I published a couple of stories about India born Aniket Vardhan and it’s obsession with turning the 500 cc single cylinder Royal Enfield Bullet into a cool looking V-Twin machine in the manner of “the way they would have made it back then”. From the Bullet power plant, there was a first successful attempt to build a 2 x 350 cc cylinders = 700 cc “Musket” V-Twin engine, then another mechanical prowess with the completion of a 998 cc version in a slightly modified and stretched Royal Enfield frame. Vardhan claims that his latest model has now more than 11,000 no-fault miles on the speedo.
At the request of a client, Vardhan goes further with the production of the Musket 1120 Magnum V-Twin still based on motor parts from the Royal Enfield motor. Why source parts fro Royal Enfield to build a V-Twin engine? “Because the manufacturer provides a steady supply of affordable and reliable spares parts with undeniable old-school charm” says Vardhan. He imports directly from India all the parts he needs, then re-designs and re-engineers them to produce his own retro-looking 59-degree V-Twin motor. This cylinders angle was chosen as the best compromise to minimize vibrations while achieving relative compactness.
The Musket has been designed for the original iron barreled version of the Royal Enfield Bullet, kick-start version. Electric-start bikes are perfectly viable and will simply need a new kick-start type inner primary cover.
“Musketeering” a Royal Enfield into a cool V-Twin like the one I feature here can be done by Vardhan himself (you must provide the Bullet 500 in good running condition) and it will cost you from $12,750 to $13,750. Or you can buy a DIY kit (right now, 6 engines are in stock available for immediate shipping) with all the necessary custom pieces to modify the frame and complete the build, instruction sheets and telephone assistance included. More info at Musket V-Twin
This guy is a genius
Wow. Royal Enfield should produce one exactly like that…
At last, a seriously cool attempt at Old Style Engineering with Flair! With the present (and undoubtedly lasting…) vogue for classic machinery, if Vardhan was able to enter or prompt production at a reasonable price, there would be a lot of takers for such a neat motor 😉
Maybe RE will hire him.
Pretty nice looking bike.
Wasn’t there some talk about this Muscrat conversion some years back, Cyril? If this could come to production (even as a special order, limited run), what a nice alternative powerplant to have available. Our shop would certainly be on this one and build a few different styles around it.
Thank you very much Cyril, can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support. And thank you to the kind folk who have given encouragement through their comments.
For the bike above, I made custom alloy barrels with my own casting patterns, with the pushrod adjustment window cast in, you can see the finned cover in closeups of the right side of the motor. Installed, bored and honed the biggest sleeves that would fit inside the bolt circle, 89mm, up 5mm from the stock 84mm bore, this bumped each jug to 560cc from stock 499cc.
Also made custom 7075t6 conrods.
Pics of all these custom parts being made are up on the ‘news’ page of http://www.musketvtwin.com
This bike weighs around 419lb wet.
The difficult side to the project was, the client (retired moto-journalist-photographer) and the most staunch supporter was diagnosed with cancer half way through the build. The race to complete it as soon as possible was nerve racking. The great thing is, he continues to fight, go through treatment, and RIDE the bike! His ride report is also on the news page of http://www.musketvtwin.com
Not only that, he went as far as to go back to his roots and shoot some beautiful studio pics of the bike and turn it into a 2015 calendar! This link is also up on the news page.
Hope to be making motors and bikes for a living someday.
Wish you all a magnificent New Year, may all your projects hit the road and burn rubber.
Aniket
I could never stand the coverage you did on those Low quality, highly underpowered, over priced, India Built Motorcycles. For years they were a $4,995 advertised in the National Publications. It seemed as if they were almost a Factory Direct purchase. Cyril this Bike is unique. The Builder has made and developed a magnificent Replica of a “back in my Grandfathers day Motorcycle. You have captured a great Bike, cyril. Happy New Year to All and may you not receive any Nightmares!
Could be a Vincent from India; similar look with the exhaust…interesting
Aniket,
Aside from your talents, I’m especially impressed by your disciplined hard work to do so much so many metalworking skills, and then orchestrating the timing, ignition and who knows what else.
I hope riding the Musket is a singular joy for you.
LIKE!!!! Very much.
Fantastic work Aniket, some crazy skills and motivation here!
Nothing short of fantastic.
Engineering of the highest order, a big well done.
Happy New Year to all from a cold wet UK, roll on the spring.
@ Aniket.. I have been following you on your journey thru the press … You are my freekin hero!!
For those of you who have not followed, you absolutely HAVE to watch this video … Aniket, correct me if I am wrong, but this is your first effort in 2009?
Check out Aniket’s joy, love, passion … this is what it’s all about…
Domino Dave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjZJfr2QkZA#t=51
Can you imagine what that first ride must have felt like!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDrCGJSL8k
I love the headline “two hearts that beat as one”. Like a love story. Fabulous work.
very nice,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Very impressive. Nice work indeed.
Dam , it is beautiful . Is there a dyi kit for general install and custom app. How is the dyi kit . Looking forward to more good stuff . Mac out
Very cool! Way to go Aniket. This is something to really be proud of.
Great looking engine!! Looks a little nicer than the Australian version the Carberry Enfield which went to Market almost 10 years ago
Nice work Aniket, you are truly a master
Hard work pays off. You showed most of the custom bike builders how it’s really done. Beautiful, rideable bike. ..Z
Royal Enfield should hire this guy and start building these, he’s a genius what an awesome bike !
THANK YOU all for your wonderful, kind, encouraging words! Really recharged my low winter battery!
I’m most certainly making these on order for clients, according to their preference and requirements. If you’d like to get in touch, please contact me through http://www.musketvtwin.com.
Thank you very much, once again!
Happy New Year!
Aniket
Yummy!
Enfield made a 976CC V-twin in 1935….. then increased the displacement to 1140 in 1936 for side-hack work (K and KX models with quick-change wheels).
But this Bullet top-ends an a V-twin look mach fancier then the old side-valvers.
Great looking scooter Aniket.
Between this version and the Australian version that should handle the demand for Enfield V-twins.
What the factory should do is work on an updated version of the Enfield Interceptor.
-nicker-.
Wow !!!!
Agree this is the bike Enfield should have producing all along !!!!
Very Nice, indeed !!!!
Although it is mildly interesting, the pricing is not. Look at the beautiful “New Nortons”, nice and “Retro Styled” as well as well put together, but still not competitively priced. These will wind up as rare as “Crocker” V-Twins, but won’t ever be as desireable.
Remember the “Egli Vincents”, works of Art, but never commercially viable.