Royal Enfield WD/RE: Difference between revisions
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}} |
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{{Use British English|date=August 2017}} |
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{{For|the Flying Flea aircraft|Mignet Pou-du-Ciel}} |
{{For|the Flying Flea aircraft|Mignet Pou-du-Ciel}} |
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{{Infobox Motorcycle |
{{Infobox Motorcycle |
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|name = Royal Enfield WD/RE |
|name = Royal Enfield WD/RE |
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|image = |
|image = Royal Enfield Flying Flea 1942.JPG |
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|image_size = 250px |
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|aka = ''Flying Flea'' |
|aka = ''Flying Flea'' |
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|manufacturer = [[Royal Enfield]] |
|manufacturer = [[Royal Enfield (England)|Royal Enfield]] |
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|parent_company = |
|parent_company = |
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|production = 1939– |
|production = 1939–1945 |
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|predecessor = |
|predecessor = DKW RT100 |
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|successor = |
|successor = RE125 |
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|class = |
|class = Military |
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|engine = |
|engine = 126 cc air-cooled [[two stroke]] single<ref name="walker motorcycle evolution">{{cite book|last=Walker|first=Mick|title=Motorcycle: Evolution, Design, Passion|year=2006|publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=978-0801885303|pages=45}}</ref> |
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|top_speed = 45 mph<ref name="Koenen flying flea">{{cite journal|last=Koenen|first=Philip|title=The Flying Flea: 1948 Royal Enfield RE125|journal=Motorcycle Classics|date=November–December 2012|volume=8|issue=2|pages=66–69|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-british-motorcycles/royal-enfield-re125-zm0z12ndzbea.aspx|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref> |
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|top_speed = |
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|power = |
|power = 3.5 hp @ 4,500<ref name="Koenen flying flea" /> |
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|torque = |
|torque = |
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|transmission = |
|transmission = three-speed, chain final drive |
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|suspension = fixed |
|suspension = fixed |
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|brakes = drum |
|brakes = drum |
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|rake_trail = |
|rake_trail = |
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|wheelbase = |
|wheelbase = |
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|length = |
|length = 75 in |
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|width = |
|width = 26 in |
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|height = |
|height = |
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|seat_height = |
|seat_height = |
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|wet_weight = |
|wet_weight = 130 lb (59 kg)<ref name="Koenen flying flea" /> |
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|fuel_capacity = |
|fuel_capacity = |
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|oil_capacity = |
|oil_capacity = |
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|fuel_consumption = |
|fuel_consumption = 130 mpg (2.1L/100km)<ref name="Koenen flying flea" /> |
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|turning_radius = |
|turning_radius = |
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|climbing_ability = |
|climbing_ability = |
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}} |
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The '''Royal Enfield WD/RE''' known as the "Flying Flea" was a lightweight [[United Kingdom|British]] [[motorcycle]] developed by [[Royal Enfield]] for the British [[War Office]] (the WD came from [[War Department (United Kingdom)|War Department]]) as a means of transport |
The '''Royal Enfield WD/RE''' known as the "Flying Flea" was a lightweight [[United Kingdom|British]] [[motorcycle]] developed by [[Royal Enfield (England)|Royal Enfield]] for the British [[War Office]] (the WD came from [[War Department (United Kingdom)|War Department]]) as a means of transport that could be dropped by [[parachute]] or carried in [[military glider|gliders]], to quickly carry messages and signals between airborne and assault troops where radio communications were not in place.<ref name="Forces">{{cite book|last=Orchard|first=C. J.|author2=Madden S.J. |title=British Forces Motorcycles 1925 - 45|publisher=Suton Publishing Ltd|year=1997|isbn=978-0-7509-1445-1}}</ref> |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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The best known{{ |
The best known{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} Royal Enfield produced for the Second World War was the WD/RE 125 cc which was known as the ''Flying Flea'' and designed to be dropped by parachute with airborne troops.<ref name="BBB">{{cite web|url=http://www.burtonbikebits.net/royalenfieldhistory.htm|title=History of Royal Enfield|accessdate=2009-04-10}}</ref> |
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After the German authorities stopped the Dutch franchisee of the [[DKW]] RT100 motorcycle from receiving any more supplies in 1938, preferring a non-Jewish company, Royal Enfield was contacted by the displaced importer about producing a similar motorcycle.<ref name="Bantam ">{{cite |
