My Love Affair with Motorbikes
By Trevor Cook
I am the proud owner of three motorbikes, all Royal Enfield’s:
1937 350c.c. Side Valve Model C
1957 700c.c. Super Meteor Twin Cylinder
2005 500c.c. Single Bullet (Indian)
I first started on two wheels in the late 50s with a Lambretta 125c.c. Scooter and passed my driving test on this then progressed to a Francis Barnet, used mainly for commuting to work.
On being given a car that needed engine repair the motor bike was sold and the car took over.
Much later on I became a “Born Again Biker” after finding a photograph of my late Father taken during the war where he served in the R.A.F. as a dispatch rider, riding a Royal Enfield Side valve 350c.c.
Being only interested in British bikes I purchased a B.S.A. C15 that needed only slight cosmetic work and on riding this B.S.A. I came into contact with other like-minded bikers and I was asked to view a collection of motorbikes for sale.
Much to my surprise and delight I saw for sale the 1937 350c.c. Enfield that I still have today.
It has had a great deal of work carried out on it by myself.
Using the C15 regularly I found it was not fast enough to keep up with the speed of modern day traffic and I decided to part with it.
My next machine was a Honda 400/4.
This went like a rocket and I enjoyed riding it.
During this time I also bought and restored three other 400/4s and eventually sold them on.
The reason I decided to part with them was that they had a left foot gear change and the Enfield was right foot.
The inevitable happened, on riding the Enfield for its regular workout I had to do an emergency stop and guess what!, my brain didn’t react quickly enough and both feet went down resulting in smashing the gearbox internals.
It took me a long time to repair the damage but luckily the parts were found at a motorbike jumble.
It was at this point I decided my first Honda 400/4 had to go so it was sold to Rachel Pattison of Abbey Rider Training School.
Rachel is a friend of long-standing and she had always expressed interest in buying the Honda if ever I wanted to part with it as it was the first motorbike she had ever owned.
Rachel now proudly has this bike on view in her office cabin at the motorbike training school at Blunsdon for all to see.
Following this I then purchased a new 500c.c. single kick-start/right gear change Enfield from Henry Price an Enfield specialist who lives near Bristol.
This is a super bike, ideal for club runs and touring.
In 2004 I heard about the Enfield Owners’ Club starting a Wiltshire Branch and I attended the inaugural meeting in Wroughton.
I have found companionship and new like minded friends, enjoying the monthly meetings and run outs.
Last Summer I joined a group of club members on a week’s touring holiday based in Brittany.
We left Swindon on a dark rainy Friday evening last May en route to Portsmouth for the overnight ferry.
The expedition was very well organised by Gordon Gambrell and the group had a wonderful memorable week touring the French countryside.
You will understand by now that I have a very patient understanding wife but even she was dismayed when in September I started sowing the seed for a winter project as I have always yearned to own an Enfield big twin.
I missed out on the chance to purchase just such a bike when one came up for auction on EBay.
However, I was not to be defeated as it did not reach its reserve.
Having previously contacted the seller to ask a question, I was able to contact him by email to ask if the bike was still for sale and if so, could I view it.
Having received a favourable reply I travelled to Woking towing the trailer with a wad of cash in my pocket and managed to do a deal with the owner.
The bike was taxed and MOT'd until November which gave me the chance to get used to riding it and to identify any shortcomings.
I now have a new MOT for it so I have decided to completely strip down everything for a complete restoration.
In the past few months I have visited the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham to look at all the bikes, especially Enfield Super Meteors.
The Museum’s collection is now even better than before the disastrous fire.
They allowed me to take many photographs accompanied by an assistant at the Museum who was a very knowledgeable biker.
I have also contacted R.E.O.C. experts via email who have helped in my research as I intend to restore the bike as close as possible to the original spec.
I have now started work on the bike to strip everything apart.
The toolbox presents a real problem as they are no longer obtainable.
I will have to manufacture a complete toolbox with internal air filter, battery, electrics etc.
I have obtained the correct petrol tank for the year which also requires restoration.
My intention is to have the restoration completed and the bike back on the road sometime in the early Spring (2008) ready for the Club ride outs.
I have been extremely fortunate in the assistance I have been given by many friends, Enfield enthusiasts and dealers.
I will be taking photographs as work progresses and will update my log at a suitable time to keep you all informed.
Wishing you all safe biking,
Regards
Trevor Cook (Trevor Senior)
R.E.O.C. No 10054
Wiltshire Branch