Royal Enfield Bullet and experiences

Bird Sanctuary ride - Sultanpur New Delhi

2011-11-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

- - - - - Delhi Bikers Breakfast ride was held on 17 September 2011. This ride is different with individuals or members of different biker groups coming together for a short ride to support motorbiking! .The crux - A short ride away from the city with breakfast! Opportunity to meet new folks and expand your horizon, enrich your lives, see creatively modified motorbikes and have a nice time - not forgetting a delicious breakfast ! - - - -

- - Complete set of pics here - http://www.planetbt.com/royalenfield/rides/sep2011/sultanpur.htm

Artistic Royal Enfield stuff

2011-09-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Royal Enfield motorbike campaign to attract the young has produced a very good sketch as below. It can be used as wallpaper on your tablets,mobiles or the good ol laptop! Enjoy Royal Enfield !

Indian romance with the Royal Enfield Bullet

2011-09-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Most in India who have grown up watching hindi movies will definitely remember the hero on a motorbike ... it had to be a Royal Enfield Bullet. Of course, I personally can't imagine Amitabh bachan riding a 150cc fat fati Rajdoot which used to always seem like gasping for dear breath! Now thats something thats real undigestable. The hero on an Enfield Bullet reflects sheer power through its classic iconic status.

Notably starting from the 1975 movie Sholay featuring Amitabh and Dharmendra on the Bullet , now 36 long years down the line even if we just look at 2011 movies, we can see the Enfield featured prominently. Infact over 5 movies have the hero or heroine using the Enfield ! Why..doesnt the Harley and other superbikes have charm ? India still loves the Royal Enfield Bullet and it has a special appeal!

Full feature with pictures on "Planet Bike and Travel" here -
http://www.planetbt.com/royalenfield/romance/indianromance.htm

Katrina Kaif riding the Royal Enfield :)

2011-07-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

Katrina Kaif takes to riding the Royal Enfield in the new hindi movie "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara". The movies great fun to watch with beatiful Spain's scenic views. (Farhan Akhtar/Hrithik Roshan/Abhay Deol...etc three pals get together for bachelors outing aka Hangover style..but a totally different movie!Must see.

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Aha here Katrina on the Royal Enfield 500cc!
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Cheers!

BT

RUST in peace?

2011-04-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

There is normally a great amount of heart (read emotion,affection) involved in choosing to buy a motorbike. I bought my Royal Enfield without riding or test riding a bullet even way back in 2002 despite hearing the usual scepticism and anti-thoughts of the Bullet. I took to it like fish to water. Probably you just know some things are right for you...

:)

Maintaining a bike is painstaking... and not easy as it appears. It does not matter even if you have a couple of servants to clean the bike. The 'U' factor is esential. How to maintain the bike is beyond scope of this article and rather how NOT to maintain is more that matters in this platinum page !

Some Dont do's. -

1. Dont leave the bike in the open - exposed to weather elements. A decent bike cover will cost only Rs. 200 (or 3 pounds or 4 dollars in India... ).

Alternatively imagine the cost for removing the rust and corroded metal and all the yuck! If you dont care about the bike better sell it for what you can get now than selling it as scrap later... U probably can get a few dollars more. "Penny wise, Bike foolish" - BT.copyRiGHT.

2.Don't leave the bike as is- If u are going away for a long time somewhere, sometime. Theres normally a procedure to follow in all bike service manuals so that vital parts stay fit n fine. Like you need to oil and service some parts before packing the bike safely away.Or disconnecting the battery. Even if u got a garage..dont leave it in the open.

3. Animals too luv ur bike... Cats n dogs like to sit on the seats of ur bike - covered or no cover. Beware, along with "sitting" they may do a nasty thing (like read the quote words by adding 'h' as the second alphabet to "sitting" ! Get it ? :)

4.Dont insult ur bike - give respect and u will definitely get respect.That doesnt mean motorbikes will never break down. Normally they won't. But then some electronic parts may not agree with the motorbike's heart all the time :)

Weak and soft hearted readers please exercise caution for below picture set. Strange way to maintain a bike cruelly found in pics sent by one of the readers... I wonder whats the intention of letting this classic Royal Enfield Bullet motorbike rust away.

