Need Help on buying a Bullet

khan_sultan · 11th August 2008, 10:37

Friends,

Let me openly admit that I have NO knowhow of RE-Bullets and their intricacies.

However; have wanted to own one and experience the RE first hand. I am not a big fan of the recent bullets and had always decided that it is going to be an old bullet for me.

Saw this one for sale. Owner says that it is a 1961 model and is completely restored. Asking for 55K.

Need Help on buying a Bullet-bullet1.jpg

Need Help on buying a Bullet-bullet2.jpg

Need inputs on:

- How to know if this is really a 61 model?
- Is the price OK?
- What to check for in a 61 model bullet?

I will find out from the forum how to live with a bullet once i buy it, if I manage to buy it.

Cheers,

Sankar · 11th August 2008, 11:57

Khan_Sultan, this particular 61 model is not worth the asking price of 55k.

It might have been rebuilt & overhauled but it's definitely not 'restored'. A few details that i have noticed are:-
1)Side boxes are not correct. 2)The air filter box is not right. 3)Speedo meter and amp meter is not correct. 4)The left side switch cluster is not correct. 5)The left clutch lever is wrong. 6)The points housing is wrong, there should've been a magneto (or a smaller type points housing as found on some models of this viintage. 7)The rear mudguard end looks a bit high, it should end a bit more lower. 8)Handlebar obviously is not the correct one.

But the frame is genuine item. Take a note of the engine and frame number and cross reference it with some Enfield authority that will answer your model year question.

khan_sultan · 11th August 2008, 12:08

Sankar,

Thanks for the inputs buddy. I had a feeling while looking at the pictures that conveyed that something was wrong here.

I will give it a pass. Am looking for a 'restored' and not a 'rebuilt' one.

BTW, what would you think would be the ok price for this and how much effort/price to 'restore' it.

Cheers,
Shahnawaz

Sankar · 11th August 2008, 12:26

I can't put a price on that 61 model Khan, but 55k is too much for that that i know. I have seen some fully restored with all the right parts early 60 model go for 65 thousand bucks. The bike was a Kerala bike and belonged to Kiran of Sandhya Spares. And i don't know whether 65k is the right or inflated price. One of our vintage specialists would be able to advise you on the price correctly.

nithz · 11th August 2008, 12:48

i think the price quoted by him is a bit high ,my brother sold his bike jus 10 days ago for 21k it was a 1991 make

theodore_ftw · 11th August 2008, 14:43

I thought the earlier bullets had a single level seating instead of the multi level being shown here.

Also filter box is all wrong.

Check the image below.

http://www.royal-enfield.net/old_bul...350_Bullet.jpg

vaspro · 11th August 2008, 14:57

@Khan_sultan: I agree with Sankar. It looks like that this bike got few assorted parts.

Especially Speedo, Amp meter and left hand switches appears to be 80's vintage. I doubt whether its new head (engine head) as well.

Which part of Bangalore do you live? PM me and i can personally take you to my reliable mechanic and will get the bike evaluated. I own a 500 since 4 years and know few things about bullets.

Good to know that while i am trying to cross over to 4X4 world, you are trying to get into the world of Bullets. I can promise one thing, be patient either while purchasing the bike or after you bought. You wont be disappointed.

@nithz: Older bullets go for highier price. I even know few bikes sold for 1.5laks (much like 40's vintage). Post 90 bikes wont fetch that much (relatively).

Thanks
-Vaspro

khan_sultan · 11th August 2008, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaspro

Which part of Bangalore do you live? PM me and i can personally take you to my reliable mechanic and will get the bike evaluated. I own a 500 since 4 years and know few things about bullets.

Good to know that while i am trying to cross over to 4X4 world, you are trying to get into the world of Bullets. I can promise one thing, be patient either while purchasing the bike or after you bought. You wont be disappointed.

