- Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:30 pm
#85018
As has been mentioned. the swinging arm as fitted to UK twins is wider at the pivot point than the Indian one. Therefore it is too wide to fit the Indian Bullet frame. I suppose you could probably use a UK one if you cut a section out of the pivot tube and the reinforcement tube and weld it back together, making it the same width as the Indian one.
You would need to get the tape measure out first to see if this would work, also checking chain line and such. (measure twice, cut once, etc.)
(I'm referring to the iron engine Bullets here.)
I am actually playing around with a longer swinging arm for my 2003 Bullet. The arm is from a Yamaha XS650. The pivot point is the same width as the Indian Bullet type, so fits the frame. The wheel spindle location is 4" approx further back (hence the wheelbase is 4" longer,) but the mounting point for the bottom of the rear suspension units is further forward on the rear lugs. If you google XS650 swing arm you will see what I mean. Therefore the rear units do not need to be massively longer.
I am using a Honda CB500 wheel spindle and slightly modified XS650 chain tensioners. I had to have a longer rear sprocket bearing hollow dummy axle made up, also I've had to make-up spacers for the r/h side. The trickiest bit was welding a plate on the l/h end of the arm for the Enfield brake plate to fit.
I just need to sort out the pivot bearings and spindle - not a big job but I'm also rebuilding an Ariel Square Four, a Series 1 Interceptor and a Matchless G11...............
Why am I looking to extend the swinging arm? I'm 6' 3" and the Bullet is a bit small for me. It also looks like someone has rear-ended it and pushed the back wheel forwards! IMHO, they all look like that, including the twins before Enfield themselves lengthened the arm by fitting longer plates on the end, as discussed earlier.
With the wheel further back, I'll be able to address my other pet hate with Indian Bullets - the two carbuncles known as tool boxes or whatever. With a bit of modification, I will be able to move them both inwards so they will no longer be the widest parts of the bike!
The bike is fun to ride, however, with a Tollgate 625 engine (flowed head, 32 mm carb, forged piston, steel rod, roller big-end, sports cams etc) and a 5-speed box. I'd just like it to fit me better!
Allan.