My Story :
Circa year 1998 : My Second Year in Industrial Engg.
I had just lost my means of transport, the Hero Honda CD100, my brother started using it regularly. So I had to do something to make sure I wasn't walking all the way to college. That's when I found out my cousin had a relative's (who happens to be a squadron leader in the Indian Air Force) Enfield Bullet (1983) at his house. He had not used it for 6 months and had bought an LML Adreno for himself. So I decided let's try this bike which my dad, uncle and the clan rode in their youth and didn't want to buy for my bros and me. So I took the keys and took a look at the Bullet. The front tyre was flat, so I pushed the bike some 50 metres (that's some effort) uphill to the tyre repair person. Got it inflated (fortunately wasn't punctured). After some 5 minutes of trying, the bike came to life and thus I had started my tryst with the legend.
When I went to get it serviced, all I had to do was - wash it thoroughly, change filters, the oil, lubricate it, charge the battery, etc. and I did all that in around 200 Rs. Not at all bad for a bike which was lying around in dust for 6 months. Then, I got the handle changed with a more comfortable Kawasaki one. Accelerator cable assy. and the grip was replaced with that of a Splendor's. Got the seats re-cushioned, sidebag fitted.
Now, I was ready to drive around this beauty and 2 months, 1500 k.m. later, I was just so on top of the world. Went to a lot of cruises and odd remote places, but this baby never died on me.
I remember one time, I rode to Sinhagad on a clear night with two of my friends. Was climbing the Sinhagad ghat triple-seat at around 11.30 p.m., dead of the night with the bullet thumping away.....Not very eco-friendly, I admit, but the feeling was the best in this world. We also had quite a lot of luggage - a home-made heavy astronomy telescope, 2 sacks full of food and trekking essentials.
Second trip to Sinhagad was with my girlfriend who'd later become my better half. A very rainy day and since it were the early courtship days, quite a memorable one too.
![Wink](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.png)
(These amazing rides can only be matched by my two trips to Goa on my trusted Fiero - the first time was my honeymoon and the second, this Diwali vacation).
But alas, the rightful owner of the bullet wanted to have her back after a couple of months and I had to let go. I was seriously heart-broken.
There were a few minor problems like the rear suspension being very hard and sensitive, I used to joke that you can use this bike to measure the slightest crests and troughs on a road. But I didn't have time, neither the money to work more on it. Neither did I mind it very much.
Memories have been refreshed and I now have a new year resolution made - buy an old Bullet 350 till End of Year 2007.
I guess, that's what a bullet means to me.