[Bulli]

Since i have 2x 350cc AVL engines lieing around (one is new, but some parts are dismounted..) + i have 1 ignition, 1 complete primary housing...., i just want to know wether i may use that engines in a normal contact-breaking PreUnit Bullet. Or should i try to find somebody else, who can use these parts..?

[Adrian II]

The engine and gearbox from the AVL Bullet will bolt straight into any other pre-EFI Bullet frame. The only complication might come from having a left-foot shift 5-speed gearbox if the frame was for a Bullet with a right foot shift gearbox. Not a huge problem, it would just need a lug for the right-side rear brake pedal pivot welding onto the frame. If you use a right-foot shift gearbox, no problems at all. 

Here in the UK we would have to notify the licensing authorities of a change of engine as well as our insurance provider.

A.

[Mac350]

The engine and gearbox from the AVL Bullet will bolt straight into any other pre-EFI Bullet frame. The only complication might come from having a left-foot shift 5-speed gearbox if the frame was for a Bullet with a right foot shift gearbox. Not a huge problem, it would just need a lug for the right-side rear brake pedal pivot welding onto the frame. If you use a right-foot shift gearbox, no problems at all. 

Here in the UK we would have to notify the licensing authorities of a change of engine as well as our insurance provider.

A.

As an owner of a spare AVL engine I'm finding this very interesting. So I can put that in any bullet all the way back to redditch? Like this one https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/49272 How much of the price do you think I'd be able to knock off if i said i didnt want the engine?

I guess its still the case that the older the bike the less you need on it to pass an MOT, until you get right back and its a horn and a rear reflector IIRC. So any old frame with the V5, a decent classic looking engine thats tunable. no disgusting massive yellow number plate and very little restriction on what needs to go on it. Feeling like I'll be going to that cheddar bike jumble next year now

[Adrian II]

Yes, technically that spare AVL engine will fit any Redditch heavyweight frame from a 1949 350 Bullet to a 1970 Series 2 Interceptor.

I see that 350 at Hitchcocks' doesn't have a V5C, and a check on gov.uk shows it's not on the DVLA computer. With some help from the owner's club you might be able to get an age-related registration number, or even POSSIBLY get the old number back, though the illegible frame number (stamped on the LEFT HAND side of the headstock, very careful cleaning of that area might bring it back) won't help. The club will want to see evidence of an original bike ready for a MOT, so that will mean keeping the original engine in place and getting it going. Once it's an MOT'd and registered runner, then you can change the registration status to historic vehicle and enjoy tax and (further) MOT exemption, and THEN you can swap engines!

There is always the risk that if you got that one running you might enjoy it as it is. An apparently decent registered and running 1961 350 Bullet sold for £1100 in South Wales last Thursday, I did post a link to the eBay listing in the vintage section a few days earlier...

I didn't see any RE frames with or without log books at Netley Marsh or Somerset VMCC autojumbles this year, but next year? Also if you join the RE Owner's club your get to see the small ads in the magazine as well as what's on the web site.

A.

[Mac350]

Yes, technically that spare AVL engine will fit any Redditch heavyweight frame from a 1949 350 Bullet to a 1970 Series 2 Interceptor.

I see that 350 at Hitchcocks' doesn't have a V5C, and a check on gov.uk shows it's not on the DVLA computer. With some help from the owner's club you might be able to get an age-related registration number, or even POSSIBLY get the old number back, though the illegible frame number (stamped on the LEFT HAND side of the headstock, very careful cleaning of that area might bring it back) won't help. The club will want to see evidence of an original bike ready for a MOT, so that will mean keeping the original engine in place and getting it going. Once it's an MOT'd and registered runner, then you can change the registration status to historic vehicle and enjoy tax and (further) MOT exemption, and THEN you can swap engines!

There is always the risk that if you got that one running you might enjoy it as it is. An apparently decent registered and running 1961 350 Bullet sold for £1100 in South Wales last Thursday, I did post a link to the eBay listing in the vintage section a few days earlier...

I didn't see any RE frames with or without log books at Netley Marsh or Somerset VMCC autojumbles this year, but next year? Also if you join the RE Owner's club your get to see the small ads in the magazine as well as what's on the web site.

A.

good info thanks, no i'd not do it if there was already a working engine anyway only if it was a dead engine or none. Bit out of whack if a decent enough one same vintage can be had for £1100 or was that very much an anomaly?

https://vmcc.net/Library-and-DVLA-Forms this info seemed a little more optimistic for keeping the reg as long as there was some documentary evidence, does the original plate being on the bike not count?? Hitchcocks a bit coy about what the document is so presumably not strong evidence.

Anyway was just dreaming. If I found a frame though I could start collecting bits in the attic until I had a bikes worth and then think about putting it together. But some sort of fully custom bike maybe, if the frame number isnt even there it can't be of historic value that I'm ruining I guess

[Adrian II]

My Redditch framed AVL hybrid certainly isn't ruined. Any future owner could put a 700 twin engine back in there if they so wished.

It's worth noting that the late 50's/very early 60s 350 Redditch Bullets are among some of the last cheap true classic bikes, I think prices have been held down by the abundance of Indian Bullets. £1100 is the absolute lowest price I have seen for a decent runner but they do still show up for <£2,000. Fullt restored, £3,500?

A.

[Mac350]

My Redditch framed AVL hybrid certainly isn't ruined. Any future owner could put a 700 twin engine back in there if they so wished.

It's worth noting that the late 50's/very early 60s 350 Redditch Bullets are among some of the last cheap true classic bikes, I think prices have been held down by the abundance of Indian Bullets. £1100 is the absolute lowest price I have seen for a decent runner but they do still show up for <£2,000. Fullt restored, £3,500?

A.

Ah sorry yes remember now you did mention you'd done this. Makes perfect sense to do it if there isn't the original engine anymore. https://forum.classicmotorworks.com/index.php?topic=37431.msg485222#msg485222