Fishtail 430 - The Velocette Owners Club

Transcription

Fishtail
430
The Journal of the
Owners’ Club
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in articles and letters contained in Fishtail magazine
are not necessarily those of the Editor or the officers or members of the
Velocette Owners Club. Any information, including advice and suggested
modifications, contained in Fishtail has not been tested, checked or approved by the Velocette Owners Club. Before acting on any such information you should obtain appropriate technical advice and if necessary have
the work carried out by a professional motorcycle engineer.
The individuals who are listed as providing “Advice” on particular issues
do so in good faith on a voluntary basis and the Club cannot accept liability for the consequences of any information provided by them.
Save as required by Law, the Club cannot accept liability for any loss or
damage resulting from the use of any information contained within the
Magazine (or any other publication by the Club).
© Velocette Owners’ Club 2010
PLEASE NOTE: The Velocette Owners’ Club does not under any
circumstances guarantee the authenticity of any Velocette motorcycle.
Anyone intending to buy a Velocette should make their own enquiries
before purchasing the motorcycle in question.
Velocette
VelocetteOwners’
Owners’Club
ClubRegalia
RegaliaStore
Store
www.tinyurl.com/voc-regalia-sales
www.freewebstore.org/velocette-owners-club-regalia-store
Visit the VOC regalia store online (above) or through the main
VOC web site and browse the whole collection of current regalia
that the club offers. Place your order, choose where you want it
delivered to and pay online - all from your armchair!
All clothing items are made to order, in a variety of sizes and
colours, If you don’t see what you’re after, you can always email
the Regalia Secretary with your enquiry. Don’t forget the badges
and books, made to the usual high Velocette standards, such as
Norm’s Technicalities or the 1928 Veloce Brochure, along with
the posters and Fishtail binders to keep everything neat and tidy!
You can pay via PayPal. Cheques will be accepted by
prior arrangement with the Regalia Secretary,
Regalia
Mark Newsome - [email protected]
Velocette Owners Club
1
f i s h ta i l
58th year of publication
Magazine of the
Velocette Owners’ Club
September 2015
Number 430
Regulars
Editorial 2 Chairman’s Scrapbook 3 Welcome! 4
Events Diary 4 Spares News 9 Fishtail Mail 11
Centre News 40 Going Spare 56 Centrefax 62
Club Officers 64
Notices
10
The Bob Foster Run
The Derbyshire Dawdle
Features
Reports
17
The Rally
South Hants in France
Wye Valley Camping
Dorking in Shropshire
Cadwell Park Festival
‘A Thruxton for the Thruxton’- Paul
Stewart has his first taste of Castle Combe in a parade
‘Velo your Garden’ - Tim Hendy
describes how a member’s heroism put Velos on prime time TV
‘Elves in the Chapel’ - we spend a day with VSL
A Blue Viper - Have you ever seen one? asks Stephen East
Crankcase Breathing - The last word from Peter Woodward
‘Velo Front Brake Adventure’ - Alan Glen makes a silk purse
out of a sow’s ear.
‘A Velo in the Family’ - three generations keep repairing the same
old bike, despite having bought a steam roller along the way
27
28
30
32
33
34
38
Cover Photo: Alan Borthwick at the controls of his Aveling & Porter steam roller
admires the MAC owned and restored by 3 generations of his family. See page 38.
Editor: Peter Turnill
Tel: 07774 649 644
31 Constantine Avenue, Chandlers
Ford, EASTLEIGH SO53 2BR
[email protected]
Trade Ads. Secretary: Eric Bushell
Tel: 07860 812 272
‘Milestones’, 6 Cedar Court, Langley Park
DURHAM DH7 9FG
[email protected]
Club Web Site: www.velocetteowners.com
2
Small is good!
Peter Turnill
Having had to leave the Venom in France I found myself bike-less
for the Rally, until temptation fell in my way - or was it the other way round?
Either way, I found myself the proud owner of my first racer! It is based on a
1934 MOV but with considerable engine mods and a close ratio KSS gearbox, not
to mention a completely hollow Brooklands can... For me, a motorbike should
be two wheels held apart by an engine and just enough tubes to keep it together.
The pre-war Velos, to my mind, epitomise this, but the MOV is TINY, and I am a
six footer! Happily, commonsense seems to blow away once you have the wind
in your hair, and after the first couple of miles I was captivated. It was as if I had
recaptured my youth!
Back then, it was a G*** Star (our Chairman says I must wash my mouth
out with soap!). Not much below 5,000 but then that gorgeous sound as it hit the
mega and the needle seemed to jump to 7! So, with the little MOV, although the
numbers are a bit lower. And because of its size, every ride is an opportunity to,
er, optimise your riding - just to keep up with the big boys. As with so much, it’s
not the performance, but how it’s delivered...
On the same theme, although we are one of the larger clubs, I feel part
of a small group of friends at every gathering I attend. I know this is partly
due to my role, but our almost federal structure means that Centres organise
themselves to suit themselves - each being a small club in its own right. Many
members have commented to me how welcome they felt when they first went
to a Club night locally. So, if you have yet to try it, why not make the effort and
find out good ‘small’ can be?
There is, of course, a report on the Rally in this edition, but I should say
here how much Danie and I enjoyed it. We were lucky with the weather, but it
also had a family feel with children and dogs, the barbecue, the ride-out, the
visit to the amazing steam engines - what a great weekend. If you weren’t there,
make sure you don’t miss it next year!
Peter
[email protected] 07774 649 644
Deadline for contributions for the next Fishtail: 22nd September
Printed and distributed by Berforts Information Press.
3
We have seen another Annual Rally, the second at Burntwood
and a much more encouraging attendance than last year.
Congratulations to Alan and all his helpers who made the weekend such a
success. Let’s build on this and get an even better turnout next year. Thanks
also to Brian and Mike for leading the runs on the Saturday: great fun and
especially so as we were blessed with fine weather. The big thing about events
such as this is that you get to meet people, very often the only chance you
get. It is always great to meet up with old friends and we met up with some
Dorking Centre members prior to the rally who had arranged their annual trip
to Shropshire to coincide with it. And also John and Angela Bryant, all the way
from New Zealand. That is what this club is really about – Friendship.
There are still plenty of events to get in before the end of the season.
One that Jane and I always enjoy is the Bob Foster Run. It is the 25th this year
and I am proud to say that we were there on the first and have missed very few
since. Jane and I will be there and if you haven’t done so yet now is the time to
fill those entry forms in. Sandy tells me that the route is changed this year but
with the same lunch stop. Let’s have a full turn out and keep the run for pre1970 machines - so please don’t turn up on anything else.
After the rally Jane and I had a week’s holiday in Cornwall and decided
to take the MSS with us. We used the bike to get around those narrow Cornish
roads. Great fun even if we chose the wettest week of the summer. We did
have some dry days though and one memorable run all around the Lands End
peninsular from St Ives, past Lands End to Penzance. Basically using the main
road and then going down as many lanes to the sea as we could. A quick stop
for coffee or lunch and away again. Due to all the rain the bike got very mucky
but a bucket of soapy water at the end of the day made it presentable again.
The MSS attracted a lot of interest and not just from the older (“I used to have
one”) contingent. Perhaps there is a moral there, if we want to attract new and
younger members they have to see what a Velocette looks like. Get out there
with the bikes and use them for all to see, and not just on club runs.
On that note we have been looking at ideas to attract members. The new
members’ application forms have been reworked to make more use of Paypal.
Currently this is used for overseas members only, but in time we will extend it to
UK members. For subsequent years we would like members to set up standing
orders - our preferred method of subscription payment. The new forms will also
ask for dates of birth to give us some idea at which age groups we should direct
our efforts. We are also looking at using social media - don’t forget it is down to
all of us to promote our great Club and what great bikes Velos are to ride.
4
Welcome!
Alex Wood
The Velocette Owners Club would like to welcome the following
58 new members who have joined since the last issue:
UK
DORKING (5): Niklos Salmon, Stephen Briggs, Mark Hawkes,
R. Mills, Douglas Orchard
ALCESTER (3) : Nigel Faller, Caroline Kear, David Rennicks.
THAMES VALLEY (3): W. Blackwell, Simon Kay, Peter Summers
DEVON & CORNWALL (2): Christopher Giles, Stephen Michell
EAST MIDLANDS (2): Anthony Richardson, Sam Roberts
NORTH LINCONSHIRE (2): Martin Hanstock, Stephen Lightfoot
NORTH YORKSHIRE (2): Tim Bulmer, Jack Ward
SCOTLAND (2): John Grey, David Stewart
SOUTH HANTS (2): John Briggs, Russell Butcher
WEST MIDLANDS (2): John Pountney, Andy Smith
WOBURN (2): John Andrews, Ian Brookes
BRISTOL: Deborah Henshaw. CAMBRIDGE: David Loose.
CHELMSFORD: Ron Windebank. DORSET: F. Hill.
ISLE OF MAN: Juan Bimson. KENT & SUSSEX: David Gubbins
LANCASHIRE: Steve DesLandes. LONDON: Brian Wilson
NORTHERN IRELAND: Desmond Haughey. OXFORDSHIRE: Peter Eden.
STAFFORSHIRE: Robin Berry. WELSH: Arthur Hulse
OVERSEAS
Australia (5): Jeffrey Frankcombe, Raymond Goulter, Shaun May,
Robert Morris, Christopher Page.
USA (4): Christopher Biley, Mark Fisher, Johnathan Soons, Rod Youssefi
Belgium (2): Dirk Fredricx, Dirk Van Ussel.
Denmark (2): Thorkild Beck, Niels Larsen.
Austria: Martin Dunst. Canada: David Allcock.
Ireland: Peter McMurtry. Netherlands: Paul Janssen.
New Zealand: Terry Bracey. Sweden: Lennart Karisson.
CONGRATULATIONS: to these members who, according to our records,
have reached the following years of continuous membership of the VOC.
25 Years: Peter Crook (ALC), Ian Pollard (DKG), Anthony Burt (DST), Roger Gull
(EM), Doug Strange (USA)
45 Years: Michael Wilkinson (EM), Marius Tybjerg (WOB)
5
Now, I have some apologies...
To all those members who received a renewal reminder by mistake: These are
generally being dealt with magnanimously by the recipients, who would rather
pay two years in advance than cause me any headache. Thank you. Your true
renewal date always appears with your membership number on your Fishtail
address slip – irrespective of what you find on the reverse.
Our Membership Database is somewhat limited in the data that can be stored
– something I hope to improve upon – but it means that we have no original
joining date for our respected Life Members: We should like to present them
with Long Service awards where applicable, so if any of them would like to get
in touch, I should be pleased to set the records straight. Thanks to Alan Cross
[Member No. 0001, I believe! - Ed] for pointing this out.