Not going with this one. Giving it a pass. Am in hurry to buy one. will buy the one that screams 'this is the one'

.

will ping you vaspro when i zero down on the bullet.

kuttapan · 11th August 2008, 23:48

Buy an old Bullet at these prices only if it is close to original. Else it makes no sense and you are better off getting and newer model. This one screams out loud that 'I'm not original', so you took a good decision.

hollywoodhogan · 13th August 2008, 00:56

why don't you go in for a brand new standard 350? 79k on road and its 100% genuine for sure!! besides by middle 2009, the cast iron blocks will be off the line. so now just might be the right time to buy a brand new cast iron engine bullet.

khan_sultan · 13th August 2008, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollywoodhogan

why don't you go in for a brand new standard 350? 79k on road and its 100% genuine for sure!! besides by middle 2009, the cast iron blocks will be off the line. so now just might be the right time to buy a brand new cast iron engine bullet.

The bullet will not be my daily ride and will be used just once or twice a month on weekends. I want to own a vintage bullet with all it's 'quirks' and 'non-perfections' associated with bullets of those days.

I know modern bullets may be very reliable, but for me it is the 'experience' that i want of owning a bullet and for that i believe I need to look for early 60's bullet (or around the same era).

prabhuav · 13th August 2008, 13:28

Shanawaz,

I am a diehard bulleteer and have a 98 500 for the very same purpose.If you want to ride one till you find yours you are welcome to ride mine around. You know where I live

Vijay

susan3004 · 13th August 2008, 21:28

Hi Shahnawaz,
Good to see your interest towards vintage Bullets also. Although, a very reasonable suggestion turned down by you of buying a new one is still a thought away!
Nevertheless, Sankar has already pointed out most of the unoriginalities on the machine. I am in agreement with him and can see that this bike has just a tag of being from 60s' and not actually having those vintage parts.
I am uploading a few pics of a bike from the same era, which was brought for servicing owned by a farmer. You will notice the engine including the carb and levers on the bike are original.
Sankar will be able to tell us about the authenticity of this bike. The rear shockers had imprint of 'Made in England'. Plus I believe that the bikes that genre had etching of Royal Enfield on the engine.(Sankar, request authenticate)

khan_sultan · 13th August 2008, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by prabhuav

...If you want to ride one till you find yours you are welcome to ride mine around....

Thanks for the offer Vijay. You know it may sound strange but I have never EVER had a ride on a bullet. Not even pillion. Was just thinking about it.

The irony is that lots of my friends own one and even in jeep_thrills lots of folks own one but somehow haven't got to riding one ever.

Sankar · 13th August 2008, 21:57

Susan3004 what a great find! That bikes looks authenticate, only the air filter, battery box and meters looks out of place but all the important hardware looks genuine. Even the fork cover's aluminium bush is there and that is one part which gets lost or stolen from many all original bikes. I see that it's a G2 engine (as per the engine number)

That air filter box has to go, it's possible to make a replica in the original oval shape. Royal Enfield was not etched on to the timing cover instead some engines had a plate with the Royal Enfield written on it riveted to the timing cover.

Is that bike for grabs?

