Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Vintage Royal Enfield => Topic started by: Mantabee on April 17, 2009, 12:47:10 pm

Title: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: Mantabee on April 17, 2009, 12:47:10 pm
Dear Experts,

on my way to identify a certain motorbike that I fell for, I thankfully came across this site and this forum. There is nothing that Google could tell me and no expert over in Switzerland seems to have a clue... Maybe here are some experts that can help identifying this bike:http://www.oldtimergalerie.ch/images/auction/Motorrad/indian.htm (http://www.oldtimergalerie.ch/images/auction/Motorrad/indian.htm). The picture of it you can see below as well and it seems to be named "Indian Tamlaw 500". As it was build in 1958 I thought the bike might be one of Royal Enfield made under the Indian brand... just guessing.

Any comment, hint, feedback or whatever else could lead me to more info about this beautiful motorcycle is much appreciated.

Kind regards and thanks in advance
Stefan
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: geichal on April 17, 2009, 01:28:48 pm
Is it a Indian (RE) Tomahawk?  Some of our experts would know more.
geichal
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: hutch on April 17, 2009, 02:19:36 pm
It should have short alloy fenders to be a 500 Tomahawk. The tank style is 1957 or newer Indian. It actualy looks like a 700 Galaxy with an Indian tank, or a 500 Tomahawk with Galaxy front and rear fenders. I can see why you fell for it. BEAUTIFUL BIKE. Sorry I was no help.  Hutch
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: Mantabee on April 17, 2009, 02:23:30 pm
Does the name it gets sold under "Indian Tamlaw 500" make any sense? I could not find anything about that name...

Thanks so far.

Cheers
Stefan
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: Mantabee on April 18, 2009, 06:40:33 pm
Guys, what's up? No idea anybody? Maybe at least an idea where I could definitely find out, e.g. Indian registry or so?

Cheers
Stefan
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: pknopp on April 18, 2009, 11:31:36 pm
 I'm no expert and I'm especially no help for bikes outside of the U.S. but I've never heard of that.
 
 Anyway around it though, it's a beautiful bike.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: ERC on April 18, 2009, 11:43:58 pm
Whats the serial # on the engine.I have some info on the Enfields that were made for Indian in the 50s. E.R.C.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: Mantabee on April 19, 2009, 09:39:31 am
Thanks ERC. I will try to get more info and/or pictures but as it is on auction, I am not sure whether I will actually get anything from them unless I go there on the day of the auction. Anyway, I have requested it and should I receive more, I will post it here.

Cheers
Stefan
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: ace.cafe on April 19, 2009, 04:00:25 pm
There is no mention of any form of a name like that in any of the motorcycles that were factory made.

It's my opinion that the builder made a conglmeration of what he though was a nice looking package, with parts from a variety of models, and called it a "Tamlaw".

It's a nice looking bike.
I don't think it is any factory built model.
I think it's a custom job, built by him or a previous owner.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: UncleErnie on April 19, 2009, 08:15:43 pm
Yep.  Not a stock factory option, IMHO.  Not a Floyd Clymer job- for sure.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: UncleErnie on April 26, 2009, 01:44:20 am
OK- I'm a fool.  I stick with things that bug me, so I've been consulting.  A couple of RE experts I know think this is an Indian Apache 700 from 1959.  Seat not stock.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: ace.cafe on April 26, 2009, 05:06:06 am
OK- I'm a fool.  I stick with things that bug me, so I've been consulting.  A couple of RE experts I know think this is an Indian Apache 700 from 1959.  Seat not stock.

Except it's a 500.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: UncleErnie on April 26, 2009, 12:28:01 pm
A 500 twin.  OK, now i have to re-think my alleged experts.  500 twin.  Shoot.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: r80rt on June 07, 2009, 04:12:32 pm
I like it, what ever it is.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on June 07, 2009, 08:24:22 pm
  Would definitely look nice in anyone's collection.  Will.
Title: Re: Who knows this model? Enfield Indian?
Post by: Jeph066 on July 28, 2009, 02:32:00 am
I have a 1955 Tomahawk 500 Twin (Royal Enfield import). The frame design changed from '56 and later, reportedly. The Tomahawk lost its triangular toolboxes for the shape you see there '56 and newer.

-jeff in arkansas