My telephone is going back to the supplier! A recent replacement has broken
down. If you have left a message, and I haven’t responded, please get back to me.
If you do have to leave a message again, please give your membership number.
Thanks for your forbearance!
Events D iar y
Items for the Club Diary should be forwarded to
the PRO, Ron Sabey, at [email protected]
Ron Sabey
Date Centre Details of event
September
1 Tues South Hants
Club night.
2 Wed Isle of Man
7:00pm at Creg ny Baa VOC meet MGP week.
East Midlands Social Evening Red Lion, Kegworth. 8.00pm.
North YorkshireClub night, The Blue Bell, Kirby Hill, 7:30pm.
3 Thur Chester
Club night at the Plough, Christleton, CH3 7PT. 7.30pm.
6 Sun Isle of Man
Ken Blackburn’s Run, 2:00pm start at Grandstand.
Scottish
Angus Run. Start Dundee area. Malcolm Kervell
01337 830 452.
VSLSPARES OPEN DAY, HUNCOTE. 9:30AM-3PM.
Dorking
Kent Lanes Run. Westerham 9.30am. Leader
Alan Nightingale.
Woburn
Run with Jim M. 10.00am.
Chelmsford
Invite to Woburn Centre Run 10.00am to 12 noon
Start “White Horse” Husbourne, Crawley.
6
Cambridge
South Hants
7-10
Bristol
8 Tues Bristol
Thames Valley
10 ThurWye Valley
11 Fri Devon &
Cornwall
Lancashire
10-13 South Hants
12 Sat West Midlands
13 Sun Scottish
Norfolk
Chelmsford
15 Tues Chelmsford
Alcester
16 Wed Cambridge
Scottish Woburn
Dorking
East Midlands
17 ThurIsle of Man
Chester
18-20 Woburn
19-20 Thames Valley
20 Sun Devon &
Cornwall
21 MonWoburn
22 TuesThames Valley
27 Sun Thames Valley
Lancashire
Bristol
Meeting at Bees-in-the-Wall PH, Whittlesford, noon.
John Hoskins Run, 10:30am, The White Hart Inn,
Stockbridge, John Hoskins: 01264 400 261.
Mon-Thurs Dave Hoskins Camping Holiday, Lechlade.
Day visitors welcome. Contact [email protected].
Club Night.
Club night, Cherry Tree, Stoke Row.
Monthly meeting.
The Barge, Halberton nr Tiverton EX16 7AG.
Club Night: Formal Meeting.
Thur-Sun Visit to Wales, Dave Jarvis: 01938 590 744.
The Deeley Dawdle. Starts Bewdley SVR. Tea and lunch
stops. Contact Rod Fuller 01384 830 224.
West Coast Ride In. Raymond Albeson, 0131 669 9219.
Meeting at The Gull Inn, Framingham Pigot 11am –1pm
Monthly meet at The Ship. 12.00 noon.
Norman Archard Day Run. Meet at The Ship 11.00am.
Queenswood Café, Hope under Dinmore HR6 0PY
12 noon.
Meeting at Queens Head PH, Newton CB22 7PG, noon.
Aberdeen members meeting in the lounge, Newmachar
Hotel at 7.30pm. Contact Maurice Clarke 01651 873 034.
Mid week Run with John S. 10.00am.
Fish & Chip Run Rykas 10.30am. Leader Dave Gladwell.
Lights Required Run. Start Rempstone Crossroads
7.30pm. Social Evening 8.00pm Red Lion, Kegworth.
Meeting at Creg ny Baa, 7:00pm.
Bhurtpore, Aston, CW5 8DQ. 7.30pm.
Fri-Sun Old Warden Steam Rally with Jack W.
Sat-Sun Kop Hill, Princes Risborough.
Louis’ Tea Rooms, Kit Hill Callington, Cornwall
from 11.00. PL17 8AX.
Noggin and Natter in White Horse, Husborne Crawley
MK43 0XE. 8.00pm. Also Raffle.
Club night, Cherry Tree, Stoke Row.
Crofton Steam Gala.
Derbyshire Dawdle. Meet at Unicorn Inn, Dean Row,
Wilmslow SK9 2LN 10.00am. For full details see
http://tinyurl.com/Derbyshire-Dawdle-2015
Crofton Beam Engine Steam Fair. Meet with Thames
Valley Centre.
7
29 TuesNorthumbrian Club night. Ride in TBA.
30 WedNorth Lincs
Run to Harry’s Place. Meet at the Butcher Nook,
Hemswell at 7.00pm or contact secretary for details.
October
4 Sun Dorset
Bob Foster Run, Crossways nr Dorchester DT2 8BS
Cambridge
South Hants
Basil’s Minor Road Run, 10:30am, Basingwell Square,
Bishops Waltham, Heathcliffe Moss: 01489 893 270
Woburn
Run with Jim W. 10.00am.
Chelmsford
Copdock Show and Bob Foster Run.
6 Tues South Hants
Club night.
7 Wed North YorkshireClub night, The Blue Bell, Kirby Hill, 7:30pm.
East Midlands Talk by ‘Blood Bike Biker’ and Social Evening 8.00pm at The Red Lion, Kegworth.
8 Thur Wye Valley
Monthly meeting.
9 Fri Devon &
Kings Head, Five Lanes, Altamun, Cornwall
Cornwall
PL15 7RX.
Lancashire
Club Night.
11 Sun Isle of Man
Norman Cowin’s Run, 2:00pm start at Mooragh.
VSLSPARES OPEN DAY, HUNCOTE. 9:30AM-3PM.
Norfolk
Centre Meeting at Stokesby Social Club. 11am – 1pm.
Chelmsford
13 Tues Thames Valley Club night, Cherry Tree, Stoke Row.
14 Wed Alcester
Cotswold Food Store & Café, Nr Longborough.
GL56 0OZ. 12 noon.
15 ThurIsle of Man
AGM at Creg ny Baa, 7:00pm.
18 Sun Dorking
Run to Blackbushe Airport. Meet . Rykas 9.00am.
Leader: Peter Read.
19 MonWoburn
Bring & Buy White Horse Husborne Crawley
MK43 0XE. 8.00pm Also Raffle Jim M & Rolls Ray &
Patricia T.
20 TuesChelmsford
Pete Merrick Day Run. Meet at Marks Tey Café 10.00am.
21 WedCambridge
Meeting: White Swan PH, Conington, CB23 4LN noon.
Scottish Aberdeen members meeting in the lounge, Newmachar
East Midlands Social Evening 8.00pm at The Red Lion, Kegworth.
25 Sun Wye Valley
Lunchtime Meet at The Anchor from 11am.
South Hants
Rowlands Castle Run, 10:30am, Rowlands Castle Village
Green, Paul Turner: 02392 353 041.
27 TuesThames Valley Club night, Cherry Tree, Stoke Row.
Northumbrian Club night.
8
November
1 Sun Cambridge
Dorking
Veteran Car Run. Rykas 9.00am. Leader Peter Read.
Woburn
MK43 0XE. 12 noon.
3 Tues South Hants
Club night and AGM.
4 Wed North YorkshireClub night, The Blue Bell, Kirby Hill, 7:30pm.
East Midlands EGM on the future of the Centres MAC and Social
Evening 8.00pm at The Red Lion, Kegworth.
7 Sat VSLSPARES OPEN DAY, HUNCOTE. 9:30AM-3PM.
8 Sun Chelmsford
10 Tues Bristol
Club Night.
Thames Valley Club night, Cherry Tree, Stoke Row.
11 Wed Alcester
The Touch Down Café, Wellesbourne CV35 9EU, noon.
12 ThurWye Valley
Monthly meeting.
13 Fri Devon &
Morley Arms, Plymstock, Plymouth by Laira Bridge
Cornwall
PL9 7HP.
Lancashire
Club Night: Formal Meeting.
16 Mon Woburn
Talk – Roger Franklin - Start 8.00pm in White Horse, Husborne Crawley. MK43 0XE. Also Raffle.
18 Wed Cambridge
Meeting at Red Cow PH, Chrishall, SG8 8RN noon.
Scottish Aberdeen members meeting in the lounge, Newmachar
East Midlands Mike and Yvonne’s Quiz Night. Also Social Evening
8.00pm The Red Lion, Kegworth.
24 Tues Thames Valley Club night, Cherry Tree, Stoke Row.
Northumbrian Club night.
December
1 Tues South Hants
Club night.
2 Wed East Midlands Social Evening 8.00pm at The Red Lion, Kegworth.
5 Sat Wye Valley
Christmas Lunch PROVISIONAL 1pm Anchor, Tintern.
6 Sun Cambridge
Scottish
Christmas Lunch. Robertson Arms, Carnwath. Contact
Raymond Albeson, 0131 669 9219.
Woburn
MK43 0XE. 12 noon.
Thames Valley Dr. Barnardo’s Toy Run, Reading to Wokingham.
Lancashire
Christmas Lunch at the Farrington Lodge.
VOC events listed above are covered by the Club’s public liability insurance.
The Events Calendar for the whole year can be viewed on the “News & Events”
page of the VOC website www.velocetteowners.com, where you will also find
links to websites operated by several individual VOC Centres.
9
Spares News
...from VSL
Tom Tunnicliffe
Various significant changes to the VSL Stock List, including items
back in stock and price changes resulting from re-stocking, are itemised below:A 220/2
Short Velo twistgrip rubber
£ 7.95
A225/2
Short Velo LH handle-bar rubber
£ 7.95
LE 681
Cruciform tank rubber
£ 7.00
M 2/12A Inlet valve, VR unleaded
£ 25.80
M 2/4
Inlet valve, ‘iron’ MSS
£ 29.00
M 2/5
Exhaust valve, ‘iron’ MSS
£ 29.00
M 3/5C
Exhaust valve guide, Colsibro, VM etc.
£ 18.00
M 3/6C
Inlet valve guide, Colsibro, VM etc.
£ 18.50
VSL 020 Paper oil filter element
£ 12.40
VSL 094 Brass cage for clutch thrust brg. (not inc. rollers) £ 7.95
VSL 115
Sleeve gear nut tool (special item)
£ 19.75
VSL 127
Front brake cable, VMT, heavy duty
£ 15.60
VSL 180
Clutch cable boot, gearbox end
£ 1.00
VSL 410
T- piece for petrol piping
£ 4.20
VSL 411A Petrol tap, 1/4” BSP, push on/off, plated
£ 18.40
(New item, not previously sold by VSL).
