METEOR MINE

My first choice of touring bike is a Royal Enfield 700 Super Meteor called Olive. She didn’t acquire this nomination through my own sentimental attachment, but was named by Bill Soltau, the previous owner. He added so much of his own ingenuity to the bike that she deserves to keep this special recognition.

Not long after moving to France in 2002, I’d asked in the club magazine if there were any other members in the region who fancied a ride out. Bill replied, and would be touring the area with a small posse of riders the following spring. Would I like to meet up with them? We met and I spent an enjoyable couple of days riding through the mountains in good company. My most memorable companion was Bill and his rather special green Royal Enfield twin, fitted with a homemade electric starter.

In the 1990s Bill grafted a Honda CB450 electric starter motor to a Meteor Minor 500 twin, hoping to retire his arthritic right leg from kickstarting duties. The operation was a remarkable success, providing a conversation piece at classic events. Happy with his prototype but desiring more power for