Customer Reviews

Royal Enfield Big Twins Limited Edition Extra 1953-1970

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I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this book, but as a 1970 Series II Interceptor owner, my curiousity pushed me into the purchase. It turns out that the book is a collection of articles and advertisements that appeared in the British and American motorcycle press "back in the day." A few of the last articles in the compilation were published recently in magazines devoted to classic bikes, but the vast majority of the material was written and published at the time the bikes were offered new for sale. I remember reading some of the articles when they were first published, but there was enough material I hadn't seen before to make the book worthwhile in my case.

Most of the articles and advertisements were reproduced at a decent quality level. Figures and tables were generally OK. There was one table on "carburretor" adjustment that was so dark that it was unreadable. The reproduction is faithful to the original, so errors in the original manuscripts are carried over into the compilation.

I thought the coverage was quite balanced. Both good and bad reviews were included. Positive and negative marks were shared. It was interesting to see the evolution of the Interceptors from 1962 until the end in 1970. It was also interesting to watch the evolution of the defense of the marque against the speculation about its demise. As you undoubtedly know, Enfield's motorcycle manufacturing in England ceased in 1970. Manufacturing of single cylinder 1955 model Royal Enfield's in India began in 1955, and continues to this very day.

If you have an interest in the Royal Enfield twin cyclinder motorcycles, I think you'll find this book to be well worth its modest cost. I was disappointed when I first saw that it was just a collection of articles, but as I read it, I really enjoyed it.

This book is a collection of articles published about the RE big twins (500 - 750). I had expected a comprehensive history, written by a knolwedgeable person, rather than a compendium of reproduced period articles. What is missing as any overall insights into the bikes, from which models or years had what kind of problems and strenths, to selecting a big twin and making it into a reliable modern-day daily rider, to any type of aggressive riding comparsion between it and any of its popular contemporaries (Norton twins, especially the 750/850 isolastic series, the later unit Triumph 650, unit BSA twins, etc.). It was enjoyable for what it was, but I felt the lack of any insight provided by an expert in 50s-60s British twins.