The photo in this issue
shows a selection of
components that can be used
in the refurbishment of the
Velocette telescopic front
fork. The parts shown are:
solo spring F252, steering
head nut MAS6, fork crown
nut F253, taper roller steering
head bearings VSL164 &
VSL165, oil seal LE335/2, top
bush F256/LE215, bottom
bush LE216, circlip LE191 and
damper pressure disc FK246.
Other parts are available –
please refer to our Sales List
for full details.
10
It is apparent that some members (new ones in particular) have misconceptions
about VSL procedures.
Payment for parts: Unless you are registered for ordering by e-mail, all credit/
debit card details are destroyed after use, so it is essential that you provide some
means of payment with each and every order sent by post or Fax.
Processing of orders: Please remember that, whether received by post, Fax or
e-mail, all orders are dealt with on a weekly basis, usually on a Thursday. If
there is any problem with your order, such as payment, legibility, dodgy part
number, etc., then we will attempt to resolve this by contacting you on your
daytime telephone number - if you have supplied it! If this is not possible,
your order will, in most cases, be held over for a further week, whilst we seek
clarification. For an insight into some aspects of VSL’s operation, please read
‘Elves in the Chapel’ on page 31.
The next Open Days at Huncote will take place on Sunday 6 September,
Sunday 11 October, Saturday 7 November and Sunday 13 December. The
January 2016 Open Day, which is traditionally held in conjunction with the East
Midlands Centre ‘Bring & Buy’ is provisionally scheduled for Sunday 3 January
(more details next time).
Noticeboard
The Bob Foster Run
25th Anniversary
Sunday 4th October 2015
Closing date for entries - 20th September!
11
Derbyshire Dawdle Ride
VOC Lancashire Centre
Start: 10.00 am
27th September
Unicorn Inn
Wilmslow
SK9 2LN
For details, see:
http://tinyurl.com/Derbyshire-Dawdle-2015
Fishtail Mail...
Trainspotting...Rodney Wildsmith
There is a mistake in Pete Thomas’s Dorking Notes. The first steam locomotive to
be built for 50 years is not going to be an Atlantic class to be called Beachy Head.
The last steam locomotive built for British Railways was a 9F 2-10-0 Evening
Star, built at Swindon in 1960. The first steam locomotive to be ‘privately’ built
was L.N.E.R. Pacific class A1 60163 Tornado completed in 2008. Tornado was
built at Darlington, County Durham within feet of the route of the world’s first
public steam railway, The Stockton and Darlington, which opened in September
1825. In the case of Tornado the whole loco was made new, including the boiler
and has run
many times
on mainline
‘Steam
Specials’.
60163 Tornado
seen north of
Retford, on a
Steam Special.
12
That return valve...
Phil Evans
In Fishtail 429, Alan Deacon wrote advising of the seizure of his engine because
it was fitted with the Yamaha valve as well as the original one. In it, he claims
that “None of the items in Fishtail mentioned removing the original”. On page
10 of Fishtail 422, when I recommended the use of this valve, I quite clearly
wrote “I take out the spring and ball from the original setup”.
I’m not sure that I could have been any clearer. I am sorry if Alan’s
engine might have suffered any damage as a result of it nipping up. There are
about 30 Velos that I know of, now running this set up, and his is the only one,
so far, that has had any problem. Stay Upright.
[I seem to remember one of my schoolmasters pointing out the importance of reading the
WHOLE of the question... and probably emphasising it with a cane! - Ed]
NUTS! (for valve stems, that is)
Dai Gibbison
Please see the response from the Avon Technical representative below
There seems to be some different views on this. At Avon we recommend
screwing the nuts against the rim (finger tight only). If the tyre spins
slightly on the rim, leaving the nut against the valve cap can help stop
the tube from splitting i.e. it lets the tube move slightly. Some people
leave the nut half way up! I’m not sure if there is a right or wrong way,
we recommend against the rim.
Best regards, Peter J McNally (M/C Technical Product Manager)
What does confirm it is that looking at the photos from at least 1930 to
the end of production Veloce fitted the nut against the rim. If you look at photos
of all the factory racers, all the many period ones I have show the nut against the
rim. I can’t find one with one anywhere else but against the rim!
THE ‘VELOCETTE METISSE’
Marius Tybjerg
I fear that Lenny Hartley is attaching a greater significance than is warranted
to the specifications of the various Rickman frames he has identified as being
supplied to R.F. Seymour Ltd. At the time of construction of first Rickman
framed special housing Ralph’s KTT engine and gearbox, it is likely one
intended for an AJS 7R or G50 engine would have been selected. It is actually
not significant to which engine type the frames were originally assigned as they
were supplied to R.F. Seymour Ltd in an unfinished state and modified on a
custom built jig at The Hawthorn Works in Thame.
As to the quantity of frames supplied, the numbers provided do not
agree with the generally accepted number of complete motorcycles constructed
13
by R. F. Seymour Ltd. C. E. Allen refers to a total of 22 in ‘The Velocette Saga’
and a report in Motor Cycle News of July 25th, 1984 of the Velocette Stanford
Hall rally gives a total of 21 Venom based machines. Maybe something was
missed when viewing the Rickman archives or possibly they are incomplete. as
has been mentioned by others trying to trace the history of Rickman frames.
It concerns me that the two motorcycles which form the subject of
the article are each referred to as a “Seymour Venom Metisse”. There are two
reasons why this is not appropriate:
•C. E. Allen comments that Bertie and Peter Goodman gave permission for
the motorcycles built by R. F. Seymour Ltd to be registered for road use
as ‘Velocettes’. The implication is that this should only apply to machines
assembled at the Hawthorn Works. There is, therefore, no need to include
a reference to the name Seymour when referring to a road going ‘Velocette
Metisse’ as it is implied by the above agreement.
•The complete machine in the picture is clearly not a product of R.F. Seymour
Ltd and nor will be the second one. A little extra examination of the
photograph reveals that is not even a sufficiently accurate copy to be classed as
a replica.
These then should be called ‘Rickman Velocette Metisses’. Technically
I believe this criterion also applies to the Geoff Steele bike as it was constructed
as a private venture and not as a request to R.F. Seymour Ltd to manufacture a
complete frame kit. (Note: The bikes were actually sold as frame kits so as not to
be liable for payment of Purchase Tax).
The intention of this letter is to try to explain the heritage of the
motorcycles built by R.F. Seymour Ltd and to protect that heritage by
establishing a clear definition of the name ‘Velocette Metisse’ when used to
register a motorcycle for use on the road. I hope that this will be respected by
those who construct replicas and that they will not refer to their creations as a
‘Velocette Metisse’, with or without inclusion of the Seymour name.
SMALL WORLD...
Jeff Waller
Went for a Sunday bike ride the other week with a small group of friends. As
usual we stopped for a coffee.... sorry... cold drink as it was about 41C, nearly as
warm as U.K. at that time.(late June).
After a while two cyclists stopped and sat at the next table. We got
chatting and it soon became obvious that they came from the Isle of Man. I
made a flippant comment: “You must know Ken Blackburn then “?. (see Michael
Hodgson’s I.O.M Centre News notes).
“Yes. I know Ken” was the reply. Wow ! ! what are the chances of
that happening? Ken’s brother Colin lives close by and I pass on FT. for his
enjoyment as he had a Velo many years ago. Should have asked his name.
14
SOMETHING FISHY HERE?
Tony Harris
Looking at the photo of the
well used [Fisherman’s...
- Ed] MAC in FT 429 I
thought I would send you
another one of a friend of
mine who uses his MAC
winter and summer as they
were intended.
His name is Roger
Hextall. He was presented
with the early ‘50s 350
for serving 25 years at
our local learner training
centre, some years ago. He
uses it for local trips and
especially his fly fishing.
Roger has taped a piece of wood on the front down tube and lashes his
rods onto this and the rear frame. He calls the bike his MAF (F for fishing). As I
said it’s used all year round and is totally reliable. He puts us all to shame...
NMM CLUB DAY? and THRUXTON 50TH
John Hawkings
There was a feeling expressed recently by some members that more should
be done to promote the club. The National Motorcycle Museum is inviting
motorcycle clubs to have ‘Club Days’ at the museum. Discounts of up to 50% of
admission charges can be offered as well as exclusive guided tours. Shouldn’t
our Club take advantage of this offer? As well as promoting our marque this
should be an attractive event for members especially in view of the very central
location of the museum.
On an entirely separate note, I am disappointed that the 50th
Anniversary of the delivery of the first Thruxtons has not been acknowledged
by the Club. Although the first, hastily put together, Thruxton was presented at
the 1964 Motorcycle Show, it took the factory over six months to get the bike into
production.
I took delivery of my Thruxton, ordered on the first day of the 1964 show,
on the 26th June 1965, directly from the factory. I was told it was one of the first
released. So, it seems reasonable to say that this summer is the 50th Anniversary
of this model. I know some purists ‘sniff’ at Thruxtons but, as someone who also
owns a KSS, a KSS springer and a standard Venom, I believe it is the best bike
the factory produced for riding on the open road.
LOST OPPORTUNITY...
15
Mark Newsome
At the start of the year you will remember that I put out a request in Fishtail
and an email to Centre Secretaries, about putting on a Club stand at this year’s
Mallory Bike Bonanza on the 11th and 12th July. This is now a big event with
bike manufacturers, Owners’ Clubs and racing stars there in numbers and, more
importantly, lots of members of the public who are there to look around all the
bikes on display and see them going around the race track.
A big thank you goes out to the 5 people who came forward and offered
their bikes for the Velocette Club stand but unfortunately this wasn’t enough to
get the stand set up and put on a display. I am very disappointed that we, as a
Club, missed this opportunity, especially when we are seeking to promote the
club to potential new members or Velocette Owners.
It is shows like Mallory, Stafford, Bristol, Donnington etc., where we will
be able to show people what Velos are all about. I’m putting it down to perhaps
not being mentioned earlier in our diary, so maybe this is something you can all
pencil in for next year and we can try and put on a good show?? I am willing
to organise a stand next year (if we haven’t been black balled!), but I need the
support from you guys.
UNUSUAL TRANSFER
George Sampford
This transfer was stuck to the top of the petrol tank of my Venom Clubman.
You will note that it is similar to the headstock transfer but there are significant
differences. I recently had the tank repaired;
unfortunately the repair led to a respray and
the transfer was removed before I realised
its rarity. Chatting to the Velo stand at the
‘Banbury Run’ I was informed that this
transfer was produced by the new owner of
the Company after Velo ceased production.
There is a 1954 Velo in the Motorcycle Museum
in Brum (my ‘local’ VMCC meeting venue)
that also sports this transfer on the headstock,
whereas all the other Velo’ headstocks have
the traditional version. Colin, who restores the
bikes there, may be able to help.
