Call me old fashioned, but nothing in a new motorcycle press briefing has me looking for the exit faster than when the PR guy launches into their spiel about the bike’s latest tech. I’m not talking trick suspension here, but Bluetooth connectivity for your phone, iPhone and Android mirroring, and voice-guided Sat Nav. This is the world I’m trying to escape. I want a visceral, analogue experience, and nothing truly gives you that feeling like a classic motorcycle between your legs. But many of the magnificent vintage machines that provide this joy have seen far better days and require a skilful restoration to breathe new life into their soul. That was the case for this 1951 Royal Enfield Bullet 350, which had been drowned in a flood, only to be revived back to its former regal self by the talented team at Purpose Built Moto.
If you’re looking to relive the glory days, then British bikes from the ’50s just might be the perfect sweet spot to fulfil your classic/vintage dreams. Anything earlier is likely to be either very expensive or increasingly hard to get parts for. But in that post-war period, prior to the Japanese boom that would come in the late ’60s, the Brits were building motorcycles that were increasingly reliable and genuine high-quality transportation, with spirit to match. Brands like AJS, BSA, Matchless, Triumph, Norton and Enfield were at the heart of the period, and because many used common suppliers, parts can be interchangeable across the brands. And it was as parts that this bike arrived at PBM.
“When this bike first lands at Purpose Built Moto, it’s more of a puzzle than a bike. After the Queensland floods, it arrives in pieces, all waterlogged and battered. What we have is a Royal Enfield 350 Bullet – a bike that has survived the elements, but barely. It’s a complete bike… sort of. The biggest hurdle? Finding any kind of usable manual. These old machines don’t come with shiny PDFs. We have weathered, hand-drawn diagrams, and pages that are barely legible. But, with a bit of elbow grease, we know we can bring it back. The request is simple: ‘Bring it back to life, but keep it authentic.’ Challenge accepted!”
PBM are known for their endless line-up of killer customs, but this is a true classic restoration, a type of work the guys are just as good at! “The aim was to keep this bike looking like it rolled off the factory line in 1951.” And to do that right meant going back to the original steel and starting with the bare frame. The guys cleaned things up a treat and even took on the task of tapping and cleaning up threads that had been rendered useless from water damage. Getting the front end sorted is no easy task, the forks were totally shot, so a full rebuild was undertaken and all the right chroming was carried out to get things bang on.
Parts were being pulled from boxes left, right and centre, and those glorious and very distinct Royal Enfield fenders came up a treat, their sheer size a signature of the era. “The front number plate was an easy call – it has to get the Royal Enfield touch.” To get the toolbox on and the seat to line up as it should, meant creating all-new brackets from scratch, and PBM takes great care to ensure these match the originals with true classic craftsmanship. Then, with that big seat on and it all bolted down properly, it was over to that iconic tank, the knee dents another piece that transports you straight back to the post-war period.
Having sorted out the main visual elements, the colour choice is where it can all go wrong, with too many choosing to apply high-gloss modern finishes to their classic metal. But not here! “We stuck with the classic Royal Enfield silver-grey and use original tank decals to keep that authentic vibe.” Time to get things moving, and as is so often the case with old bikes, you simply have to go through each component one by one. The dynamo gets a rebuild, the clutch clearances checked (a BSA unit is utilised), a new primary chain added, and all of the wiring meticulously worked through to ensure that the large classic headlight and brake light work as they should.
Speaking of electrical components, “Cody used a cigarette paper to set the points timing, just like the 1950s manual says. Sometimes you’ve got to step back in time to get it right.” The magneto was checked over and installed, with the timing marks set as per the manual, and then on with the carb to supply the old lump its fuel. A kickstart issue was next to be tackled, with the internals modified to improve the functionality. Then it’s all about topping up the oil, checking the relevant fluids, and taking the bike on a variety of test and tune rides; finding any issues and tackling them one at a time until the old girl was running sweet as a nut.
“This isn’t just about fixing up a bike, it’s about restoring a piece of history. The 1951 Royal Enfield 350 Bullet goes from being a box of waterlogged parts to a fully functional, head-turning classic. The process is rewarding, not just because of the technical challenges, but because we’re able to bring this old bike back to life in a way that honours its legacy. When we finally hear the engine purr and see the wheels turn again, it’s a moment worth every ounce of effort. This project isn’t just a restoration; it’s a tribute to the craftsmanship of a bygone era.” The final result is a truly beautiful classic, a motorcycle that allows you to enjoy the full mechanical experience and another nearly lost piece of history, spectacularly saved by Purpose Built Moto.
