[MineralMan]

Thanks. I've considered the new Enfield, for sure. What's interesting is that it's cause the prices for old REs to drop a bit.

All things being equal, I'd take the old one. I'm not planning any trips on my next (probably last) bike. It's going to be a weekend rider only, at least on the weekends I'm not tinkering with it.

I want the historical feel, not a new bike.

I've owned a couple dozen bikes in my life, from my first 1959 Harley 165 lightweight to the last bike I had...a humble Suzuki 450T. Lots of interesting bikes in between, ranging from a little 50cc ex-racing bike to that old Velo I wish I still had. Even shifting with the wrong foot isn't too hard to relearn.

No hurry. I'm moving right now, so it'll have to wait a bit.

[archy]

I want the historical feel, not a new bike.

I've owned a couple dozen bikes in my life, from my first 1959 Harley 165 lightweight to the last bike I had...a humble Suzuki 450T. Lots of interesting bikes in between, ranging from a little 50cc ex-racing bike to that old Velo I wish I still had. Even shifting with the wrong foot isn't too hard to relearn.

No hurry. I'm moving right now, so it'll have to wait a bit.

I'll keep my eye open for classy old thumpers. Especially a Velly. If you run across anything in the Memphs area, I can likely swing around with a truck and check it out for you and/or pick it up.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The new Enfields, as I'm sure you know by now, are made in India. Their quality has not reached the level seen in 1960s UK and I've read that English buyers have them "tuned" (valves adjusted, gaskets re-done, wheel spokes tightened and balanced, etc) prior to regular use.