1925 | Royal Enfield 350 BN

Royal Enfield 1925 2 ¾ HP “Standard Model 350” 346cc side valve single frame # 2455 engine # A4343

The Redditch-based Royal Enfield firm enters the motorcycle business as early as 1898: in the early days engines from De Dion power their tricycles and quadricycles; Minerva supplies the power for the first motorized cycles. In the years before WW I the company is very successful with light Motosacoche-engined V twins. These machines are equipped with the famous Enfield two-speed gear, involving twin primary chains. In the rear wheel hub a rubber cush drive is fitted, to take the punch out of the chaindrive. This feature is to be incorporated into all Royal Enfields until the very end. In the 1914 Junior TT eight out of nine Royal Enfield twins finish, with a very creditable five in the first twenty places.
After the Great War Enfield is successful with mainly two models: the light 2¼ HP two stroke and the V-twin sidecar machine. The first models in the 350cc class appear in 1924, both in OHV and SV configurations and are of JAP manufacture. From 1925 Enfield’s own engine is fitted and a three speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox is standardised. Another new feature for 1925 is the internal expanding brake on the front wheel; the rear brake is still of the dummy-rim type. For model year 1926 the rear wheel will also get an internal expanding stopper.
The older-restoration machine we offer here has bore x stroke dimensions of 70x90mm and comes with automatic mechanical oil pump, acetylene lighting system and bulb horn. The carburettor fitted is a slightly more modern Amal, presumably fitted for easier control of the engine.