Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet!

RaghavEvoX · 12th April 2024, 12:34

This is just amazing.

The effort, the time spent and the love for these timeless machines and the whole read with the pictures are just way too good.

Congratulations to you !!

navin_v8 · 12th April 2024, 13:24

Arun mate for some old motorcycle restoration is a PITA but for others it is an enjoyable and sometimes a bittersweet experience. The stages of restoration and final result is satisfyingly beautiful. It is difficult to come across people who in this fast age of changing anything and everything in a fortnight are still owning and using their built to last old beauties.

Being an owner of a 1969 B1 Bullet 350 STD it makes me happy to see people who in this fast age of changing anything and everything in a fortnight are still owning and using their built to last old beauties.

The joy of riding Bullet's of the yore sounds is something different. It sounds like a cliche now. On some early mornings I ride mine to the old pre-Independence era cafes in Bombay to relive the old times. While having breakfast in those cafes, I try and get a seat from where I can ogle at my B1 Bullet as the morning sunbeam hits it. No words!

raptor_diwan · 12th April 2024, 14:13

Such a lovely thread! The comparison between the old and new picture is absolutely amazing. Well executed restoration!

theqca · 12th April 2024, 17:38

Enjoyed reading your post and viewing the photos. Always happy to see a nice B series bike.

Was wondering - why did you change the head?

Sid94 · 12th April 2024, 17:50

Beautifully put together. All the individual elements look spectacular, and of course, the bike too!!

I stumbled upon this thread this morning and reading through the thread made for a happy morning - the story in the newspaper is as beautiful as the bike!

Happy riding

Indraneel Bhat · 15th April 2024, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by arun1100

I've Rarely seen my Dad happy like this!

Arun, that's because boys never forget their toys!!

This has been one awesome thread!! Congratulations on the resurrection and many more miles ahead...

pedrolourenco · 8th September 2024, 12:48

Amazing story and wonderful restoration.

2 things I noticed:
- The side boxes have gold borders. Originally bikes came without them.
- Tank Monogram is Enfield. The B1 bikes came with Enfield India Tank Monograms and Rubber tank pads.

Try and get these 2 things corrected and the value of your bike will increase in the eyes of collectors (not that you are going to sell) but will make you feel good.
In future also look out for a Yenkay speedo which must have been the original on the bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arun1100

I ordered the front mudguard through a online seller. Fixing the correct mudguard was the only major body work done.

Where did you get it from and how much did it cost.

arun1100 · 9th September 2024, 22:48

Yes, there are many parts not as per the original spec like the handle, levers, switches, fuel cap rear shock absorbers etc. I chose this way of restoration mainly to keep the Bullet more reliable for regular use.

I got the mudguard from an online/FB seller based in Delhi and paid around 4k.

Here are some recent pics of the Bullet!

Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet!-img_20240821_1411302.jpg

Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet!-img_20240821_1408262.jpg

jacobsam · 9th September 2024, 23:00

Sorry @Arun1100 for hijacking you thread but didn’t knew where to post this question.

I am looking for Tyres with white wall built into it for my Standard 350 - 1977. Tried contacting a few but the only options I could are suggesting to get additional white walls and stick them. But I don’t see that working out to be good.

In case anyone can point me to the right direction, would be eternally grateful.

TIA

12th April 2024, 12:34	#91
RaghavEvoX BHPian Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Chennai Posts: 176 Thanked: 1,053 Times	Re: Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet! This is just amazing. The effort, the time spent and the love for these timeless machines and the whole read with the pictures are just way too good. Congratulations to you !!
	(2) Thanks

12th April 2024, 13:24	#92
navin_v8 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,259 Thanked: 1,749 Times	Re: Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet! Arun mate for some old motorcycle restoration is a PITA but for others it is an enjoyable and sometimes a bittersweet experience. The stages of restoration and final result is satisfyingly beautiful. It is difficult to come across people who in this fast age of changing anything and everything in a fortnight are still owning and using their built to last old beauties. Being an owner of a 1969 B1 Bullet 350 STD it makes me happy to see people who in this fast age of changing anything and everything in a fortnight are still owning and using their built to last old beauties. The joy of riding Bullet's of the yore sounds is something different. It sounds like a cliche now. On some early mornings I ride mine to the old pre-Independence era cafes in Bombay to relive the old times. While having breakfast in those cafes, I try and get a seat from where I can ogle at my B1 Bullet as the morning sunbeam hits it. No words!
	(3) Thanks

12th April 2024, 14:13	#93
raptor_diwan BHPian Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: MAS Posts: 832 Thanked: 3,808 Times	Re: Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet! Such a lovely thread! The comparison between the old and new picture is absolutely amazing. Well executed restoration!
	(1) Thanks

12th April 2024, 17:38	#94
theqca BHPian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bombay Posts: 126 Thanked: 349 Times	Re: Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet! Enjoyed reading your post and viewing the photos. Always happy to see a nice B series bike. Was wondering - why did you change the head? Last edited by theqca : 12th April 2024 at 17:41.
	(1) Thanks

12th April 2024, 17:50	#95
Sid94 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 17 Thanked: 19 Times	Re: Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet! Beautifully put together. All the individual elements look spectacular, and of course, the bike too!! I stumbled upon this thread this morning and reading through the thread made for a happy morning - the story in the newspaper is as beautiful as the bike! Happy riding
	(2) Thanks

9th September 2024, 22:48	#98
arun1100 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,104 Thanked: 5,752 Times View My Garage	Re: Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet! Yes, there are many parts not as per the original spec like the handle, levers, switches, fuel cap rear shock absorbers etc. I chose this way of restoration mainly to keep the Bullet more reliable for regular use. I got the mudguard from an online/FB seller based in Delhi and paid around 4k. Here are some recent pics of the Bullet!
	(2) Thanks

9th September 2024, 23:00	#99
jacobsam BHPian Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Harda, M.P. Posts: 70 Thanked: 159 Times	Re: Stolen & found after 25 years - Dad's 1971 Bullet! Sorry @Arun1100 for hijacking you thread but didn’t knew where to post this question. I am looking for Tyres with white wall built into it for my Standard 350 - 1977. Tried contacting a few but the only options I could are suggesting to get additional white walls and stick them. But I don’t see that working out to be good. In case anyone can point me to the right direction, would be eternally grateful. TIA
	() Thanks