Hitchcocks Forum

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum and new to Royal Enfields. Currently I'm restoring a '55 R.E Bullet/Indian Westerner and have her stripped down to it's component pieces. I have a question about the front wheel. Please forgive this rather stupid question, but I've never come across a twin plate single leading brake assembly. Its rather neat! Just wondering if this is unique to the 50's Bullets or was this common on Brit bikes of the era?

thanks in advance for tolerating my dumb question
Aloha from Hawaii!

Cas

Cas,it was introduced for 1953 on the Meteor 700 Twin and was Enfields way of saving on introducing
a brake to handle the heavier bikes while using the parts of there allready in production 6 inch unit.
Vincent had already done the same it appears.
colin

As Colin says, introduced for the new 700cc Meteor for 1953 but clearly not to save money as all the parts are different so no saving there! I think it's more likely that there was an idea that the braking forces on both legs of the telescopic fork would be even, thereby ensuring safe braking and handling. Another make that used the same idea was Scott, I believe? REgards, Mark

Hi there. Greetings from Wales. I have a 1957 with the twin front brake. While recognising that it is 1957 technology I find it more than appropriate for the bike as it doesn't go that fast anyway. I tried to find out in a much earlier post why it was dropped a little while later but it seems it was cost reduction as the accountants struck again. Good luck with the rebuild I find my 350 excellent and exceptionally reliable with its Lucas magneto although did up grade to 12volt electrics. A picture can be found on this web page at page 20 Number 3 although they do move around a little. Hugh