Nice bike mate! Where'd it come from?
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:29 pm
[center]
"Nice bike mate! Where'd it come from?"
Ever wondered wabout your pride and joy's history? I did!
Well, most of the English born Royal Enfields were constructed at the Redditch factory. Even as early as 1930, this was quite an impressive sight.
Of course, it was not only motorcycles that were produced here as the Enfield Cycle Company also produced bicycles, stationary engines and lawn mowers. There is one thing that is certain however, 'Kevin' my meteor Minor de-luxe (only found out about the de-luxe bit today) came out of this factory. well, mostly as all twin cylinder engines came from another Royal Enfield factory at Bradford On Avon.
History and research can sometimes unearth a whole host of surprises, and Kevin seems to have quite a few of them hidden away.
Firstly, After several owner's determination to get the bike back to the most original condition as possible, Kevin currently looks like this:
This is what a decent Meteor Minor De-luxe should look like, except my research let me in for a surprise.
It all started well with a telephone call to the REOC. The gentleman I spoke to (I am really sorry, but I forgot your name in the excitement) was really quite interested in Kevin as there had been an abnormality in the RE records whereby somebody had written the frame number where the engine number should have been, so that engine and frame showed the same. Having previously received my request for information with a link to an earlier post here, showing engine and frame number photos, he checked his records. Needless to say, he was happy to have got the engine number and thus corrected the error in the records.
So that is what I managed to do for him (Plus sending Tornado's engine and frame numbers for his Indian section) What he was able to do for me was very interesting. I have the original R.F. 60 logbook and from this I knew that the date of first registration was 15th August 1959. I was amazed when I was told that the bike had been despatched from the Redditch factory on the 13th August, and had been sold to John Fisher of New Street, Portsmouth.
I remember remarking to the REOC guy that Meteor Minors must have been in great demand for it to be sold and registered within 2 days, but he replied in a voice which seemed to assume that I knew more than I did, "The airflow version had to be specifically ordered from the factory!". Airflow version? Kevin had been an airflow version? I took a quick look on the internet and found this...
Not sure which bike is underneath, but this is the airflow fairing.
Yes, apparently he had been an airflow version. So much for trying to make the bike as original as possible! Many modern fairings just bolt on the bike and you may have to move the indicators, but it's relatively easy to put on or remove, but Royal Enfield, along with their many other patented innovations had; as far as I know; invented the faring. It was not so much an add on, as a different version of the bike with it's own parts book. I will explain with the aid of the photos below.
A non airflow Meteor Minor would have either a fifties casquette, familiar to owners of redditch bikes and also Indian bullets, or the later sixties type.
(The following photos are of a 1959 Meteor Minor Airflow, just could not find a polychromatic Burgundy one!)
The airflow version would have different fork tops, with the instruments housed in the airflow itself.
The headlamp and indicators were also contained in the fairing, and a different front mudguard was used.
All Meteor Minor frames were made to allow the airflow to be fitted. So now I start to wonder about how he would have looked in the flesh with the airflow. Certainly a 1950's design, especially when you think of the space fad 'atomic age' at the time with films like Forbidden Planet, The Jetsons cartoon and also the buildings of the 1951 Festival of Britain, all of which was then a post war, modern and streamlined look.
Let's take a brief look at some examples of 1950's design...
It was a style born out of wish to forget the horrors of the second world war, to start afresh, while encompassing the the new age where atomic power would soon power your house, car and everything else, whilst a regular rocket service to the moon would surely start within a few years! Plastics and resins had come a long way, and with the ease that curves could now be mass-produced for the first time, all led to an altogether more rounded look.
Taking the dog for a walk on the moon. (acknowledgements Tintin)
Anyway, back to the future, where I was wondering what to do with Kevin? Should I keep an eye out for the correct airflow fairing and mudguard to fit? Should I leave the bike as it now is? Or should I go for the third option, which is to obtain all the parts, in the knowledge that I could convert the bike if I so wished, or maybe do a conversion for a season, take some photos, see what I thought of the bike, knowing I could convert back if I wanted to?
I had a hunch that these fairings would be more on the scarce than plentiful side and that produced moral dilemma as well. What if I took the third option, never used the airflow and in so doing, deprived somebody else of using it to restore another Meteor Minor Airflow? I would not want to do that. I guess my next option, time permitting, will be to find out what the chances are of getting an airflow. I am not sure if I even like the look. Would I grow to like it, or would it be coming off again, faster than a ferret down a drainpipe?
