ROYAL ENFIElD
500 LF Special - 1938
Founder of a long line
As the world began to recover
from the effects of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the Depression, the
demand for high-performance sports bikes began to intensify. Profiting from the
new spirit of optimism, the British marque Royal Enfield offered its 500 LF
Special in late 1932. This bike inaugurated the famous range of Royal Enfield
Bullet sports models.
Quad Valves
The 500 LF Special was powered
by a single-overhead-cam engine with virtually-square bore and stroke
measurements of 85.5x85mm giving a displacement of 488cc. These engine
dimensions had been used by the Redditch-based company since 1927. But unlike
the earlier models, the new unit had four valves and the pushrods ran in
tunnels cast into the cylinder and head. The engine had a single carburetor but
twin exhausts to conform with the current fashion.
Auto-Type Big End
Royal Enfield entered a
specially-prepared bike in the 1934 Isle of Man Senior Tourist Trophy. This
model had an automobile-type big-end that turned about a floating duralumin
sleeve rather than needle-rollers or white-metal bearings. The bike was ridden
by famed trialist Jack Stocker, who later became the sales director of the
firm. Stocker crashed on the fourth lap. Royal Enfield later adopted this type
of big-end on all its four-stroke models.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 488cc (81.5x85mm)
air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating: 34 hp @ 6000 rpm
Valves: four overhead
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed, chain
final drive
Suspension: girder forks
(front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (front &
rear)
Wheels: 21 inch (front); 19
inch (rear)
Weight: 302 lb
Maximum Speed: 105 mph
Racing in the 1993 Klausenrennen Retrospective, the bike pictured is
believed to be the actual Royal Enfield works racer ridden in the 1934 TT by
Jack Stocker.
|