1955
Royal Enfield Bullet 350
Colours used
in this example.
Racing green and Forest green set the main colour direction. Softer background tones keep the motorcycle in focus.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Layer the darker shade around curves.
Use light pressure to preserve highlights.
Leave narrow paper highlights.
Retain lighter edges for definition.
Keep these colours softer than the motorcycle.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
1955 Bullet museum example
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 identified as 1955. The tank, engine and front end are visible.
Photo: Thruxton · Source · CC BY 3.01956 Royal Enfield comparison
1956 Royal Enfield at a Kolkata vintage rally. A neighbouring-year comparison with period single-cylinder layout.
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly · Source · CC BY 3.01970 Bullet comparison
1970 Royal Enfield 350 at a vintage rally. Later equipment and finish should not be copied as a 1955 specification.
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly · Source · CC BY 3.0Bullet engine detail
Detail view from the photograph identified as a 1955 Bullet.
Photo: Thruxton · Source · CC BY 3.0Tank and headlamp detail
Detail view from the photograph identified as a 1955 Bullet.
Photo: Thruxton · Source · CC BY 3.0Original 1955 Bullet colours
The 1955 factory brochure specifies Silver-grey Polychromatic enamel for the 350 Bullet. Rich Deep Maroon and Olive Green enamels were optional finishes.
- Silver-grey PolychromaticStandard painted bodywork
- Rich Deep MaroonOptional painted bodywork
- Olive GreenOptional painted bodywork
- Chrome / polished aluminiumBright metal parts
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
The names and finish options are transcribed from the 1955 brochure. Export-market exceptions are not implied.
In the photographs
The photograph labelled 1955 shows silver-grey bodywork, consistent with the brochure's standard Silver-grey Polychromatic finish. The 1956 comparison is maroon and the 1970 comparison is dark. Those later photographs cannot establish 1955 specifications. The brochure confirms optional rich deep maroon and olive green, but a photograph alone cannot authenticate the paint on a surviving bike.
- Silver-grey
- Maroon
- Dark bodywork
Visual colour guide only. These are not additional factory paint options.
In the coloured example
The example uses a deeper, brighter green than the muted olive-green option described in the brochure. Treat this as a creative green scheme. For the illustrated factory options, use silver-grey or deep maroon or a subdued olive green.
Make the details count.
Follow the tank curve with green pencil strokes.
Use a sharp cream pencil on the narrow trim.
Keep tiny white gaps between spokes.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.