Getting back to Kevin's history, the logbook makes for some interesting reading. The frame and engine numbers have been swapped over, so I must remember to check the modern V5C when it comes through. It seems that it was not only RE who erred with them! We already know it was constructed 13th August 1959 and sent to John Fisher's shop in Portsmouth, but thereabouts seems to be where it stayed. I had managed to mis-interpret the old logbook information and found that the bike had not in fact been sold by John Fisher on the 15th August, but registered by him instead. It seems he had two premises in close proximity and he also sold boats and so that may explain the two showrooms, Or he may have just moved premises around that time. Kevin was registered at 189-191 New Road, Portsmouth, But other bikes for sale in the press near that time stated 201, New Road as the address.
Motorsport July 1956
Kev was 'ere! 189-191 New Road, Portsmouth, Formerly John Fisher.
Or 'ere! 201, New Street, Portsmouth, Another of John Fisher's showroom's.
Kevin then had to wait until the 19th January 1960, when he was registered to a Fred Moore of Ann's Hill Road, Gosport. It seems that Fred kept him until July 1966. England won the world cup on the 30th July, could Fred have decided to sell his bike as a consequence of that? Maybe getting a bigger one to go up to London and watch the final? Well, who knows, but it was that month that Kevin moved around the corner to Cedric Moore of Chilworth Grove. Maybe Fred Moore had a bet with his son, "If England win, I'll give you my motorcycle!"
Unfortunately, this is where the trail runs dry. The tax disc section runs until 31/7/67, but that is the last date on the R.F. 60. Below it is a stamp that says, "Entries discontinued by direction of Ministry Of Transport.
As far as I know, the bike stayed with it's owner at least until the old style logbooks were phased out in the 1970's. There is a space for one more change of keeper, but this was never filled in. There is a gap of about 45 or more years, until Brian Laitt, chairman of the Somerset REOC had the bike, which by this time was missing not only the airflow conversions, but also the toolkit. Having appeared on the stand at the Carole Nash 35th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show at Shepton Mallet February 7-8, 2015. Mike, another REOC member liked the bike and bought it, and after a few more months, sold it to me (Thanks Mike, I love it!).
Over the coming months I will think about Kevin's future. He will be restored to as close as original as possible, but do I go for the Meteor Minor De-luxe, or the Meteor Minor airflow (if I can get the parts!)?
I am still getting used to the idea that Kevin started life as an Airflow model.
Now, looking at the two pictures below (and ignoring the difference in colour) which model do you prefer? Your opinions would be most welcome!
[center]
[center]
A copy of the R.F. 60 Logbook is available with other Meteor Minor stuff at Kevin's Corner. Just scroll down the page!
Did you really just read all of that? I take my hat off to you Sir or Madam!
Tabellarius de verbis ostensor gaudium
"Nice bike mate! Where'd it come from?"
Ever wondered wabout your pride and joy's history? I did!
Well, most of the English born Royal Enfields were constructed at the Redditch factory. Even as early as 1930, this was quite an impressive sight.
Of course, it was not only motorcycles that were produced here as the Enfield Cycle Company also produced bicycles, stationary engines and lawn mowers. There is one thing that is certain however, 'Kevin' my meteor Minor de-luxe (only found out about the de-luxe bit today) came out of this factory. well, mostly as all twin cylinder engines came from another Royal Enfield factory at Bradford On Avon.
History and research can sometimes unearth a whole host of surprises, and Kevin seems to have quite a few of them hidden away.
Firstly, After several owner's determination to get the bike back to the most original condition as possible, Kevin currently looks like this:
This is what a decent Meteor Minor De-luxe should look like, except my research let me in for a surprise.
It all started well with a telephone call to the REOC. The gentleman I spoke to (I am really sorry, but I forgot your name in the excitement) was really quite interested in Kevin as there had been an abnormality in the RE records whereby somebody had written the frame number where the engine number should have been, so that engine and frame showed the same. Having previously received my request for information with a link to an earlier post here, showing engine and frame number photos, he checked his records. Needless to say, he was happy to have got the engine number and thus corrected the error in the records.
So that is what I managed to do for him (Plus sending Tornado's engine and frame numbers for his Indian section) What he was able to do for me was very interesting. I have the original R.F. 60 logbook and from this I knew that the date of first registration was 15th August 1959. I was amazed when I was told that the bike had been despatched from the Redditch factory on the 13th August, and had been sold to John Fisher of New Street, Portsmouth.
I remember remarking to the REOC guy that Meteor Minors must have been in great demand for it to be sold and registered within 2 days, but he replied in a voice which seemed to assume that I knew more than I did, "The airflow version had to be specifically ordered from the factory!". Airflow version? Kevin had been an airflow version? I took a quick look on the internet and found this...
Not sure which bike is underneath, but this is the airflow fairing.
Yes, apparently he had been an airflow version. So much for trying to make the bike as original as possible! Many modern fairings just bolt on the bike and you may have to move the indicators, but it's relatively easy to put on or remove, but Royal Enfield, along with their many other patented innovations had; as far as I know; invented the faring. It was not so much an add on, as a different version of the bike with it's own parts book. I will explain with the aid of the photos below.
