Picked up a 1969 Model Bullet..

mail4ajo · 17th June 2008, 19:32

I picked up a 1969 Bullet today. I am not a great fan of Bullets so will be passing it to my crazy friend in CBE after some time.

I was doing a lot of research on pre 70's bullets recently. I noticed that some components on the bike has been replaced with newer ones. Is there any place in Chennai, CBE or Kerala where I can get the original fittings so that the bike looks like the actual 69 model?

My knowledge on Bullets is very very limited. The bike starts instantly and rides well. I was able to maintain a very slow speed on top gear which I have heard is one of the USPs.(due to heavy crank).

The torquey feeling is amazing. Small issues with brakes, engine oil leak (Think the gaskets need replacement).

Tyres need replacement as well. Need to find a good guy in Chennai. Any suggestions? Most local mechs refused to touch the bike saying its too complicated. Is this true?

Please pass any links or information that you guys have on pre 70's Bullets. Will post images tomorrow.

nitrous · 17th June 2008, 19:46

Congratulations,bro.
Why did you pick a '69 bullet?
Did you get it for free? Or Did someone pay you to take possession?

mail4ajo · 17th June 2008, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Did you get it for free? Or Did someone pay you to take possession?

Macha, Check the prices for pre 70's. No good ones in the market. Well maintained ones are quoted atom bomb prices. Had to bargain real hard for this. Lots of work to restore, but all papers were clear.

abhinav.gupta88 · 17th June 2008, 21:00

How much did it cost you
Do Post some pics.

Sheshagiri · 17th June 2008, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Congratulations,bro.
Why did you pick a '69 bullet?
Did you get it for free? Or Did someone pay you to take possession?

The 69 model would have a G2 engine, i.e the engine number will be prefixed with a G2. These were Engines manufactured in the UK factory (assembled in India) and had a heavier crank. A well restored one will fetch a good price.

I have a 1959 and a 1957 and trust me, no one paid me to take posession

. I have spent a bomb on them.

With regards to the original question, in chennai go to Jaf's garage at Pudupet. He knows the older bikes and should be able to help you

Sankar · 17th June 2008, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheshagiri

The 69 model would have a G2 engine, i.e the engine number will be prefixed with a G2. These were Engines manufactured in the UK factory (assembled in India) and had a heavier crank. A well restored one will fetch a good price.

After 62 all the components were made in India including engines. Original heavy crank bikes were produced till 77.

madbullram · 18th June 2008, 01:00

Jo: Congrats on the bull man. Its a gem of machine that you have. Even i used to swear by Jaf but last 2-3 yrs I despise him. He no more gets into it and the kids who work on the bulls screw them up. Age has caught with him. His son is more into mods so doesnt concentrate. Jaf is a good man but things are not the same.

I would suggest Shankar in Thiruvanmiyur. His shop next to the School from the road next to Thiruvanmiyur Bus Stop. ANyone will direct you if you ask for Bullet Mech Shankar. I have been to his shop and very honest man. Still works on all his bullet and doesnt have 10 assistants screwing your bike. But he takes time and is slow so you need to live with that.

Whatever you do, PLS PLS PLS dont step to Vardhan in Alwarpet, you do that I might have anthrax you because cant you let you spoil a 1969 bull

Have fun my Alto lover!

gt_mustang · 18th June 2008, 01:42

man congrats on the bike

a query though
whats the oldest model bull that one can find in india

Sheshagiri · 18th June 2008, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sankar

After 62 all the components were made in India including engines. Original heavy crank bikes were produced till 77.

Not sure about the source of your information but if you read the 50 years anniversary edition book of Royal Enfield - it will tell you that some of the British components were used up to the the 70's. I had also checked this with the RE owners club of the UK a few years back. Will try and pull out the email - not sure which email id I was using then. From 55-62 all major parts were manufactured in Redditch and shipped to assemble in India. In 61-62, RE discontinued the Bulled in the UK and dumped all the extra parts in to India who continued to use until the late 60's.
Since you are based in Bangalore - you may be knowing Muneer Bhai - even he was telling me the same thing.

Sheshagiri · 18th June 2008, 07:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbullram

Jo: Congrats on the bull man. Its a gem of machine that you have. Even i used to swear by Jaf but last 2-3 yrs I despise him. He no more gets into it and the kids who work on the bulls screw them up. Age has caught with him. His son is more into mods so doesnt concentrate. Jaf is a good man but things are not the same.
!

Thats sad then, he was a brilliant guy who was very innovative and technically sound. A brilliant person as well - he had given me a few original parts for my 59 bullet.

madbullram · 18th June 2008, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheshagiri

Thats sad then, he was a brilliant guy who was very innovative and technically sound. A brilliant person as well - he had given me a few original parts for my 59 bullet.

He still is!

But the problem is he doesnt work on the bikes anymore and just supervises. He can still get parts but I would not park my bull there for service

mail4ajo · 18th June 2008, 12:15

As promised here are the images. Man, this bike is really heavy. I was sweating after a hour of riding.

