Royal Enfield Revolution

Let’s begin to discuss the Royal Enfield Revolution

Year-1891

The beginning of this prestigious company occured in November 1891 when Albert Eadie and Bob Walker Smith purchased George Townsend & Co. in Hunt End, Redditch. Initially, Thousand & co. had been manufacturing needles for the last 50 years and recently started manufacturing bikes.

Year-1893

The journey evolved when the two entrepreneurs got their first contract to supply precision parts from the Royal Small Factory, Middlesex. In honor of this esteemed order, the duo renamed their brand to Enfield Manufacturing Company Ltd. and called their first bicycle, the Enfield. The next year, they rebranded their bicycles as Royal Enfields and launched with the “Made Like A Gun” trademark.

Year-1898

The company launched its first motorized vehicle known as a quadricycle. The motorized cycle was designed by Bob Walker-Smith. The structure of this quadricycle was built around two muscular bicycle frames and employs a patented 1 1/2 horsepower De Dion engine. The company finalized its brand name as The Enfield Cycle Co and for the next 70 years, the company traded under this name.

Year- 1900

In the year 1900, The Enfield Cycle Co. participated in a Torturous cross-country race from London to Edinburgh and vice versa with one of its quadricycles to convince the British people of the durability of motorized vehicles.

 

Year-1901

In 1901, Bob Walker Smith and Frenchmen Jules Gobiet designed and produced the first Royal Enfield motorcycle. This duo launched the Enfield motorcycle at the Stanley Cycle Show in London. The motorcycle was mounted with a 1 1/2 hp engine and positioned in front of the steering wheel,  and a lengthy rawhide belt powers the back wheel.

Year-1909

After 8 years, Royal Enfield launched its first V-twin( A two-cylinder piston engine) Swiss-made Motosacoche engine in the Standley Cycle Show. This model attained numerous successes in the subsequent year.

Year-1914

On the arrival of 1914, the company started mass production of Royal Enfield’s first 2-stroke motorcycle. Due to the involvement of Britain in World War 1, the production of Royal Enfield’s biggest motorcycle( 770cc 6hp V_twin engine) took priority. During the war, the company supplied numerous motorcycles to the Belgian, French, British, United States and Russian armies.

 

Year-1924

Continuous Research and development took place and resulted in  8 different models.

Here is the list of Mototrcycle that were included in 8 models-

• Sports Model 351cc
• Royal Enfield 350cc OHV 4-stroke motorcycle with foot-operated gear change
• A unique 225cc 2-stroke (Ladies’ model)

 

Year-1925

An accident (fire broke out) occurred in the manufacturing plant at 18 Redditch factory. Due to the presence of its fire brigade team, the company successfully fought against the fire but lost a lot of money.

 

Year-1928

The iconic saddle tank design was first seen on a Royal Enfield motorcycle in 1928. It is a fuel reservoir that is positioned longitudinally along the motorcycle’s frame tube and has a saddle-like shape. With its sleek profile, this design not only improved the motorcycle’s looks but also had useful functions. Compared to conventional tanks, the saddle tank’s larger fuel capacity allowed for longer rides between fill-ups. Its positioning improved the motorcycle’s handling and balance while performing maneuvers by increasing stability and agility. The iconic saddle tank shape has come to be associated with Royal Enfield motorcycles, signifying the company’s dedication to cutting-edge engineering and design. As a symbol of the brand’s history and legacy in addition to serving as a functional part, it added to the classic appeal of Royal Enfield motorcycles.

Year-1930

The decade began with the transformation from a 225cc  2-stroke model to a 976cc single-valve, V-twin and named Model K.

List of all 1930s manufactured Models –

Year-1932

Finally, the year came when “Bullet” was born. In this era, Royal Enfield produced different Bullet versions like 250cc, 350cc and 500cc, all with inclined two-ported engines. These motorbikes were foot-operated gear change and high compression pistons. The first showcase of Bullet happened at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in London.

 

Year-1933

The year came with the sad demise of the founding partner and motorbike designer BoB Walker-Smith. After his demise, his son Major Frank Smith took control as a joint Managing Director.

Under the joint Managing Director, Model Z ‘Cycar’ maintained its innovative merge of motorcycle and car features. This innovative compact design came with a 148cc 2-stroke engine and was aimed at targeting urban commuting. During this time, Royal Enfield began the sales of Model Z ‘Cycar’.

Year-1939 -1945

World War 2 broke out and Royal Enfield manufactured larger quantities of military bicycles, motorcycles, anti-aircraft guns and generators.

List of all manufactured Models –

Year-1949

With the arrival of 1949, Royal Enfield launched its new 350cc and 500cc Twin models in the UK. Both models consisted of the same frame, swinging arm suspension, telescopic front forks and a gearbox. In the same year, K. R. Sundaram Iyer launched Madras Motors to import British motorcycles into India, including Royal Enfields.

