Author Topic: New to me 1956 RE  (Read 5651 times)

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ERC

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Reply #15 on: May 18, 2013, 05:24:23 pm
Good point Rotor. Still wonder what the Engine # is. The bike does look great though.   ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


bullethead63

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Reply #16 on: May 18, 2013, 06:30:51 pm
FINE looking Bullet...welcome to the club!
1959 Royal Enfield/Indian Chief 700~(RED)~1999 Bullet Deluxe 500 KS~(BLUE)~2000  Bullet Classic 500 KS~(WHITE)~2002 Bullet Classic 500 ES~(GREEN)~1973 Triumph Tiger 750~(BLUE & WHITE)~Ride-Wrench-Repeat~your results may vary~void where prohibited by law~batteries not included~some assembly required~


rvcycleguy

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Reply #17 on: May 20, 2013, 04:47:00 am
Had a great ride for mot of the day today.  130 miles with a local group here in Houston.  On the way back home, cruising along at 80kpm, the motor just quit.  Like the kill switch was on?  Tried to pop the clutch while coasting and nothing.  Switch the kill switch on off to make sure I didn't hit accidentally while riding.  Nothing, finally rolled to a stop.  Plenty of gas, gas in the filter, and gas line to carb.  Kicked it a few times, nothing.  Got lights, turn signals, amp meter moves when kicking it.  Had to trailer it home.  In the garage now.  It's late and will check it out tomorrow after work day.  Any suggestion where to start?  I realize its a process of elimination, but where would you start looking first?  Thanks,  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


High On Octane

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Reply #18 on: May 20, 2013, 05:24:13 am
If the bike has a magneto if start there.  Magnetos are known for shutting down when they get hot.  If the bike starts right up for you tomorrow that's a sure fire sign of a mag on it's way out.

Scottie
2001 Harley Davidson Road King


rvcycleguy

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Reply #19 on: May 20, 2013, 12:30:33 pm
Thanks Scottie.  That's kinda what my son said on the phone while I was trailering it home last night.

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


ERC

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Reply #20 on: May 20, 2013, 01:26:05 pm
The bike in the picture has a distributor, not a mag. Coil looks like it's mounted on rear fender.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


rvcycleguy

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Reply #21 on: May 20, 2013, 04:40:07 pm
thanks ERC. 
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


rvcycleguy

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Reply #22 on: May 21, 2013, 10:14:25 pm
Here is the answer I received from Graham Scarth:

G2 was the UK Royal Enfield factory's code for a 350cc Bullet. The Enfield India factory at Madras (now Chennai) continued to use this prefix from the start of their production in 1956 up to the end of 1968.
 
G2 / 36285 is, however, a machine produced at Redditch and supplied to Madras Motors in April 1955.
 
If it is now 500cc, it has been converted a some time in the last 58 years !!!
 
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 #23 on: May 21, 2013, 11:27:08 pm
That's very interesting, Graham is great to work with on dating these. Did you get it running again?  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


rvcycleguy

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Reply #24 on: May 22, 2013, 01:13:49 am
No, I've not really had the time after work to look at it.  I've talked to the PO if he knew of anything I should be aware of.  We think its the coil.  I will test it over the holiday weekend. 

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


baird4444

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Reply #25 on: May 24, 2013, 10:13:58 pm
if it has the Lucas coil; I'd change anyway...   
               there are a lot of options and any of them would be an improvement.
                     - Mike
by the way; did you check the single wire out of the dist.? That bullet connector has a
knack for werking loose and killing fire to the points. 1st place I'd look...
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 but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly'
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rvcycleguy

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Reply #26 on: May 24, 2013, 11:03:00 pm
I had a MC tech that I trust look at the bike and he just called me and said it needs a coil.  12v.  Is there something special about it and where would I get one.  He says its 1.5 diameter.
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 #27 on: May 25, 2013, 03:15:53 pm
A person has to know what type of ignition system is currently on the machine. If it is the OEM type distributor ignition from the late 50s early 60s then it likely needs a coil & possibly a condenser. If it has an electronic ignition conversion then you need to know which set up you have whether New India Enfield or Boyer or what not. There may be other problems than the coil if it is an electronic conversion.

Late India manufactured parts can be ordered from our host of this site. Older Royal Enfield parts are available from Hitchcock's in the UK.

The OEM system for a 1956 RE Bullet (UK mfr) was an old Lucas Mag-Dyno system and I know you don't have that.


ERC

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Reply #28 on: May 25, 2013, 03:31:51 pm
Pull the cap off the distributor cap, see if it has points. If not then it's some form of electronic ignition. If it has points trace the wire that hooks to the points and see if there is any kind of electronic box that may go along with a points use conversion to electronic ignition. If it has none of the above get a 6 or 12v coil. whatever size your battery is.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


rvcycleguy

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Reply #29 on: May 25, 2013, 08:11:52 pm
Is a standard points ignition.  I've picked up a 12v coil from NAPA that was recommended by Baird4444 and gunnerasch. 
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