After the German authorities stopped the Dutch franchisee of the [[DKW]] RT100 motorcycle from receiving any more supplies in 1938, preferring a non-Jewish company, Royal Enfield was contacted by the displaced importer about producing a similar motorcycle.<ref name="Bantam ">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R83apsln2NIC&q=dkw+rt+100+flying+flea&pg=PT13|title=The BSA Bantam Bible|last=Henshaw|first=Peter|accessdate=2009-04-23|isbn=9781845841591|date=2008-06-15|publisher=Veloce Publishing }}</ref> Royal Enfield's version of the bike was produced by Ted Pardoe, who expanded the engine. Two prototypes under the name 'Royal Baby' were shown at Rotterdam in April 1939.<ref name="Koenen flying flea" /> Using a less sophisticated but increased-capacity two-stroke engine in the same frame, a few of these RE motorcycles were made before the outbreak of the [[Second World War]]. |
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As with other British motorcycle manufacturers, the Royal Enfield factory production was turned over to the war effort. Military motorcycles included the [[Royal Enfield WD/C]] 350 cc sidevalve, the [[Royal Enfield WD/D]] 250 cc sidevalve and the [[Royal Enfield WD/L]] 570 cc. |
As with other British motorcycle manufacturers, the Royal Enfield factory production was turned over to the war effort. Military motorcycles included the [[Royal Enfield WD/C]] 350 cc sidevalve, the [[Royal Enfield WD/D]] 250 cc sidevalve and the [[Royal Enfield WD/L]] 570 cc. |
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In early 1942, the [[War Office]] ordered twenty WD/RE motorcycles from Royal Enfield for testing. Based on their 1939 civilian pre-war design, the prototype had a right hand brake and was fitted with an [[Amal (motorcycle)|Amal]] carburettor and had a low |
In early 1942, the [[War Office]] ordered twenty WD/RE motorcycles from Royal Enfield for testing. Based on their 1939 civilian pre-war design, the prototype had a right hand brake and was fitted with an [[Amal (motorcycle)|Amal]] carburettor and had a low-mounted toolbox. The trials went well and led to some modifications, including fitting a twin-box exhaust system to help silence the noisy two stroke engine, a [[Villiers Engineering|Villiers]] carburettor (indicated by a 'V' on the engine), raising the toolbox and fitting a folding kick-start, footrests and even folding handlebars, so that it could be packed into the smallest possible space. A Miller lighting system was added, together with a sealed vent on the fuel filler to prevent spillage when the motorcycle was packed in a drop carrier. The foot brake was also relocated to the left side.<ref name="Forces" /> |
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[[ |
[[File:Royal Enfield motorcycle badge.jpg|thumb|left|Royal Enfield Motorcycle Badge.]] |
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The reason the War Office wanted such a lightweight motorcycle was to establish communications between troops that had been dropped by parachute and the front line forces, who could be some distance away or out of radio contact. The problem was how to make sure that the Enfield landed without too much damage. In the summer of 1942 experimentation therefore began to develop a protective cradle that would go right round the motorcycle. A number of different versions were tested by dropping them from the bomb racks of aircraft such as the [[Handley Page Halifax|Halifax]] and [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster]] bombers. As well as surviving the drop, the cradles also had to be easy to remove on landing. The prototypes met neither requirement as they were too light and bent the wheels on impact but eventually a design was developed that worked with heavier tubing and increased bracing and in December 1942, went into production at the Enfield's Calton Hill factory in [[Edinburgh]].<ref name="Forces" /> |
The reason the War Office wanted such a lightweight motorcycle was to establish communications between troops that had been dropped by parachute and the front line forces, who could be some distance away or out of radio contact. The problem was how to make sure that the Enfield landed without too much damage. In the summer of 1942 experimentation therefore began to develop a protective cradle that would go right round the motorcycle. A number of different versions were tested by dropping them from the bomb racks of aircraft such as the [[Handley Page Halifax|Halifax]] and [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster]] bombers. As well as surviving the drop, the cradles also had to be easy to remove on landing. The prototypes met neither requirement as they were too light and bent the wheels on impact but eventually a design was developed that worked with heavier tubing and increased bracing and in December 1942, went into production at the Enfield's Calton Hill factory in [[Edinburgh]].<ref name="Forces" /> |
||
The first significant orders for the Royal Enfield WD/RE were consequently placed during early 1943, but after all the planning and preparation only a few were actually dropped into the battle zone by parachute, as it was decided to load them into troop carrying gliders four at a time without the protective frames, and secured by a special harness instead. A number of Royal Enfield WD/RE motorcycles were also used for beach landings during 1943 and 1944, and were carried inside landing craft for communication between the beaches and the nearest front line forces.<ref name="Forces" /> |
