Forum

[Norm]

We have 3 Indian "Rebuilt in India" 350 Bullets here at the moment claimed to be mid/late sixties models. They are early motors and boxes so I am not questioning the ages but what interests me is on the frame besides the G2 frame number is also the engine number. Also on the engine it has the frame number stamped as well.Does anybody know if the early Indian built bikes had matching numbers or is this just an Indian bodge to dummy up the import paperwork, like what numbers do you want on this bike

[John M]

Norm,I have done quite a bit of research regarding early Indian Bullets and my understanding of the Indian numbering system is that very early bikes were made up of kits exported from the UK, with the local content increasing as production continued.
The early frames had G2/ prefix numbers AND an EI prefixed number. (Enfield India)
The only logical explanation is that the frames were stamped with the G2/ number in the UK as part of the production process and the EI number added in India when the machines were assembled.
Similarly early engines are stamped with a G2/ number again presumably stamped in the UK.
I cannot say if the G2/ numbers should match, if the frames and engine were shipped as a kit then I imagine they would, but if they went as batches of components then probably not. They should be in a similar date range though.
I would expect the EI numbers to match as the frame and engine number match on later Indian bikes as they did on the Reditch bikes.

If your bike has the Indian made frame with the long bolt above the gearbox then I would not expect it to have a G2/ number as I don't believe that any of these frames originated from England, I would expect all frames marked with a genuine G2/ number to have a cast headstock and a tapered front down tube.

When you say that they have early motors do you mean that they have the separate crank case breather and the pressure relief valve?

[Norm]

Hi John, just as I thought, dodgy as ever, these are Indian frames with the long bolt. The motors and boxes are old because the drive side oil seal appears to be fitted from the inside of the motor, not the outside and is is a big bulge not as per all the later ones. I also think without having split the cases yet,( I'll be pulling one to bits next week) the seal is probably felt. The drive side gearbox bearing also had a felt oil seal, They also have the bolt on under barrel breather