Royal Enfield Motorcycles

Royal Enfield Motorcycles of the 1930s

1930s The first J model appeared in 1930. Throughout the decade there was a large variety of models from small two-strokes to large side valves, from A-Z. A 225cc two stroke, B 225 cc sv, BO 250cc ohv Bullet, C 350cc sv, CO 350cc ohv, G 350cc ohv Bullet, H 488cc sv, J 488cc ohv, J2 488cc two port ohv, K 976cc sv v-twin, L 570cc sv, T 148cc ohv, Z (Cycar) 148cc two-stroke and many more variants.

1931 All the singles had inclined engines, some of which had been modified.

A radical new model called the Cycar appeared in 1932

1933 The first Bullet 500cc single, with exposed four-valve rocker gear and inclined engine, was introduced.

1935 They changed to three valves. These engines had their integral oil tank in front of the crankshaft, while post-war Bullet oil tanks were behind the crank. They were dry sump, the integral tank being separate from the crankshaft space. Royal Enfield entered a 500cc four valve racing model for the 1935 Senior TT. This was the last TT Royal Enfield entered.

In 1936 a new series of singles was introduced. These had vertical engines with oil sump in the crankcase. The range covered all the sizes described above.

1938 Royal Enfield 500cc single port J model ohv. During the 1920s a mid-range of Enfields left the Redditch factory: model 350 (350cc SV), 351 (350cc OHV) and 352 (350cc twinport sports). The two-valve J model rockers were enclosed, and the engine became upright. Model K side-valve V-twin had grown to 1140cc and was then called KX.


1930-1939 J Series

1931 Model K 976 cc SV V-twin


1932-1933 Models

  • 1932 Model G 346cc OHV 70x90mm
  • 1932 Model L 570cc SV 86.5 x 99.2mm
  • 1932 Model LF 488cc OHV 85.5x85mm
  • 1932 Model H 570cc SV 84x90mm
  • 1933 Model C 346cc SV 70x90mm
  • 1933 Model BO Bullet 248cc 64x77mm
  • 1933 Model G Bullet 346cc OHV 70x90mm
  • 1933 Model L 570cc SV 86.5x99.2mm

  • 1935 Models


    1936 Models

  • 1937 Model KX1140cc SV V-twin