Forum

[Bullet Whisperer]

That so called 1965 500 Bullet is an Indian 'Ringer' - there was no such thing in 1965 and R.E. India were using half width hubs and only making 350 cc machines until well into the seventies. I am not into rivet counting, but the Redditch 350 shown at the start of this thread is a much more genuine machine, in my opinion at any rate. Regards, Paul.

[Paul M H]

Id say only part of that second bike that is 1965 is the Frame could you even trust that. Even the seller says it has had a early nintys 500 engine fitted and every thing else is newer that that.

[Mark M]

I notice that the Indian "ringer" has a dating certificate issued by the VMCC. I happen to know that the REOC is very annoyed that the VMCC is doing this as they have no access to the relevant records and quite simply have no idea what they are talking about. If they carry on giving erroneous dating certs to blatant fakes it will (in fact it already is,) spoil the REOC's ability to date genuine machines. And to add insult, you pay more for a VMCC "Dating Cert" than you do for REOC membership which includes Machine Dating for free! I'm not a rivet counter either, each to his own I say but passing off bikes such as this is underhand at best and illegal at worst. REgards, Mark

[Off to the shed again]

Do the VMCC realise the litigation they face from irate buyers on giving a false and incorrect dating certificate? Why do they think they have the authority to cheat and lie in this way. I am busting for a fight on this, any VMCC members think its ok? Come on, you must be reading this forum.

[Scalyback]

I would like a bike that is mostly or completely original, but the clincher, is that I need a pre 1960, so that I don't have to ship the bike between France and the UK every year for it's MOT!.



Would the VMCC do a pre 1960 certificate for my 1994 bullet 'tornado' if I stuck a vintage single spring seat on him? That would be golden!

[Bullet Whisperer]

A few years ago, the REOC would not issue a dating certificate for my 1955 500 Bullet greenlaner, because although it is 100 percent made from Redditch parts, I had used a 6" full width hub and built it into a 21" alloy rim, also the forks are probably from a slightly later trials Enfield. Top yoke, I was told, came off a Turbo Twin - it looks great on my machine, though. I built the rear wheel using an 18" alloy rim, to suit my requirements and a Lucas N1 magneto was overhauled and fitted - no dynamo and no lights were fitted. Despite the engine and frame leaving the Redditch factory in 1955, this machine failed to score enough points to qualify - so I went elsewhere [not the VMCC either] and got the paperwork sorted without a problem. However, my machine is not a 'ringer', it is a genuine machine from 1955 that has been sympathetically restored, but not to standard spec and as such, I don't see why the REOC refused to issue a certificate for such a machine. However, if I went and stamped the numbers from this machine onto an unstamped Indian frame from more recent times, fitted an Indian engine and all the other parts from 90's Indian machines to make a complete bike, then call it a 1955 Redditch bullet, that would make me a liar and a cheat, just like some others we have to co-exist with in this world. Regards, Paul.

[Mark M]

Paul, the "system" (to be polite) that was in force a few years ago and resulted in the refusal of a Dating Cert from the REOC would not happen today, there is a much more enlightened approach now. The important thing to remember is that if the REOC's dating service is undermined then there will be no definitive organisation at all and we'll be in real trouble. On a different subject, do you think it would be possible to build a short stroke Bullet engine using a Unit 350 rod? REgards, Mark

[Bullet Whisperer]

Hi Mark, I know where you're coming from with that and fully understand the situation. I know things are different now, thankfully. Regarding the 350 question, I could just about write a book on that one, but can't type very fast! You are welcome to call me on 07909 740160, though, if you wish and I can talk you through what I know. Regards, Paul.

[Mark M]

Thanks Paul, I will do that in a couple of days if that's ok, I shall be working away and too busy to talk! Thanks,
REgards, Mark