1939 Other Makes Royal Enfield

M26345

Collectors, up for auction is my vintage 1939 Royal Enfield CO 350. I found this bike back in 2003 at Frost Brothers vintage car and motorcycle dealership in Knysna, South Africa. David Frost had started the project having done the engine and transmission but never got aroung to the rest. After several trips back to the shop and much haggaling I persuaded him to sell me the bike. I paid a tidy sum and about $850.00 US to ship it back to California. in it's rough state. After years of waiting in my garage I finally got around to the labor of restoring it. I started with powder coating the frame, forks, engine and trans mounts, fender stays, light brackets, etc. Then polished the aluminum, Cad plated the fastners, and other chrome bits, enough to contrast well with the gloss black base. I replaced the steering and wheel bearings as well as the primary and final drive chains. I sent the piggyback magneto/generator back to Doug Wood in Pennsylvania. He is a very thorough electrical engineer with alot of experience with these early British units. I have the print out spec sheet with the outcome of his work. Next the steel, chrome wheels made in England were laced at Buchanan's using stainless nipples and spokes. Two new tubes were added and a Fresh new Dunlop Gold Seal K70 mounted on the rear with the existing Chinese rubber I bought with the bike up front, which has good tread left. I painted the fenders with the addition of new pin stripping tape and several clear coats. Next, came refurbishing the clutch. Hand filing the basket and replacing the springs and friction plates and pusrod as well as clutch and throttle cables. The front and rear break shoes were replaced and work well. The headlight and tail/break light work with a dipper switch for high/low beam with a horn button added but it has NO HORN. The battery and box were replaced as well as break light switch. All the electrical work well as indicated by the ampmeter on the headlight above the switch cluster. The muffler is new and sounds great. I've put about 25 miles on it since getting it up and running and yes it seeps a bit and will leave it's British signature on the garage floor from the breather. After all the bike is 73 years old now. What is wrong with the bike? well, the headlight lens has a crack from the handle of my floor jack pivoting into it. Luckily that was all the damage done. I'm still searching for a new lens, no such luck as of this writing. If I were to keep the machine, I would and I suggest replacing the carburator. It sputters some and doesn't idle consistantly due to the top ring won't thread onto the body correctly (stripped). That is the worst fix the bike really needs. and I'm including with the sale a new set of Royal Enfield tank transfers so the next guy can do a better paint job than me on the tank. It's "orange peeled" and not great. It looks OK but I'm not really satisfied with it. See the photos. Note: as of 2nd listing I will include in the sale the new headlight lens I've found. So what your bidding on is alot more than a old motorbike. It's a 98% restored classic British single that is a kick to ride. And perfect for those club events or our annual So Cal. British only ride to Hanson Dam. I've done all the hard and expensive work for the next guy, ie, shipping, import and custom fees. I had to go through the hassle of title and verification plus DMV fees. so it now has a clear CA. title with current registration and plate which is not currently mounted because I haven't yet found the best license plate bracket. But honestly this thing is cool and ready for it's next home so I can move on to my next project. After nine years with this gem and all that I've done for it, I'm into it for more than I can get out of it on auction. I have 100% feedback and try to describe it as best as I can for you. There is obviously no warranty with the bike and it is sold as is, where is. If you have any questions call me before you bid. 818 317 6625. Bill and international buyers MUST ARRANGE SHIPPING and I will only help your shipper load the bike from my driveway. I WON'T CRATE IT FOR YOU. sorry but I've been through this hassle too many time before. PLUS the winner of the auction must pay a $1000.00 deposit for the bike within 5 days of auction close through paypal or wire transfer and in full within 14 days of winning the bike before I will let it or the papers go. Pay with cash, or wire transfer to my bank. All that can be arranged in due time. I have learned through the UK Royal Enfield owners club that the bike is not a Bullet and was a military motorcycle back in it's early history and as I suspect somewhere later in it's existance after the war it landed in the hands of a civilian needing a ride and became more of what I have cleaned it up to be today. Anyone interested in restroring it AGAIN to it's military uniform is more than welcome in my mind and it should be enjoyed however one might choose to display and ride it. I will leave the "Bullet" label on the fender and let it be known that I mistakingly painted it as such, and now , know it to be a CO overhead valve machine. And I still think it's fun to ride, anyway you label it I wish for it to go to a good and deserving home. Thank you all for looking and Happy Bidding... Best Regards, Bill Greene, So. California