Royal Enfield Bullet - British or Indian, old or newer - a guide discussing some of the differences.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- A few years ago, I made a rather poorly lit, short, shaky video explaining the major giveaway of an Indian Enfield Bullet frame, which was all well and good to a point, but here, thanks to having a few British and Indian machines present all at once, I have been able to discuss some of the various differences between them in greater detail and depth, the aim being to hopefully help those thinking of buying to know exactly what they are looking at.
This is basically to outline some of the differences and milestone changes, but is not a comprehensive list of all the detail changes, from one year to the next, but it will help identify whether a machine is British or Indian, for those who might like to know.
I see we have a 'dislike' already and in the case of this video, I have to wonder if it is by someone who would rather I hadn't explained the differences ...
Someone paid top dollar for an early Indian after being told it was Redditch 😂
Not to worry, Paulie...when the Christ returns, with angels on high, there'll be detractors & snide critics.
@@thra5herxb12s either that, or a shark selling ringers doesn't want his profits snuffing out!
Just some miserable get who doesn't like Mr. Kitty no doubt. More cats I say. He was making sure they said RHP not TaTa. Nice compare contrast Paul. appreciate you going to the trouble to show the bare frames and engine as well.
@@thomasrose7713 Thanks - you are probably right, there's always one, isn't there ...
When I was 15 years old I bought a 1955 Royal Enfield 350 as seen from a shop for 12 quid, wish I still had it. The bike I bought had a single leading shoe brake plate on either side of the front hub.
Thank you for the detailed information. I own two Indian built Bullets myself, a 350 I brought back from Chennai and a "continental" model 500 which I rebuilt and tuned. Very few if any of the Redditch models here in Canada though but thanks to you, I'll know what to look for next time I see a Bullet. Useful video, mostly in UK and Europe though.
Thanks!
The kitty is a nice feature
Thanks for taking the time to make this! I really learned a lot. Never knew there were that many differences between all the Bullets
Thank you.
Thanks Paul for this information. I just bought a 1980 Indian version, wish it was British but this was available and still fun. I’m stripping it down as it was painted over in army green and covering the nice chrome tank.
Really interesting and useful video Paul. I've been running a '55 G2 for the past 20 years and still enjoy it. Still does 60 mph and 80 mpg! Very underrated in my opinion.
Thanks Ian, long may you enjoy your G2!
I agree, my 1957 bullet 350 clubman, is fast enough for normal road traffic speed, it has the original lucas sr1 magneto with auto advance, Amal 626 with foam pod filter & free flow bsa goldstar replica exhaust, the engine sound is amazing!
A very interesting little vid Paul. I've always liked the later Redditch bikes with the welded frame; they just seem more of a piece. I remember seeing a 1979 (ish) Indian bike years back but didn't know that the indian bikes came to the UK before that..... Interesting to see what they were doing there in the 1960s.
Thanks Stewart, the Indian bikes were not officially imported into the UK until around 1977 or later, but they were being made all along in India prior to that. The importing of older Indian machines is largely a recent thing, and if a 1965 Indian built 350 has been converted to a 500 there at some stage, then shipped over here, we do indeed have a 1965 500, I suppose, but some try and go the extra mile by claiming them to be British built, when they are not.
Im reading a book on Bullets by Peter Henshaw and I must say Im enjoying it immensly!The bike just always evolved time and again....Your bike is a real beauty!
Thanks again Paul. Personally they’re all Bullets and that works for me.
Thanks John, that is a fair point, but there are sharks out there, waiting to prey on the unwary.
Thanks Paul, very informative and as a 2018 500 bullet owner it’s lovely to see where it evolved ( though not far at all really!!) from . Always someone who wants to cheat someone who doesn’t know better so well done helping people out! 👍
Thank you!
