Royal Enfield in the movies

[Rocky]

There was a recent thread about Royal Enfield motorcycles and I thought this item from the pages of Classic Bike Magazine might be of interest.

"Sidecar manufacturers (and Royal Enfield importers) Watsonian-Squire have had a bumper year thanks to the latest Harry Potter film, The Deadly Hallows.
The film's makers bought seven complete Royal Enfield/Watsonian GP Manx outfits to use in a chase sequence in which Harry is rescued from a relatives house by Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane).
In the story, the bike and sidecar belonged to Harry's godfather Sirius Black.
But unlike a normal outfit, it can fly."

I'm not a Harry Potter fan, but I did suffer through the viewing of the first movie...........I think it was.
So if any of you see the movie the "vintage" sidecar outfit is the real deal.

 

[CarlS]

Hey, I want a rig that flies!! :y114:

I really like the Watsonian sidecar. That was my preference when I was looking for a hack. They are pretty pricey. I really like the classic octagonal look.

 

[stevethelondoner]

I love the look of the Enfield...Does Britain still own the company or we sell it to the Indians? I know they ride the heck out of them. What I like is they have kept the old look of a vintage bike. I want one....hahahaha

Ride safe mate

Steve

 

[Rocky]

RE was sold to an India company many decades ago and they have been building them to the old specifications since then. The quality has been poor and most importers gave up on them, but more recently a new CEO took over and they are very nice bikes now with EFI.

 

[Rocky]

This is just FYI.
In 1956, Royal Enfield licenced an India company to assemble bikes from UK made components.
By 1962, India was building complete bikes on their own.
RE went out of business in 1970, but the rights to the RE name wasn't purchased by the India company until 1995. I thought it was long before 1995.
Just goes to show you that you can learn something new every day.

 

[CarlS]

I thought it was long before 1995, too. Wow, one does learn every day.

Steve, I share your opinion, I like the way the Enfield looks. I have seen a couple of new ones and the fit and finish is much better. I have not ridden a new one.