The first significant orders for the Royal Enfield WD/RE were consequently placed during early 1943, but after all the planning and preparation only a few were actually dropped into the battle zone by parachute, as it was decided to load them into troop carrying gliders four at a time without the protective frames, and secured by a special harness instead. A number of Royal Enfield WD/RE motorcycles were also used for beach landings during 1943 and 1944, and were carried inside landing craft for communication between the beaches and the nearest front line forces.<ref name="Forces" /> |
||
Early production bikes were fitted with a small taillight and military-issue headlamp fixtures to help hide the bikes and riders from enemy aircraft. The Flying Flea could run on any fuel and its light weight meant that soldiers could carry their bikes over otherwise impassable terrain.<ref name="Koenen flying flea" /> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | There was a huge demand for cheap and reliable transport after the war so any surviving models which were disposed of as war surplus were stripped down and repainted for civilian use. Most of this work was carried out at Enfield's [[Bradford-on-Avon]] works in [[Wiltshire]]. A few military Royal Enfield WD/RE motorcycles remained in limited service use until the end of the 1940s.<ref name="Ward">{{cite book|last=Ward|first=Ian|title=Great British Bikes|publisher=Macdonald & Co|isbn=0-7481-0020- |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[File:Royal Enfield WDRE motorbike 2009.jpg|thumb|right|A Royal Enfield WD/RE in 2009]] |
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| ⚫ | There was a huge demand for cheap and reliable transport after the war so any surviving models which were disposed of as war surplus were stripped down and repainted for civilian use. Most of this work was carried out at Enfield's [[Bradford-on-Avon]] works in [[Wiltshire]]. A few military Royal Enfield WD/RE motorcycles remained in limited service use until the end of the 1940s.<ref name="Ward">{{cite book|last=Ward|first=Ian|title=Great British Bikes| year=1987 |publisher=Macdonald & Co|isbn=978-0-7481-0020-0}}</ref> |
||
Royal Enfield also produced a civilian version of the bike in the post war years, the RE125, through 1950, when a foot-operated gear change lever was added and the front forks were modified to a telescopic style with internal spring dampening. In 1951 the RE2 was introduced with a redesigned frame and engine. The line ended in 1953 with the introduction of the Royal Enfield Ensign.<ref name="Koenen flying flea" /> |
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On 11 February 2020, Eicher Motors Limited, the parent company of Royal Enfield, registered for a new trademark for "ROYAL ENFIELD FLYING FLEA" with UIPO, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, sparking the hope in the motorcycle community that the name would be revived with a new small displacement motorcycle.<ref>{{cite web |title=ROYAL ENFIELD FLYING FLEA |url=https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#details/trademarks/018194843 |website=EUIPO |publisher=European Union Intellectual Property Office |accessdate=13 February 2020}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Welbike]] - a compact motorcycle for SOE use, parachute dropped at Arnhem ([[Operation Market Garden]]) |
* [[Welbike]] - a compact motorcycle for SOE use, parachute dropped at Arnhem ([[Operation Market Garden]]) |
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* [[BSA Bantam]] - |
* [[BSA Bantam]] - Another motorcycle based on the DKW design |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{WWIIBritishSoftVeh}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [ |
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FdFkf7SS5M Video featuring Royal Enfield Flying Flea] |
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FdFkf7SS5M Video featuring Royal Enfield Flying Flea] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Enfield Wd Re}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Military motorcycles]] |
[[Category:Military motorcycles]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:World War II vehicles of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Motorcycles introduced in the 1930s]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:14, 23 June 2024
 | |
| Manufacturer | Royal Enfield |
|---|---|
| Also called | Flying Flea |
| Production | 1939–1945 |
| Predecessor | DKW RT100 |
| Successor | RE125 |
| Class | Military |
| Engine | 126 cc air-cooled two stroke single[1] |
| Top speed | 45 mph[2] |
| Power | 3.5 hp @ 4,500[2] |
| Transmission | three-speed, chain final drive |
| Suspension | fixed |
| Brakes | drum |
| Dimensions | L: 75 in W: 26 in |
| Weight | 130 lb (59 kg)[2] (wet) |
| Fuel consumption | 130 mpg (2.1L/100km)[2] |
| Related | RT 125 |
The Royal Enfield WD/RE known as the "Flying Flea" was a lightweight British motorcycle developed by Royal Enfield for the British War Office (the WD came from War Department) as a means of transport that could be dropped by parachute or carried in gliders, to quickly carry messages and signals between airborne and assault troops where radio communications were not in place.[3]
Development
[edit]The best known[citation needed] Royal Enfield produced for the Second World War was the WD/RE 125 cc which was known as the Flying Flea and designed to be dropped by parachute with airborne troops.[4]
After the German authorities stopped the Dutch franchisee of the DKW RT100 motorcycle from receiving any more supplies in 1938, preferring a non-Jewish company, Royal Enfield was contacted by the displaced importer about producing a similar motorcycle.[5] Royal Enfield's version of the bike was produced by Ted Pardoe, who expanded the engine. Two prototypes under the name 'Royal Baby' were shown at Rotterdam in April 1939.[2] Using a less sophisticated but increased-capacity two-stroke engine in the same frame, a few of these RE motorcycles were made before the outbreak of the Second World War.