Very tough in traffic especially with the right shifter, which I am not very used to. But when it rolls, it a breeze to handle even with my short stature of 5"3. No gym can bear this. Now I understand why the "BULL separates the men from the boys".cheers:

musicmanaman · 18th June 2008, 12:58

The bike looks stock, the odo just reads 7k, is that all it's driven?, must me more.

I think all this bike needs is a good layer of crom, for it to get all shiny again. By the way, how much did it cost. Restoration should not be a problem as you live in Chennai, but times have changed, I don't know now if there are bullet lovers left, but when I lived as a kid in Chennai, saw a lot of bullets then.

jacs · 18th June 2008, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

As promised here are the images. Man, this bike is really heavy. I was sweating after a hour of riding.

Very tough in traffic especially with the right shifter, which I am not very used to. But when it rolls, it a breeze to handle even with my short stature of 5"3. No gym can bear this. Now I understand why the "BULL separates the men from the boys".cheers:

Congrats man!!! Old is gold in Bullet, I had an 83 model 350 Standard which was my passion in college days. Still I long to have a buy back

I wonder whether the meter gauges are changed because 60s bullets were usually seen with White Dial with Royal Enfield logo.
Try getting the same old white dials, the most amazing thing is it counted MPH and not KMPH.

esteem_lover · 18th June 2008, 16:34

Congrats ajo, sad that you have to give it away soon.

there was this article in the hindu today about a munian. How good is he ?

The Hindu : Metro Plus Chennai / Wheels : An innovation under his belt

17th June 2008, 19:32	#1
mail4ajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,957 Thanked: 330 Times View My Garage	Picked up a 1969 Model Bullet.. I picked up a 1969 Bullet today. I am not a great fan of Bullets so will be passing it to my crazy friend in CBE after some time. I was doing a lot of research on pre 70's bullets recently. I noticed that some components on the bike has been replaced with newer ones. Is there any place in Chennai, CBE or Kerala where I can get the original fittings so that the bike looks like the actual 69 model? My knowledge on Bullets is very very limited. The bike starts instantly and rides well. I was able to maintain a very slow speed on top gear which I have heard is one of the USPs.(due to heavy crank). The torquey feeling is amazing. Small issues with brakes, engine oil leak (Think the gaskets need replacement). Tyres need replacement as well. Need to find a good guy in Chennai. Any suggestions? Most local mechs refused to touch the bike saying its too complicated. Is this true? Please pass any links or information that you guys have on pre 70's Bullets. Will post images tomorrow. Last edited by mail4ajo : 17th June 2008 at 19:36.
	() Thanks

17th June 2008, 19:46	#2
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Congratulations,bro. Why did you pick a '69 bullet? Did you get it for free? Or Did someone pay you to take possession?
	(1) Thanks

17th June 2008, 21:00	#4
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	How much did it cost you Do Post some pics.
	() Thanks

18th June 2008, 01:00	#7
madbullram BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chennai&Ashburn Posts: 551 Thanked: 231 Times View My Garage	Jo: Congrats on the bull man. Its a gem of machine that you have. Even i used to swear by Jaf but last 2-3 yrs I despise him. He no more gets into it and the kids who work on the bulls screw them up. Age has caught with him. His son is more into mods so doesnt concentrate. Jaf is a good man but things are not the same. I would suggest Shankar in Thiruvanmiyur. His shop next to the School from the road next to Thiruvanmiyur Bus Stop. ANyone will direct you if you ask for Bullet Mech Shankar. I have been to his shop and very honest man. Still works on all his bullet and doesnt have 10 assistants screwing your bike. But he takes time and is slow so you need to live with that. Whatever you do, PLS PLS PLS dont step to Vardhan in Alwarpet, you do that I might have anthrax you because cant you let you spoil a 1969 bull Have fun my Alto lover!
	() Thanks

18th June 2008, 01:42	#8
gt_mustang BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hyd Posts: 247 Thanked: 5 Times	man congrats on the bike a query though whats the oldest model bull that one can find in india
	() Thanks

18th June 2008, 12:15	#12
mail4ajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,957 Thanked: 330 Times View My Garage	As promised here are the images. Man, this bike is really heavy. I was sweating after a hour of riding. Very tough in traffic especially with the right shifter, which I am not very used to. But when it rolls, it a breeze to handle even with my short stature of 5"3. No gym can bear this. Now I understand why the "BULL separates the men from the boys".cheers: Attached Thumbnails Attached Images
	() Thanks

18th June 2008, 12:58	#13
musicmanaman BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: kolkata Posts: 927 Thanked: 25 Times	The bike looks stock, the odo just reads 7k, is that all it's driven?, must me more. I think all this bike needs is a good layer of crom, for it to get all shiny again. By the way, how much did it cost. Restoration should not be a problem as you live in Chennai, but times have changed, I don't know now if there are bullet lovers left, but when I lived as a kid in Chennai, saw a lot of bullets then.
	() Thanks

18th June 2008, 16:34	#15
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Congrats ajo, sad that you have to give it away soon. there was this article in the hindu today about a munian. How good is he ? The Hindu : Metro Plus Chennai / Wheels : An innovation under his belt
	() Thanks

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