1958 Royal Enfield Super Meteor

• Top of the Royal Enfield range in 1958
• Re-commissioned in 2025

Royal Enfield, or, strictly speaking, the Enfield Cycle Company Ltd. were early producers of motorcycles from 1901. As with so many others of the time, the Company had been engaged in the production of bicycles, followed by De Dion Bouton-powered tricycles, and when they eventually dipped their toe into motorcycle production, it was with a power unit from Minerva in Belgium. After incorporating an engine of their own, they also used Motosacoche engines. Through the Great War they supplied machines to the armed forces, and afterwards continued to prosper back in the civilian market. Having begun with single-cylinder machines and V-twins, they eventually produced vertical twins from 1949, with the introduction of a 500cc Meteor model. In 1952 a 700cc version of the Meteor joined the range, followed in 1956 by the sportier Super Meteor 700. The Super Meteor was the top of the range, until it was joined by the Constellation in 1958 which had raised compression and a higher state of tune.

189 XWG was purchased by the present owner in 2024, when it had been part of a deceased's estate. At that time, it appeared that the previous owner had started renovating the machine, but it was unfinished, non-running, and part-dismantled, and had evidently been in this state for many years. The present owner reassembled the machine, and re-commissioned it, sorted out the wiring system, and put it into running order. It now starts and runs, drives and charges, and will need a period of bedding-in by a new owner, who may wish to improve the cosmetics. It was last started in March 2026. It should be noted that the engine number recorded in the V5C is 4673, and the engine fitted bears the number EA35223.

Engine number EA35223 corresponds to that of a 498cc Meteor Minor unit, indicating that the crankcases have likely been replaced at some stage. It should be noted that the 500cc and 700cc Royal Enfield twin-cylinder crankcases are of identical pattern, allowing such interchangeability. The frame number (5201) is recorded as that of a Super Meteor dispatched in December 1957. Prospective bidders must satisfy themselves as to the machine's correctness and originality prior to bidding.

Documentation comprises a current V5C, and some copy pages of information. The included key is for the ignition.
Offered with key