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Dating Indian Enfields

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:13 am
by Norm

I'm trying to authenticate what is said to be a 1984 model and I was wondering if there is any frame sequence of numbers that would indicate year of manufacture back then.

Dating Indian Enfields

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:24 am
by Mark M
Norm, the REOC Chairman Graham Scarth has taken on the project of de-coding early Indian numbers. He's got the part built Redditch bikes and has amassed a lot of data on the Indian ones too, so you could apply to him. In the meantime, why don't you post the number and see if anyone can reference it to theirs?
REgards, Mark

Dating Indian Enfields

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:12 am
by Norm

Thanks Mark, frame number on this one is 4B30211 just been imported from India with 84 paperwork and I was just curious as to how truthfull it migh be. It is going on club reg but I have to prove to our scrutineer how old it really is

Dating Indian Enfields

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:51 am
by Mark M
Norm, going by the numbers provided it looks like a 1984, 1994 or 2004 bike. What's the engine number?
REgards, Mark

Dating Indian Enfields

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:29 pm
by John M
As Mark said the “4” at the start of the frame number indicates the year of manufacture, but unfortunately not the decade.
If the bike is 1984 and all original then it should look its age, have the following features and it should be a 350;
It should be badged as an ENFIELD with no Royal on the tank.
It should have the 1954 style front forks with detachable oil seal holders. (see replacing fork seals in the technical notes on this site.)
This age of Bullet should have half width hubs similar in appearance to the pre 1955 English bikes.
I think that pre 1987 bikes are 6volt, but I’m not 100% sure.
If it’s been “restored” with newer parts it could be impossible to tell what it is.

Dating Indian Enfields

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 3:12 am
by victortrry
My 350 has the following numbers on it
B1979162C
EI69916
41801 Engine no
All three numbers are on the frame and engine
The tank badge is metal and says Enfield India
has half width hubs front and back
Cush rubbers in the clutch and back wheel
pressure relief valve on the motor.
Any ideas on year?