Gettin' More Outa Ya Bullet: Springing Banjos

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.

Thursday, 9 June 2011

Springing Banjos

When I first started messing about with the seat base I was stuck for springs. The frame is set up for vertical eyes and the only springs that were about at the time were the more conventional parallel horizontal eye type. As a get by measure, two old pneumatic type banjos were used to roughly adapt what was available, you know how it is when you're gagging to fit something on. It was never intended that they stay on there, and two new springs were to be ordered from Alberta Springs with the bottom eyes formed in the vertical plane. The longer it sat around in this "knocked up" stylee, the more it grew on me, so the threaded ends have now been heli-coiled and the spring bases bolted down properly, probably still get some new stainless springs made, but now in the more usual format and the banjos are staying.