Thanks for that informative historical look at Redditch vs. Indian Bullets. Your earlier video on the topic was helpful too, but with "the gang all there" you did well to think of doing this reboot. In a related vein, which segues nicely from your video, the Indian TH-camr "Son of a gun" is a big fan of the "G2" model Bullets. Those were the first ones assembled in India from parts shipped over from Redditch prior to the subsequent "B" or "B1" series, whose guts were "All-Indian". It seems that those early G2s are particularly sought after collectibles yonder, and often "spoofed", rather in the same way Indian-made machines are sometimes attempted to be passed off as Redditch-built ones. Anyone interested in the further evolution of the Bullet would do well to check out "Son if a gun's" body of work, such as this look at the differences between G2 and B series rides: th-cam.com/video/ezw4RrbulfE/w-d-xo.html. Plus, he's clearly a great guy that can ride with me anytime.
Thanks Bill!
Thank you Paul , great information on a great bike , love them all as I do my 2021 Interceptor .
I was trying to buy a later frame from a classic dealer for a project using an Indian engine/ gearbox and his response was “It’s people like you who are keeping Royal Enfield prices down”
Very informative Paul, many thanks for this.
Thanks Roy!
The 1965 enfield thing is in ireland now too. That lot of info u just gave us. Might save some1 from geting caught out paying over the odds.thanks paul
Thanks Gerald!
Thanks Paul good information. Keep them coming 👍😀
Really good video, informative and interesting, nice to see the difference from the frames, l like the design of the 1950's frame, it has lovely symmetry in the swept back tubing......
Very informative, and thank you Paul for the same . Special thanks and regards to the furry 4 paws engineer 😀
This is more than helpful. Thank you!!!
Loved the video and being interested in buying an Enfield I found it enjoyable.
Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very interesting & informative. Thnx Paul
My pleasure!
thanks for taking the time I enjoyed the video
Thanks for watching!
Hi Paul, weeral een mooie stukje geschiedenis en wak kennis van U .Dank U en vele groetjes aan jou en u familie .
Dank U !
Very useful video, thanks! I’m thinking of buying a RE Bullet, will have to be an Indian one though. Thanks again.
I have a 2002 500 bullet, chrome guards, single sprung saddle, beautiful girl with bags of character. Had it for 8 years or so and the only trouble it gave me was kickstart pawl quit, cheap and easy fix...
Enjoying my 1999 imported from India Standard 500cc Bullet. Built like tank
Nice one Paul! Cats seem to like them too
Thanks - the cats are always interested in the bikes!
Nice info Paul. I have four cats and a Redditch 1957 Royal enfield bullet 350 in clubman trim, love all 5!
Thanks, Frank!
Hi Paul, why have I just found this now I wonder? Excellent explanation of the different frames. The general public still believe that Royal Enfields built in India today are just the same as the Redditch ones. Redditch for me all the way, I like the old bikes of my youth and don't want a brand new old motorbike! I still call them Madras Enfields without the "Royal" !
I love my Indian made, new, Classic 350 in its own right. It's a brilliant bike for me. However, I was bought up on old British bikes so I'm looking for a 1950s Royal Enfield as a garage mate and to ride on nice days. No need to dis' the new ones.
Great review, thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Nice bikes, great to see the cats in the video!
Thanks!
Thanks for the video, very very interesting.
My pleasure!
The frame is a good one only a matter of time before there getting modified 😂 glad your not a hater of the Indian 🇮🇳 bullets Paul! It’s a cheaper way for people to enjoy a classic!
My wife has a false hip and cant kick over a regular old Brit, so she bought an Indian Enfield with electric starter 👍
@@thra5herxb12s by the time I get mine sorted I will need the electric start! 👍😂 she’s on the list
Quite an assortment. At a passing glance they would all seem to be the same, but it was quite interesting to see what, and where, the actual differences are.
Thanks!
Great video, useful info for those diving in, could use less spinning about as I got dizzy early on, and the cat's the star.
Thanks - sorry I made you dizzy!
Thanks, Paul!
My pleasure!
Thanks for that Paul.
Thanks!
Hi, Paul I was never a fan until the last few years being into Triumphs and the oil tank as part of the engine, that said I grew up and now appreciate many marques even the looked down on East German and Soviet bikes including the 2 strokes. Thanks for the vid and insight into these bikes. A friend of mine is almost finished assembling a really nice Model G I believe a very close relative of the Bullit. I thought he was mad starting with a frame, forks, front wheel, and gearbox got for just over £100 2 years ago.
