1961 Royal Enfield 495cc Meteor Minor

Registration no. 134 RPK Frame no. 6005 Engine no. CC 30085

Launched in 1948, Royal Enfield's 500cc parallel twin followed orthodox lines, though the use of separate cylinder barrels and heads, and the incorporation of the oil tank within the crankcase - a feature inherited from the Redditch firm's singles - was unusual. The new engine was installed in what was basically the Bullet frame, the latter an advanced design featuring swinging-arm rear suspension. The Enfield twin was progressively up-dated, gaining a double-sided front brake for 1955 and a crankshaft-mounted alternator and the new Bullet-type frame for 1957, before undergoing a more radical revision in 1958. Dubbed the Meteor Minor, the new twin featured short-stroke engine dimensions, replaceable big-end shells, 17" wheels, and bigger brakes, and was built in standard and De Luxe forms, the latter being equipped with - among other refinements - a dual seat, pillion footrests, and an enclosed rear chain. There was also a Sport variant equipped with a different inlet camshaft that boosted peak power to 33bhp at 6,500rpm, a 3bhp/250rpm improvement over the standard/De-luxe models.

This apparently restored Meteor Minor has not been used for 18 months and will require re-commissioning before returning to the road. It should be noted that although the engine turns over there is no compression. The machine comes with a V5C document and is sold strictly as viewed.