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- "RUST in peace ? :-|
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Im lost for answers and full of wild guesses.On one end I did come across news in north india about some youth stealing Royal Enfield bikes for sheer joy of riding them alone and at the other end these scenes...and there are others who are still saving up to buy an enfield at least a good used one - but what kind of memories can be kept alive by letting a bike "RUST in peace" ? DON'T Do.

Guesses welcome.

Ride on and take care - both u and the bike!
Have a nice weekend!

BT
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Rust in Peace is also title of a studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth released in 1990.

Royal Enfield in Classic Superbikes

2011-03-20T03:09:00.000-07:00

Honestly coming to the point, a major motivation for buying the "Classic Superbikes from Around the World" book by Mac McDiarmid is because it featured a Royal Enfield motorbike (which to me is irresistible as you may be knowing). This book has a selection of superbikes in a period of 25 years (1950-1975) which spanned major technological changes in motorcycle industry! A good read for the motorbike enthusiast.

What amazes me is the availability of so many huge cc bikes 1000cc, 750cc in the yesteryears and the lot though these days you don’t find enough manufacturers adventurous enough to compete manufacturing a 1000cc!

The Royal Enfield Constellation

Specifications:
Engine: air cooled 692cc OHV vertical twin
Horsepower: 51 bhp@6250 rpm
Transmission: 4 speed
Frame:Tubular steel cradle,single front downtube
Top speed:112 mph (180.246 km/hr)

- "Where Triumphs tended to do it on revs, the 'Conny' (Constellation) offered sheer punch"

- "The big Enfields enjoyed dynamically balanced cranks and prodigous torque"
Constellation production continued until 1962 and then the 736cc Interceptor was introduced.Neither bike was conspicously successful and sold its last bikes in 1968.A stranded shipment of engines were later used in the Rickman Interceptor. However the successful Enfield 350 and 500s still continues to be produced in India :)

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Another one of the interesting bikes featured in the book is Benelli's 750 SEI, the first production motorcycle to boast six cylinders!

Engine: air cooled 748cc SOHC
Horsepower: 71 bhp@8500rpm
Transmission: 5 speed
Frame:tubular twin cradle
Top speed: 114 mph (183.465 km/hr)

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This bikes performance was disappointing due to very high pumping losses.
This 100 odd page book is a good read for the enthusiast. It also features the Yamaha RD 350 and BSA Goldstar too!

I do plan to add a section to this blog explaining some terms like- 4 stroke twins,vee config,water cooling,fuel injection,camshaft,crankshaft,camshaft etc.

Have a nice week!
BT

Tea OR Biscuits

2011-03-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

Would you have tea OR biscuits? That kind of offer would startle my mind for a second! I’m sure that statement from anyone would sound strange. Normally I would consider or offer Tea AND biscuits!

I had this quizzical effect when watching a program on TV. One of the automobile program TV hosts set out to compare a Royal Enfield motorbike with Harley Davidson bikes! What did he want to compare in the two bikes- cc? Torque? Style?, riding comfort ? I know Tea and Biscuits both are edible but comparison... is indigestible. Sorry mate.

I do agree that both motorbikes have a history of being used in the last two world wars as well as retaining their conservative designs in the new models too. But the buck stops there! The bikes are in a class of their own!

Things people do to fill up TV program time slots! Please don’t ask me more on this...you know the indigestion of Tea OR Biscuits has to wear off!

:D

BT

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Image source:Morning Tea By PSD
Under Creative commons license (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45581782@N00/3941959602/)

Amazing Enfield Bullet Stunts!

