' More Outa Ya Bullet: Most Of The Bits Hangin' On There

Mission Statement

This blog has been set up as a record of my attempt to build a cool Bobber style bike out of the Royal Enfield Bullet. With the cost of genuine early British and American bikes and parts spiralling upwards in the face of the current global economic climate, building a retro style custom is rapidly becoming cost prohibitive. Initially, there will be a period of accruing parts and information as the bike I intend to re-create is my daily rider.

I have heard so many horror stories about the Indian made Bullet from people who's mate used to have one, that I have lost count. All I can say is that I have covered over 20,000 miles on mine in the last three and a half years, and feel happy that it is quite capable of doing another 20.

So if you like the idea or just curious, you are welcome to come along for the ride.

Saturday, 27 November 2010

Most Of The Bits Hangin' On There

Toddy beat the seat base out of a bit of sheet metal and sent it down in the week, the man is certainly gifted as shown by his work on the Ironworks site. Trying to find something "off the shelf" had proved nigh on impossible, as everything seems to be Harley biased and far too long. The Biltwell seats are certainly lovely looking things, but at 13 1/2" long almost require pillion pegs. This base is, to my eye, proportionally correct for what's trying to be achieved here.

Ignoring the grease can "spring" and the pissed rear muddy, this is pretty much what the finished view will be from the back. The motor should be plainly visible out of the sides and definitely be a presence in the set up.

Here's the headlight mounted onto the steering stop plate extension, there will be a round spacer between the light and the plate to push it up a little. I'm a little undecided at the moment, the light looks almost too small in relation to the rest of the bike. Maybe by the time the cables and stuff are on there filling the gap behind it will look better.

Well this is pretty much how it's gonna look when it's all done,not really much more to get now. The wheels need to be built, that's the next step I guess, then the rear muddy can be finalised and fixed as can the front one. Once the rear guard is fixed, the seat can be mounted and the special custom grease tin can be sidelined. The tank position is about set, it's sitting on a piece of insulating foam that I got from, strangely enough Pipelagging.co.uk and it fits a treat, with an inch wall thickness it should keep them nasty vibes from wrecking the tank. Still pondering over the exhaust style, hi-level or swept back, probably best to wait 'til the motor's back before making that decision.