Once in a lifetime, a maker of motos just might be fortunate enough to find a patron who is appreciative, patient and supportive enough to order not one but two of the darned things at the same time...and wait a good long while for them...while based in another continent.
When Mr. Phillip George flew down from Mexico City towards the end of 2015, I had already received 4 complete build orders which would leave me with no more engines left from the first batch. I had to start from scratch in manufacturing the second batch of engines before I could even begin his order which also required sourcing two appropriate donor bikes. Long story short, This matching pair of black-red Muskets, a 700 and a 1000 finally reached Mr. George in Mexico City in August. I flew down in September to adjust the tuning for the 7400' altitude.
Mr. George is originally from India but after various stints in the UK, USA and UAE, settled in Mexico City and has a passion for vintage craftsmanship of all sorts. 

There was a time when Bullet meant black. No color comes close to its timeless presence. What you see above is the simple, no-frills sort of Bullet that began its long running story on Indian roads. A 1969 model, the owner Kirit Parmar had it shipped over to me from his family home in India. Unfortunately, under several layers of paint, there was much rust in the bodywork and just about everything was well worn. Almost everything was replaced and this turned into a ground up build involving much more work beyond building and installing the v twin engine. But it was all well worth the hundreds of hours of labor as the bike turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable ride. It has a special place in my heart as my own first bike back in college days was a plain simple black Bullet...in which I dreamed of a v twin engine.
The 9th Musket for a client, delivered summer 2019.

My friends, today is the TENTH ANNIVERSARY of the very first Musket v twin engine coming to life, on Jan 23, 2009.
It's hard to believe its been a whole decade, certainly had its ups and downs and here we are, still messing with metal bits.
THANK YOU ALL so very much for giving me the support to keep at it this long.

Today, exactly ten years after the very first motor burst into life in the wee hours of Jan 23, 2009, take a look at the very first video recorded on that day by my dear friend Aaron Searles.
I'm going pretty nuts and keep asking him "What do you think of that" over and over and of course, I forgot to turn the fuel tap on :-) Hadn't slept for days.
That heartbeat idle, galloping horse sound that grew into a righteous roar took my sleep away, perhaps for ever.
Take a look!Today, exactly ten years after the very first motor burst into life in the wee hours of Jan 23, 2009, take a look at the very first video recorded on that day by my dear friend Aaron Searles.
I'm going pretty nuts and keep asking him "What do you think of that" over and over and of course, I forgot to turn the fuel tap on :-) Hadn't slept for days.
That heartbeat idle, galloping horse sound that grew into a righteous roar took my sleep away, perhaps for ever.
Take a look!

Musket No. 7 for John Johnson of Portland Oregon. Smooth curved 2x2 pipes were pretty tricky to make. First build with left side shift with the 5 speed box. This was a *Royal PIA* but done and works great.

Finally a Musket with something I'd been dreaming of, a vintage girder fork! Client Greg Stroube of St. Louis wanted a truly vintage and thoroughly functional machine which celebrates mechanicalness. Girder by Jake Robbins in the UK. Handmade mudguards by Cooper Smithing Co. USA. www.coopersmithingco.com Handmade leather saddle by Betsey Williamson www.betson-bags.com

http://www.ebay.com/itm/332126661188?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Hullo! This is on Ebay right now...the *very last iron barrel Bullet 500* to roll off the assembly line, still in the original crate! Kevin Mahoney, the original importer and distributor of Royal Enfields in the USA procured it in 2008 and kept it untouched and is offering it up for bids. It is the 5 speed version. A great candidate for a V twin...or just keep it stock and enjoy having it. Have to admit, it makes me sad but there it is.

Hello there!
Phew. That's ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY separate machining setups. Yup. Each set of castings goes through fifteen setups. Not including various doodads that I'm making right now such as oil filler necks and filter covers and ignition covers and cam shafts and whatnots. Alongside this, builds number 6 and 7 are nearing completion, pics of those coming soon.
Cheers!

Dan drove down from Indiana last fall. He liked what he saw and decided to go ahead with a build true to the spirit of Royal Enfield's KX V twin. He was keen to help and contribute to the build and was ever ready to drive all the way down to Ohio to pick up and drop off parts, cleaned, degreased, dis-assembled. He looked all over for fittings and accessories that are true to the aesthetic of that age.
The gorgeous and richly glossy paintwork is thanks to my friends Taylor Duncan and Kiel Mohrman.
The bike is a tribute to Dan's father who is in his 80s! The vintage pedestrian slicer number plate is Mr. Griffith senior's initials and date of birth...what a wonderful finishing touch to a machine true to the spirit of the times that his father was in his youth. I hope this machine gives him much joy for years to come. Congratulations Dan Griffith!

December 10/2016, Dan posted a short clip of his Musket and the following message:

"Happy Holidays all. Short video of Musket 998 No. 4 running in below freezing temps. Have just over 750mi on it. Had a guy stop and ask me if I was selling the bike when shooting the video, LOL."
Here's the clip:
www.facebook.com/Indyhrlyguy/posts/1271256229589229

Phil *flew down* from Atlanta last fall to take a look at the bikes. I still remember the manner he took his test-ride...it was the absolutely effortless ease of someone who has ridden his whole life. He is a genuine gearhead and his collection is over *50 bikes*, including vintage and late model Harleys, classic British, Japanese, European machines, all in perfect running order and he recently restored a Knucklehead! He found a very clean olive green 5spd Bullet 500 and sent it to me and chose to leave it bone stock. The gearbox has been converted to right side shift and it is shifting great. I hope this machine makes its home in Phil's amazing collection and gives him much pleasure.
Note...not one drop of oil under the motor after several days

What a wonderful gift came today - a picture from Alex Schubert in Germany! He has the motor installed, fired up, running well, getting fine tuned while breaking-in. His bike with the 2x1 looks lovely and the smile on his face says it all. This is what keeps the heart warm on a cold rainy day.
Congratulations Alex!