Velocette
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Velocette was a British brand of motorcycles. The motorcycles were intended to appeal to women as well as men.
One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham, Velocette was third in sales behind the giant BSA and Norton.
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Models
The Velocette motorcycles were assembled from frames and engines. One frame was sufficent for all models so for the single-cylinder models the distinguishing name is that of the engine, one of the following:
- MAC
- Viper
- MSS
- Venom
- Thruxton
Velocette_LE_(police).jpg
- LE (Little Engine)
This was one of the more distinctive Velocettes; a water-cooled two-stroke flat-twin with shaft drive. It was used by most of the police forces in the UK, taking about half the production. As well as being extremely reliable it was quite quiet, ideal for local "coppering".
History
Foundation
The company was founded by John Taylor (born Johannes Gütgemann and later known as John Goodman), and William Gue as "Taylor, Gue Ltd." in 1905. Their first motorcycle was the VELOCE. Later that year, John Taylor set up Veloce Limited, to produce cycles and related products and services.
1950s
In 1951 Velocette were the World 350 cc champions.The L.E. Mk II (200 cc) . The MAC uses a Velocette designed telescopic front fork. Over 1952-1953 The MAC gets a redesigned engine, a swinging arm rear suspension and a dual seat. In 1954 The 500 cc MSS reappears, like the MAC but with a new engine. Scrambler and US variants of the MSS started production in 1955. Two sports models - the 500cc Venom and 350 cc Viper and a 200cc flat-twin sports model Valiant were announced in 1956. The L.E. Mk III appears with four-speed foot change and kickstarter. Over 1958/59 Fairings appear for all models.
1960's
The late 1960s were the last years of production for Velocette motorcycles, production for Viper and Vogue ending in 1968, "Special", Scrambler and Endurance in 69, and MSS Venom and Thruxton in 1970. Veloce Ltd itself closed in February 1971,
Timeline
The timeline is being incoprated into the above section of history
- 1906 Veloce, Ltd. produces 2 hp (1.5 kW) Veloce.
- 1907 John's sons Percy and Eugene set up New Veloce Motors to make and market a Veloce Motor Car. The car does not go into production, and the company offers general engineering and various non-motorcycle products.
- 1908 Veloce Ltd. starts work on a new motorcycle. New Veloce Motors supplies the engine.
- 1909 The design of a 276 cc, 2.5 hp (2 kW) four-stroke motorcycle is complete, with many innovative features.
- 1910 Sales of the 276 cc machine are slow, and a less advanced 499 cc side-valve machine is produced.
- 1911 John Taylor takes British citizenship.
- 1912 The 2.5 hp (2 kW) model begins to achieve some success and the firm develops a model marketed to women.
- 1913 The latest innovation - the "footstarter". And The Velocette 206 cc 2-stroke model is announced. The 1913 Velocette Brochure covers the machines and many of the innovative features developed in the company's brief history.
- 1914 The Velocette is available as belt drive or two-speed chain drive, which had already been available as a Ladies Model. Sidecars are added to the entire range of Veloce Ltd's products.
- 1919 Production now limited to 2-stroke models - the D1 and DL1, followed by the D2 and DL2.
- 1920 The factory moves to Victoria Road, Aston, Birmingham. Three D2's enter the ACU Six Days' Trial and win three Gold Medals.
- 1921 The D3 appears, with a 3-speed gearbox and chain drive. The clutch has yet to be developed.
- 1922 The first Velocette Clutch..inside the final drive sprocket...and not unlike the last Velocette clutch.
- 1923 Engine capacity now 249 cc and electric lighting (Maglita) offered. G model range introduced - including the GC, for "Colonial."
- 1924 The Model A (two-speed belt drive), and the Model B (three-speed chain drive) are launched as economy models.
- 1925 The G-model range becomes the H model range. The Ladies models are still called E's. The A is replaced by the AC using chain rather than belt drive from the gearbox. A new, OHC, model K is launched. Initially called a Veloce, it was soon rebranded a Velocette to capitalise on the goodwill that the little 2-stroke had earned. A super sports model - the KSS - soon follows.
- 1926 The tradename Velocette is registered. The factory moves to Hall Green, Birmingham. And a Velocette ridden by Alec Bennett wins the Junior TT. By 10 minutes.
- 1927 A new, updated, 249 cc 2-stroke is launched - the model U. The KS is introduced - a KSS with a standard engine.
- 1928 A K model takes the world one-hour record at just over 100 mph. The KE, and KES offer E-for-Economy variants.
- 1929 The super sports version of the model U is offered - the USS. And a more basic version - the model 32. For the first time you could have another colour than black....the 32 had a blue petrol tank. And the TT replica of the KSS is sold to the public - the KTT. It includes the first positive-stop foot gearchange on a motorcycle. The KN and KNS models use a new type of big-end.
- 1930 The GTP - a completely new design of 2-stroke engine, with the innovation (on a motorcycle) of coil ignition. A KTP variant of the K models provides a fashionable twin-port head.
- 1931 The tank badge now reads: "26-28-29 TT Winners". The current versions of the KTT are known as the Mk II and Mk III.
- 1932 The Mk IV KTT is produced. The GTP uses "auto-lube" oil injection where the oil pump adjustment is linked to the throttle opening - another Velocette innovation.
- 1933 The M series with Overhead Valves - the MOV 248cc high camshaft 4-stroke is announced, followed by the MAC 349 cc.
- 1934 The new works 500cc OHC racer is 3rd in the Senior TT.
- 1935 The 500cc MSS completes the M series. The Mk V KTT is produced.
- 1936 A very few "Mk VI" KTT engines are produced.
- 1937 Works Velocette 2nd in the Junior TT. Velocette 600 cc OHC Outfit in the ISDT winning team.
- 1938 Works Velocettes come 1st and 2nd in the Junior TT, and 2nd in the Senior TT. A few Mk VII KTT models are produced.
- 1939 The Mk VIII KTT model. Velocette win the Junior TT. "Roarer" supercharged 490 cc racer in development. "O" model 580 cc parallel twin prototyped.
- 1940 The MDD and MAF - the forces models of the MAC - are produced.
- 1946 The GTP is produced again, and the MOV, MAC, MSS and KSS.
- 1947 Velocettes win the first four places in the Junior TT.
- 1948 The Dowty Oleomatic (air-sprung) telescopic front fork is used on the M models. K production ceases. The L.E. Velocette is announced. The KTT Mk VIII is again available as an over-the-counter racer. Velocettes take the first two places in the Junior TT.
- 1949 Only the 350 cc MAC and 150 cc L.E. (and the Mk VIII KTT) are produced. Works DOHC 350 and 500 cc machines enter the TT. Velocettes take 1st and 2nd in the Junior TT, 2nd in the Senior.
- 1960 The Viceroy 250 cc flat-twin 2-stroke scooter is announced. Production of the MAC ceases.
- 1961 On 18-19 March, a Venom sets the world 24 hour record for a 500 cc motorcycle of 100.05 mph (161.01 km/h). The record still stands.
- 1962 "Special" (economy) models of Venom and Viper announced.
- 1963 The Vogue - an L.E. with a streamlined glass-fibre body.
- 1964 The last year of production of the Valiant and Viceroy.
- 1965 The Thruxton is available.
- 1966 Mk II Venom and Viper Clubman models introduced with many Thruxton features.
- 1967 A Thruxton wins the Production TT.
External link
- Owners club (http://www.velocetteowners.com/)nl:Velocette