Hitchcocks Forum

Hi, while stripping a 6inch full width front hub I was surprised to find its made of iron, decided to check the other bikes and found both iron and alloy back full width hubs. Q. Was this because of different suppliers or is the a change date between them. Incidentally the front hub appears to be an old half width with a bigger flange fitted and a tin cover between. Vince.

What bike, Vince? Also, did you find that mudguard section? I replied to your email ages ago! REgards, Mark

Hi,it came with a load of 350 spares ,we're talking India not redditch, it's the type with front wheel speedo drive. Same age/type for the rear wheels too. Its not casting. So basically are all this type of hub iron? On a personal note, Will be in your area at weekend if you want to arrange mudguard collection/delivery. Vince.

Hi Vince, l am around this weekend, drop me an email at usual address please. REgards, Mark

REI used the 'old' 1/2 width steel hubs up to 1981, when the full alloy width hubs were introduced, speedo drive to the front.
Initially 6", then 7" dia front, and updating to 2LS in 1994.


But I have never seen a REI made Iron (steel?) full width hub? They do have a steel central core, and a Cast-in Iron brake drum?




LOTS of parts get 'adapted' in India; I have seen RD 350 front wheels fitted, (And other unknown wheels from 60+70's Jap bikes?) I have seen 'home made' double sided 6" front brakes hubs, and am also aware of many After-Market parts suppliers who manufacture pretty much EVERYTHING for the Bullet, other than Crankcases...

Hi Tim, definitely Enfield, and both front and back iron hubs came from different sources. The front came from an Indian army bullet so perhaps a home market variant. As to the rear hubs The two alloy ones have different fins so perhaps they are brought in to the factory by different suppliers. Q how much was actually made in house?

Enfield used to supply other manufacturers with brakes years ago, possibly 30's - 40's.

Q how much was actually made in house?




Not much at all by the late 90's and even less now-a-days. The factory is mostly an assembly plant and does not even have a spare parts department as such. Simply receives in each day/week what is needed for assembly.

And a lot of the reject components are nailed together to make so-called '1965' machines.

Hi again, I queried this with my source in india, evidently the first full widths were iron ( why some photos show black painted fw hubs) and then changed to alloy. And the different castings are from various suppliers. So for once a blog where everyone was correct! Vince