classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: jonty on March 04, 2009, 09:08:16 PM

Title: can anyone identify this motorcycle please, 1948?
Post by: jonty on March 04, 2009, 09:08:16 PM

hello,

i'm trying to identify this motorcycle,
it was bought in 1948 ( i think )
the photograph is poor quality i'm sorry, but the best i've got.
thanks very much

jonty

Title: Re: can anyone identify this motorcycle please, 1948?
Post by: L.A.B. on March 04, 2009, 09:42:56 PM

It is without doubt, a Royal Enfield "RE" 125cc model, fitted with legshields and a small handlebar screen.

http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/royal_enfield/Royal_Enfield_1948_125_Model.htm

Sometimes known as the "Flying Flea", although that title really belongs to the WW2 military version.

Title: Re: can anyone identify this motorcycle please, 1948?
Post by: jonty on March 04, 2009, 11:17:55 PM

Hey LAB

Great news, I wasn't sure if I'd get an answer. The picture being poor and the front of the motorcycle out of shot.
I followed the link and have looked at some on google images. Haven't seen anything exactly the same yet, but will keep looking.

I saw one on ebay, a bit older I think, a fifties one. Are they very rare?

Jonty

Title: Re: can anyone identify this motorcycle please, 1948?
Post by: L.A.B. on March 04, 2009, 11:35:09 PM

Quote

I saw one on ebay, a bit older I think, a fifties one. Are they very rare?

Wouldn't a fifties one be newer?

Rare? Reasonably rare, as most would have been worn out and thrown away ages ago? But I doubt survivors are worth a great deal of money as they are only a basic 125cc utility motorcycle?

A wartime Flying Flea is probably more sought-after than the post war civilian versions?

The RE model gained telescopic forks in 1950 instead of the previous rubber sprung girder forks.
Eventually it was replaced by the RE2 and Ensign models.

Title: Re: can anyone identify this motorcycle please, 1948?
Post by: 33d6 on March 05, 2009, 09:23:36 AM

You'd be surprised how many are still around. For some reason the little utility bikes of the late 40's early 50's have survived quite well.
Both the RE and the various Villiers 9D powered bikes of the same era (James ML, Fanny Bee etc) keep cropping up with great regularity.
I think they survive because they don't take up much space and even the most anti motorcycle person doesn't have a problem with them.
They seem to get pushed to the back of the garage and forgotten about only to come to light again when the next generation are old enough to play with them.
They are cheap, cheerful, simple to work on and loads of fun to ride.
Cheers,