Thoughts from the client

“Bell’s Bespoke restored a Royal Enfield ladies Junior Champion c. 1960 for me a year ago, and I am delighted with the result.  The work was carried out meticulously, and with a fine eye for detail and authenticity. For anyone considering the refurbishment of a vintage bike, I would say that you could not do better than to choose Bell’s”

Malcolm Tyler

Get in touch! 020 3355 0108
A vintage-style bicycle with a brown leather saddle and red fenders on a gravel surface, with a black background and soft lighting.
Close-up of a vintage mountain bike with a white frame and red accents, parked outdoors on gravel with a dark background.
A close-up of a vintage bicycle seat with a brown leather cover and a small nameplate labeled 'WRIGHTS,' with the bicycle handlebar and blurred background visible.
Close-up of a pink bicycle rear wheel with a red reflector, featuring the brand name Royal Enfield, against a blurred outdoor background.
Close-up of a colorful Royal Enfield bicycle with pink and black frame, red and silver fenders, and sunlit gravel ground in the background.
Close-up view of a colorful bicycle frame with a sticker reading 'JUNIOR CHAMPION' on the front tube, with a red brake cable, red front fender, and black fork, set against a blurred outdoor background.
A vintage-style bicycle with a black frame, red accents on the fenders and wheels, and a brown leather seat, positioned on a gravel surface against a dark, out-of-focus background.
Close-up of a vintage bicycle with a black frame, red accents, and a white saddle, parked on gravel against a dark, textured background.
Close-up of a vintage Royal Enfield bicycle chainring, crank arm, and pedal, with parts of the frame visible, including the white chain guard and black frame with yellow and blue detailing, set against a background of gravel.
Close-up of a vintage bicycle's front section, showing the frame, fork, handlebars, and front tire, with a black background.
Close-up of a vintage bicycle's head tube and badge, featuring red and white paint, red handlebars, and a blurred saddle in the background, outdoors on grass.
Close-up of a vintage bicycle with a white frame and red accents, showing the handlebars, front wheel, and seat against a dark background.
Close-up of a vintage bicycle handlebar with a shiny bell, a gear shifter labeled '3 Speed Arbitr' with 'Sunderland England' marking, and red and blue wires against a blurred outdoor background.
Close-up of a bicycle handlebar with metal grips, a bell, and red and beige cables, against a dark background.
Old bicycle with a brown seat and red fenders leaning against a beige wall with two windows, on a stone-paved surface.
An old, rusty bicycle with a cream-colored frame, black and red accents, and red cables is parked against a gray wall with a window nearby.
An old brown leather saddle attached to an antique bicycle with a red frame. The bike is positioned on a concrete surface next to a wall, with some plants in black pots in the background.
Front view of an old, rusty children's bicycle with a white frame, red fenders, and red handlebar cables, parked outdoors on a stone patio with potted plants in the background.
An old, rusty bicycle with a brown leather seat and a white and black frame, leaning against a gray wall on a concrete sidewalk.
A rusty red bicycle rear with a round red reflector, positioned on a concrete patio next to a wooden fence and a plant in a black pot.
Top view of an old bicycle with a white frame marked 'CHAMPION' and black handlebars, standing on a mossy concrete outdoor surface next to potted plants.

Royal Enfield 1960

A Rare Post-War Royal Enfield

Following Raleigh's acquisition of the Royal Enfield bicycle business, a small number of bicycles continued to be produced under the Royal Enfield name. Today, surviving examples are rarely encountered, particularly junior models such as this one.

Built around 1960, this bicycle reflects a period when manufacturers were investing heavily in distinctive graphics and styling to appeal to younger riders. As a result, these machines often featured some of the most intricate decal schemes of the era, making accurate restoration particularly challenging many decades later.

The Restoration

The defining feature of this project was the recreation of the bicycle's extensive decal set. Each surviving fragment was carefully traced and analysed before being cross-referenced against period photographs to verify details of shape, colour and layout.

Once reconstructed digitally, the artwork was reproduced as traditional water-slide transfers, matching the manufacturing methods originally used. Alongside the graphics, the bicycle underwent a comprehensive cosmetic and mechanical restoration, including refinishing the chromework, rebuilding the saddle and servicing every component.


The Result

The finished bicycle captures the bold styling and attention to detail that characterised premium junior bicycles of the period. Particular care was taken to ensure the graphics remained faithful to the original design, preserving one of the model's most distinctive features.

Projects such as this demonstrate the importance of research within the restoration process. When original reference material is scarce, accuracy depends not only on craftsmanship but on the ability to reconstruct details that would otherwise be lost to time.

Start your restoration

hello@bellsbicycles.co.uk
0203 355 0108