2008 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 with Squire sidecar, 499cc. Re...

Hammer

£3,300

2008 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 with Squire sidecar, 499cc. Registration number FX08 EXC. Frame number ME3BBBSB47C021091. Engine number 7BS521091K.
The Bullet, Royal Enfield's signature machine, was introduced in Britain in 1949 as an about-town errand runner and daily commuter. The company went racing and racked up a number of victories in motocross, road racing and trials, proving its worth and cementing status as a legitimate, competitive brand. By 1954, the Bullet's versatility and dependability attracted the interest of the government of India. With the duty of patrolling its border with Pakistan in mind, 800 units were ordered. Evidently, the Indians were pleased enough with the motorcycle's performance to place sizable orders the next two years. This led to the British manufacturer opening a factory in the east to better accommodate this new, vital customer. Within two years, the plant was producing the Bullet entirely from scratch in Madras, India.
Ironically, in 1967, as Royal Enfield was thriving in India, the original company collapsed in Britain, falling victim to the onslaught of the burgeoning Japanese marques. But, by then, Enfield India was operating as its own entity, with a steady homegrown demand for its product that ensured fiscal stability and continued growth. This was certainly helped along by the country's population surging toward one billion. The result of this unusual reversal of fortune is that Royal Enfield remains the oldest motorcycle manufacturer still in business with an uninterrupted history of trading.
EXC combination has had regular use over the years, shown by the MOT history of 8,180 in 2011, then continuously until 2018 at 17,313 miles, it now has 17,474 miles on the odometer. In 2010 it was owned by Bob Clough and there are many receipts on file during his ownership, including an engine rebuild in 2014 at 14,513 miles at a cost of £950. Our vendor bought it from David Andrews in 2019. It will require recommissioning before road use.
Sold with the V5C, keys, owners manual and a history folder/receipts.