I have tried all the usual transfer
people who advertise in publications such as
OBM, without success. Can anyone suggest
where I can obtain one or two of these
transfers, please?
16
CRY FOR A VELO...
Paul Janssen
I’m a Dutch pure-Anglo-motorcycle enthusiast, 45 years of age. As a student
I bought my first motorcycle in 1991. All of my friends happily rode their
Japanese and BMW bikes and I bought an old oil and acid leaking English
motorcycle. They thought I had truly lost my mind. My bike was (and still is) a
1952 Matchless G9 Clubman, a roaring Londoner twin. Even in those days, on
curved roads I could still keep up with my mates, although on the open road,
of course, I mainly saw plastic Japanese tail lights, if any… In 1993, deprived of
substantially all of my funds (that had gone into a Triton) I heard of a Velocette
on sale in Eindhoven, I decided to have a look.
It was a 1973 Reg Orpin aftermarket Venom. It was very impressive but
I could not afford it. Ever since, Velocette has been on my mind but, alas, never
in my garage. You don’t by coincidence bump into one of these fine machines in
The Netherlands, especially if you are interested in a later type sporting one.
In the meantime I did ride some other interesting machines such as a
1929 Ariel 500 racer, and a 1959 Panther with GE Clark double adult side car
(‘DeLuxe’ - although my wife found it rather of the ‘Poor’ type). With the years
gone by, the number of kids grew steadily to 4 and the number of motorcycles
declined correspondingly from 4 to 1. At the moment I only have my original
Matchless twin which I still ride regularly. Last year I went to London on
this bike to visit the Ace Cafe and Brooklands. This trip fuelled my sleeping
aspirations to one day own a Velocette Clubman or Thruxton. Near London
my Matchless broke down (again) and a nice ‘young’ Englishman stopped on a
Velocette Clubman to offer help. This motorcycle, in particular when compared
to my Matchless, looked very impressive indeed and was my wake-up call to try
and find such a wonderful machine for myself.
A few months ago I became a member of the Club (as well as the Dutch
Velo owners club) to become more knowledgeable about Velos and also, hoping
that someone would offer a Clubman MKII or Thruxton at an affordable price. It
seems that whatever is offered via the public channels are only those machines
that are either too expensive or too messed up be sold to a true enthusiast that
wants to use the bike for what it is meant for - making miles on the tarmac.
Although I’m very grateful for the help offered via the Dutch network of
Velo enthusiasts, our circle of owners is so small that the chance of a Clubman
MKII or Thruxton being offered is very, very small. Hence my cry: is there
anyone out there having a Clubman MKII or Thruxton standing in the garage,
desperately waiting for a 2nd or 3rd life on the road? Please consider offering
this bike to me. Make no mistake, I’m willing to pay a fair price, fitting the
motorcycle offered. Most importantly, I would like to have that Velo for riding,
not for collecting or as an investment… Many thanks and happy motoring!
Paul Janssen, Holthees, The Netherlands. +31 6 1266 3910 [email protected]
17
Reports
VOC NATIONAL RALLY 2015
Alan Harper
Our second year at The Bowl was a bit easier for me to deal with
as most of the issues that arose were a repeat of last year’s. The
full weekend has again proved to be a success with the numbers
staying on each of the nights - Friday, Saturday and Sunday showing a good increase from last year. I would like to thank all those that
helped in any way over the weekend, without it the Rally would soon descend
into a bit of a mess.
The Saturday runs into Staffordshire and to the Clay Mills pumping
station were of interest even though it was not a ‘steam’ weekend. My thanks
to the West Mids. members who worked the routes out and ‘proved them’ on at
least a couple of occasions. The Saturday evening BBQ attended by around 60,
was ably run by Jim Plant with some help from Eric Bushell and others. This
year, I understand that they didn’t run out of beer, and there were still some
burgers and sausages that were given out on Rally Day. Jim also kindly sorted
out the buffet lunch for the helpers on Sunday.
The attendance was only marginally up from last year, but more bikes
were ridden to the Rally this year, and the Concours entries showed an increase
from last years low of 54 to a respectable 123. There was a wide and interesting
range of Veloce’s products on show as we all hoped there would be.
The New
Imperial Owners’
Association joined
us again, and their
machines really are a
credit to them. They
had two awards in
the Concours to prove
this point. I also feel
that a special mention
should be made of
Markku Uuttu’s
journey from Vaasa in
Finland. He rode 1250
miles to attend the
Rally, and was rightly
Markku and, er, Markku (longest distance travelled)
awarded the June
enjoying the barbekku...
18
Sherwood Trophy for longest distance travelled. He was joined for a great part
of the way by Markku Kallio also of Finland (I hope I have the names spelled
correctly).
Unlike last year the weather forecasters got it pretty nearly right,
the ‘shower’ in the early afternoon meant that the marquee, where Ivan, our
President, did the presentation of the various awards, was a bit crowded! My
thanks to everyone for being so understanding. As soon as the rain departed we
did the raffle draw outside the marquee in the sunshine.
The following companies and individuals kindly gave us their support
with a variety of prizes for the raffle
Castrol Classic Oils Wheelhouse Tyres of Coleshill Frosts Auto
Criterion
Carole Nash
Maureen Sherwood
Dave Masters and the VOC, of course with vouchers and clothing.
Following several requests we will be looking at the provision of on site
toilets, it appears that with the aging membership we can’t run as fast as we used
to! If you have any thoughts about the Rally please let us know where we can
improve. A trailer spare wheel was seen to fall from a vehicle as it was leaving
the field, please contact me to get it back. [email protected] - 01543 682 438
THE AWARDS
Trophy/award winners
Concours
June Sherwood Trophy
Class 1 Pre 1953
(long distance)
1 Pat Clancy- 1946 MSS
2 Mark Newsome - 1937 MK II KSS
Markku Uuttu
3 Bob Higgs - 1936 MSS
Finland (1250 miles)
Class 2 Post 1953
Red House Trophy
1 Peter De Kremer - 1967 Venom Clubman MkII (best Velo not in Concours)
2 Peter Higginson - 1962 Venom Veeline
Not awarded
3 Dai Gibbson - 1954 MSS
Don Harrison Trophy
Class 3 Racing & Specials
(machine of the Rally 1 Paul Charlton - 1957 MkII KSS / RS
Brian Mason - 1932 GTP
2 Tony Ainley - 1962 Venom Strode Special
Visitors Trophy
3 Brian Day - 1957 Valiant
(non Velo - from class 4)
Class 4 British non-Velo
Not awarded
1 Mike Davis - 1926 New Imperial Model 8
2 Bob Stokes - 1960 BSA Gold Star
3 Uwe Karstens - 1924 New Imperial Model 5
Photos: Brian Coldicott, Danie Reeves, Tom Roche and Peter Turnill
19
Pre-1953
Pat Clancy - 1st
1946 MSS
Mark Newsome - 2nd
1937 MkII KSS
Bob Higgs - 3rd
1936 MSS
Post-1953
Peter de Kremer - 1st
1967 Venom Clubman II
Peter Higginson - 2nd
1962 Venom Veeline
Markku Uuttu Longest Distance
Travelled
racing/Specials
Paul Charlton - 1st
1957 MkII KSS / RS
Graham Austen - 2nd
1962 Venom Strode
Special
Brian Day - 3rd
1957 Valiant
british non-velo
Mike Davis - 1st
1922 New Imperial M 8
Uwe Karstens - 3rd
1924 New Imperial M 5
Brian Mason Machine of the Rally
1932 GTP
20
Bob Higgs - with
a handy toolkit
Dr Franken..., er, Coldicott shows
how to attach the electrodes...
21
22
France 2015
Chris Stevens
Why is it that the more we do it, the more we want to? Our annual
visit to France that is. Whatever were you thinking? Dave Humphrey
had volunteered to organise it this year and he proposed a visit to
Dinan in Brittany. Whoopee! Way back in February, we booked our
ferry crossing from Portsmouth to St. Malo for Wednesday June 17th. For the
first time it would be a night crossing, which meant an extra full day in France.
After a flat calm crossing we docked at 0800. Our group had been the
first on to the ferry so, logically, we should all have been first off, right? Wrong!
Just three of us where allowed off. The rest of our happy band were the very last
off, which did mean a long and perplexing wait. Have we missed them? Are
they in trouble? Anyway, eventually they appeared and we were on our way,
out of St Malo. Dave lead us on the scenic coast road, south of St. Cast and Cap
Frehel, to lunch in Erquy. The roads were dry but there was a definite dampness
in the air, blown in from the sea by a very strong wind. After lunch, we followed
yellow and white roads (look at a French road map, you will see what I mean),
to our hotel in Dinan. Just opposite the front door was a small open area, full
of tables and chairs, where we all collected every evening before dinner for the
usual drinks and repartee. It had
nothing at all to do with getting the
delightful young lady from the cafe to
dash back and forth to and from the
bar - oh no, we wouldn’t do that. She
was very nice though!
Our little hotel did not have
a restaurant, so Dave had booked a
table for us in town. My, they did look
after us. He had also booked another
restaurant for Saturday evening, the
plan being to let us make our own
choice on Friday. On Friday some of
our party chose to stay in Dinan for
the day, to enjoy the medieval town.
After a day of riding minor roads,
in beautiful scenery, we returned to
Dinan, tired but very happy. While we
had been out, Ian and Jeannie Medd
had booked us all into another local
restaurant for dinner. The dining
room was up a tight winding stair
and to watch the staff dashing up
23
and down, with arms full of
plates of lovely food was very
entertaining. So ended another
great day.
Saturday is
traditionally a picnic day with
our group, so off we all rode to
Dinard, Saturday being market
day there. By this time it was
becoming seriously hot, so when most of the
others disappeared into the vast market. Claude and I sat
in the shade listening to a choir and very good they were too. Claude
told me that they were singing sea songs and shanties. As the plan was to head
for Cancale after Dinard, Claude and I had decided to have moules marinière in
one of the sea front establishments. After Cancale, we took an extremely devious
route back to Dinan. Pre dinner drinks were again taken in the square opposite
our hotel - I really can’t think why we enjoyed being there! Then off to the last
evening dinner together and what an evening it was! It always seem to me that
staff in shops, cafes and restaurants in France, make you feel special, as though
you are the only one there. [Especially if your wife is French... - Ed]
Sunday dawned, the day for most of us to ride to Cherbourg for our
return home. Most of us that is, because Dave Humphrey and Ian and Jeannie
Medd were going down to Spain for a week. Chris and Geogina Beare with
Trevor and Jennifer Dovey were sailing from St. Malo on the Monday morning.
