Forum

[Chris Tindal]

I have just got a very rusty 1954 Bullet 500 frame. Does anyone know much about these? It has the JS prefix but what makes it different from the 350 is the detachable rear subframe. I haven't got the detachable bits and suspect I may struggle to find them. Why was the back end bolt on/off on the 500 and weld on on the 350? Any info much appreciated.

[John M]

I did think that the engine mount on the front down tube is slightly wider on the 500, but someone queried that. The pre 1956 350 has narrower cases.
The 350 frame does not have threads for a sidecar mount on the rear of the top tube, under the saddle and the larger variants do and that's about it. That is unless you have one of the horrible frames with the cast swinging arm pivot.

[John M]

just read your post properly, you've got the front half of a rigid frame I presume. Look at our host's second hand parts.

[Chris Tindal]

Thanks John the 500 was a swinging arm frame like the 350 but the rear end and swinging arm mount was bolted on rather than welded on. Yes they were the type with the cast swinging arm pivot. Anyone know why the back end was bolt on?

[Mark M]

Chris, my 1953 500 Bullet is this design too. Later ones, 54-55 were welded. (I have had both types.) It seems that only very early 500s with the cast swingarm mount were like this. Factory pictures show some even earlier ones in what seems to be the 350 type frame but I've only ever seen one, a Swiss registered bike that was a something of a bitsa, so no idea if it was original. Are you trying to build a bike? You have my email, the tank I have is for this model!
REgards, Mark

[Chris Tindal]

Yes hope to build a bike Mark but it all depends on the frames condition, I haven't got it yet. I'll send you a picture when it comes but I know its pretty grotty. I guess it will end up costing more than the bikes worth to track down original bits so we'll see how it goes.

[John M]

Chris, you live and learn, http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19285/lot/200/ the link should be to a frame as you describe fitted with an early 350 engine. I'm totally puzzled as I've seen a quite a few 500 frames (possibly twins) with the cast pivot but the top welded on like earlier Bullets. No idea why they made some bolt on other than perhaps to combat frame fractures. Good luck finding a sub-frame.

[Chris Tindal]

Thanks for the link John, that's the very frame. Odd that its described as a 350 with a 500 engine number!

[Wayne]

Hi Chris, Wayne here from Hitchcocks - I have restored a 1953 JS 500 with the seperate rear sub frames - they all seemed to fracture and all I have seen are in pretty poor condition, I had to have mine welded - anyway if you give me a ring I think we have one side around somewhere although it will need repairing - if that helps.

[John M]

The bike in the link is definitely an early 350 engine as it does not have the cooling fins on the oil tank and has the square oil pump. Perhaps that's why there is a close up of the frame number but not one of the engine number.
As far as your frame is concerned, I wonder if you could fit a rigid rear end from a model G to it? I suspect that you would have to shorten the tubes under the engine, but it could be the basis of an interesting rigid trials project with an Indian Bullet re-housed in it.