Classic motorcycle

[Mugsy]

Hi guys, I'm thinking about buying a '61 Royal Enfield Constellation, but I haven't been able to find very much technical information about the bikes on the web.  I have a couple questions:

1. What's the point of a magneto if you have a battery?  Is it just so you can start the bike in case the battery runs dead?
2. It has an advance/retard lever for starting the bike.  In alot of old vehicles, this is necessary, but I don't understand what automotive/motorcycle manufactures did to make the advance/retard lever unneccessary.  I understand why its there, but not how they designed engines in a way that made the lever obsolete.

Wish me luck with the right hand shifter, haha.

Thanks,
Andy

[UBRKRAUT]

Do you know they still make these bikes in India right?

Go to http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/

They can help you!

[Mugsy]

Do you know they still make these bikes in India right?

Go to http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/

They can help you!

Yeah, I've been there, but I couldn't find any information.  Most of their stuff is geared towards the newer Enfields.  They did have a message board on that website, but it was absolutely worthless.  It doesn't appear to be geared towards classic Enfields.

Thanks,
Andy

[Bill Richardson]

Try this site - http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/.

They have a parts manual online for yor model.

Bill