As with other British motorcycle manufacturers, the Royal Enfield factory production was turned over to the war effort. Military motorcycles included the Royal Enfield WD/C 350 cc sidevalve, the Royal Enfield WD/D 250 cc sidevalve and the Royal Enfield WD/L 570 cc.
In early 1942, the War Office ordered twenty WD/RE motorcycles from Royal Enfield for testing. Based on their 1939 civilian pre-war design, the prototype had a right hand brake and was fitted with an Amal carburettor and had a low-mounted toolbox. The trials went well and led to some modifications, including fitting a twin-box exhaust system to help silence the noisy two stroke engine, a Villiers carburettor (indicated by a 'V' on the engine), raising the toolbox and fitting a folding kick-start, footrests and even folding handlebars, so that it could be packed into the smallest possible space. A Miller lighting system was added, together with a sealed vent on the fuel filler to prevent spillage when the motorcycle was packed in a drop carrier. The foot brake was also relocated to the left side.[3]
The reason the War Office wanted such a lightweight motorcycle was to establish communications between troops that had been dropped by parachute and the front line forces, who could be some distance away or out of radio contact. The problem was how to make sure that the Enfield landed without too much damage. In the summer of 1942 experimentation therefore began to develop a protective cradle that would go right round the motorcycle. A number of different versions were tested by dropping them from the bomb racks of aircraft such as the Halifax and Lancaster bombers. As well as surviving the drop, the cradles also had to be easy to remove on landing. The prototypes met neither requirement as they were too light and bent the wheels on impact but eventually a design was developed that worked with heavier tubing and increased bracing and in December 1942, went into production at the Enfield's Calton Hill factory in Edinburgh.[3]
The first significant orders for the Royal Enfield WD/RE were consequently placed during early 1943, but after all the planning and preparation only a few were actually dropped into the battle zone by parachute, as it was decided to load them into troop carrying gliders four at a time without the protective frames, and secured by a special harness instead. A number of Royal Enfield WD/RE motorcycles were also used for beach landings during 1943 and 1944, and were carried inside landing craft for communication between the beaches and the nearest front line forces.[3]
Early production bikes were fitted with a small taillight and military-issue headlamp fixtures to help hide the bikes and riders from enemy aircraft. The Flying Flea could run on any fuel and its light weight meant that soldiers could carry their bikes over otherwise impassable terrain.[2]
Post war
[edit]
There was a huge demand for cheap and reliable transport after the war so any surviving models which were disposed of as war surplus were stripped down and repainted for civilian use. Most of this work was carried out at Enfield's Bradford-on-Avon works in Wiltshire. A few military Royal Enfield WD/RE motorcycles remained in limited service use until the end of the 1940s.[6]
Royal Enfield also produced a civilian version of the bike in the post war years, the RE125, through 1950, when a foot-operated gear change lever was added and the front forks were modified to a telescopic style with internal spring dampening. In 1951 the RE2 was introduced with a redesigned frame and engine. The line ended in 1953 with the introduction of the Royal Enfield Ensign.[2]
On 11 February 2020, Eicher Motors Limited, the parent company of Royal Enfield, registered for a new trademark for "ROYAL ENFIELD FLYING FLEA" with UIPO, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, sparking the hope in the motorcycle community that the name would be revived with a new small displacement motorcycle.[7]
See also
[edit]- Welbike - a compact motorcycle for SOE use, parachute dropped at Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)
- BSA Bantam - Another motorcycle based on the DKW design
References
[edit]- ^ Walker, Mick (2006). Motorcycle: Evolution, Design, Passion. The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 45. ISBN 978-0801885303.
- ^ a b c d e f g Koenen, Philip (November–December 2012). "The Flying Flea: 1948 Royal Enfield RE125". Motorcycle Classics. 8 (2): 66–69. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d Orchard, C. J.; Madden S.J. (1997). British Forces Motorcycles 1925 - 45. Suton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7509-1445-1.
- ^ "History of Royal Enfield". Retrieved 10 April 2009.
- ^ Henshaw, Peter (15 June 2008). The BSA Bantam Bible. Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845841591. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
- ^ Ward, Ian (1987). Great British Bikes. Macdonald & Co. ISBN 978-0-7481-0020-0.
- ^ "ROYAL ENFIELD FLYING FLEA". EUIPO. European Union Intellectual Property Office. Retrieved 13 February 2020.