Greaves Enfield supportability in US... (should I buy one?)

[trailer_parks]

I'm in New Delhi, and seriously considering a purchase of a Enfield running the Greaves 436 diesel. I'll be moving back to the US eventually, so I need to know if I'll be able to get parts for it.

I want to be able to ride this bike for years; will I need to bring 5 years of parts with me when I leave? What kind of maintenance will I expect to be doing over the years of ownership? I'm used to japanese bikes, and I've been told these take quite a few more "adjustments" to keep in tip-top shape. What are the thoughts of the guys actually riding these bikes?

Thanks in advance...

jason

[Diesel Dave]

Hi,

I would not worry about keeping a Greaves on the road they are remarkably simple units and most Lombardini spares fit - the only exception I have found is the injector but the whole head will swap.

If you are buying a bike in Delhi and exporting I would get a few spares at the same time, injector, pump, gearbox input shaft.

I have a 360cc version with a 5 speeder gearbox and have 50,000 miles on it. I have rebored it once because I seized it and took some material off the piston skirt - it may well have run on that way forever anyway without the rebore.

The one thing you MUST do is check the max rack setting, all the ones I have seen from India have this turned up waaay too high and this is why I seized mine. Find a test hill and check for black smoke, back off the rack setting and repeat the hill climb until black smoke disapears and you JUST notice the power drop off.

Keep the oil clean and fresh because the filter is just a brass screen, the manual states every 300 hours but make it every 1000 miles instead.

Compared to the petrol engine the diesel is a joy!

All parts will be available from Classic Motorworks in the US apart from engine bits.

[oldbmw]

the greaves engine is used in a few cement mixers and other agriculteral devices, so mail ordering spares should not be areal problem.

[trailer_parks]

Thanks guys! And to think, I had almost "cured" myself of wanting a diesel motorcycle. I'm sure my wife would rather I stop discussing the pros and cons of having a motorcycle and just do it.

I'll probably be getting it from Madaan Motors, and I know a lot of people have had problems with him, but he sells the most export Enfields here in Delhi. He's also the only one I've come across that is confident he'll be able to export a diesel.

I've heard of quite a few people doing good business with him when they are here and able to keep up with the build process. So, I'm back in, guys.

Jason