With the prospect of rather a long ride before us, we set off soon after breakfast,
having filled up with petrol on Saturday (most petrol stations are closed on
Sundays in France). Alistair Grundy was volunteered by some of us to lead us to
Cherbourg, which he did as though he knew the route like the back of his hand.
We had agreed to stop for lunch at Granville, which, on a Sunday was very busy.
We stopped at the sea front opposite a restaurant that looked full, really full.
Claude went in to enquire, came out and beckoned us in. By the
time we had crossed the road a large table was put together and laid up for
us. The welcome and good humour was wonderful, as was the food. Then
on to Cherbourg and the fast cat to Portsmouth. Unfortunately, arriving in
Portsmouth, I chose the only passport control check that demanded we remove
our helmets. The dragon lady snapped “take your helmet off”! It seemed that
she was the only one doing that. Hey Ho! We arrived at our house at about
11.30pm and as I was pulling the Velo onto the stand, it started to rain. So ended
another wonderful trip to France.
We must not under estimate the effort it takes to arrange such an event
as this, so, special thanks to Dave Humphrey for a truly fabulous visit to France,
thank you from us all.
24
Wye Valley CampingRob Jones
The 2nd Wye Valley Camping, at Talybont on Usk in the Brecon
Beacons, was from Tuesday 21st July to Friday 24th. In tents we
had: Dave from Cirencester, Rod and Brian from West Mids, Phil,
Vince and Rick from Welsh, and Dave and Graham from Wye Valley.
Roughing it in motorhomes were John, Welsh Centre, and Rob and Peter, Wye
Valley. Jim Plant was in B&B. We met in the ‘Star’ for a drink, meal and a natter.
Wednesday’s planned ride was to be a scenic tour to Llantony Priory,
then over the Gospel Pass to Hay on Wye and lunch at the Garden Centre at
Three Cocks. We were joined by Chris B, on his Viper, and so parked on the
main road were 11 Velos one BSA and one Ariel. Peter’s MAC suddenly snapped
a
throttle
cable at the
campsite so he said he
would join us later. As we
pulled away the sky darkened and
it began to rain. Turning off the Hereford
Road and on the Llantony Road we found a yellow
warning sign showing the road ahead closed - exactly where we were going. A
quick discussion with Chris and the decision was made to take a diversion As
we arrived at the B road we found another warning of a road closed and, yes, it
was the route that we wanted to take! We had no option but to back track and
take a narrow country lane towards Hay. As we rode along the high ground
around Cusop the rain began to ease giving us a good view of the Golden Valley
to the east of Hay. We were soon at our lunch stop at the garden centre where we
met with John and Moll, had some warm food and dried off.
The sunshine soon lifted our spirits and we starting our afternoon run
with a northward loop before turning south to Talgarth where John Wilding
had arranged a very interesting guided tour of the recently restored Watermill.
From the here it was a quick 12 mile run along lovely, Velo friendly roads back to
the camp. Here we found Peter who informed us that he had made the journey
to the Priory at Llantony, waited in vain for us, then went over the Gospel
Pass on wet, muddy and just about passable roads to Hay, but being unable to
find us went for a ride on his own! Some of the riders went off to the ‘Star’ for
an evening meal while others enjoyed Linda’s (Graham Plenty’s wife) lovely
homemade cake and pastie before heading for the pub.
25
On the Thursday we were joined by Eddie, Richard W and Keith. (Wye
Valley). In dry and sunny weather, we headed up the Glyn Valley passing the
Talybont Reservoir. Looking back at the top of the valley it was impressive to
see 13 Velos twisting around the last hairpin bend. We had a tea stop at the
Brecon Mountain Railway then went over Gelligaer Common, avoiding the
usual wandering sheep, horses and cattle, and spotting the Severn Estuary
and the Somerset Hills in the distance. We had lunch at the Railway Inn at
Nelson leaving 13 Velos, a BSA, an Ariel and a Suzuki being admired in the
carpark. From here we took the old main road to the cafe at Cyfarthfa Castle,
Merthyr. This was once the home of the Crawshay family, owners of one of
the largest ironworks of the 19th Century, before becoming a school and now a
fine museum. We mislaid Dave Francis in the middle of Merthyr but he phoned
me to explain that his MAC had refused to start. I left the rest at the museum
and went back for him (after bump starting my MAC as it refused to start on
the kick). My spare plug and jumping on the kickstart to get rid of flooded
petrol got it going and luckily mine started without too much trouble either! On
returning to the museum we had a cuppa and said our goodbyes. We all caught
up for a meal at the pub, later, and chatted about the rides. Good routes, good
company and mostly good weather.
Dorking GOES to Shropshire
Dave Gladwell
Four days at the ‘Olde Boote’ Inn. Four days in Wales with no rain! Well almost
none. 600 plus miles of great riding. Mike Toplis, George Howarth, Nigel Firth,
Roger Catt, Alan Nightingale and myself, all had a good time. Very reasonable
prices at the “Boote”, lovely beer. We met, as in previous years, at Jack’s Cafe
on the A5 at Towchester. I was allowed to lead, as even I could remember Stay
on the A5 till turning off on the B5009 for Whittington and the ‘Boote’. We
decided to give Alan Nightingale a start as he was on a Triumph, this may
have been a mistake as we didn’t catch him... We soon made contact with John
Wakefield (a Centre member who moved to this area a few years ago).
Next morning, after meeting Alex Wood, our new membership
secretary, who lives locally, we set off on the first of our trips to great places led
by John. First, to see the collection of racing motorcycles, helmets and leathers
from famous riders and other race related memorabilia, owned by Phil Morris
(selling cleaning products and polish - I resisted, but he was sure he could clean
my KSS). Then an ancient wooden church at Melverly and the Roy Hill pub for
lunch. We went to Stokesey Castle and could explore it all from dungeons to
battlements. Then the unique Hoffman Kiln at Llanymynech, a grim place
to have worked at, and the British Iron works at Oswestry (free ice cream).
The high point on Friday was our trip to Ffestiniog and journey on
the narrow gauge railway to Porthmadog and return. The train is hauled by a
26
special double steam engine with two boilers and fire boxes so it could climb
the steep gradients hauling slate. Mike Toplis could explain this engine, ( but he
might be too big to stoke both fires in a cramped area).
On Saturday night John and Diane made us welcome at their bungalow
and a splendid meal was enjoyed by us all. Thanks to both of them. Diane said;
“Women are known for chatter but you blokes would have outdone them.”
Sunday, on our way home, we attended the VOC National Rally at
Burntwood Rugby Club. It was very well organized. George and I met the new
club chairman, Roger Franklin and his lovely wife, who gave us a cup of tea in
their caravan (just to make everyone jealous).
A great trip. I was a bit worried about getting old but the KSS (aged 78)
loved it and so did I [Even though you’re 8 years older... - Ed].
Cadwell Park Festival
John Hannis
North Lincs Centre were again invited to put on a club display at this year’s
Cadwell Park Festival held on July 25/26. This was a much more ambitious
event than the first one held last year with a top quality programme of races and
parades and a host of stars from the past with Giacomo Agostini with his MV3
headlining the event. No Velos in the Lansdowne Trophy races these days but
the Manx Nortons entered by club members Richard Adams and Jack Gooch
were well up in their classes.
We
had 7 to
8 Velos on the
stand each day ranging
from an early 2 stroke to a
late Thruxton and attracted a lot of
interest from the large crowd. TT rider Lee
Johnston was very taken with Dave Wells’ 2 stroke.
The weather was good on Saturday but the forecasters
got Sunday spot on with the rain arriving at 12.30 just after a superb dogfight
display by a Spitfire and an Me 109. Some slick organisation had got most of the
race programme over before the rain came we left for a wet ride home.
Thanks to John Mundey for organising the stand and to Dave Wells,
Derek Manders, Graham Trowhill, Ken Barker, Peter Bateman, Frank Allinson,
Paul Charlton (photo) and Pete Livesey for bringing bikes.
A THRUXTON FOR THE ‘THRUXTON’
27
Paul Stewart
In June, the North Glos Road Racing club held its annual race meeting at Castle
Combe Circuit in Wiltshire and, as part of the weekend of racing, the circuit
owners decided they would like to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their
running of this famous event by staging a parade of 3 laps.
As one of the Bristol Centre runs is to the circuit for their mid-week track
days, we are well known as a group of Velocette riders and were approached
by the circuit motorcycle co-ordinator to provide machines for the parade along
with other examples of marques that took part in the original event 50 years ago.
I entered my Thruxton with slight apprehension, as the bike had had
recent engine work and I had never even been on a race track and understood
that it is easy to be drawn into going faster than you or the bike want. I rode my
bike in heavy rain to the circuit to find I was the only Velocette present and the
only participant to have ridden to the event. Seeing the quality and race history
of some of the bikes I can quite understand it. There were only 8 entrants: five
Triumphs, an Ariel, a Cotton and me.
During the lunch break, with a
thankfully dry track, we did our 3 laps
with a Le Mans type start which all added
to the event and the amusement of the
crowd judging by the audio on the video.
As my bike has a prop stand and Mikuni,
it ticked over so I did not need a helper to
support and/or keep it going, like most of
the other bikes, and after we all found our
way across the track at varying speeds, I
was 3rd away.
By the time I approached Quarry
Bend the last of the Triumphs flew past
me. Taking the bike to 5,000rpm and
my probable unorthodox lines and braking I shouldn’t have been surprised
how quickly the corners came up on you even at my modest speeds, but I was.
Another thing that struck me was how wide the track was, which is easy for me
to say when there were only 8 of us going at relatively low speeds. I know that it
would shrink considerably when 20-30 riders are all after the racing line!
After a thoroughly enjoyable 3 laps I checked the bike over and spoke
to the others who all agreed it was good to be involved in a celebration of a well
known event that happened half a century ago. The organizer also thanked us
for providing bikes from the various classes that took part originally. No need
for the oversuit for the ride home and I have a few pictures and a short video
that will remind me of an enjoyable day in the years to come [Youtube? - Ed].
28
‘Velo YOUR GARDEN’Tim Hendy
Thursday 21st May saw the unlikely arrival of twelve Velos at Chessington,
assembling in secretive fashion at The Star pub, Leatherhead Road, with almost
military precision, at approximately 16:45 hours... Fifteen minutes later, our
gleaming cortege of chuntering examples of Veloce’s finest were heading
towards a side-street nearby, the agreed rendezvous with an ITV film crew.
Here’s how it came about.
