Friday, February 7, 2025

A bird? A plane? It's Enfield's Superstar!

1991 Royal Enfield Bullet Superstar.
A rare Royal Enfield Superstar, up for auction.

 Few "special" Royal Enfield models get as many comments on my blog as the Bullet Superstar of the 1980s-1990s. 

There is just something special about finding an otherwise ordinary looking Royal Enfield Bullet with the attractions of a factory special. 

An instrument panel instead of a casquette! Fork gaiters! Shiny headlight bucket! And not much else. 

But there is no denying that, big deal or not, the Superstar was distinctive. 

Unusual instrument panel of Superstar.
Superstar console has no place for ignition key.

So I was surprised when a "1991 Royal Enfield Bullet 500" appeared in Car & Classic for auction in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. 

There was something unusual about it. It gradually dawned on me that I was looking at a Superstar, with its unusual instrument panel.

Car & Classic confirmed my guess that it is the rare model, but added no details.

The paint and bright work appear fresh. The ad includes images of paperwork for powder coating the frame and new tank badges.

So it is obvious that the motorcycle has been restored, perhaps so recently that some photos show the tail light assembly not yet mounted on the rear fender! I can't be sure how much we see is original.

Side view of Royal Enfield Superstar.
Keyhole for ignition switch is on right side tool box, at left in photo. This was common for Bullets of the time, even those with casquettes.

The seller says it was used only for display, being started from time to time, and that the mileage shown is correct. Only 16,667.

The 500cc Superstar was available for at least part of the model's run, according to Roy Bacon's book "Royal Enfield, The Postwar Models" but others, perhaps most, would have been 350cc.

My previous blog items about the Superstar model have brought comments from those who want to find one to buy, and from those familiar with them who add information about the model.

One comment says the superstar was for export from India only, but some of the comments describe Superstars that are in India.

One comment was especially knowledgeable about that odd instrument panel:

"You may note that the instrument cluster of Superstar is same as that of 'Mini Bullet' aka Enfield 200 (200cc two-stroke) produced by Enfield India the late '80s. Not only cluster, but the head lamp assembly, steering triple clamp (top bridge), headlamp mounting bracket, instrument pod bracket etc. are all a direct lift from 200."

Well that's certainly in Royal Enfield's long tradition of mixing and matching parts to create unusual models. The suspicion exists that, at least in the days of production in Britain, models were created to use up supplies of oddball parts.

Whether or not that sort of scrounging is true of the Superstar, there's no denying that the result was a tasteful and attractive motorcycle.

Brochure for Mini Bullet.
Mini Bullet two-stroke provided the instrument panel.

Friday, January 31, 2025

Honor all Royal Enfield long riders

 Many Royal Enfield riders, a surprising number of them women, have used their Royal Enfield motorcycles to attempt and carry out challenging journeys across, and even around, the world.

Some are well known, successful and celebrated. No doubt there are many more riders whose trips are unknown, or who were defeated by circumstances before they met their goals.

Many ventured out on their own. Some few benefitted from factory support. All deserve respect.

Some, yes, more than others. As in all things, there are degrees of accomplishment. Degrees of hardship.

Today's blog post is a bit shorter than most. That's because, having written the item once, I deleted it.

Reading it over I decided I was being unfair. I had criticized a comment (on another blog) in which the comment writer raised a figurative "middle finger of disdain" to adventure motorcyclists who journey with special bikes and back-up crews.

He wrote in praise of adventurers who travel solo, or in pairs, on simple motorcycles, with no back-up but their own resources and courage.

Anything else is just hipster wannabe bullshit, the comment asserted. I'm sure he didn't mean to offend; he's exaggerating for effect. But he presumably wouldn't mind if you are offended.

Not that he would stoop to even include my motorcycling, as an ordinary daily commuter, in his criticism.

He's complaining about adventurers who boast of distances traveled in relative comfort on competent machines with help always at hand. Riders who have done far more that me, certainly.

Fine. But why bother to criticize any motorcyclists, especially those who, after all, do make the trips, however well financed?

"It's possible to appreciate the remarkable accomplishments of some motorcyclists without denigrating the activities of ordinary motorcyclists," I wrote, in my first attempt.

Yeah. But so what?

The comment writer is stoked. Enthusiastic about one thing, he attempts to praise it further by running down anything else.

He's speaking for the scars, the mashed fingers, the battered limbs, the heartbreaks, all worn as badges of honor by those who have attempted it all, and done it, on their own.

Courageous, personally costly experiences are worth boasting about. There ought to be some reward for the price paid.

I can't argue with that.

But disdain? No. Credit where credit is due.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Vintage motorcycles shine in Dania Beach

Ariel Red Hunter at motorcycle show.
I couldn't get over this lovely 1939 Ariel Red Hunter.

The 18th Annual Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show Saturday had plenty of sunshine and gorgeous motorcycles to warm the hearts of showgoers. On to the photos. 

1939 The Vincent-HRD motorcycle.
1939 was a good year for The Vincent-HRD. Shown by Steve Ebbs of Highland Beach, Florida. 
 
1939 Francis-Barnett J45 Cruiser.
Note the legs shields and enclosure of motor and drive train on 1939 Francis-Barnett J45 Cruiser. Intended to keep the young executive's clothes clean on the way to the office. Two-stroke Villiers engine. 

Group of men examine motorcycle.
I couldn't get close enough to find out what was so interesting about this Triumph.

Helmet rests on old Indian motorcycle.
Half helmet rests on patinaed 1937 Indian Chief.

Union jack flies in the wind, upside down.
Union flag marks section for British bikes at the show. Yes, it's upside down. Studies show that most Brits can't tell either.

Child rides on father's shoulders.
Safest place in these crowds is on daddy's shoulders.

1968 Triumph Trident.
1968 Triumph Trident looks a bit boxy, doesn't it?

1968 Triumph Trident.
...indeed, that Trident typeface is very uncool.

Triumph Trident tailpipe.
But the triple-barrel Trident exhaust is awesome.

1942 Royal Enfield WD/CO.
Bruce Gipson's 1942 Royal Enfield WD/CO was the only Royal Enfield I found on show. This was the mount of the famous "DR's" (Dispatch Riders).

BSA Thunderbolt 650 motorcycle.
Very tidy looking 1971 BSA Thunderbolt 650.

BSA has "Made in England" decal.
The 1971 BSA bore a "Made in England" decal.

2024 BSA Gold Star and BSA is back sign.
An example of the coming BSA Gold Star was at the show, too. "What year is it?" one man asked. "2024; it's brand new," was the answer.

Stella Atomic Fireball scooter and sidecar.
A circa 2005 Stella Atomic Fireball scooter and sidecar combination.

Stella Atomic Fireball scooter.
Stella's slogan was "Be the Kid in the Candy Store." The scooter at the show had its parcel shelf filled with candy.

Swedish Monark M400 motorcycle.
Circa 1951 Swedish Monark M400 motorcycle. Notice the neat cantilever rider's seat.

Children enjoy ride on play "motorcycle."
Friends of the Library ride-'em motorcycle was fun.

Winnebago motor home.
Winnebago motor home advertises its inner beauty.

Police officer looks at 1951 Nimbus.
1951 Danish Nimbus draws attention of law enforcement. With shaft drive and telescopic front forks, the Nimbus was popular with police and postal services.

Follow royalenfields on Twitter