Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, I'm thinking of restoring my ancient Bullet that I bought for 50p many, many years ago. It's been in boxes in my shed since 1980.

I'm looking for a general guide to restoring old bikes to get me started - can anyone recommend one?

Luckily, I obtained user manuals a long time ago so I have the basics for my machine and I know when I put it to bed all those years ago it was running and complete but it's obviously going to need a total rebuild.

Incidentially, I just found a parts list from Gander and Gray and find it comforting to find that Hitchcocks are carrying on with the old firm.

Hi Tangle,

My restoration started with boxes of 1964 Royal Enfield parts that I put back together. I now have a fully restored Royal Enfield 350 that I enjoy riding, so it can be done. What model Royal Enfield do you have. If you give as much information about the motorcycle as you can it helps when answering your questions. If the motorcycle was running when stored away, it may be a fairly strait forward restoration
of putting every thing back together again. You will have to replace every part that is worn out. The engine will need all new bearings
and the barrel, piston, crank, and head will all have to be looked at as well. Then there is the gearbox. I am not sure what 50p would
buy in a Royal Enfield many years ago but the value of a good restored Royal Enfield today is much more than that, especially if it is an English made Redditch one. If nothing else you will make good money on your restoration if you decide to sell it. There is a lot of help on this forum and Hitchcocks will have all the parts that you may want.

I've just completed a total restoration/rebuild of my BMW R100RT (1980). My system is to photograph everything as it's taken apart and I deal with each component immediately it is removed. Once I've sorted that part it's bagged and I move unto the next. This way everything is ready for the bikes reassembly when the time comes. If each part/component is as good as it can be then the finished bike should be a stunner, good luck with the project and keep us posted on its progress.

Well that photo share didn't work !

https://ibb.co/kZVE0b.
I copied and pasted this code and got the photo I intended on the screen, if this doesn't work when I post the reply I'm giving up!

Thanks Bezzabryan, don't know what I did wrong but you've sorted if for me. That's the finished bike after 12 months rebuild

Well a minute's work Googling "guide to motorcycle restoration" came up with this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Guid ... 1845846443 on Amazon. However, to be more serious, this question really belongs in the "what oil should I use" thread in that it begs more questions than answers. There is no single method nor is there any practical advice until you've worked out what you've got, what you want to achieve and how much you can do yourself (or want to do yourself) and spend on it. As you have a Parts Book start by ticking off what's there and making a note of each item's condition and what will need to be done to make it useable, ie, repair? paint? chrome? or replace? When you've done that you'll be much wiser and can ask better targeted questions of the assembled panel... and you could also drop in to your local REOC branch night and discuss it with like minded owners, support on a long project like this really helps!

REgards, Mark

Thanks Mark, yes I'd seen that and was about to buy it but thought I'd come here first just in case there was a beloved book y'all could recommend. At this stage I am after general stuff about what's involved in a restoration.

As for other information, I have the original registration document

Make - Royal Enfield
Colour - Peacock Blue (crossed out, then Colorado Red, crossed out then Black!)
Propelled by - Petrol
Type - 350 Bullet Airflow
Chassis - 43461
Engine - 17705
Capacity - 350cc
Registration 10th April 1959

I first need to clear out the garage to make space, then go digging in the shed!