I should ask, I guess you've seen what the very skillful Craig Jones from the Doghouse does with them - Really nice Bobbers.
Hi and thanks for sharing that, although I am not a big fan of Bobbers, but I have built the engines and wheels for a couple! [Look for Slo Poke in my videos]
A new Indian Bullet 500 was my re-entry into bikes in 1992 after a gap of 14 years. I wasn't interested in modern machines and liked the look and sound of it, but I was a bit disappointed with the performance (my last bike had been an 850 Commando and this one struggled to overtake an HGV), and the build quality was not impressive. The headlamp was a bodge - in order to uprate the bulb for the UK market, they had to bend the terminals on the bulb to make it fit in the shell, it misfired in the wet, the chrome was poor quality and soon started to pit, and during the year I owned it, the carb-to -head rubber split, the silencer bracket broke (and the replacement they sent had the bracket welded in the wrong place, so had to be replaced again), and my local dealers were not very helpful. I think my expectations were too high, but at least it made me realise what I really wanted - I sold it and bought a 1978 T140V, which did everything I wanted, and I've still got it now, 29 years later.
Just to add, the example you showed, a 51 Bullet Pre-Casquette was never built in India, only imported. India started building bikes in 55, Casquette, MagDyno's and initially, yes with imported U frames.
I have a fully Redditch built '52 CBU (Direct Import) Bullet, highly original with full provenance confirmed by the Royal Enfield Club UK here in India which is an extremely rare machine.
If the rear mud guard just happens to falls off the Redditch 17" wheel Bullet for any reason.... I'm willing to rehome it!
Good informative video again B.W., keep em coming please.
DTB 😁
Thanks, Dave!
Really useful video, thanks for taking the time to record and upload this one ✌️😎
Thanks!Glad it was helpful!
Hi paul i have a 2007 500 bullet trials great little bike .the smell the sound its great.nothing like plodding around the country lanes on a nice summer evening .its better than sex.
Thanks for the great history lesson. Do you have a preference in wheel size?
Hi Herman - my favourite combination is 18" rear and 19" front, although most of the Bullets I have encountered have used 19" both ends [standard]. The 17" wheeled British models ride fine, but tyres can be tricky to find.
Hi Paul great video explaining the differences between the bikes. My current bike is a 500cc classic EFI but I am curious about owning a cast iron bullet. Do you think the Indian 500cc bullets are reliable or can made be reliable with some tinkering? The classic EFI has left me stranded more than once. Faulty fuel injection (now switched to Amal carb) and two(!) leaking fuel tanks. Thanks in advance, greetings from the Netherlands.
Hi Rick, most of the older 'classic' type Bullets should be reliable, if not very fast, as they come. The problems usually start when someone decides to 'improve' their machine, without fully knowing, or understanding what they are doing. Their main fault is their simplicity, which doesn't put enough people off from 'having a go'. a nice, low miles, unmolested example would be worth looking for, and then, you could 'improve it' to suit your own requirements !
Interesting video Paul, of the Indian bikes which do you prefer, the British style or the later Eicher unit construction models
Hi Arthur, my own favourites are the British style ones.
Hi Paul lovely video I was wondering if any 700 meteors or 750 it's were assembled in India, I know someone who has an old 700 meteor & the frame is identical to 500 bullet frame Indian?? Love your work keep it up cheers Stan.
I see you have all your bikes cat scanned. ;0) Cats eh! I never leave my bike keys where the cat can get them in case they go for a midnight ride! In 1966 I owned a 1961 350 Bullet for a few months but my father would not let me park it in the garden and the local authority threatenened me with prosecution when I parked it on the verge outside my house. I could not sell it as no one wanted to buy it and eventually I gave it away. I've always regretted that and for all the bikes I've had since that one haunts me still. It had 17 inch wheels, with FW hubs, a red and chrome tank, chrome mudguards and red side covers but similar to the all black model in this video. I note it has a "B" plate which I thought was for 1964 so the bike might have sat around in a dealers for a couple of years before it was sold. My 1961 number plate was YYO 669. The 6 volt alternater and coil ignition and a mixture of poor battery and my lack of knowledge made it quite difficult to start. Do you ever convert them to 12 volt and electronic ignition? I've been watching your videos recently and am very much impressed with what you achieve and your straightforward honest approach. Don't worry about thumbs down, I'm sure they will be swamped by all the thumbs up.
