Royal Enfield is a unique company. Established in England in the late 1800s, the name is still used today on motorcycles made in India. The company can rightly claim to have one of the longest running production runs of any motorcycle with their Bullet model, which first saw the light of day in 1932. Although much different to today's models carrying the same name, the ancestry is there for all to see.
The original company was founded by George Townsend in 1851. Initial production was based around needle-making at a factory named Givry Works which was based in Hunt End, England. Early interest in cycles started with George’s sons George Jr. and his half brother who brought an early boneshaker cycle to the Givry Works. As more and more manufacturers began to make cycles, the younger Townsend’s decided they could improve various items on the cycles. One of their first cycle products, and one they obtained a patent on, was for a seat that used just one length of wire for both the frame and its springs. This new product was marketed as the Townsend Cyclists Saddle and Spring.
As the company began to manufacture more and more cycle parts, they inevitably entered production of their own cycles (the Townsend Cycle) which was renowned for its sturdy frame.
In 1890 the company was experiencing financial problems and was forced to call in some financiers from Birmingham. However, after a disagreement Townsend left the company.
The financiers brought in Albert Eadie and R.W. Smith to run the company which was renamed The Eadie Manufacturing Company in 1891. Around this time the company was awarded a contract to supply precision rifle parts to the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, Middlesex. To celebrate the new contract Eadie and Smith called the next cycle design the Enfield.
A new company was established 1892 to market the new bicycles called The Enfield Manufacturing Company Ltd. In 1893 the name Royal was added and this therefore became the first year of Royal Enfield production. The company trade mark was “Made Like a Gun.”
The first motorized cycle came in 1899 and was available as either a tricycle, or a quadricycle. It was powered by a De Dion 1.5 hp engine. The first motorcycle to carry the name Royal Enfield was produced in 1901 and carried an engine over the front wheel with a belt drive to the rear wheel.
First V-Twin Engined Enfield
At a motorcycle show in 1909, Royal Enfield surprised everyone when they unveiled a 2 ¼ hp V-twin 4-stroke engined motorcycle. A larger version was developed in 1911 which produced nearly 3 hp complete with the company’s two-speed transmission.
During the First World War, Royal Enfield supplied the British and Russian armies with motorcycles and sidecars; the latter carried either a basic stretcher or a machine gun.
Between the world wars, Royal Enfield produced their first 350-cc machine which used the famous J.A.P. engine. But it was 1932 when the name Bullet first appeared on a Royal Enfield, a name that has become synonymous with this marque. The first Bullet was a 4-valve single cylinder 4-stroke with exposed valves. An updated design was introduced in 1939 which sported a more efficient engine (complete with enclosed valves), Royal Enfield’s own design of telescopic front fork and a swing-arm rear suspension system.
Indian Production
In 1949 a milestone was reached when the Indian army ordered Royal Enfield Bullets. The machines were assembled by the Indian Madras Motor Company. Later the same company began to make frames followed later still by complete engines. This transfer of technology allowed the Indian company to manufacture complete machines, the basic specification of which lasted another 30 years.
Although Royal Enfield motorcycle production ceased in the UK in 1967, the Indian motorcycle manufacturing company still survives today with production of some 70,000 machines per year.
Further reading :
Collecting British Bikes
The original company was founded by George Townsend in 1851. Initial production was based around needle-making at a factory named Givry Works which was based in Hunt End, England. Early interest in cycles started with George’s sons George Jr. and his half brother who brought an early boneshaker cycle to the Givry Works. As more and more manufacturers began to make cycles, the younger Townsend’s decided they could improve various items on the cycles. One of their first cycle products, and one they obtained a patent on, was for a seat that used just one length of wire for both the frame and its springs. This new product was marketed as the Townsend Cyclists Saddle and Spring.
As the company began to manufacture more and more cycle parts, they inevitably entered production of their own cycles (the Townsend Cycle) which was renowned for its sturdy frame.
In 1890 the company was experiencing financial problems and was forced to call in some financiers from Birmingham. However, after a disagreement Townsend left the company.
The financiers brought in Albert Eadie and R.W. Smith to run the company which was renamed The Eadie Manufacturing Company in 1891. Around this time the company was awarded a contract to supply precision rifle parts to the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, Middlesex. To celebrate the new contract Eadie and Smith called the next cycle design the Enfield.
A new company was established 1892 to market the new bicycles called The Enfield Manufacturing Company Ltd. In 1893 the name Royal was added and this therefore became the first year of Royal Enfield production. The company trade mark was “Made Like a Gun.”
The first motorized cycle came in 1899 and was available as either a tricycle, or a quadricycle. It was powered by a De Dion 1.5 hp engine. The first motorcycle to carry the name Royal Enfield was produced in 1901 and carried an engine over the front wheel with a belt drive to the rear wheel.
First V-Twin Engined Enfield
At a motorcycle show in 1909, Royal Enfield surprised everyone when they unveiled a 2 ¼ hp V-twin 4-stroke engined motorcycle. A larger version was developed in 1911 which produced nearly 3 hp complete with the company’s two-speed transmission.
During the First World War, Royal Enfield supplied the British and Russian armies with motorcycles and sidecars; the latter carried either a basic stretcher or a machine gun.
Between the world wars, Royal Enfield produced their first 350-cc machine which used the famous J.A.P. engine. But it was 1932 when the name Bullet first appeared on a Royal Enfield, a name that has become synonymous with this marque. The first Bullet was a 4-valve single cylinder 4-stroke with exposed valves. An updated design was introduced in 1939 which sported a more efficient engine (complete with enclosed valves), Royal Enfield’s own design of telescopic front fork and a swing-arm rear suspension system.
Indian Production
In 1949 a milestone was reached when the Indian army ordered Royal Enfield Bullets. The machines were assembled by the Indian Madras Motor Company. Later the same company began to make frames followed later still by complete engines. This transfer of technology allowed the Indian company to manufacture complete machines, the basic specification of which lasted another 30 years.
Although Royal Enfield motorcycle production ceased in the UK in 1967, the Indian motorcycle manufacturing company still survives today with production of some 70,000 machines per year.
Further reading :
Collecting British Bikes
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