Year-1952

Johnny Brittain(Star Rider of Royal Enfields), won the Scottish Six Days Trial on his 350cc Bullet, HNP 331.

On the parallel side, Madras Motors signed a contract with the Indian Army for 350cc and 500cc Bullets production for military services. These Bullets proved to be a great success in handling and maintaining.

 

Year-1955

The Redditch company partnered with Madras Motors in India to form ‘Enfield India’.

 

Year-1956

The Tiruvottiyur(Madras) factory began manufacturing Bullet under license. In the first instance, these machines are exported from England in kit form and then assembled in the Madras plant. By the end of the year, Indian Royal Enfield started manufacturing these motorcycles and 167 bullets were manufactured.

 

Year-1957

Royal Enfield launched the 350cc Crusader Model (producing a 13 bhp, construction engine with coil ignition ) in Britain. Johnny Brittain won the Scottish Six Trial for the second time.

 

Year-1964

Every Man’s Dreamed Motorbike “the iconic Continental GT” was launched.

Specifications –

Year-1967

At the start of the year, Royal Enfield’s Redditch facility was sold to developers but the production of 736cc INT650 continued at the underground facility at Upper Westwood, till its retirement in June 1970.

 

Year-1977

With the closure of Enfield UK, Enfield India began exporting the 350cc Bullet to the UK and Europe. These Classic motorbikes attracted classic bike enthusiasts and the sales rapidly increased in the UK and Europe.

 

Year-1989

A new 24 bhp 500cc Bullet is released. The bike is primarily aimed at export markets where it is available in Classic, Deluxe and Superstar trims.

 

Year-1993

In 1993, Royal Enfield India started mass manufacturing the world’s first diesel motorcycles, known as Royal Enfield diesel (325cc).

 

Year-1994

The Eicher Group (Largest commercial vehicle and tractor manufacturer) acquired Enfield India Limited and renamed  Royal Enfield Motors Ltd.

 

Year-1997

In addition to creating a model for the yearly Himalayan Odyssey ride, forty Royal Enfield motorcycles ascend Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world. This ride sets a precedent for epic rides across some of the world’s most challenging terrain.

 

Year-1999

A new Royal Enfield plant was set up near Jaipur, Rajasthan, where production of a revised A350cc was built. This version consisted of an all-aluminum lean-burn bullet engine, which was inspired by the design skills of AVL.

 

Year-2001

Royal Enfield India made a new world record when the Indian Army Corps (The Daredevils) displayed the human pyramid of 201 men on ten 350cc Bullets

 

Year-2002

Royal Enfield launched a stylish lean burn cruiser, The Thunderbird 350.

Specifications –

Year-2004

The 500cc all-alloy lean burn engine version of the Bullet export model called the Electra X, went on sale. According to a TNS Autocar survey, the vintage-looking “Bullet Machismo” is the “No.1 Cruiser.”

Specifications-

Year-2005

Royal Enfield launched commemorative Thunderbird and Bullet Electra models. In the same year, Royal Enfield India celebrated its 50th anniversary.

 

Year-2008

Royal Enfield embedded a new Unit Construction Engine (UCE) in Thunderbird Twinspark and began exporting India’s first 500.

 

Year-2009

Enfield India launched 500cc motorbikes in India. After the launch, this classic version immediately achieved cult status and sales exploded rapidly.

 

Year-2011

Royal Enfield launched an event called ‘One Ride’ and encouraged the Enfield riders around the world to go for a ride. The first trip ‘Tour of Nepal’ was organized.

 

Year-2012

Thunderbird 500, the highway cruiser was launched and immediately made a production record to meet 113,000 motorcycle sales.

 

Year-2013

Royal Enfield Continental GT was launched after 48 years of developing its first cafe racer.

Specifications –

Year-2015

To enhance its product design, Royal Enfield acquired a renowned British motorcycle design and fabrication firm called Harris Performance.

With headquarters in Milwaukee, Royal Enfield began its expansion and established its subsidiary in North America.

Year-2016

Enfield debuts its first adventure motorcycle, The Himalayan, with an all-new 411cc SOHC engine and long suspension. Himalayan was designed to ride on all types of roads and also ride on no-road places.

Specifications –

List of extraordinary events that happened in 2017

• With a team of over 100 engineers, designers and testers, Royal Enfield opened its Technology centers in Bruntingthorpe, UK.
• Production of 350cc Bullets started at the third plant in Chennai.
• The new 650cc Royal Enfield INT650 and Continental GT twins were showcased at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Goa, Italy and Milan.

 

Year-2018

Royal Enfield launched Classic 500 Pegasus at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK. The company launched nearly 1000 motorcycles worldwide and allocated 250 machines for the Indian market and all these 250 motorbikes were sold within 3 minutes.

Specifications –