Identifying a Royal Enfield Bullet 350, by the numbers

Thomas has a much modified Royal Enfield.

Identifying a Royal Enfield is a challenge for me, especially when it comes down to numbers chiseled into motors or frames.

Help identifying one mystery motorcycle came recently from the chairman of the Royal Enfield Owners Club.

You might remember the motorcycle. Thomas Jakobsson, of Sweden, wrote:

"I wonder if someone can help me identify my supposedly 1966 Royal Enfield. My bike has Frame number: G2/50910 E1/12910. Engine number: G2/50910 20620 E1/12910."

Sprung pillion seat and disk brake are common modifications from India.

I asked for help on his behalf, and this comment came from Graham Scarth of the Royal Enfield Owners Club in the UK:

"350cc Bullet G2/50910 left the Redditch factory in April, 1962 as a 'completely knocked down' kit of parts. The EI number was added at the Madras factory on assembly."

I appreciated the information, as does Thomas, who wrote to add that "I have since spoken to an Indian company called Soni motors in New Delhi; they say it's a company called Madaan Motors that restored my bike with new parts."

He attached the pictures seen here.

Lots of numbers on the motor.

There is some hope on the horizon for those who want to know more about the origin of their motorcycles. Graham is courageously attempting to compile a spreadsheet of frame/engine numbers of made-in-India 350cc machines. He writes, in the club publication The Gun:

"If you have an Indian built 350cc bike with pre-VIN numbers (those starting with ME3) I would be grateful if you would let me know the engine/frame numbers of your machine and the model and year you believe it to be.

Numbers at top left (facing forward) of frame, often hard to read.

"If you have one of the early machines with both G2 and E1 or E1 and B prefix numbers, please be sure to let me have both. Some will only have a B prefix number and some of these may have an alpha/numeric suffix. From 1982 on, it should have a B number with a digit in front."

Graham is asking that you include digital pictures of the numbers to absolutely verify them. You can email him at chairman@royalenfield.org.uk or write him at 39 North Moor Road, Huntington, York. YO32 9QN, United Kingdom.