Thanks Dave - if I was starting with a 'clean sheet', I would convert to 12 volt electrics, but many with 6 volts work fine. I am not the greatest fan of electronic ignitions - even my Trident runs three sets of points!
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Good explanation mate and yes seen a few weird eBay examples of 65 500's lol
Thanks!
As always informative. Paul ,Can you use a british frame fitting Indian parts and mechanicals?
Thanks! Yes, many components are interchangeable and can be mixed and matched.
Great question.
Nice vid Paul very informative, one question how do you get the front brake to work effectively on your 350 please?
Hi David, the front brake on that 350 is not great if I am honest, but ok - I have never done anything with it, but our 350 racer can do a 'stoppie' on the 7 inch SLS front drum. Perhaps I should make a video some time, on how I get the best from my brakes ...
@@paulhenshaw4514 Many thanks Paul that would be great as they do tend to come in for some criticism.
Very informative video, thanks! My 350 has to have the worst front brake ever. It just doesn’t stop, is spongy and comes back to the bar. Any tips on what I can do or where to look to find hints online? It’s a SLS type. Should I sand the leading edge of the brake shoe? A bit desperate, tried everything to improve retardation but I can almost push it down the drive with the brake pulled on as hard as I can and adjuster fully up. Thanks again. Maybe a video on brake tuning soon?
Hi Paul only just found this clip and found it very helpful but it has confused me. First engine you looked at has a breather at base of barrel and that later ones the breather is just around the back. My confusion is with the breather at the bottom of the chaincase as mine has as it breaths through the crank (1951 350) ! so does this engine have 2 breathers or is the crank breather not in use? Keep up the fantastic work love ya videos
Hi Jeremy, there is only one breather, wherever it may be located on a particular type of engine, unless someone fits an additional one themselves.
OK so the very early ones breath out of the chaincase? What year did they start putting a breather at base of barrel was it around 55 56 ? Sorry for the questions just want to have a better understanding of early enfields
Until when did the indian Enfield used the half drum brake in the front wheel, I have a 1977 Indian Enfield with the half drumbrake in the front.
Not sure exactly, but probably some time in the 1980's, at a guess.
Very interesting Paul...I’m sure with the price of British bikes soaring...that there are lots of imposters...thanks for the info..🇨🇦
Thanks Curtis!
Paul can I ask an unrelated question please, I am thinking of buying a Indian 500 electric start but he has taken off the electric start , is it ok to do this , he has the bits to put it back on ,but I would not ,even though it would help I like the idea of using just a kick start again, great and informative video cant imagine why anyone would thumbs down???
Thanks Mickey - removal of the electric start is quite common, as they are not that good and can give trouble.
Very interesting! However I'd take exception to the tapered drive side indicating an earlier engine. I've got two on the bench at the moment (1962 G2 serial and 1970 B serial, both from India) and the earlier one (scavenge pressure relief valve, cork drive side gasket, bush on timing side, three screw breather) has a flatter boss, whereas the later one is more tapered. Both engines have been extensively modified - the earlier bored out to 500 and the cases bored for metric main bearings. The later engine is still 350 and now also has metric mains but has had the scavenge oil pressure relief gallery blocked up.
The tapered main bearing housing on the drive side indicates a British crankcase and was a feature on British engines from start to finish of Redditch production. What became of any of these cases which went to India and how / when they were used or stamped relative to the Indian made cases is anyone's guess, though.
@@paulhenshaw4514 I guess it could be a replacement half case? It's tapered but with a central flat larger than the other...
The oil pressure relief on my 51 350 had been filled with filler . Also I found mastic in the end of the crank shaft drive side and up the chaincase breather. The chaincase was filling with oil from around crank then pumping out back of chaincase totally unusable. However all sorted now
Just got an 09' iron barrel 500, no electric start, model. My 100 HP Harley is jealous.
