2000 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 on 2040-motos

I bought this bike less than two months ago, my first bike ever (I’m the 3^rd owner), and find it a little too slow to keep up with my friends on their ridiculous Japanese bikes. It’s a lovely bike, but as a new rider, I decided I want a bike with an electric start so I don’t have to worry about stalling at a red light and having to kick it over again in traffic. I’ve only put 20 miles on commuting to work near my house. It recently passed NY inspection and is in fine working order. Since this was designed for right-hand shifting for British roads, the factory link that converts it to American standard makes shifting to higher gears longer than the right-hand set up or typical bikes. This is common with Enfields. Below I’m posting the description from the person I bought it from since he had it 8 years and I’ve had it less than 2 months and just got my license to actually ride it two weeks ago. The only additional thing I’ve done to the bike is add lights to the license plate so it would pass inspection. I had it serviced at 6th street Cycles just after buying, which specializes in British bikes, and then had it inspected in August. It had 5150 miles when I bought it and has 5171 at the time of this writing, but I will likely ride it this weekend and to work until it’s sold. The bike is in Manhattan, I’ll gladly meet any local buyers interested in seeing it and hearing it fire up. The bike is sold as is and is also for sale locally, but I will not pull the listing once the reserve is met.  A $500 non-refundable deposit is due within 48 hours of a winning bid and the balance is due and bike needs to be picked up within 7 days of sale. I’m happy to meet with and assist any shipper coming to pick up the bike in any way I can. Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.    

FROM THE ORIGINAL POSTING: Up for sale is my beautiful Royal Enfield Bullet 500, all working in fine mechanical order. I bought this off an actress in Brooklyn 8 years ago, it had spent its entire life sitting next to a grand piano in her living room as a showpiece.

I’ve ridden it daily in the summers since then, really low mileage for the year (made in 2000, which is known as the best year for ‘modern’ Enfields), making this bike even rarer. It’s always been stored inside and it turns heads wherever it goes, possible because it’s bloody loud and a real single cynlinder thumper!

Hear and see the bike here: vimeo.com/97931845

The bike has brand new Firestone tires, less than 100 miles on them. It starts up first time,  I keep it on a trickle feed so the battery is always perfect. I’ve added many components from the 1950’s Enfield models, from the original lowered seats to the tanks knee pads, bars, lights and new engine cover (off a 1957 military model). It shifts nicely, breaks well (for drum brakes) and cruises happily at 60.

It’s a great city bike, or perfect for a first time classic bike, where the parts and components are readily accessible.  This would be a great first motorcycle for someone who wants to learn about bikes, basic mechanics and ride a unique motorcycle.  

It’s not the fastest, as it’s only a 500, but also perfect for a first classic bike. There is a small dent on the left of the tank, (I should have had it beaten out, but kept it as a reminder to never park on NY streets over night), this is the only dent, but it’s not a show-bike, the underside is a bit oily and there’s a spot of rusty patina on part of the exhaust – both easily replaceable if you want it pristine.

I always had toyed with the idea of turning it into a custom bobber, which would look great! But decided to keep it mostly original. I’m reluctantly selling it because I need something bigger for cross country expeditions.