August 29, 2016
xBhp
Uncategorized
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Can things get any more vintage than this? Well, of course, they can, but not for us, not today at least.
While we did cover an old Indian motorcycle as well from around the same time, but given the way this particular Royal Enfield from 1922 looks, we are just compelled to declare it the most vintage motorcycle that we have covered in ‘India in 0 to 100 Motorcycles’.
Royal Enfield 202 from 1922
This one is practically a bicycle with an engine between its tyres. The fuel tank is housed between two tubes at the upper section of the frame and it’s so small and discreet that it looks more like a design statement than anything that would hold fuel. Brakes at both ends look and operate in exactly the same way as in a conventional bicycle (they rub against the rim when applied). Wheels too are as thin. It is literally a motorized bicycle.
The engine has tiny dimensions as well, but wait till you hear the cubic capacity – it is a 2-stroke single cylinder motor displacing 225cc. One would imagine the kind of performance and handling capabilities of such an engine, that too a 2-stroke, inside the chassis of a bicycle! But then, it is an old 1922 engine with performance as old.
This particular model is called 202 and other interesting bits about it is the headlight which doesn’t run on a battery, instead, it is a carbide unit which runs with the help of gas generated by the reaction of a certain chemical Carbon Carbide with water. A classic indeed. Then there’s the girder fork up front and since it’s a rigid frame with no suspension at the back, the single seat came with springs. Lastly, it has a hand gear shifter.
And we believe you would have to be exceptionally lucky with your stars aligned perfectly to find something like this on OLX. But give it a try.
This absolutely rarest of the rare motorcycle belongs to Mr. Rippu Daman Singh who is a motorcycle-restorer himself. We would like to thank him for this truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