On 27th July last year, Alan Rendall, a Dorking member since 1970,
noticed to his horror that smoke was billowing from his neighbour’s adjoining
semi. He rushed outside to see blackened windows, melting guttering, and
Roy, his elderly neighbour, prostrate on the floor, not moving. Dorothy, Roy’s
wife, was seated in her armchair in the front of the house, motionless, engulfed
in smoke, inaccessible. Alan plunged into the burning building, grabbed Roy
by his ankles and dragged him out into the back garden, making to go back in
to rescue Dorothy, who was by now beyond saving; beaten back by the inferno,
Alan phoned fire, ambulance and police, and comforted Roy, who was conscious
and unhurt, albeit deeply distressed.
Several fire engines attended, the crews entering the blazing building
from both front and rear, eventually bringing it under control. The roof was
gone and with it almost everything else, leaving a bare shell. Sadly, Dorothy
perished, of smoke inhalation it would appear, but Roy has survived, now
wheelchair bound, living in a local nursing home. Alan’s house was not
unscathed; he lost some guttering, and the place stank of smoke, from where
it had filtered through under the floorboards. Also, his garden had suffered
considerably from the fire crews who had accessed the burning house through
his property.
With this in mind, and taking into account Alan’s considerable bravery
and heroism, Kate, his daughter, contacted the production team on the ITV series
‘Love Your Garden’, presented by Alan Titchmarsh, resulting in them agreeing
to do a makeover. In the fact-finding and interviewing process, the team asked
Kate to contact VOC Dorking, without telling her dad, to arrange Velocette
outriders as part of the presentation.
Thus it was that we assembled at the appointed place, waiting for
Georgia, ‘Love Your Garden’s PA, to meet us in the company’s BMW 4WD. Duly
it rolled up, and myself on Thruxton, and Brian Howard on MSS led, the other
ten Velos bringing up the rear. We stopped at the church where Alan Rendall
was unveiling a bench commemorating the life of Dorothy. Later, he said to me
“I wondered why I should be collected by car to go back home when it’s only
five minutes’ walk, and then I heard what sounded like a Velo, and then there
were two, and..!” With stately pace we flanked the gleaming 4WD with Alan
and wife Rosemary within, to his home but a few hundred yards further down
29
the road, to gawping
passers by; and there
we assembled, a
dozen mounts,
KSS, MAC, Viper,
Venom, etc, on
Alan’s drive. He
stepped
out of the car
and
through and
out the
back, as if in
a dream,
to see his
newly
made-over
garden
for the first
time! Here,
too, were Alan
Titchmarsh
and the team of around
ten muddied,
strapping, ruddy-faced
young gardeners,
who had been labouring there for
the last few days;
and what a sight it was too! Fashioned
on an automotive
theme, with curved beds, (think Brooklands
banked circuit) a
Rover 75 garden seat (yes, actually the front end
of a Rover 75 car!),
actual-sized murals of a vintage Bentley and BMW(!) motorbike on the workshop
doors at the end of the garden, and, not least, the weathervane salvaged from
neighbours Roy and Dorothy’s wrecked roof, in pride of place in the newlybeautified garden, depicting two girder-forked vintage motorcycles with riders,
one of whom is the late, great Freddie Frith.
This had been made by Roy, an expert in
wrought iron fabrication.
Alan R seemed overwhelmed at
times, a tear in his eye, confiding in me that,
aside from the garden which is absolutely
brilliant, “the three best things of the day
were: dedicating the bench in Dorothy’s
memory, showcasing the weathervane, and,
best of all, twelve Velo-borne Velofellows!”
Alan T took the whole thing in his
stride, all smiles, agreeing to photographs
with all and sundry, on that fine sunny day
in late May which showed the garden, bikes,
guests, friends and family in the best ever
light.
The latest series of ‘Love Your
Garden’, presented by Alan Titchmarsh,
began early June, and this one, featuring
Alan Rendall’s makeover, was shown on 14th
July. Velos on prime-time ITV!
30
Elves in the Chapel
by our Staff Reporter
When you send off your order to Veloce Spares
Limited do you give any thought to what goes
on between your envelope sliding into the post
box and the jiffy bag coming through the door?
No? Me neither, it’s just another mail order
business isn’t it? Well, actually, it’s not. With
the prospect of Velo dealers disappearing, VSL
was set up by the Club to ensure the continued
availability of spares for our machines. So, it’s
OUR mail order business and it’s run entirely
by Volunteers - Club members just like you and
Nick, Dave, John and
me. This made me think more about what they
Tom at the ‘Old Chapel’
do and I spent a day with them to find out...
Thursdays is not usually a good day for chapel attendance, but at ‘The
Old Chapel’ at Huncote, things are different! This is the day when members’
orders are processed and despatched. Currently there are 13 ‘Helpers’ on the
list from as near as Burbage (just down the road) to as far as Lincoln. There
are usually 2 or 3 rostered for each ‘Spares Day’, working with a couple of VSL
‘officials’ (still Volunteers – but with more responsibilities…). I joined Dave
Wright (VSL Company Secretary), Tom
Tunnicliffe (PRO), Tony Harris (Asst Spares
Sec) and Helpers, Nick Morrish and John
Taylor, to try my hand.
Orders
The first task is to collect all the orders.
These may arrive in the post, by fax or by
email. All the post is held by the post office,
and Tom and I went off to collect it from
‘J’, the postmaster, who is an obliging and
amiable man. Changes are afoot and ‘J’ is to retire:
we hope his successor will continue the excellent
service he has provided. Meanwhile John had
printed off the emails, and we were ready to start
Picking
Anybody who has bought parts from a motor
factor will have marvelled at the ability of the staff
to know the part number (among thousands…)
when you wave some grubby item at them and say
it’s from an ‘86 Nissan… It’s no different here, except that this new boy, being
31
clueless, had to do some cross-referencing. Taking
an order at random, I find that out of 5 lines, 2 are
incorrectly referenced. Happily, other information
(model, price and associated parts) enable us to sort
this out. Hence the importance of experienced and
knowledgeable Velo enthusiasts in the team, and,
as a last resort, a telephone number! This is by no
means uncommon, adds to the workload of the team
and may lead to delays in fulfilling the order or an
incorrect part being supplied. Quality starts with
YOU!
Parts,
Administration
Parts,
The admin is managed through a computer system
Parts,
designed and programmed by Tony Wright, another
VSL volunteer. This integrates order processing
with stock control and the Club’s membership
information. It is sophisticated yet easy to use, and I was able to do so after
watching Tom perform just one cycle.
At each stage there are checks and
feedbacks which ensure that parts
are only supplied to current members
and that the invoice is in accordance
with the order. This helped me to
avoid an error in the number of pieces
ordered by Alex Wood, our new
Membership (Renewals) Secretary. It
was surprising how many names I
recognised on the orders!
Payment
Credit cards simplify the collection of payments, but can get out of date –
including my own! I was able to update the record, noticing that my ‘new’
expiry date is in September, so I will have to do this again soon. Another
thing to bear in mind, if you don’t want your order delayed… There is also an
option in the system to correct the postage and packing charges. It flags up the
‘standard’ allowance (15% UK, 25% overseas) but this can often exceed the actual
cost, so care is taken to adjust this appropriately. On one of the monthly ‘Open
Days’ of course, this step is skipped. The final step is to collect the payment from
the credit card. Details of card numbers, etc. for email orders are held on a paper
file, which is always securely stored in the safe when not in use. This has further
verification routines which ensure the right card is used for the right order, and
when all has gone through, the admin system is updated to show the amount
collected and reconcile it with the order total.
Parts!
32
Stock Control
Help US to
At the end of the process any stock shortage
help
YOU...
thrown up by this order will be highlighted so that
they can be addressed immediately, if necessary.
In my case I had used the last three ‘VSL180’ clutch When ordering,
•Double check your
cable boots, and a ‘pop-up’ confirmed that there
part numbers and
were none left. Happily (and unsurprisingly!)
prices
there were 250 more in ‘Goods received’ awaiting
placement in the relevant bin. Yet another task for
•Make sure you
the dedicated band of Volunteers who help us to
include a contact
keep our bikes on the road.
telephone
Packing
•Ensure your credit
On this day, we had several orders to be collected
card details are
from the Club Rally, the following weekend.
up to date
Those to be posted had to be bagged and labelled
•Write CLEARLY…
and I had been hoping to meet the long serving
‘Head of Packing’, Bill Morris. Sadly he wasn’t
rostered to be there on the day (although that doesn’t necessarily stop him...)
but Tony Harris got stuck in before having to leave. The pile must then be
transported to the post office and the given into the care of ‘J’.
Housekeeping
This leaves things like restocking and generally leaving the store in good order
for the next time - a time consuming but very necessary task.
All in all...
While this is serious work and demands attention to detail and a firm
commitment, it is also a pleasant social get together with the warm feeling
that we are making a contribution to the club and keeping these splendid
motorcycles on the road, where they belong. I’d like to thank all the Huncote
‘Elves’ (Extra Lpful Velo Enthusiasts!) for putting up with me and for their good
company at a convivial lunch we were able to purchase at the ‘Red Lion’.
A BLUE VIPERStephen East
I thought members might appreciate a
look around my 1962 Viper Clubman.
Supplied by Jordan’s of Hull on the 5th
November that year, she was one of
only 6 finished in ‘Oxford Blue’. She
still sports the TT carb and magneto
but has been refurbished in black. [Has
anybody got one in, er, blue?! - Ed]
The end of THE Crank Case Study
33
Peter Woodward
The damaged Venom crank case has been very useful to sort out a suitable
position for the reed valve. The area I finally decided on was beside the oil
pump housing at the rear. The photograph shows the valve in position, with the
cover removed for viewing the
gold painted limit stop arms
and reeds in position below.
A slot just visible under the
reeds behind the ports, is to
control flat surface adhesion in
this area. Valve performance
can be watched on the dial of a
pressure/vacuum test gauge.
The timing chest drain
down to the suction filter
connection has changed the
situation completely in the
timing chest. The original oil
drain hole should be blanked
off with filler and the balance breather hole between the compartments also
blanked off. Blow back now avoided, the breather under the magneto vents air
out. The photograph show the flexible rubber pipe and fittings for the chest
scavenge and they are styled in a positive way. The square end of the suction
chamber fitting was Velocette practice, used in the past for mounting a union
fitting on one of the flats. The crank
case suction filter face, has been counter
bored a ¼” deeper to reduce the
projection of the square end
fitting and the BSP thread
tapped deeper to suit. The
nozzle, now a separate item,
screws into the square end
body and has a lock nut.
Adjustment provided
here of ¼” should find
the ideal position in the
Venturi to assist with the
crank case scavenge. None
of the above has been tested.
However, it has been engineered
with care and attention to detail.
34
Velo front brake adventure
Alan Glen
I bought a pile of junk as a project in about 1980. Over several years I established
myself as a customer of Geoff Dodkin, whose advice I found priceless.
