Bicyclz: Royal Enfield vintage machines

1950s Superlights? 1960s Revelations?

I do like Royal Enfields: )

Here are 2 nice Superlights. One modernised & refinished. The other has its original paint & running as a Single Speed here.

The red one is 1955ish & the black one 1960.

Original spec was as a flat bar (Allrounders anyway: ) tourer, with a 531 main frame & 26" steel wheels, with Sturmey Archer hub choices.

Superlight was an optimistic description of a 35lb machine, but this was 60 years ago. The red one, weighing 26lbs here, makes a great Town Bike/Light Tourer, with a period FM hub, 700 alloy rims & mostly alloy parts, brakes especially. Good for another 60 years now.

The black one is trialling 27" wheels here. Not a lot of clearance but they work! (It'll get 700s eventually.) Was intending to refinish it when I got it, but when you look at the original paintwork/decals it'd be a shame to do that. So I'll tidy up the paint & polish it, & I think it makes a great comparison with the other machine.

I've got the original Ebay pics of these two machines to compare: )

Looks a little odd to me as seen, but although it was well used, it was well maintained also, & upgraded over time. Front wheel hub brake?? Raleigh Roadster rack! Big Sturmey Archer lamp: ) Interesting Raleigh chain-set...

This one is odd too, but in a different way. This was originally fitted with Allrounder bars. These are Track bars! And it has the original RE alloy chain set. I just wanted the 531 frame with the great Royal Enfield 'Made like a Gun' head-badge: )

My red RE Superlight is now in good hands: )

With Worcester Cathedral in the background. Nice bike & very cool new owner. In good hands now!
I'll take a better photo next time I see him, with my black Superlight hopefully: )

Another pic here of our group before we set off for a social ride along the River Severn.

Note the Social Distancing: )

Revelations revealed later...

Meantime here's a couple of interesting Revelation variations.

White one has it's original 20" steel wheels with an AG hub.
Blue one has 22" steel rims with a 2 speed coaster rear. One cable to front brake only.