Royal Enfield

[reman]

I have a 1951? Royal Enfield 250 model S .Engine no S674 frame 674.Anyone shed some light on this model? It is pritty much the same as the model G but 250 with i think a lightweight albion gearbox.Cant find a lot of info on this model.

[TERMINATOR]

Hi Reman general description: a post war combination of the 'G' frame, and a 250 engine also used on the spring framed 250 'Clipper of the same period. This machine is not the same as the pre-war Model 'S'. Yours is an early one. It wasn't in production very long; and as you have found, there isn't much information. Bacon's book shows the 1950 version of the engine and carb, while for 1954, Gordon May shows the later head etc. The gearbox is indeed the lightweight Albion, with what might be an unfamiliar 'single plate' clutch, which seems to be able to handle the modest power output adequately. They appear to have been painted black, with perhaps gold tank transfers? You won't see many about

[reman]

Thanks for the information on my s Royal Enfield ,i had begun to wonder if it had been cobbled together from other parts.It has hydraulic forks. I have a 1951 RE manual by C A Booker which shows s productin ending in 39 with the model S2.There is a 250 S for sale over here (New Zealand) It is billed as a 36 model and has girder forks .The motor looks similar but has no oil filter element caseing below the oil pumps.

[TERMINATOR]

Hi Reman, nice to hear from you. I have a '48 copy of Booker, which has an illustration of the 350 WD/CO engine on page 19. Your engine should look broadly similar, ie: oil filter under timing case, and vertical finning above the exhaust. [The later Clipper/Model S head had horizontal finning only.] Your forks should have the cast top yoke with integral speedo, like the Model G; rather than the larger 'casquette' fitted to the Clipper and post '54 Bullets etc. [although I think I did see an advert for an 'S' with the casquette, but that may not be original?]
From your description, and the pictures in Gordon May's excellent book, [worth getting] the advertised '36' Model S may actually be a '37; [the '36 engine seems to have had a forward sloping cylinder.], but exact year dating is notoriously unreliable, so who cares!

Now you know yours is 'real' have you arrived at a plan for it yet? I haven't got a Model S, but I have two mid '50s Clippers, and two J2 500 rigids, under rebuild at the moment; so I've probably hit most of the likely major problems you will encounter. If of any use you can e-mail me on stvwheeler@aol.com so I can send pictures etc.

Cheers, Steve.

[reman]

hi terminator.Thanks for further information on th RE S. My brother initially owned the bike and together we restored it in the late 60s.He ran it for a couple of years and then somthing went wrong with the engine and for some unknowen reason he completely stripped it down. It is absolutely all ther which is a blessing . I also have a 350 G? motor complete and other assorted parts. Yes the forks do have an alloy speedo holder as you mention.Thanks for your offer of help . I am in the process of getting as much info as possible at the moment. Where can i get a copy of that book you mention (Gordon Mays)?

[TERMINATOR]

Hi Reman, no problem. For the books, Goto http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/ then. Go to 'Books and Manuals' above: you will find Gordon May's: 'By Miles the Best' and Bacon's: 'Royal Enfield. The Postwar Models', plus the Parts List I mentioned. Be warned; once you have May's book you will find so many motor-cycles you never knew you wanted!
Your machine sounds ideal; the engines are generally pretty simple; just take care with the roller main bearings and the crankshaft end float.[I went to an R.E. specialist for mine]. Out of interest, is the primary chaincase made of pressed steel, like the 'G', or is it cast alloy? My Clippers have alloy.
Let me know how things go. Cheers, Steve.

[reman]

Books ordered thanks .From memory the primary chain case is pressed steel.Picture of bike when first done up