Eventually I got the 1956 MSS (17/8 cam, 8.86 compression ratio) on the road
and realised how poor the small front brake was. I tried to improve this and
converted a Kawasaki 250 3cylinder TLS back plate to fit the half width MSS
drum. I had to reverse the rotation as I had a ‘TTS’ brake initially (I never
thought about this as I was so focused with alloy welding and machining etc.).
I needed to make a new brake anchor for the LH side slider. The brake worked
well from about 90 to about 40 MPH but was overheated at that stage.
I raced it for the first time in Mondello park in Ireland and was
dismayed with the performance. A fellow classic class competitor gave me a
TLS front wheel from a Norton Commando (forgotten his name). This was an
improvement with some tyre screeching possible when the brake was cold to
hot, but it was useless from hot to extremely hot. The stiffening plate improved
the spongy feel of the brake but did not improve the hot/extremely hot
performance. I got used to it and worked with it.
Years passed and, as I rode the bike again, I contrasted it to a twin disc
set up (Trident T150 c1973) and realised it was borderline acceptable for modern
traffic; indeed it curbed my enthusiasm a little bit for the old bike. I decided to fit
an original Velocette TLS brake, as I had never had one. Good old Nick Payton,
Colliers Wood, London, had a kit of parts
in stock which included a raw casting
and a sample TLS back plate from which I
could take dimensions.
The parts were new old stock
but I found machining inaccuracies in
the alloy hub carrier as well as the brake
drum (the casting was not round). My
first assembly of the drum showed a run
out of about 0.006 ins. When I checked
the alloy drum carrier I found this was
out of spec.. I managed to set up and
machine the carrier and then install the
hub and then machine the drum true
to the wheel bearing axis after I had
laced up, and trued the wheel. All this
was routine. The interesting bit was the The raw casting and a sample back
plate for dimensions
machining activities on the back plate
casting. My small Myford Super 7 lathe and Dore Westbury milling machine
were taken to the limit in my small workshop.
35
Plan
•Measure up the old sample back plate
•Confirm the machining strategy and ways of managing machined items. I
have only two 3 jaw chucks and one 4 jaw chuck. I recognised the need to keep
the position checking pins secured in the 3 jaw chuck (accurately machined on
centre) until I had achieved a particular process step - trying to realign items
removed from a chuck is always tiresome. I chose to eliminate this variation
from the process; fortunately the machine tool registers are accurate.
•Confirm the machining strategy for the Model Engineering sized Lathe and
Milling machine. (items, far, far too big for the machine tools, but I found a
way to get at the surfaces which needed machining).
•Make up a pattern plate and sample pins to confirm the geometry of the centre
lines of any bored holes in the casting.
Materials
The back plate was an original casting , no idea of the date, and appeared to have
a small blow hole, impurity near the plate centre. This may have been the reason
why the casting was not machined originally. No data on this, however.
Machining Items
1. Master plate,
2. Backplate,
3. Hub Carrier,
4. Hub,
5. Air scoop front.
Datum
The original measurements on
the sample back plate were not
symmetrical in any way. The
dimensions were checked and
differences averaged around the
possible fractions of an inch rather
that decimal points of an inch. I
made up a master plate. A friend The alloy plate with centres for checking
helped out with a CNC machine to geometry and central register pin which
position holes on the averaged out was a tight a fit as I could make it in both
the plate and the machined back plate
symmetrical centres etc..
Mounting backplate
1.Tap threads into the brake shoe post holes (8mm x 1.25) to secure backplate to
faceplate.
2.Mount the back plate on the milling machine and machine 2 flat reference
surfaces for mounting it on the face plate.
3.Make up 2 x parallel spacers to facilitate mounting.
36
Turning
Fortunately the plate fitted in the
gap of the Myford and this enabled
machining with the centre boss 0.060
approx proud of the outer edge, and
also the recess for the air dam on
the edge of the drum. I bored the
centre to fit the insert which pushes
into the back plate to receive the
wheel spindle. This diameter was
a reference datum for the central
guide pin and the masterplate used
later on the milling machine with
guide pins to confirm geometry.
Backplate mounted on faceplate. No
chatter evident when turning
Plate
The plate was made to confirm the positioning of the back plate on the milling
machine prior to boring holes for the cam bushes and the posts.
Pins
Machined pins with Go / No Go diameters were made as I find that accurate
measurement of small holes is difficult especially when I don’t have spring-outs
that small. A location test pin was made for the posts and cam bush holes. These
were left in the 3 jaw chuck so that it could be repositioned on the machine tool
registers accurately.
Boring
Boring the plate for the posts and the cam bushes was routine but also anxiety
ridden as I did not want to go too far.
Hub Carrier/Hub
The carrier and hub both needed to be machined. The carrier was turned by
hand (mounted on its own bearings and external dirt shield, etc.) very slowly
while a fly cutter was used to address the surface which the iron hub mounts on.
The hub was fitted and I built the wheel and cleaned up the hub run out by a few
thou to get a nice even surface. I marked the surface with felt pen to see where
the high spots were machined away. I drove the built up wheel, with an electric
drill and a pulley and a belt, and wound down the milling machine cutter
vertically to cut the cast iron. High spots were easily visible where the tool cut
away the material.
Performance on the road
Initial assembly/cable adjustment: the brake felt spongy and I needed to extend
the cable length with a 530 split link until the shoes bedded in.
First application was disappointing - very spongy - but a braking effect was
clearly discernible. Second application at about 40 mph gave tyre screech at
37
about half sponge (very reassuring). Now,
after 200 miles, I am delighted with the feel
but due to self servo effect I have added
an external spring to the cable just above
the connection to the brake arm to help
push off the brake. The brake is firm and
progressive and many times better than
the Norton brake. I am using an old heavy
duty (HD) cable supplied by Dodkin 30
years ago. Much different in dimensions to
the latest HD cable supplied commercially.
Given the effort I had to exert to the Norton
brake through a Norton cable, I was
anxious about pulling the nipples off the
cable, however this is unlikely now with
At last, ready for the road.
the way this brake performs.
I have not road tested the current linings to see if the material will stand
110 to zero without becoming smoke (they are new old stock - riveted on). The
silver paint on the drum is already burning off around town. The brake is
converting kinetic energy into heat. Plenty of it, as I am a large person...
Thoughts on cooling
I secured the wire mesh at the cooling air exits with ‘JB Weld’. The air scoop
into the drum is many time bigger that the exit from the drum. At speed, this
probably creates a positive pressure (not to mention hot air expanding) which
helps drive air to the hottest place on the hub. Cooling takes place as the air
moves around the edge of the hub/air dams groove in the back plate. The air
scoop is asymmetric and clamps the wire mesh.
The next step...
When the brake has done some more miles the spokes will be tightened
again post ‘running in’, etc.. The performance is very positive due to the rigid
feel which gets better every journey. If I get high speed heat fade , which is
plausible, then I shall source better lining to deal with this. I have to say even
post modification to the Norton front wheel/new drum/skimmed post-wheel
building/oversize linings machined to just clear the new drum diameter/new
bushes throughout the brake plate/stiffening plate/etc./etc./etc… the Velo brake
appears to be far superior, right now, and I say this despite the fact that I am
not as skinny as I used to be, and there is even more of my wonderfulness to be
brought to a halt and turned into heat than before…
PS - If anyone is interested in a more comprehensive set of photos or indeed
a small air scoop to bolt to your front brake plate then do get in touch [email protected]
38
A Velo in the Family
Alan Borthwick
It all started in 1944 when my
dad and his pal Ted bought the
Southampton registered MAC. It
had been previously owned by
someone in the Army who used
to travel from there to Catterick
Camp in North Yorkshire. The bike
was well used by Dad for his daily
commute to work and for touring
with Ted at weekends and holidays.
The sad photo below was
taken in 1950. Dad and Ted were
travelling around Loch Ness when
the front wheel got stuck in a trench that had been dug across the road. The
gravel backfill had been washed away after some heavy rain. Dad came off and
hit a granite wall leaving him unconscious for five days. Ted rolled down a grass
bank towards the loch. The final picture shows the same setting created at the
Beamish Open Air Museum in Co Durham. Anyone familiar with the museum
will know that a row of miners’ cottages from Francis Street in Hetton-le-Hole
was taken down and rebuilt at Beamish. This is the street where Dad was
born and the opportunity was taken to
replicate the photo in the same back yard
64 years later.
Dad used the bike daily until I was born
when four wheeled transport called. The
bike, like many others, was laid up in
the back yard shed. It stood for fifteen
years until I became interested and the
job of restoration began - the engine was
seized and the tin-worm was evident.
With money being tight before the bike
was laid up, both tyres were completely
smooth and the lighting system comprised of a dry 6V battery tied under the
saddle and the bulbs replaced with 1½ watt torch bulbs. This system was used
to travel from Hetton-le-Hole to Hartlepool each day a return trip of approx 40
miles, this was in 1957 so don’t knock Mr Miller with 45 watt headlights. After
putting the bike back together I used it regularly from 1974-77 and the Beamish
Trial for many years after that.
In 1977 I bought a Viper for £150, a Venom Clubman was also
available, but at £175 totally out of reach, financially. The Viper was eventually
39
transformed into a Venom
Doreen, Alan’s
in Clubman’s trim after I
mam, 88
melted a hole in the piston
this year!
and Frankie Blacklock, who
owned the local bike scrap
yard, just happened to have a
Venom barrel and head lying
in the grass. The ‘Venom’ was
well used until the late ‘80s,
eventually being sold and
replaced with a 1925 Aveling
and Porter 8 ton steam roller.
[See front cover -Ed]
Dad died shortly after the roller was bought and the MAC hardly saw
the light of day until my son Andrew passed his test and took an interest in
it. Half a day spent cleaning the carb and mag, and an oil change, brought all
the memories rolling back. We had planned to take the steam roller to the Isle
of Man for the ‘Transport Festival’ and leave it there for the ‘Island at Work’
weekend two weeks later, so put the bike on the wagon with the engine.
One of the highlights of the festival week was the Sunday. We were
at Laxey Station with the engine and bike when a familiar noise was heard. It
turned out to be the VOC on an organised run. What a beautiful sound as all the
Velos went past through the valley and turned, heading towards the Creg.
Returning a fortnight later for the ‘Island at Work’ we spent the Saturday
at Douglas railway station so the opportunity was taken for Andrew and
myself to take the bike round the TT course. We couldn’t have picked a more
unpleasant cold and windy day, third gear all the way up the Mountain.
Sunday was spent at Port Erin Station and again the bike was out and
about. A familiar voice was heard: it was Grant Sellars on the island for the
Manx. I thought I recognised the bike, especially when I saw those two scruffy
buggers on it - Andrew
and his friend David in
their period steam engine
attire! Plans are under
way to return to the
Island in July this year
for these two events.
