Royal Enfield Reborn In Texas. Rick Fairless Style…

Several times during the last 3 years I reported on the new interest in Royal Enfield bikes, particularly the Bullet model, now enjoying the longest motorcycle production run of all time. Royal Enfield production, based in India, runs at full capacity still with difficulties to satisfy demand around the world. A very affordable price and a major retooling, particularly in the engine department with introduction of a twin spark unit construction engine on all its models with EFI available on their flagship 500cc model, have caught the interest of many bikers and consequently of many new dealers in Europe and the US. It will be a surprise to many that one of these new dealers in the US is Strokers Dallas. And because it always make sense to customize the factory bikes you sell, boss Rick Fairless has decided to apply  his art for the first time to a Royal Enfield…

Rick and crew got started using a brand new 2011 C5, 500 cc Bullet model, trying to take some inspiration from the 60’s Flat Track bikes. First major change to give this RE a new stance was to replace the 17″ stock wheels to taller Ride Wright 21″ spoke wheels both dressed in Metzeler. Then, Vince Doll at Redneck Engineering was called to provide one of his custom “mono spring” front ends, a very strong construction with of course no issue to handle such a light-weight motorcycle. To clean up appearance, Rick Fairless asked his crew to move the EFI system from the tank to under the seat, and it still works perfect.

Rick could not stand the rough stock engine cases appearance and ordered a high polishing treatment. During this time, for a cleaner appearance, rear section was cut off, a new fender was fabricated followed by the installation of a pair of a taillight at the end of each strut. Gas tank is from Paughco and fitted with a Crime Scene gas cap. A stainless steel seat pan was formed to conform Rick’s butt (!), then engraved, and left bare metal with Rick telling me that it’s good enough for the bar hopping task he assigned to his Bullet. Ford Stell came up with the cool controls, grips & pegs. Bars were sourced at Flanders, risers were borrowed from a Victory and shocks were provided by Fournales. Gary Queen & Mike Cissell from OSC shot the fancy candy green & gold paint. Rick thanks all his guys, General Manager Gene Slater, Ford Stell & Derek Tollenar, a team always succeeding in helping him achieve his vision. Strokers Dallas.

23 Responses to “Royal Enfield Reborn In Texas. Rick Fairless Style…”


  1. 1 Darin Maltsberger-Instructor @ MTI Dec 8th, 2011 at 8:54 am

    Awesome! I have always thought the RE bikes would make a cool platform simillar to the Yamaha XS650 bikes. Rick just proved it can be done and done with style.

  2. 2 Rick Peyton Dec 8th, 2011 at 9:45 am

    Too much. It’s cool. Just too much going on. I’d like to see one stretched out a little.

  3. 3 Boss Hawg Dec 8th, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Good looking Bike, Rick.

    Love it…and love the green theme.

    Boss Hawg

  4. 4 Josh Dec 8th, 2011 at 9:50 am

    In a compact package, too busy for my taste. Very Fairless.

  5. 5 LENA FAIRLESS Dec 8th, 2011 at 10:20 am

    Took this bike (which we named Myrna, after Myrna Loy) around town Thursday. She is an amazing ride and she turned out beautifully. Myrna’s definitely a sweetheart, and cannot wait to take her to the streets again!!

    LF

  6. 6 hk Dec 8th, 2011 at 10:28 am

    i dig it ..a few things a bit weird but thats his style.Not bad for a 4 thousand dollar bike

  7. 7 Angir Bantra Dec 8th, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Very impressive. How much would it cost in India?

  8. 8 Brandon Dec 8th, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    Hmmm.

  9. 9 burnout Dec 8th, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    WOW! Busy but VERY cool! peace

  10. 10 Kustoms and Choppers Magazine Dec 8th, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    Kind of reminds me of something by Ian Barry except much more LSD influenced I like it

  11. 11 John Green Dec 8th, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    Rick could make a cardboard box look cool

  12. 12 Heavy Metal Dec 8th, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    I like it. That’s a pretty conservative paint job for a Rick Fairless bike.

  13. 13 Bill Dec 8th, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Another fine creation from Rick’s team. Keep them coming Rick.

    Lena – When do we get to see a bike you designed and built? Let’s see a build off between you and your dad.

  14. 14 JC Dec 8th, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Saw it this weekend at the IMS. Great stuff. Killer paint!

  15. 15 luSca custom design Dec 9th, 2011 at 3:23 am

    very cool!

  16. 16 Steve Kelly Dec 9th, 2011 at 7:48 am

    The classic British design looked a whole lot better before Rick got a hold of it.

  17. 17 bigalyts Dec 9th, 2011 at 8:34 am

    Nice Job! How does that go about dressing up a Sow? Looks like Rick, found a way to show his perspective Buyers of the DotHead bikes, that even they can Spend 15,000 on a 7,000 motorcycle and get Buried like the rest of us HD owners!I got 35,000 in my old ladies Duece and I
    can’t get, 12K on CL

  18. 18 Kroeter Dec 9th, 2011 at 8:59 am

    I like it. Who would think of tricking out an R.E.?

  19. 19 18Bravo Dec 9th, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    I saw it last Sunday (Again, congratulations to Three Two Choppers for taking first in the Modified Harley Class) and recognized it as an RF creation from halfway across the convention center. Very nice paint. I think if ever open a titty bar in Angeles City, PI, I’d feel right at home on it. Anywhere else, I love the lines of the original just fine. A friend of mine just made O-7, and had the choice of buying anything he wanted. He got the military RE in green, with leather saddle bags. Bitchin little ride.

  20. 20 Grey Beard Dec 9th, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    Looking good… sweet……… Iike it….. One thing about Rick, he knows there’s other colors then just black.

  21. 21 Tropical Willie Dec 9th, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    looks cool.

  22. 22 bean're Dec 12th, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I’ve always appreciated Rick’s decisions to think outside the box. Add that to the stand up guy that he is and that is the reason he is one of my favorite guys in the business. Happy Holidays to you and your family Rick! Keep up the great word!

  1. 1 Royal Enfield Reborn :: Gasoline Magazine Pingback on Dec 11th, 2011 at 10:49 am
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Cyril Huze