Where legends live on..

Star Letter: Standing up in a hammock

The dear old Royal Enfield ‘Bullet’ was never a fire-eater, but a steady ride-to-work machine with a well designed frame and good road manners. Pity about that awful Albion gearbox. There are thousands of them plonking away in India today.

CR did a fine job on Steve’s latest Seeley/Enfield engined creation in the March edition, an informative read for these cold winter evenings. I especially liked the neat extra oil tank/cooler to moderate the RE’s secluded crankcase reservoir’s oil boiling habits when stressed.

The reference to Burt Munro is apt as there was in the end about as much original Indian in his record breaker as Enfield bits in Steve’s Seeley framed creation.

Burt’s wasn’t the only oddball bike at Bonneville Salt Flats; a twin RE 736 ‘Interceptor’ engined device broke the record at 200mph for a ‘naked’ motorcycle in the mid-70s.

For the ultimate challenge we must go to the great escapologist, Houdini. Reputedly asked how he conducted his amorous affairs, he replied “standing up in a hammock” (don’t try this at home).

Thanks for a splendid magazine.

Dave Smith
Via email

Thanks for your kind words Dave. It was a genuine honour to be allowed to ride Steve’s Enfield. Send us your postal address and the Duke DVDs will be winging their way to you. Malc