I got interested in Velocettes just over a year ago. I now have one, a '54 MSS, 500cc, which is the sport touring forerunner to the Venom models like the one in this video. I must admit it has won my heart as a rider, my Norton Commando is now taking a back seat and getting very jealous! The handling is so light and nimble....just thinking of tipping it into a corner and it goes. The velos were indeed 6v, positive earth right up until 1971 when the company folded. There are options to fit aftermarket 12v alternators, starters, electronic ignitions. Parts are readily available from the Velocette Owners club and several UK suppliers. Some fun facts I've learned....Veloce (actual company name) were the first to develop/patent the positive stop foot-operated gear change....something every bike today uses. The story goes that one of their TT racers back in the 1920's or '30s stated he could gain 2 or 3 seconds per lap of the Isle of Mann race course if he could change gears with his foot instead of a hand changer. Another technical innovation...the Velocette clutch is only 1 inch thick despite having 9 friction/steel plates. It also uses 16 to 20 springs similar to those found in ball point pens. Instead of separating all plates fully like every modern bike does, the mechanism only separates one side of the plates at an angle when you pull in the clutch lever. The rest of the separation happens from the engine rotation force...which means the clutch lever needs a very light pull to operate and the engine provides a servo effect to do the rest of the job. All pretty amazing innovation from a very small family run business.
That is a very, very special Velo - I haven't seen a better looking example for some time - what a pity you couldn't get to ride it - that would have been memorable . . 😊
It's a beautiful machine. Baxter Cycle does have it on the shop list. If they get it running before it sells I'll do everything possible to ride/video it. Wahoo!
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Freaking Gorgeous‼ I really like the fairing 😮
Love it too. That really got my attention. Wish I could have rode this one.
@@classicbritishbikesupersto2247 me too
I got interested in Velocettes just over a year ago. I now have one, a '54 MSS, 500cc, which is the sport touring forerunner to the Venom models like the one in this video. I must admit it has won my heart as a rider, my Norton Commando is now taking a back seat and getting very jealous! The handling is so light and nimble....just thinking of tipping it into a corner and it goes.
The velos were indeed 6v, positive earth right up until 1971 when the company folded. There are options to fit aftermarket 12v alternators, starters, electronic ignitions. Parts are readily available from the Velocette Owners club and several UK suppliers.
Some fun facts I've learned....Veloce (actual company name) were the first to develop/patent the positive stop foot-operated gear change....something every bike today uses. The story goes that one of their TT racers back in the 1920's or '30s stated he could gain 2 or 3 seconds per lap of the Isle of Mann race course if he could change gears with his foot instead of a hand changer.
Another technical innovation...the Velocette clutch is only 1 inch thick despite having 9 friction/steel plates. It also uses 16 to 20 springs similar to those found in ball point pens. Instead of separating all plates fully like every modern bike does, the mechanism only separates one side of the plates at an angle when you pull in the clutch lever. The rest of the separation happens from the engine rotation force...which means the clutch lever needs a very light pull to operate and the engine provides a servo effect to do the rest of the job.
All pretty amazing innovation from a very small family run business.
These are amazing machines!
That is a very, very special Velo - I haven't seen a better looking example for some time - what a pity you couldn't get to ride it - that would have been memorable . . 😊
It's a beautiful machine. Baxter Cycle does have it on the shop list. If they get it running before it sells I'll do everything possible to ride/video it. Wahoo!
@@classicbritishbikesupersto2247 I sincerely hope you do get that ride 👌👌👌👌😊 although I will be filled with envy 🤣