The cover of this sales catalogue is very impressive with a coloured impression depicting the fancies of riding motorcycles, the image of happy motorcyclists and a title of The Romance Of The Road. Royal Enfield were definitely doing their best to draw in any prospective customers that may have been undecided on what to buy. For 1928 there was a cross over of models with some older type with flat petrol tanks and the newer just released saddle tank models.
Leading the parade of their 13 machines are Royal Enfields 2 stroke motorcycles – the Model 200, the 201, the 201a (designated The Open Frame Model but also known as The Ladies Model), the 202 and 203, these 2 latter models being the newer saddle tank machines. Next was the brand new Model 250, a 2.25hp side valve 4 stroke. For a rider wanting a bit more power for those solo weekend country rides there was the Model 350, a 3.46hp side valve or its more sportier Model 351, the 3.46hp Standard OHV. The Model 352 was the 3.46hp Twin Port OHV and then there was the Model 355, the 3.46hp Sports OHV. Both of these machines are saddle tank models. The model 500 was a 4.88hp sidevalve flat tank with the factory standard 4 speed gearbox released in late 1927, and was replaced late in 1928 for the new Model 501 4.88hp sidevalve with saddle tank. The Model 180 was the 9.76hp 3 speed standard flat tank, the Model 182 9.76hp was the Four Speed Sports saddle tank.
There is an offering of various sized sidecars for the lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight models including a 9.76hp Delivery Outfit and a Dairymans Outfit.
Click on the front cover below to see the complete catalogue.
It is a 6.6M PDF.
An interesting photograph of the Royal Enfield Motor Cycle Assembly Shop from 1928. It is from my own collection but came from the photographic library of Percy Coleman who visited Royal Enfield no doubt to collect his RE 350 that he was entered with to race in the 1930 I.O.M T.T. The photograph is identified as 1928 by the complete Model 182 with the new frame and saddle petrol tank on the right hand side of the photograph and some still under construction on the wooden assembly benches. A nice line up of front fork/wheel and mudguard assemblies in the foreground ready for some frames and an open frame 2.25hp 2 stroke Model 201a ‘Ladies Model’ towards the rear. Visible are is an older flat tank, frame and seat unit hanging from the roofing rafters along with a collection of new frames ready for assembly. No flash shelving in 1928.
A great piece of history.
