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Bringing an Enfield to the UK Bringing an Enfield to the UK
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 6 Apr 2004
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Bringing an Enfield to the UK
Anyone have any info on this? Especially regarding the new Whole Vehicle Testing requirements now in force.Would i have to modufy an Enfield to get it registered?
Enfield in India are not being helpful
Regards
jonathan
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  #2  
Old 7 Apr 2004
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Do a search on the site on enfield and you'll find a host of answers.

Basically India could care less, they'd rather you bought it from their distributor - that's why they have them.

Arguably the best way is to buy an Enfield in England from the distributors. It's passed the tests, and is FAR superior to the Indian Enfields. Last I heard there are a number of mods they make such as new carb, electric upgrades and much more.

If you were planning on riding it back, there's a big hassle with the carnet. Again search on Carnet enfield.

If shipping, I don't think it's worth the hassle.

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Grant Johnson

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  #3  
Old 26 Apr 2004
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I brought my enfield in back in 2000 but I rode it back and did not even get stopped at the port. My back was a restored bike that I had paperwork stating, probably falsely, that the bike was a genuine 1955 bike. In order to get it registered, I visited the Customs and Excise to pay 5% duty on the cost of the bike plus the registration fee from DVLC. Even gave me an old registration plate.

If this is the route you are taking (with an older Bullet) I can try and dig out some more precise numbers. I have no experience with importing a new Bullet and so would not like to comment.
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  #4  
Old 29 Apr 2004
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hello out there!

i would suggest to think twice about importing an enfield bullet. i had the "pleasure" to ride this bike three month in india and spent half of the time at motorcycle mechanic shops. i needed a lot of spares (clutch, transmission gears, bearings...), although this parts had been changed at the beginning of the journey! the bike is also very weak when it comes to performance, especially in mountain areas.
i admit that the bullet is a beautiful bike -but only optical!

good luck to everyone
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  #5  
Old 29 Apr 2004
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Shame on you Desert Soul! Surely you have only happy experiences of the engine repeated seizing (I needed 4 rebores on my trip!) and the mystery gremlins attacking at the most inconvenient moment.

I admit my Bullet has travelled further in a van in the uk than it has on the road in 4 years and I am still trying to fix it. (Tricky when I am in Mexico with my somewhat more reliable Africa Twin!)

Does this mean we should condemn the Bullet to the scrapheap? If oinly the Indians had bought Norton or BSA.
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