2011-01-29T00:35:00.000-08:00

There have been so many stunts being performed on the Royal Enfield motorbikes in India.Simply awesome... I don't think Harley can stand up to all that ... ignore the japz for this exercise too :) . Indian Army team "Tornadoes" are a popular lot when it it comes to Stunts ... They are regular on Independance day(15th August) and Royal Enfield is the first and the BEST choice >>> check the lot !

Bow n arrow formation !

Below 54 guys on one Royal Enfield !

Thats a long jump.They some times jump over folks lying down too ! Ahem.. i prefer to be on the bike though :)

Water splash! If u havent had a bath or cleaned ur bike- Voila..golden opportunity! but do hold on to the bike. It will pass..what about you ?

And other amazing formations... see no aeroplane needed

Above is just the stunt dimension of the Royal Enfield. And you might have heard of Jacqui Furneaux world tour of 20 countries on the Enfield !

Should we say awesome? superb? amazing? or..... Just ENFIELD !

Tyre me please.....

2011-01-02T06:35:00.000-08:00

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I changed my Bullet front tyre from the factory fitted original one after 8+ years:D

Gone are the days of manual twisting to get the soul( i mean tube) of the tyre out. There's this wonder apparatus which one can smoothly get the tyre out of the wheel rim . Its powered by a smooth motor! Hmmm. the west makes things easy or lazy for us!One just has to push the accelerator like pedals to get it rotating and the tyre is out :D

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For the Royal Enfield Bullet standard and electra wheel air - its 20 in the front and 30 in the rear wheel. The local tyrewallahs.. will try to push u for 30:40 !!!
Beware :)

Cheers!

BT

Royal Enfield Robot or Art ?

2010-12-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

WOW !
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I was at the Royal Enfield service station for a minor issue on my Bullet and was fascinated to see this amazing piece of art .. Robot Royal Enfield! I do not know if it is distributed by royal enfield to all showrooms!

If you observe closely, you can see its made of ... if i got it right - The Headlight with its small beady eyes + front forks + fuel tank + side boxes +exhausts + chain spock !

Correct me if im wrong!

Indeed the Enfield amazingly never ceases to amaze !

Cheers!

BT
pic taken by BT on LG Viewty

The Motorcycle God

2010-10-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Motorcycles have a grand following. Harley has its great worldwide fans.But seriously...not fan enough to have a shrine ! Well - On the Jodhpur highway, a few km from Pali there is - A shrine to the Bullet Baba!People offer prayers to the bike and its late owner Om Singh.
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Details can be had in the following links below.

http://sify.com/news/rev-up-those-prayers-at-bullet-baba-s-shrine-feature-news-national-kjikEcjgcba.html

Art and Royal Enfield milkman bike

2010-10-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Creation of Art is many times influenced by things around. Subodh Gupta , a renowned New Delhi based artist has made a art form of the Bullet in chrome n brass.He has rightly identified the iconic status of the Royal Enfield in India and turned it into a class art work.

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A Bullet is for ever- Lets hope we get to see more art on the Royal Enfield Bullet!

BT

Enfield view of the road

2010-10-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

Motorbiking has not been too much regular these days ... some other things take priority! Some snaps from the weekend ride.I tried to get some sunshine on chrome.

Personification of an enfield. Imagine the enfield bike on the road- > What it sees on an Indian road -
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As thumping increases ... Oho a bus on the road..must overtake - here we go touching speedo 30 ! Oops a dog crosses the road - Brakes !Touch 0. ( Thought: Dog marathon on da road?)

Proceed...aha finally nearing 35 speedo- flying family wth kids crossing the road. Brakes again.Touch 0. (Thought:Can't ya stay@home)

Proceed ..speedo 10. Jam jam here comes tha man - Da policeman halting a jap crap rider for breaking the rulez.Touch 0.(Thought:Y not some other place. some other time)

Proceed. Speedo touching 40 ..yay ! Brakes. Stupid people crossing the road.||||| No zeBRA crossing... Brakes. Touch 0.(Thought:Do u guys need a bra !)

