Forum

[Norm]

The frame I am restoring has the cast fittings where the swing arm and pillion pegs mount. I thought all the earlier English frame had this setup but looking in the parts books which only show 51,52,53 models. I have been told these fittings were only for 1955. Is this correct?

[Chris Tindal]

I may be wrong Norm but I think those cast swinging arm mount type frames without the bracing bars to the rear downtube where out as early as 53 on the JS 500 but appeared later (55?) on all the others, my 53 G2 is the same type as the twin in the 'parts book on line'. Mark M may be along soon.

[zippy]

My frame is the same, I was told it was from a 500 meteor minor (don't think so personally), but the motor is certainly an early (magneto and manual advance retard) bullet 350, it fits perfectly with no signs of any frame surgery being done.

[Mark M]

Chris is right, this frame came in with the 500 Bullet in 1953 (I have an original sales brochure which makes much of the new frame,) and quickly spread across the whole range. The intention seems to have been to counter a rash of frame breakages on the 700 Meteor and early 500 Bullets but the new frame wasn't a success on the bigger bikes (it just broke in a different place!) and the whole thing was redesigned for the 1956 season. On the smaller bikes (350s etc,) it seems to be fine and even the 500 Bullet shouldn't tax it too much unless you plan to do a lot of rough riding. That, of course, was the point for the 50s motorcyclist, he wanted to do off road events at the weekend or even pull a massive sidecar so the frame had to be tough! Norm, your frame number might be a clue to the origin of the frame so what is it? Is there a prefix? Incidentally, the breaks occurred just above the swinging arm lug on the tube going to the rear shock top mount, so have a close look there.
REgards, Mark

[Norm]

Thanks Mark, frame number as best I can read is G2/33347 the 7 looks a bit dodgy. The chap the frame came from has several sets of 500 twin cases sitting around so I assume the frame was from one of these. He also has a very nice Meteor 700 but sadly he is unable to ride anymore.

[Mark M]

Norm, G2 is a 350 Bullet identification. Frames at this time had the prefix stamped on, after 1956 you have to go by the number alone, that's where the REOC really scores. A 5 figure number in this range for a 350 Bullet at this time is bang on with the numbers of my own project bike.
REgards, Mark

[Norm]

Mark,
My main concern at the moment is getting the right swing arm spindle for it. Allan isn't sure because there is 2 spindle lengths for those frames around that time