1959 Universal B50 Meteor 580cc Registration Number: UYJ 14...

Hammer

£3,200

1959 Universal B50 Meteor 580cc

Registration Number: UYJ 145
Frame Number: 2B0462
Engine Number: 2B0462
Recorded Mileage: 98,000 kilometres

- Exceptionally rare example
- In current ownership for over 25 years

Universal were a Swiss brand of motorcycles, built between 1928 and 1964, produced under the Helvetia name prior to the launch of the Universal brand. The bikes used Belgian Praillet & Antoni engines, and later amongst others Jap, Python, Anzani and LLO engines. The firm also built their own sidevalve engines of 676cc and 990cc, as fitted to motorcycles produced for the Swiss army.

After WW2 they produced a flat twin of 578cc along with a shaft-driven 250cc single. In the 1960s they had an agreement with Rabeneick to whom they supplied Universal 250cc shaft-drive engines. The company’s most memorable 578cc post-war model was B40 with sidevalve, B50 and the later 2B Meteor both with overhead valve and all with shaft-driven transverse ‘flat twin’ inspired by the BMW. Universal motorcycles were last produced in 1964.

Surviving examples are extremely rare, in fact it’s believed that only six Universal 600s are known to survive worldwide, one being in the Barber museum in America, and one in a museum in Argentina. 

This 600 Universal was brought into the UK in the late 1990s, staying in family ownership to the present day. Our vendor previously refurbished the bike, treating it to a new clutch, engine seals and electronic ignition. As the machine has not been run since being dry stored in 2018, light recommissioning will be required.

A well known bike, UYJ 145 has been featured in road tests in the motorcycle press in the UK, Germany and Spain. Sold with spares and a pillion seat, this is an exceptionally rare model which we are sure will generate much interest amongst enthusiasts.