Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: charte on April 13, 2008, 06:27:02 am

Title: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: charte on April 13, 2008, 06:27:02 am
Hi all!

Sorry, been off line for a while.  Unfortunately, I got into an accident here in India....was riding along a very busy highway at 70kph and a guy pulled right out in front of me.  I now have 4 shiny screws in my foot  :'(

Incidently, we drove by the accident site for the first time a few weeks ago, and guess what, there was a fresh accident there at the same intersection.  Looks like it's a bad place.

My new Bullet is fine though and is repaired.  Will be ready for the Himalaya trip this summer.

The good news is that my restoration project of the 1969 continues.  Here are some pics.  It's really starting to look good!

The final seat will be black.  The pinstriping and details are still left to be done.

However, it's been bored out to 500cc, and it sounds absolutely beautiful!!!!

Again, for the record, I absolutely ripped off the design and color scheme from some guys here in Delhi (who have also posted).  I hope they view this has a homage and not a rip off.  They just nailed down what is a gorgeous design!!!  I couldn't think of any improvements.  Cheers to you, fellas!  Hope you don't mind!



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Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: deejay on April 13, 2008, 01:54:17 pm
I'm glad to hear you are ok after having the accident, I hope you heal up well. The 69 project looks great!
Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: charte on April 13, 2008, 02:52:54 pm
Thanks for the kind words!

Incredibly, my wife is letting me ride still.  I just wonder why she upped my life insurance though  ::)

The 69 will be done in another week, and then I'll post a better pic for y'all.

I admit I'm loving the idea that we took an RE from the trash heap and brought it to life again.  All replacement parts used are new from the factory here, so when I bring it back to the US eventually, I can still leverage the US company to keep it going.
Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: LJRead on April 13, 2008, 06:56:49 pm
Seems like nothing will keep you down now, but watch those crazy drivers, please.  The bike looks wonderful, and so fast at getting it done too.  When you finally post, if you have a before photo, that would be interesting too.  Food luck!
Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: charte on April 15, 2008, 05:20:27 pm
Thanks for the encouraging words.

I'll post some before and after photos for sure!

Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: LotusSevenMan on April 16, 2008, 07:47:18 am
CHarte.
Sorry to hear of your problems Glad to hear you're well on that road to recovery. Ride safe eh?

Lovely bike! I wouldn't worry about 'ripping off' the colours etc. Most people would be proud to think that someone thought their work good enough to have 'followers' and I for one think it looks gorgeous.  ;)
Yeah it is great to get something that has been abondoned as 'beyond help' working again. Just done this myself with a 1934 Ruston Hornsby stationary engine of 3HP. Very satiisfying eh?
LSM
Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: SRL790 on April 17, 2008, 03:53:09 am
Is that a Triumph I see in the backround?
Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: charte on April 17, 2008, 05:33:08 am
Lotus, thanks for that, and sounds like a very cool project!  Would love to see a pic of that.


SRL, good eye man.  It sure is, and it runs like a champ.  Evidently the owner has had it sitting there for years and years, but doesn't want to sell it.  The mechanic starts it up every now and then to keep it in fighting shape.

I've cropped a pic so you can see more details.  A friend here in Delhi who knows his stuff says this bike is quite a find.


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Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: SRL790 on April 18, 2008, 03:09:47 am
Looks like a mid 60's Tiger.  A restored '69 Bonnie went for $15,500 recently at auction in California so the value is coming up slowly but surely.  Can't blame the guy for wanting to hang on to it.

Andy
Title: Re: 1969 Restoration Project
Post by: t120rbullet on April 18, 2008, 12:02:47 pm
Looks like a 68 TR6R, Mk 2 or Mk 3  (they made 3 engines that year).
First year of the concentric, last year of the parcel rack on the tank.
Unless it's a bitza!
Yup, I'm real partial to that year of Triumph big twins.
CJ