Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tuesday 25th March from 1pm
Auction: Wednesday 26th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1957 Velocette Venom
Fitted with an Alton Electric Starter kit
Estimate
£2, 500 - £3, 500
Registration No: WSJ 792
Frame No: RS7995
MOT: Exempt
Venom 500 with an Alton electric starter kit
Restored in authentic and standard condition
Supplied with a manual and a current V5C
Velocettes motorcycles were manufactured by Veloce Ltd in Hall Green Birmingham between 1905 and 1971, a family-owned firm producing mainly hand-built motorcycles and competing favorably with the bigger concerns such as BSA, Triumph and Norton. Veloce was a great technical innovator and many of its patented designs are commonplace on motorcycles today, including the positive-stop foot shift and swinging arm rear suspension with hydraulic dampers. Renowned for the quality of its products, the company was "always in the picture" in international motorcycle racing from the mid 1920s through to the 1950s, culminating in two 350cc World Championship titles and its legendary, and still-unbeaten, record of averaging over 100mph for 24 hours on a 500cc single cylinder machine. This was achieved on a Venom in 1961 cementing its reputation as one of the best sports bikes of its day.
This well presented Venom, part of an enthusiast private collection, has been authentically restored in the past keeping a good degree of originality. Most importantly it has been converted to 12v coil ignition and fitted with an Alton electric starter kit. These kits cost over £2, 000 and are a fantastic way of keeping these 'hard to kickstart' bikes on the road. It has recently had new tyres fitted and the wheels rebuilt with CWC rims and the vendor gave the clutch an overhaul in October including new plates. Not run since, it will need the normal checks before use but with the electric start will make a great bike for summer runs and rallies. It comes supplied with a Haynes workshop manual and a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
