Author Topic: New to me 1956 RE  (Read 5640 times)

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rvcycleguy

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on: May 17, 2013, 04:03:26 am
Recently purchased this 1956 RE Bullet 500. Comments would be appreciated. 



« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 04:05:54 am by rvcycleguy »
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


Arizoni

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Reply #1 on: May 17, 2013, 04:19:42 am
Looks like a nice bike.

Someone has added turn signals and changed the rear shocks.  In 1956 the shocks did not have air pressure canisters.

Also, if my book that shows photos of the Royal Enfields built back then are correct, someone has changed the front brake as well.
The RE's of those times did not have double leading brake shoes and the lever was on the right side of the wheel (looking from the riders position).

I'm sure you are going to have fun with it. :)
Jim
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1999 Miata 10th Anniversary


High On Octane

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Reply #2 on: May 17, 2013, 05:56:25 am
Congrats on your Royal Enfield purchase and welcome to the forum!

That's a very nice bike!  Mostly original and complete with all the right modern upgrades.  That bike would have originally been a 350 motor, but they are commonly upgraded to the 500 cylinder and piston.  Also, is the right side cable on your front wheel connected to a lever or does it screw into something?  I'm not sure if that is a twin leading front brake or a speedometer cable.

I'd say you scored yourself a fine bike.  And I 2nd what Arizoni said, you are going to have a lot of fun on that bike and turn a LOT of heads.    :)

I just finished restoring a 1958 Enfield built Inidian Trailblazer 700 twin.  It's the same era as your bike but with a twin engine and Indian badging.  I've owned and ridden several different styles and makes of bikes over the years.  I've even been up to 165mph on '04 Ninja ZX6RR and not even THAT compares to how much fun I have riding my Indian.  Here's a link if you're interested in checking it out.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,16423.0.html
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,15997.0.html

Enjoy your new toy and safe riding!

Scottie
« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 05:58:58 am by Scottie J »
2001 Harley Davidson Road King


ERC

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Reply #3 on: May 17, 2013, 01:47:03 pm
They started making 500cc bullets in 1953. That picture looks like a mixture of parts and pieces. It's in very nice condition though.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


rvcycleguy

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Reply #4 on: May 17, 2013, 02:47:49 pm
The bike came with the original small hard bound book from the original purchaser with transfer stamps through the decades.  The first record is 11/5/57. Noted in the inside cover page are matching chassis and engine numbers and for horsepower is shown 500cc.  All of the stamps are Calcutta and West Bengal. In the mid-1990's, it was owner transferred to guy who exported it to USA.  It was this guy that brought it to Houston and had a shop do an expensive update and restorative process by adding items that are not original but were necessary for function. This process included powder coating, gloss paint work, re-chroming, new tires and wheels, add-on blinkers, new exhaust and silencer muffler, misc gaskets, seals, kick starter and brake pedal and so many odds and ends, the receipts and invoices are a few pages.  In fact the gas tank is now over 5 gal measure.   
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


ERC

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Reply #5 on: May 17, 2013, 02:52:06 pm
Looking at the area where where the seat bolts on it's not an early frame. It appears to be a late Indian frame. Also if you have the engine # on left side may be able to give you year of motor. ERC
« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 09:12:59 pm by ERC »
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


rvcycleguy

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Reply #6 on: May 17, 2013, 09:19:37 pm
Thanks ERC.  Engine and Chassis numbers are if what I an make out reads: G2/36285
« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 09:21:50 pm by rvcycleguy »
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


barenekd

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Reply #7 on: May 18, 2013, 12:30:05 am
That is a 1955 frame type. They may have still used that one in 56. There was a frame change right in there to the "Indian" style frame, which this one isn't.
Bare
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rvcycleguy

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Reply #8 on: May 18, 2013, 01:30:09 am
Thanks Barenked.  I rode it for the first time today and was amazed at the gear range.  I guess the plan is to get to 4th and go, go, go.  Fun, fun ride.  I have to get a plan in place for starting it.  A couple of years ago, I had a hard freeway crash on my everyday heavy cruiser and damaged my right leg badly.  So, when I kick start this bike and don't get it right on the downstroke and it binds on compression, it really play havoc on the repaired lower shin where there is a titanium rod in place.  Will have to kick it with my left and better understand the thrust point.  After its warmed up, it cranks up fine, but cold start is difficult. 
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


ERC

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Reply #9 on: May 18, 2013, 02:45:13 am
That frame # is in the range of what Bare says. Do you know what the engine # is? It should be stamped on the left side under the cylinder on the block itself.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


barenekd

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Reply #10 on: May 18, 2013, 02:57:02 am
to use the compression Release, shove the piston up to where you feel the compression. Open the compression release and push the kick starter easily about a quarter stroke. You're trying to push the piston just over TDC. Close the compresson release, then romp on it. The flywheel inertia will help the piston over the next compression stroke and the bike should start. You shouldn't even hardly feel that next compression. Be sure you kick it all the way through, though. If you stop halfway the piston can kick back and getcha!
Having had left and and right hand kick starters, I got the technique down with either leg. You can, too
Bare
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2011 Black Classic G5 (RIP)
I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death
http://www.controllineplans.com


High On Octane

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Reply #11 on: May 18, 2013, 06:00:34 am
+1 to Bare on the starting technique

Also, if you still have trouble with your injured leg, it is very easy to start the bike with your left leg when the bike is on the center stand.  I did it SEVERAL times on my 700 twin in my attempts to get it running properly.  After my right leg and foot were too tired and sore from kicking so many times.    ;)

Scottie
2001 Harley Davidson Road King


ERC

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Reply #12 on: May 18, 2013, 02:17:12 pm
Here's a couple of 54 and 56 frame pictures plus a 2003 frame. That's why I thought the frame is a later built Indian frame.   ERC
« Last Edit: May 18, 2013, 03:01:18 pm by ERC »
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


rvcycleguy

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Reply #13 on: May 18, 2013, 03:31:54 pm
Thanks,  I will look closely later today. 

RV
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


rotorwrench

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Reply #14 on: May 18, 2013, 03:40:36 pm
On India VS UK built frames, the easiest way to tell is that RE used forgings for many of the tube connection points. The frames manufactured in India used mostly steel tube welded structure with almost no forgings.