After several days of clouds and rain, the
sky finally cleared late in the afternoon on October 24th, 2005,
providing Terrance of Cascadia a chance to take "Smedley"
for a late-season thump beside the waters of Georgia Straight, near
Comox, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Be! tween 1991 and 1996, 201 new Royal Enfield Bullets were imported
and sold in Canada: about thirty-two 350s, with the rest being 500cc
machines. This practice stopped when the Canadian government altered
the rules governing certification of the bikes, which would have
required the importer to invest even more than the already 40+ hours
of work (including converting to left-hand shift) needed to certify
each Bullet. Today, the only newer Indian Bullets legally running
in Canada are those few that were sold during that time.
Except - ...this one. This particular model was purchased new in
New Delhi in early 1993 and when its original owner decided to return
to Canada - no doubt during the time when the Bullet was allowed
to be sold here - he was able to bring the bike with him. The differences
between it and the Canadian import versions are subtle: Minda controls,
different tank and signals, 5 3/4" headlight, and of course,
right-hand s! hift - and while some may question the inclusion of
an Indian-built machine in a calendar devoted to English-only motorcycles,
the fundamental design, and the soul, of this bike is all British.
TERRANCE OF CASCADIA sez:
"I ain't never been in a calendar before!"
Photo by: Gordo In Comox.
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