The Eadie Manufacturing Company which would eventually become Royal Enfield Motorcycles was founded during the early 1890's by R.W. Smith and Albert near Redditch in Hunt End. The company was originally registered to sell the Enfield Manufacturing Company's bicycle. By 1896, a new company was formed to take over their bicycle activities and this company was to be called The New Enfield Cycle Co. Ltd. Later in 1897, The New Enfield Cycle Co. Ltd. was changed again to the Enfield Cycle Co. Ltd. and then finally all of the original Eadie Manufacturing Co. was merged with their bicycle division to become the famous Enfield Cycle Company.
The name Royal Enfield was actually the brand name for the Enfield Cycle Company which had become famous for manufacturing motorcycles. The Enfield Cycle Company also produced bicycles, stationary engines, lawnmowers, and even rifle components. The Enfield Cycle Company's legacy for weapons manufacturing is noticeable in their logo which features a cannon and their motto "Built like a gun, Goes like a bullet”. Starting in 1955 one of the Enfield Cycle Company's branches, Enfield of India, started assembling Enfield Cycle Company motorcycles under a UK license, and by 1962 they were manufacturing their own complete motorcycles.
By 1910, The Enfield Cycle Company introduced their first and very famous Enfield V-twins.
The Enfield Cycle Company' production changed during the Second World to produce motorcycles for the military and included a lightweight motorcycle that could be air dropped by an airplane.
When the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers were destroying their European and American competition during the late 1960's The Enfield Cycle Company made a final attempt to hang on and produced their series I and Series II, which were made for the U.S. market. These motorcycles became popular in the United States, but due to their inability to supply the demand of their motorcycle led to the demise of The Enfield Cycle Company. The Enfield Cycle Company ceased production in 1967 and 1970 which was the mark of the demise of the English Motorcycles. Enfield India still continued production however until 1995.
Original Authors: Nicholas
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 09/06/2008