A non airflow Meteor Minor would have either a fifties casquette, familiar to owners of redditch bikes and also Indian bullets, or the later sixties type.
(The following photos are of a 1959 Meteor Minor Airflow, just could not find a polychromatic Burgundy one!)
The airflow version would have different fork tops, with the instruments housed in the airflow itself.
The headlamp and indicators were also contained in the fairing, and a different front mudguard was used.
All Meteor Minor frames were made to allow the airflow to be fitted. So now I start to wonder about how he would have looked in the flesh with the airflow. Certainly a 1950's design, especially when you think of the space fad 'atomic age' at the time with films like Forbidden Planet, The Jetsons cartoon and also the buildings of the 1951 Festival of Britain, all of which was then a post war, modern and streamlined look.
Let's take a brief look at some examples of 1950's design...
It was a style born out of wish to forget the horrors of the second world war, to start afresh, while encompassing the the new age where atomic power would soon power your house, car and everything else, whilst a regular rocket service to the moon would surely start within a few years! Plastics and resins had come a long way, and with the ease that curves could now be mass-produced for the first time, all led to an altogether more rounded look.
Taking the dog for a walk on the moon. (acknowledgements Tintin)
Anyway, back to the future, where I was wondering what to do with Kevin? Should I keep an eye out for the correct airflow fairing and mudguard to fit? Should I leave the bike as it now is? Or should I go for the third option, which is to obtain all the parts, in the knowledge that I could convert the bike if I so wished, or maybe do a conversion for a season, take some photos, see what I thought of the bike, knowing I could convert back if I wanted to?
I had a hunch that these fairings would be more on the scarce than plentiful side and that produced moral dilemma as well. What if I took the third option, never used the airflow and in so doing, deprived somebody else of using it to restore another Meteor Minor Airflow? I would not want to do that. I guess my next option, time permitting, will be to find out what the chances are of getting an airflow. I am not sure if I even like the look. Would I grow to like it, or would it be coming off again, faster than a ferret down a drainpipe?
Getting back to Kevin's history, the logbook makes for some interesting reading. The frame and engine numbers have been swapped over, so I must remember to check the modern V5C when it comes through. It seems that it was not only RE who erred with them! We already know it was constructed 13th August 1959 and sent to John Fisher's shop in Portsmouth, but thereabouts seems to be where it stayed. I had managed to mis-interpret the old logbook information and found that the bike had not in fact been sold by John Fisher on the 15th August, but registered by him instead. It seems he had two premises in close proximity and he also sold boats and so that may explain the two showrooms, Or he may have just moved premises around that time. Kevin was registered at 189-191 New Road, Portsmouth, But other bikes for sale in the press near that time stated 201, New Road as the address.
Motorsport July 1956
Kev was 'ere! 189-191 New Road, Portsmouth, Formerly John Fisher.
Or 'ere! 201, New Street, Portsmouth, Another of John Fisher's showroom's.
Kevin then had to wait until the 19th January 1960, when he was registered to a Fred Moore of Ann's Hill Road, Gosport. It seems that Fred kept him until July 1966. England won the world cup on the 30th July, could Fred have decided to sell his bike as a consequence of that? Maybe getting a bigger one to go up to London and watch the final? Well, who knows, but it was that month that Kevin moved around the corner to Cedric Moore of Chilworth Grove. Maybe Fred Moore had a bet with his son, "If England win, I'll give you my motorcycle!"
Unfortunately, this is where the trail runs dry. The tax disc section runs until 31/7/67, but that is the last date on the R.F. 60. Below it is a stamp that says, "Entries discontinued by direction of Ministry Of Transport.
As far as I know, the bike stayed with it's owner at least until the old style logbooks were phased out in the 1970's. There is a space for one more change of keeper, but this was never filled in. There is a gap of about 45 or more years, until Brian Laitt, chairman of the Somerset REOC had the bike, which by this time was missing not only the airflow conversions, but also the toolkit. Having appeared on the stand at the Carole Nash 35th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show at Shepton Mallet February 7-8, 2015. Mike, another REOC member liked the bike and bought it, and after a few more months, sold it to me (Thanks Mike, I love it!).
Over the coming months I will think about Kevin's future. He will be restored to as close as original as possible, but do I go for the Meteor Minor De-luxe, or the Meteor Minor airflow (if I can get the parts!)?
I am still getting used to the idea that Kevin started life as an Airflow model.
Now, looking at the two pictures below (and ignoring the difference in colour) which model do you prefer? Your opinions would be most welcome!
[center]
[center]
A copy of the R.F. 60 Logbook is available with other Meteor Minor stuff at Kevin's Corner. Just scroll down the page!
Did you really just read all of that? I take my hat off to you Sir or Madam!
Tabellarius de verbis ostensor gaudium