Proceed. Sluggish trafic. 20-30 speedo. 1st gear-2nd gear. Speed up again touch 40 -Brakkkkessss! - WoW - a CoW on the road* ! Brakes.Touch 0.(Thought:Holy cow!)

Im sure these are minor roadblocks on a city road in India. Exciting ? Whatever *&^%#.

Meanwhile - an Enfield on a road in england thinks

Proceed..speedo 60-70-80-90 -and on .... (Thought:WTF... when will ya stop - when the fuel is over or the piston ceases!) Whatever *&^%#.
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Nice weekend !
BT

*(Interesting comic -18+)
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Fly You Fools - Indian Comics about Life.

Ingenious contraption- Enfield it ?

2010-09-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

Ingenuity is inborn in human beings to solve problems. Imagine you have to carry a lot of things to another place regularly. You can't afford a small pick up truck or auto!

What would happen if you cross a -> yamaha motorbike front wheel+fork with a bajaj scooter headlight/speedo console and tractor clutch plus a bajaj scooter engine and a simple cycle cart and cycle frame ?

Voila!
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--- You can see the small scooter engine underneath.

I'm sure you might have seen this in and around Delhi region! Legal aspect and certification ? ~Dayyumm it!

Admire the genious who made it and the daring who ride it ! I personally feel that this would be better with a Royal enfield engine - adding a thump to this contraption !

Cheers,
Have a nice week !

BT

--------------------------// Blogs of Note //

Washing your motorbike, the easy way -
Visit to a Royal Enfield garage in Berkeley/(Bristol,UK )-
Riding an enfield in land of Enfield
Ten commandments of the Royal Enfield Bullet

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Link to PlanetBT motorbike stuff

Nice T shirt - familiar engine :)

2010-08-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know much on John Abraham (Indian film actor) and motorbiking but yes he did get a Royal Enfield based Custom Board Track Racer (modified enfield bike).

I was surprised to see a T shirt for sale branded by him saying... Love is when 2 hearts beat as 1 ! With a royal enfield engine as a background! I do hope Royal Enfield is mentioned somewhere !
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Cheers,

BT

Friends when leaving feedback,please mention ur mail id because many do not have complete blogger profiles and I can't say thanks!

Cheers again !

--------------------------// Blogs of Note //

Washing your motorbike, the easy way

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Visit to a Royal Enfield garage in Berkeley/(Bristol,UK )
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Riding an enfield in land of Enfield

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Ten commandments of the Royal Enfield Bullet

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Link to PlanetBT motorbike stuff

You know u're a BULLETEER when.....

2010-08-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

After You know u r a biker ... i thought if this , then

You know u're a BULLETEER when.....

- You can easily move heavy stuff around !
- You try to find the thump in any song
- You enjoy the ride more than the distance
- You prefer metal over plastic
- Your right shoe may have the gear shifting marks
- You knew the day u were born that - EVERYBODY makes way for the BULLET !

- You count riding the Enfield as one of Life's Greatest Experiences!
- You feel Power is more superior than speed
- You love that BulletEER rhymes with BEER
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any more pls shoot ... to add it here :)

Cheers,

BT

--------------------------// Blogs of Note //

Washing your motorbike, the easy way

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Visit to a Royal Enfield garage in Berkeley/(Bristol,UK )
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Riding an enfield in land of Enfield

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Ten commandments of the Royal Enfield Bullet

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Link to PlanetBT motorbike stuff

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A BIKER WHEN...

2010-07-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A BIKER WHEN...

- You ever bought saddlebags so you can carry more beer.

- You have motorcycle parts in the dishwasher.

- You're only sunburned on the back of your hands.

- Your kids learn to ride on the back of your bike before they can walk.

- You throw a party and more bikes show up than cars

- All your ashtrays are pistons from your last engine rebuild
Any one of your bikes is worth more than your car.

- You choose an apartment solely on the basis of whether or not it is flat enough to ride into and how close the good roads/trails are.

- Your bike trailor is worth more than your car.

- The first thing you ask when you regain consciousness is "How's my bike".

