Hitchcocks Forum

Dear all

When replying to the earlier post where a colleague was trying to trace a bike from the engine number I wonder if anyone else has the same history with their Bullet as mine. My engine number is for 1950 and was dispatched to Searings (Bishop Stortford) per factory ledger and returned to the factory in possible 1956 or 1957. It was reconditioned and the ledger shows handwritten details of the match to the newer frame. In 1957 it left the factory for Whittakers Blackpool. I was wondering if anyone else has a similar story.

I have also been tracking down previous owners - I have traced it from its Blackpool first sale via a trade for painting a house, a swop for another bike, and purchase in Preston by a former sailor on the ferry route to Ireland etc. with responses off several others. Its life seemed to have then stayed in Ireland thereafter for some time before I bought it and restored it from it last owner in the UK who had done a part job.

Also it would be interesting if someone can advise on the policy that might explain why the engine would be returned after 7 years. Could it have been on display for example in terms of Enfield's marketing policy as it seems a little long for any guarantee (assuming there was such a thing as say 12 months in 1950)? It would also be of interest for my file to have some information on the dealers quoted.

Regards, Hugh

Hugh, some background might help here. In the 1950s it was usual for the first registration of a bike to be the selling Dealer, then they would register it to the first owner. If you know the original registration number you might find it's records in the Hertfordshire Records Office as they keep some (but do not have all,) of the original vehicle records for their area which includes Bishop's Stortford. At that time Royal Enfield like most bike manufacturers in that difficult economic period built to customer order so the bike would have been for someone who had put money down probably not for showroom display. The early 350 Bullet had lighter flywheels than the later 350 and it may be that the owner preferred the characteristics of the original motor but wanted the better brakes and forks of the later frame? Does it have any unusual parts fitted?
REgards, Mark

Hi Mark You may have seen Chris's reply to the earlier post - Interesting info Hugh, so your engine is the early mag dynamo type in a late frame? from the factory? I had a 1960 350 bullet late matching engine and frame. What was interesting was in the ledger it stated it was sent to Madras Motors in 1960. This is evidence that some later bullets were also sent to India, not just the early type. I had not thought about unusual parts and when rebuilt didn't go down to the crank as it was tight in the bore with no movement. I just rebuilt the top end. The horn is a Lucas but doesn't match the pictures in the parts books its a horn with the flat disc on the front. It is fitted with Lucas Magneto which is superb at starting it so maybe the fittings for the mag dynamo will take the Lucas or slight re-engineering. To take Chris's point he owners club confirm it its a factory dispatched bike. It has the dual front brake which is fine for stopping it and has to be better than 1949/50. There is a picture of the bike in the Bullet for October November 2008 and December/January 08-09 but as you would expect it looks like a standard Bullet. I wrote a little piece on rebuilding it. It has the original registration of MFR which my wife Ruth sees as mad for Ruth. Thanks for the help as usual. Cheers

Does it have an SR1 on the early type flat timing cover?

Chris firstly thanks for both your replies. Never thought to compare parts books but the books for 1950 and 1957 on our hosts site the engine timing cover is as for 1957. There is an email from Allan H the valves are an early type V193 and V194 in the head.

The registration in the Green log book (continuation) is MFR and previous owners also confirm that the bike was first registered in Preston (Blackpool's district)given the MFR plate. Unfortunately the previous owner (George Medal for bravery Aden 1965) in a letter to the DVLA in my file confirms the original owner as his father who acquired the bike in 1957. As someone who has something of an interest in history the bike in its 57 years (or given engine number 64 years) has seen many changes.

Regards Hugh

Interesting Hugh, the late timing cover shouldn't fit the early crankcase. Wonder if it's just the early number and not the actual engine. Can you post a pic?

If it's a 1950 engine it should have the square oil pump/timing cover with no auto-advance bulge. There should be no fins on the oil tank and the exhaust should have a short stub where the pipe fits. I would be interested to see a pic of the number.