The Royal Enfield 700 GTC2 ‘Mistral’, a bespoke British sports bike, draws inspiration from classic Southern California desert sleds. Its lineage dates back to a 1964 Super Meteor 700, initially imported to the UK from Canada by Hitchcocks Bikes of Solihull? Under the guidance of Jeff Duval of Jets Perpetually, the bike underwent a significant transformation, while Andy Berry of Preston oversaw the engine rebuild and upgrades.
The new engine necessitated a bespoke ‘BSA A10′ frame, precision-crafted from ⅞-inch nickel-plated chromoly tubing by Wasp Bikes’ expert team under Mark’s direction. The fateful gathering took place at Tony Taysom’s workshop, nestled near Salisbury. The 700 GTC2 ‘Mistral’ features a potent engine, bolstered by twin Amal MkII Concentric carburetors and an efficient cylinder head, all of which are equipped with high-quality RE parts specified by renowned engineer Allan Hitchcock’s.
Mark’s team at Wasp Bikes meticulously crafted a 7/8-inch chromoly steel frame with a durable nickel plating and classic BSA-style motocross body, paying homage to the iconic Southern California desert sled designs. The bespoke bodywork was meticulously crafted by renowned expert Tony Taysom, while the vibrant paintwork was entrusted to the skilled artisans at Picture Customized Design in Camberley. The suspension system features high-performance components, including 38mm Ceriani forks designed for competitive racing and rear shocks sourced directly from Csaba Kalderal at CR Suspension in Budapest, Hungary.
Three Beringer Brakes 2AP11 racing calipers effectively bring this bike to a standstill, when coupled with three 11.5-inch mirror-polished stainless steel discs. The 21-inch alloy rims at the front, sourced from Central Wheels, seamlessly merge with the 18-inch units at the rear, both clad in high-quality Avon tyres for optimal performance.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the motorcycle features a precision-crafted GPS-based speedometer and tachometer from Speedhut Customized Gauges, as well as advanced digital indicators from Motogadget. Completing the package is a stylish SoCal-inspired Stockbridge saddle, adorned in rich two-tone black and brown leather, courtesy of Tony Taysom’s expertise. The bike’s polished chrome handlebars feature intricate white and yellow enamel engravings of the ‘Enfield 700 GTC’ logo, ‘Mistral’ typography in bold purple, black, and gold stripes, and a proud declaration ‘Proudly constructed by Jets Perpetually and Tony Taysom’, meticulously hand-painted. The 736cc air-cooled overhead valve (OHV) parallel-twin engine propels the bike forward, paired with a smooth-shifting four-speed transmission.
Supply: Accumulating Automobiles
