Royal Enfield Super Meteor
Encyclopedia
The Super Meteor was a British motorcycle
made by Royal Enfield
for export to the US between 1952 and 1962, when the Super Meteor was replaced by the 736 cc Royal Enfield Interceptor
.
to develop a 692 cc, overhead valve twin capable of 100 mph (160.9 km/h), which was launched as the Meteor. The engine was basically a modified 500 twin crankcase with 350 single (Bullet) pistons, valves and identical 90mm stroke length. In 1954, the Super Meteor was updated and fitted with a new cast alloy headlight nacelle (casquette) housing the speedometer, ammeter and light switch. During 1955, the dynamo and coil ignition was replaced with a Lucas magdyno. This model was replaced by the Super Meteor in 1956 that sported a brand new frame. Based on the Royal Enfield Meteor Minor 496 cc overhead valve engine, the new model had a strengthened crank and improved clutch. The frame was also strengthened to handle the increased torque. The gearbox was modified so that the gear shift lever was concentric to the kick-starter. The compression ratio was increased to 7.25:1; it was upgraded with Lucas alternator and Amal Monobloc carburettor. Modified engines, incorporating electric start, were also produced and supplied by the factory for the Berkeley
B95 and B105 car models during 1959 and 1960. The Super Meteor and the sporty Constellation were replaced by the 736 cc Royal Enfield Interceptor
in 1962.
to test the Maxaret
anti-lock brake on motorcycles. The Maxaret works by detecting rapid decelerations of the wheel that may cause it to lock and releases and re-applies hydraulic pressure to the brake several times a second, keeping the average braking effort at the maximum that can be used by the road surface and tyre combination. The experiments demonstrated that anti-lock brakes could be of great value on motorcycles, where skidding is involved in a high proportion of accidents. Stopping distances were reduced in almost all the tests, compared with locked wheel braking, but particularly on slippery surfaces, where the improvement could be as much as 30 per cent. Royal Enfield's Technical Director at the time, Tony Wilson-Jones, saw little future in the system and it was not put into production by the company.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
made by Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
for export to the US between 1952 and 1962, when the Super Meteor was replaced by the 736 cc Royal Enfield Interceptor
Royal Enfield Interceptor
The Interceptor was a British motorcycle made by Royal Enfield between 1960 and 1970. The 700 Interceptor introduced in 1960 was a modified version of the company's 692cc Constellation twin. In 1962, the company introduced the 750 Interceptor which evolved constantly till the end of production in...
.
Development
In 1953, the US export market led Royal EnfieldRoyal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
to develop a 692 cc, overhead valve twin capable of 100 mph (160.9 km/h), which was launched as the Meteor. The engine was basically a modified 500 twin crankcase with 350 single (Bullet) pistons, valves and identical 90mm stroke length. In 1954, the Super Meteor was updated and fitted with a new cast alloy headlight nacelle (casquette) housing the speedometer, ammeter and light switch. During 1955, the dynamo and coil ignition was replaced with a Lucas magdyno. This model was replaced by the Super Meteor in 1956 that sported a brand new frame. Based on the Royal Enfield Meteor Minor 496 cc overhead valve engine, the new model had a strengthened crank and improved clutch. The frame was also strengthened to handle the increased torque. The gearbox was modified so that the gear shift lever was concentric to the kick-starter. The compression ratio was increased to 7.25:1; it was upgraded with Lucas alternator and Amal Monobloc carburettor. Modified engines, incorporating electric start, were also produced and supplied by the factory for the Berkeley
Berkeley cars
Berkeley Cars Ltd of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England produced small economical sporting microcars with motorcycle-derived engines from 322 cc to 692 cc and front wheel drive between 1956 and 1960.-History:...
B95 and B105 car models during 1959 and 1960. The Super Meteor and the sporty Constellation were replaced by the 736 cc Royal Enfield Interceptor
Royal Enfield Interceptor
The Interceptor was a British motorcycle made by Royal Enfield between 1960 and 1970. The 700 Interceptor introduced in 1960 was a modified version of the company's 692cc Constellation twin. In 1962, the company introduced the 750 Interceptor which evolved constantly till the end of production in...
in 1962.
Anti-lock braking experiment
In 1958, a Royal Enfield Super Meteor was used by the Transport Research LaboratoryTransport Research Laboratory
TRL is a British transport consultancy and research organisation based at Wokingham Berkshire with approximately 500 staff. TRL is owned by the Transport Research Foundation , which is overseen by 80 sector members from the transport industry. TRL also own small UK regional offices situated in...
to test the Maxaret
Maxaret
Dunlop's Maxaret was the first anti-lock braking system to be widely used. Introduced in the early 1950s, Maxaret was rapidly taken up in the aviation world, after testing found a 30% reduction in stopping distances, and the elimination of tire bursts or flat spots due to skids...
anti-lock brake on motorcycles. The Maxaret works by detecting rapid decelerations of the wheel that may cause it to lock and releases and re-applies hydraulic pressure to the brake several times a second, keeping the average braking effort at the maximum that can be used by the road surface and tyre combination. The experiments demonstrated that anti-lock brakes could be of great value on motorcycles, where skidding is involved in a high proportion of accidents. Stopping distances were reduced in almost all the tests, compared with locked wheel braking, but particularly on slippery surfaces, where the improvement could be as much as 30 per cent. Royal Enfield's Technical Director at the time, Tony Wilson-Jones, saw little future in the system and it was not put into production by the company.