Monday, August 15, 2011

Identifying a Royal Enfield Bullet 350, by the numbers

Thomas has a much modified Royal Enfield.
Identifying a Royal Enfield is a challenge for me, especially when it comes down to numbers chiseled into motors or frames.

Help identifying one mystery motorcycle came recently from the chairman of the Royal Enfield Owners Club.

You might remember the motorcycle. Thomas Jakobsson, of Sweden, wrote:

"I wonder if someone can help me identify my supposedly 1966 Royal Enfield. My bike has Frame number: G2/50910 E1/12910. Engine number: G2/50910 20620 E1/12910."

Sprung pillion seat and disk brake are common modifications from India.
I asked for help on his behalf, and this comment came from Graham Scarth of the Royal Enfield Owners Club in the UK:

"350cc Bullet G2/50910 left the Redditch factory in April, 1962 as a 'completely knocked down' kit of parts. The EI number was added at the Madras factory on assembly."

I appreciated the information, as does Thomas, who wrote to add that "I have since spoken to an Indian company called Soni motors in New Delhi; they say it's a company called Madaan Motors that restored my bike with new parts."

He attached the pictures seen here.

Lots of numbers on the motor.
There is some hope on the horizon for those who want to know more about the origin of their motorcycles. Graham is courageously attempting to compile a spreadsheet of frame/engine numbers of made-in-India 350cc machines. He writes, in the club publication The Gun:

"If you have an Indian built 350cc bike with pre-VIN numbers (those starting with ME3) I would be grateful if you would let me know the engine/frame numbers of your machine and the model and year you believe it to be.

Numbers at top left (facing forward) of frame, often hard to read.
"If you have one of the early machines with both G2 and E1 or E1 and B prefix numbers, please be sure to let me have both. Some will only have a B prefix number and some of these may have an alpha/numeric suffix. From 1982 on, it should have a B number with a digit in front."

Graham is asking that you include digital pictures of the numbers to absolutely verify them. You can email him at chairman@royalenfield.org.uk or write him at 39 North Moor Road, Huntington, York. YO32 9QN, United Kingdom.
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24 comments:

  1. Anonymous8/18/2011

    Hi David I don't think it's a ignition key in the battery box. The Indian model bullets have a key lock for the battery cover. You can take the cover off to inspect your battery just by turning the key.
    Jessie

    ReplyDelete
  2. David Blasco8/18/2011

    Jessie, thank you for the correction! That has to be it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown7/21/2016

    i recently purchase a dismantled incomplete bike & i unable to identify which model this bike is , even no number on engine case, but in registered document in the year 1968 , states model as Ex army , Chassis number : g/2 18310 & engine number g 13347 . please tell me which model this bike is, thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Blasco7/22/2016

      Full details on having your Bullet identified, for free, by Graham Scarth, chairman of the Royal Enfield Owners Club UK are in my post at this link.

      Delete
  4. Unknown12/21/2016

    Hi David,
    I am Biju Mathew from Australia .I have purchased a a Royal Enfield from India intended to import to Australia . It has got an Engine Number G2 70256 along with a number EI 32256. Same number is on chasi as well. Could you pls advice its history .This helps me to import it to Australia as an enthusiast motor bike recovery scheme as classic ROYAL ENFIELD .
    THANKS


    BIJU MATHEW
    MELBOURNE

    ReplyDelete
  5. David Blasco12/21/2016

    Biju, you can read an explanation of how to date your motorcycle in my blog post at this link. Basically, you should send the information above to Graham Scarth, chairman of the Royal Enfield Owners Club UK at graham.scarth01@gmail.com Graham has made a study of these numbers and likely will be able to help you. He does this at no cost to you. It would be helpful to him if you would attach to your email photos of the bike and especially of the numbers. Sometimes the way the numbers are applied to the motorcycle can provide valuable clues.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous2/23/2017

    what kind of petrol does it need? lead additive?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown12/21/2019

    Hi David, Good Morning. Still the email address graham.scarth01@gmail.com for getting the enfield bullet is valid since you have mentioned this address on 2016 and it is before 3 years. If the address is changed can you please share the new email id for contacting the chairman? Thanks in Advance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Blasco12/21/2019

      The email is graham.scarth01@gmail.com (note that his address ends in zero-one, not oh-one). All best.