- You actually move farther form work so your bike commute will be longer.

- You dream of winning the lottery, and the first thing you think of is "how many/which bikes can that money buy?"

- You can tell your significant other with a straight face that its too hot to mow the lawn then take off and ride for three hours.

- You pull up hard on the steering wheel trying to jump your car over a speed bump.

- You know the distance of every point of interest within 100 miles of your house as well as the location of every pot-hole along the way.

- You refuse to buy a couch because that patch of wall space is taken up by your bike when it needs repairs.

.... Anymore .. do send !

Cheers,

BT

Enfield everywhere !

2010-07-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have a natural tendency to find enfield bullets and all things Enfield ! I did spot an enfield again on a road trip to Nainital - Not to mention the ones found in UK,desert Dubai, Rohtang pass Himalayas,Mussorie hilltops :)

Some links so Enfield , you'll love it.

1. Ms.Winifred Wells : 5500 Miles solo on a Royal Enfield

2. Karin Eibenberger and her iceland ride on the Enfield

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Cheers d Beers !

BT

Winter freeze Enfield rideout

2010-01-24T13:46:00.000-08:00

The freezing winter does not stop Royal Enfield enthusiasts to ride out. I had gone out to meet Henry Price in Berkeley all the way from Bristol.Henry Price does maintenance work of Royal Enfields and his garage speaks of the passion! He does visit India often.Jacqui wanted to get her bike checked up as she's heading out to Spain on her Enfield !Tim who writes for classic bike magazine was there too.

Henry converts Royal Enfields to diesel engines amongst other stuff. His garage below.Excuse the quality of snaps please!

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Below Henry's Lightning 535 with which he tours Europe! Henry says this bike was not much successful since the piston was too tight. He increased the bore size to resolve the problem!

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He is changing the 535 engine with a 700cc Enfield engine ! That's real power!
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All Enfield smiles - Tim,Henry and Jacqui!

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Henry has got a lot of Enfield used stuff in this big box ! If you want something you could try to find it here before going to get a new one!

Voila used pistons - a 500cc one !

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Henry shows us some tyres below.If you want a tyre with good road grip then its likely to wear off faster than one which is harder with lesser grip :) Make your choice!

Diesel enfields!Thumps like a tractor ..... real loud!(BT/Tim)

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Tim with his classic bike below

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Henry's house in the countryside below! The roads are beautiful to ride on an Enfield out here!More details on Henry at his website (http://pricepartmotorcycles.co.uk/).

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The price of Enfields in UK is way high about £4000 (300000 rupees)!I guess that solves the mystery as to why sales are probably low whereas in India the same would cost around £1500(100,000 rupees)! Still u got to Enfield it :)

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Have a nice week!
Cheers

BT
(Tharikh)

Riding an Enfield in Land of Enfield (UK)

2009-11-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

I'm passionate about the Royal Enfield and I naturally try to find an Enfield wherever I go. Maybe turn around on hearing a thump of a Bullet or seeing a classic motorbike which might just be a modified Bullet.Or click the snap of a zooming Royal Enfield Bullet. I didn't expect to see a Bullet in the Middle East desert, but I searched and did fine one in Abu Dhabi (link below).

I did expect to find a Enfield Bullet in UK, but was disappointed to see that there was not much on the streets of Bristol! I did snap a Bullet in Isle of Wight ..... and that was a moment of joy to see it thump away.

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Well you might have heard 'Seek and ye shall find !'. Well - I find myself riding an Enfield in the land of the Enfield.

WoW !video below :)

If you are passionate about any good stuff in life..... Seek and Ye definitely shall find !

Link to the Bullet I found in UAE - http://bikerbt.blogspot.com/2007/08/finally-caught-bullet.html

Good luck.
BT

Royal Enfield Advertisements

2009-10-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

I find it amazing how the Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle still continues to have its charm spanning across various generations. Royal Enfield came out with this series of ads which just goes to show the versatile nature of the Enfield. Click on the images to read the text about Bullet owners and the Bullet.Back button on browser takes you back to main blog. - The Trip >

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Now..... why don't we make a similar ad on our Bullets ? Maybe we don't need to show how much we love our Enfield Bullets ! :)

Cheers guys have a nice week !

