TRAVEL FEATURE - NEPAL
STUART MCLEAN
MY NAME
IS GOOFY!!
“
Sir! Sir! What you want sir?”
The security guard yelled over
my shoulder as I strolled along.
I’d just made a right hand turn
down the second lane after the Blue-
bird Supermarket. The directions I’d
been given were to lead me to Hima-
layan Enfielders, but as I was now to
find out it was also the back entrance
to the Israeli embassy in Kathmandu.
With the state of world affairs,
the Israelis were a bit nervous. The
security guard gave me the once over
while I explained with motorcycle
sounds and actions what I was doing.
With a smile he pointed me to a gate
a little further along.
Partly due to the tropical climate,
the Enfielders workshop had no
doors, perhaps also to do with the
fact that the machine towers around
the perimeter of the Israeli embassy
might deter any unwanted visitors.
“Good afternoon, Sir,” greeted me
as I tyre kicked my way around the
premises. “My name is Goofy can I
TRAVERSE 73
help you?”
After making some general small
talk about prices we settled into the
office/clubhouse for a glass of milk
tea. Goofy, one of the partners in
the business, explained how it all got
started.
Himalayan Enfielders began as
a small group of enthusiasts who
opened a workshop initially for some-
where to work on, and modify, their
own bikes. It had since evolved into
an authorised dealership for Royal
Enfield motorcycles. The premises
were also a meeting place for Enfield
aficionados.
The Royal Enfield factory in
Chennai, India has been making
these classic bikes virtually un-
changed since the British sold the
factory to them lock stock and barrel
in the 50’s. This classic single cylinder
bike with its low-down torque and
throbbing exhaust in 350cc or 500cc is
perfect for the winding roads around
Nepal.