      Delete
  8. Belal Arshad8/23/2020

    Hi Guys, I am owner of a G2 bike it is registered as Army disposal in 1980, and the first owner claims that it is 1962 manufactured.
    Further the chassis number is clearly visible but the G2 serial number on the engine is missing.
    Will it be a problem at the time of FC inspection?
    I will share the photos also through whatsApp my number is 7753032148

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown2/01/2021

      Hi Belal, did you got answer for your query. Even I am facing such situation at the moment?

      Delete
  9. Dave Black11/14/2020

    Hi There. Ive just Brought a 1951 Royal Enfeild 350cc Bullet which has a 500cc Enfeild motor in it. Engine No GZ17978 I was wanting to know what year the 500 is to order a gasket set for it . Many thanks Dave Black.
    New Zealand

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Blasco11/15/2020

      Dave, write to Graham Scarth at graham.scarth01@gmail.com for the answer. He has the knowledge base you need to get the answer. All best.

      Delete
  10. Unknown1/10/2021

    G2 70880 engine number and chassi number are same it's right or wrong plz inform me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Blasco1/11/2021

      Dear Unknown, all you have to do is to send the information to Graham Scarth at graham.scarth01@gmail.com Include photos of the numbers if you can. He will check his records for you.

      Delete
  11. Unknown3/15/2021

    Hi David will you please find out the model of a bike royal Enfield classic 350 from the chassis number(#ME3U3S5C1FG252660#. I am trying to buy the bike(second hand) but I just don't know the model. Just to find out whether it's right or wrong about the model the owner told me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Blasco3/15/2021

      I am sorry, but I do not know the answer to your question. The expert mentioned in the article, Graham Scarth, very likely can help you. You should email to him at graham.scarth@gmail.com He does not charge for his services. He will want to know the associated numbers on the motor and what year you believe the bike to be. All best.

      Delete
  12. Donbetetos6/03/2021

    I have engine royal enfield with code number 2-B-442858E my question this is engine 350 cc or 500 cc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Blasco6/03/2021

      According to Graham Scarth, chairman of the Royal Enfield Owners Club UK, if the number stampings are genuine, your motor is a "May 1982 350cc Bullet."

      Delete
  13. Junaid10/04/2021

    Hi I have a RE with engine and chassis number 5B319995 whats the exact year of this model ?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Junaid10/04/2021

    Hi I have RE with engine number of 5B319995 whats the exact year of this vehicle ?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Junaid10/04/2021

    Hi I have RE with engine number of 5B319995 whats the exact year of this vehicle ?

    ReplyDelete
  16. David Blasco10/04/2021

    Graham Scarth, chairman of the Royal Enfield Owners Club UK, attempts to answer such questions. Write to him at graham.scarth01@gmail.com He does not charge for this service, so be nice.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Joseph3/24/2022


    Can some help me with the model number of royal enfield
    The chassis number looks to me like
    H 31154

    And engine number as 31154

    As per the book year of manufacturing is 1946

    The bike is broken down, hence doesnt have complete picture

    Thanks

    Joe



    Regards,

    Jo







    Hitchcock's Motorcycles Ltd.



    E-mail: info@hitchcocksmotorcycles.com



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    From: Joseph Nalkara
    Sent: 23 March 2022 14:20
    To: Hitchcocks Motorcycles
    Subject: Model enquiry



    Dear sir,



    Can you help me with the model .As per chasis number mentioned in the book attached.

    I am a bit confused.

    Regards

    ReplyDelete

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