Motorbike showooms ! UK

2009-10-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

On the last weekend, I went across to the Fowlers motorbike showroom, who deal in Triumph and Honda motorbikes. They had all riding gear, brand new motorbikes and used motorbikes as well. With the used motorbikes,it was 1 month or 1000 miles warranty! The friendly showroom guy asked me what bike I rode. After my response-"Royal Enfield", he smiled and carried on. Of course, he was the young kid who is surrounded in the showrooom by everything on 2-wheels around a 1000cc or more !You dont have a bike license ? Voila - solution to ride with your car license below !
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Fowlers showroom
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I liked the below Triumph cruiser the best. Its something that I would like to fly on slowly ! It will take a car's space on the road !

Triumph cruiser
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You can see the front of the bike!

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Below a KTM bike on display !

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Triump motorbikes below ..... they retain the classic touch !

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Riding gear below... All shapes and sizes !

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No bike showroom is complete without a Harley ! :) Here one for resale !

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Harley from the side.....

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Are you a Car owner ? Dont have a bike license ? Well here's a solution to ride with a car license !

Piaggio models that need only a car license to ride it.

Cheers guys !

BT

Bristol Bike Show 2009

2009-08-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

I love bike shows which display all kinds of bikes, from roaring cruisers, sports bikes, classic motorcycles and great modified custom bikes.The Bristol bike show held anually is a joy for anyone who loves motorbikes and are passionate about them. This year was the 13th anniversary of the Bristol Bike Show. It is held at St.Nicolas Market, Corn Street and Small Street and surrounding area.

I have organized the walkthrough of the Bristol Bike Show in to following categories.Thanks to all who got their bikes to the show. It has been a real treat to see the way people have maintained their bikes and all the exotic modifications that have been done. Truly inspiring to follow your passion !

Click for Complete Bristol Bike Show :http://www.planetbt.com/royalenfield/bbw/bbw.htm

Cheers,

BT

Globe-trotting Bullet ?

2009-08-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

What do we call a person who has crossed the seas and travelled to different places ? - Yeah - a well travelled person ! Well applying the same principle we can come to a well travelled Royal Enfield Bullet.

I know we may have heard about someone whos done a world tour on a bullet. Well i think i have found what seems to be a real well travelled bullet ! However you can tell me your thoughts based on the snaps below.

More -- http://www.planetbt.com/royalenfield/w/internationalbull.htm

Cheers!
BT

Barbecue

2009-07-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Barbecue .....

Cool summer weather with light sunshine does tempt a person to do some outdoor cooking. What better than a barbecue in your garden ? Spice the food the way you want and cook it on charcoal barbecue grills. I found a disposable barbecue kit here in UK. It serves the purpose, but a full fledged one is much better. Charcoal burns at different speeds and heat. You could know its ready when it is ashy grey outside and glowing red inside.Barbecuing is an art in itself, because unlike the microwave you have no button controls.Its just getting the perfection by judgement, the visual of the level the food is cooked and adjusting the pieces as per heat in different areas of the grill accordingly.

Chicken being marinated in thick spicy sauce( recipe is top secret )

Disposable Barbecue kit getting hot n ready !

As the Barbecure grill gets ready, so is the salad ! Mayank and Raj-e@ it !

Mayank is the original chef, while Raj trying to burn his fingers ? :-D

The kebabs may be done, but the chicken is just starting to get ready .

Aha ... green grass, green wall, and green T shirt !

My advice getting some smiles on the barbecue ! Cheers !

Some sausages being grilled, and prawns. Barbecuing is a pretty challenging because , if you get it wrong, all food may be burnt or tase real bad.

So enjoy the outdoors n Bar-b-Q !

Cheers !
BT