Iron Barrel 500 CC bullets were produced in 2009?
@@krishnamohan2862 got it from Indian gent In Michigan. Made for Indian market, not for export. No tiger eye lights, no electric start. No amp meter. Classic black w/ Kumar Brothers stripping. Looked at pictures from 2000 on. Looks most like '06 but frame says mfg. '09. Moot point now as it just burned down w/ my Honda Rubicon and Harley Nightster. Left me w/ Kawasaki W800Cafe and KTM RC390.
What is difference between G2(1960) and B1 engine(1970 model) , and big bolted vs round chassis in terms of performance ?
The main differences seem to be between British and Indian made engines, where performance is concerned. The British engines have higher compression ratios, better porting and more 'sporty' valve timings.
What’s the yellow little sit on truck thing that appears in the background Paul?
Hi Phil, we are still trying to find out for certain, my Son owns it and the chap who sold it to him said it had been a factory tug in a glass factory in Llanelli.
hello...Can you please guide me with how to have a old indian enfield which has been cutom build into a hard tail , sent to the UK..Like what would be the necessary formalities in India and in the UK please.
Sorry, but no I can't help with that.
Ever so slightly "off topic": seeing 4 Bullets together is nice & a good opportunity to do the video (which i like)... however..... have you or your family ever wondered what would happen if the 40 odd Asbo Royal Enfields you have built descended at yours one day for a coffee all at the same time? It'd be a hoot!! :)
Hi Marko - that would be a bit daunting!
I dont know anything about the pedigree of the royal enfield but I notice that the gear shift and rear brake pedal are on opposite sides to what is the norm today with bikes 🏍
The older British machines and their Indian 'copies' are like that and use 4 speed gearboxes, but 5 speed Indian machines have their gear levers on the left.
Oooo is the one next to the orange one any good and is it for sale how much after and before asbo treatment please
Hi Mickey, that bike was a customer machine, as seen in another video. the 'Asbo' jobs vary from bike to bike and owner to owner, but generally start at around £800 for the basics.
Thanks Paul I may be getting an Electra 500 with the starter removed, are the a reliable bike I will be using it every work day 50 mile round trip maybe every other week I will use my 650 W Kawasaki scrambler,ido t mind doing stuff on the bike every week and changing it tomorrow modern stuff as well as changing the oil every couple,e of months what do you say can they be used like this I would also think of asabo ing it ha ha
👍🏴
நானும் Royal Enfield வைத்து இருக்கிறேன்
Jesus Blessing You
Tried to get a 500cc Enfield de luxe, to hire in 96'Goa but was unable to?
Perhaps more 500's are sent from India for export?
Merci pour ces infos, nouveau dans le monde des ROYAL ENFIELD je suis juste capable de dire sûre la mienne vient d'Inde😀..mais suis très intéressé des origines de ma nouvelle monture...✌️🇨🇵
I have a G2 which has three screw breather arrangement but the it has an Indian frame the bike is 1967 is it a Indian or Redditch ?
It sounds like you probably have a machine built in India, using a Redditch engine.
@@paulhenshaw4514 Thank you for replying
Cute cat in the video😍
Thank you! 😊
I have RE Machismo 350 red and chrome 1997 make
Good video, cool for cats.🐱👤
Thank you!
So the original bullet had 17” wheels both back and front?
Only in the last couple of years of production at Redditch, they used 19 inch wheels before that.
@@paulhenshaw4514 that’s good to know before there time there better tyre choice aswell ! They must handle nice on 17s
@@davidwilliamson9162 17 inch wheels were the 'in thing' for a while, in the late fifties / early sixties, with RE, BSA and Triumph all using them on certain models. The steering is certainly quite quick.
1958 was the last model year with the double sided front brake with 19 inch front wheel for the 350 bullet.
I salute you sar nice and beautiful
Thank you!
I like your kitten
Thanks - she likes the bikes and being around them!
Post more riding videos
When the lockdown is over.
Not loud enough
Oh, I am so sorry.
You do know that Superman was Indian dont you ? Where else in the World can a man run faster than a train 😂