11th August 2008, 10:37	#1
khan_sultan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Noida/Bangalore Posts: 4,932 Thanked: 5,894 Times View My Garage	Need Help on buying a Bullet Friends, Let me openly admit that I have NO knowhow of RE-Bullets and their intricacies. However; have wanted to own one and experience the RE first hand. I am not a big fan of the recent bullets and had always decided that it is going to be an old bullet for me. Saw this one for sale. Owner says that it is a 1961 model and is completely restored. Asking for 55K. Need inputs on: - How to know if this is really a 61 model? - Is the price OK? - What to check for in a 61 model bullet? I will find out from the forum how to live with a bullet once i buy it, if I manage to buy it. Cheers,
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 11:57	#2
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,778 Thanked: 9,212 Times	Khan_Sultan, this particular 61 model is not worth the asking price of 55k. It might have been rebuilt & overhauled but it's definitely not 'restored'. A few details that i have noticed are:- 1)Side boxes are not correct. 2)The air filter box is not right. 3)Speedo meter and amp meter is not correct. 4)The left side switch cluster is not correct. 5)The left clutch lever is wrong. 6)The points housing is wrong, there should've been a magneto (or a smaller type points housing as found on some models of this viintage. 7)The rear mudguard end looks a bit high, it should end a bit more lower. 8)Handlebar obviously is not the correct one. But the frame is genuine item. Take a note of the engine and frame number and cross reference it with some Enfield authority that will answer your model year question.
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 12:08	#3
khan_sultan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Noida/Bangalore Posts: 4,932 Thanked: 5,894 Times View My Garage	Sankar, Thanks for the inputs buddy. I had a feeling while looking at the pictures that conveyed that something was wrong here. I will give it a pass. Am looking for a 'restored' and not a 'rebuilt' one. BTW, what would you think would be the ok price for this and how much effort/price to 'restore' it. Cheers, Shahnawaz
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 12:26	#4
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,778 Thanked: 9,212 Times	I can't put a price on that 61 model Khan, but 55k is too much for that that i know. I have seen some fully restored with all the right parts early 60 model go for 65 thousand bucks. The bike was a Kerala bike and belonged to Kiran of Sandhya Spares. And i don't know whether 65k is the right or inflated price. One of our vintage specialists would be able to advise you on the price correctly.
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 12:48	#5
nithz BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: coorg Posts: 51 Thanked: 9 Times	i think the price quoted by him is a bit high ,my brother sold his bike jus 10 days ago for 21k it was a 1991 make Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 14:43	#6
theodore_ftw BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 122 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	I thought the earlier bullets had a single level seating instead of the multi level being shown here. Also filter box is all wrong. Check the image below. http://www.royal-enfield.net/old_bul...350_Bullet.jpg
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 14:57	#7
vaspro BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 164 Thanked: 91 Times	@Khan_sultan: I agree with Sankar. It looks like that this bike got few assorted parts. Especially Speedo, Amp meter and left hand switches appears to be 80's vintage. I doubt whether its new head (engine head) as well. Which part of Bangalore do you live? PM me and i can personally take you to my reliable mechanic and will get the bike evaluated. I own a 500 since 4 years and know few things about bullets. Good to know that while i am trying to cross over to 4X4 world, you are trying to get into the world of Bullets. I can promise one thing, be patient either while purchasing the bike or after you bought. You wont be disappointed. @nithz: Older bullets go for highier price. I even know few bikes sold for 1.5laks (much like 40's vintage). Post 90 bikes wont fetch that much (relatively). Thanks -Vaspro
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 23:48	#9
kuttapan Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,155 Thanked: 24 Times View My Garage	Buy an old Bullet at these prices only if it is close to original. Else it makes no sense and you are better off getting and newer model. This one screams out loud that 'I'm not original', so you took a good decision.
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 00:56	#10
hollywoodhogan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 423 Thanked: 14 Times	why don't you go in for a brand new standard 350? 79k on road and its 100% genuine for sure!! besides by middle 2009, the cast iron blocks will be off the line. so now just might be the right time to buy a brand new cast iron engine bullet.
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 13:28	#12
prabhuav BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 672 Thanked: 128 Times View My Garage	Shanawaz, I am a diehard bulleteer and have a 98 500 for the very same purpose.If you want to ride one till you find yours you are welcome to ride mine around. You know where I live Vijay
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 21:28	#13
susan3004 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kapurthala Posts: 384 Thanked: 267 Times	Hi Shahnawaz, Good to see your interest towards vintage Bullets also. Although, a very reasonable suggestion turned down by you of buying a new one is still a thought away! Nevertheless, Sankar has already pointed out most of the unoriginalities on the machine. I am in agreement with him and can see that this bike has just a tag of being from 60s' and not actually having those vintage parts. I am uploading a few pics of a bike from the same era, which was brought for servicing owned by a farmer. You will notice the engine including the carb and levers on the bike are original. Sankar will be able to tell us about the authenticity of this bike. The rear shockers had imprint of 'Made in England'. Plus I believe that the bikes that genre had etching of Royal Enfield on the engine.(Sankar, request authenticate) Attached Thumbnails Last edited by susan3004 : 13th August 2008 at 21:30.
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 21:57	#15
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,778 Thanked: 9,212 Times	Susan3004 what a great find! That bikes looks authenticate, only the air filter, battery box and meters looks out of place but all the important hardware looks genuine. Even the fork cover's aluminium bush is there and that is one part which gets lost or stolen from many all original bikes. I see that it's a G2 engine (as per the engine number) That air filter box has to go, it's possible to make a replica in the original oval shape. Royal Enfield was not etched on to the timing cover instead some engines had a plate with the Royal Enfield written on it riveted to the timing cover. Is that bike for grabs?
	() Thanks