From there it was back
home and to Beamish for
the ‘Transport Festival’
where this reconstructed
photo was taken.
40
Centre News
ALCESTER
Stuart Smith
I had planned to shock those who turned up for our July mid
day meet by arriving on my MSS but sadly it didn’t turn out that
way. An unforeseen prior engagement in Birmingham on the
morning of our meet meant that I didn’t have time to exercise my
partially lost knack of kick starting a Velo and I had to continue to the meet on
my modern machinery. I managed to make it to the Witley garden tearooms
at Witley Court just a little later than intended and found a good few already
well settled down in the gardens and enjoying the ‘ambience’ of the place and
the steadily improving weather. Around twenty turned up which included a
good turnout of the West Mids mob who had called in on their excursion into
the delights of the Worcestershire countryside. The ladies at the tearoom looked
after us admirably and it was only the heat of the afternoon sun that eventually
encouraged us to make a move and depart this delightful spot.
As you might have guessed my MSS is back on the road after its rather
long ‘overhaul’. The replacement piston together with the ministrations of Nick
Payton in sorting the cylinder head has resulted in a much improved sound and
feel to the bike. I’ll not go into detail about the traumatic experience Parcelforce
inflicted on me when it managed to ‘lose’ the return of my (under insured)
cylinder head from Nick, redirecting it to their overseas depot before someone
thankfully realised that it wasn’t destined for the Birmingham in Alabama.
Nina and I rode down to Fairford earlier this month. We went to see
the Vulcan. No, not THE Bob Higgs Vulcan, the other one, whose flying days
are sadly coming to an end this year. Purely by chance, just ten minutes after
we arrived, with a roar like a nearby a train it appeared over the horizon for its
display. What a plane and how sad that it will soon become a museum piece!
Has anyone any old photos from the early days of Alcester Centre that
would be suitable for our new website? If so and you are willing for them to be
published, send them to me via my email address and I will pass them on to our
Webmaster.
Finally, a rumour is being put around that Alcester Centre members find
it “too difficult” to get to the VOC National rally at its new venue. Like a good
many rumours this is a totally distorted version of fact, usually the invention
of either malicious or misguided persons. I believe this rumour is based on
a conversation at a recent Centre midday meeting where one Alcester Centre
member recounted how he had mistakenly taken the wrong turning from a
roundabout and unfortunately ended up on the M6 toll road whilst trying to get
to the National rally, something that could happen to anyone...
41
BRISTOLAdrian Holloway
It’s been a fairly quiet few weeks as a result of members enjoying
additional pursuits during the school holidays - entertaining their
grandchildren, keeping the gardens under control, holidays and so
forth, although a few rides have been squeezed in during favourable
weather!
In late June, Castle Combe staged a parade to mark the 50th anniversary
of their first running of the ‘Thruxton 500’, in which member Paul Stewart rode
his Thruxton. [See page 27 - Ed] Well Done, Paul! A good turnout there on 5th
August: 9 Velos plus 2 members on other bikes. We had a good natter with each
other and with some of the other track day riders who were commemorating
two who had died of cancer. They kindly offered us tea, sandwiches and cake,
in return for a small donation to their charity fund. The sight and sound of the
bikes departing more or less en masse caused a bit of a stir.
The Classical Vehicle Meet at Frenchay, Bristol on 11th July proved to
be a glorious day, weather-wise, and generated considerable interest with an
abundance of vintage cars and motorcycles making an appearance, including 6
Velocettes. It was great to see Keith astride his Velo LE again, which delivered
him to the venue, but played him up no end on the way home! Keith, you were
lucky you were only 5 miles from home!
The weather was somewhat damp, to put it politely, for the Stourhead
Gardens run on 12th July, but I understand that one stalwart member attended
in his car and was most disconcerted to find himself completely on his own! To
add to his consternation, his windscreen wipers failed on the way home - not a
good day at all.
I must mention that one of our loyal, long-term members, John Willmott,
tells me that he has been riding motorcycles for over 70 years. John regularly
attends our Tuesday club nights and is an inspiration to us all.
CAMBRIDGE
Peter Tibbitts
We were represented at May’s Border Run, courtesy of Steve Hallam.
I gather he had a great time up there on his Venom.
Our first Sunday meetings continue to be popular. This
month new member John Goodchild made an appearance, and Don
Daly rode up from Essex on his MAC.
Readers following the Valiant saga reported last issue may be interested
to learn that that front crank oil seal was determined to be a main factor in the
rate of oil loss. All efforts by the owner and his chums failed to separate the
flywheel from its tapered shaft, and the whole job has been handed over to the
professionals (who will doubtless apply more force…).
42
On the admin front, I am still trying to get the Centre’s email address
list correct. This is used to send out reminders of our local meetings. I have
incorrect addresses for Bill Smith, Mark Barker, and Sean Gentle. Please could
they email me if they wish to be on the circulation list, thanks.
Hope to see you at either our 3rd Wednesday or 1st Sunday lunchtime
meetings.
Chelmsford
Alan Morris
Tuesday 16th June was Rob Urand’s planned Day Run, unfortunately
Rob was unable to make it so he changed with Norman Archard.
Although the alteration was on our website no one noticed the
change. So it was only myself (Venom) and Norman (750 Honda)
who set off from the”Ship” towards Newmarket for Anglesey Abbey. Both of
us had visited the Abbey before, however navigation was a little bit out. So we
found ourselves chasing along the Cambridgeshire roads and lanes eventually
arriving at the Abbey in time for lunch. The weather was fine and 170 miles was
put on the Venom clock, so thanks Norman for an interesting run and lunch.
Pete Gilmore was given the opportunity to do an evening run on
Wednesday 24th June. Only John Chisnall and I met Pete at the ‘Ship’ at 7.00pm.
Being Pete’s first club run, John and myself thought he had done very well,
covering about 24 miles of mainly traffic free Essex lanes - and no U turns! We
ended up at the ‘Viper’ PH Mill Green Ingatestone for a pleasant pint. Pete
Merrick arrived later on his Yamaha Diversion (shame more members did not
participate).
Disappointingly none of our regular Chelmsford members who
generally ride to VOC Rally could make it this year. However I was informed
that Ken Morris did - not sure if it was on 2 wheels though?
Our July meeting at the ‘Ship’ brought forth 7 of us. John Chisnall and
myself were first on the scene followed by Patrick Waters on a moped Yamaha
80. Later on 3 lads arrived on their immaculate machinery: 2 Venom’s (may
have been Clubman’s) and a 750 Norton Commando. One of them was Mark
Woodland a new member, but I did not find out who his 2 friends were. To
complete our gathering Bernard Stripp drove in on his very nice 3 wheeler
car. We are certainly getting a good selection of different machinery at these
meetings.
Finally on Tuesday 21st July George Coates turned up at the ‘Ship’ to
take us on a days run around the Essex lanes. Seven of us set off at 10.00am
on various machinery. George C. (Venom Clubmans), John C. (MSS), Alan M.
(Venom), Norman A (750 Honda), Rob U. (916 Ducati), Graham O. (SRX 600) and
new guy Geoff (Suzuki 1400). George’s route was on traffic free pleasant country
lanes, some of which were quite new to me. A tea break was a most welcomed
43
stop at a Garden Centre (thanks for the treat, George). In brilliant sunshine
George led us to our final destination for our pub lunch at ‘The Compasses’
Littlely Green. Thanks George for a splendid days run in good company. Don’t
miss out keep checking our events on the Chelmsford Website. Safe Riding
CHESTER
Bob Derry
Our summer meetings continue with a reasonable level of
attendance, usually about twelve centre members although our
August 6th meeting saw seventeen of us at the Plough. We have
recently seen five new faces plus we’ve had visits from long
established members who haven’t been able to attend for a while. It will be great
if we can keep up this level of attendance.
We recently met at the Kings Head at Pentre Llanrhaeader on the
same night as the Vintage Sports Car Club (as last year) and saw some rare cars 2
pre-1930 Bentley’s, a pre-1930 RR, and an ‘E type’ Jaguar to name but four).
Six members from the centre attended our national rally and thoroughly
enjoyed the day. The man with the miniature engines was well worth talking to
and these mechanical marvels were incredibly well made. Thanks to the
committee and the West Midlands centre for all their hard work in putting on
this event. It is worth noting that second hand spares appear to be getting rather
more difficult to get hold of judging by the auto jumble !
On Sunday July 26th
we held our Harold Willis
memorial run arranged
as usual by Geraint Jones.
The weather was foul but
we had six Velocettes and
a Honda. It rained hard
all the way to Harlech but
when we arrived it stopped,
which allowed us to enjoy
our lunch at the Beach cafe. The
proprietor showed us this years Norton
O.C. calendar. October’s photo was of a very
nice Manx which belonged to his brother. As we
set off for home, it started to hammer down again
but this time accompanied by very strong winds. Despite that we all really
enjoyed our day out and will be doing it again next year. Thanks, Geraint.
By the time this issue arrives on your doorstep our evening talk by exvelo employee Gareth Lewis will have taken place so I will let you know how it
went in the next FT. Safe and hopefully dry riding to all.
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DORKING
Dave Gladwell
The weather forecast had predicted rain all day for Sunday June 28th but ‘God
rides a Velo’ obviously. The barbeque at Ian & Avril’s was blessed with perfect
motor-cycling weather. A couple of “threatened” rain falls were just sufficient to
make us enjoy the sunshine even more.
A fine turn out of Velos came including Denis Frost’s 1928 T.T. winner
KTT. He has a ‘slick’ back tyre now - slick, but not in the usual sense! The run
out into the Sussex countryside was planned by Ray and Sandra Smith, we set
off soon after 10am and rode as a group, following Brian Howard and Peter
‘pathfinder’ Read. We had each been given a superb detailed route card by Ray,
in case anyone wanted to be alone or managed to get lost.
A splendid route of about 40 miles including a halfway stop at ‘Heaven’
Farm near Danehill for coffee and bacon sandwiches. Entertainment was
provided at the farm by Tim ‘Thruxton’ Hendy who played with a hen from
the farm. A cockerel strutted up: “You messing with my bird?” Tim quickly
released her!
When we got back to Clayton a splendid Barbeque was ably dealt with
by Ian, George Howarth, Peter and Di Thomas. The ‘afters’, of cakes, pie, trifle
and cream, were provided by Avril and her helpers. They worked hard all day
while we enjoyed ourselves.
The bar did good business presided over by Mike Greenfield, Gerry (our
Chairman), Peter Read, myself and others. Rumours that Bar staff got free beer
are not true (well, hardly). Towards the end of a wonderful day, the raffle was
drawn by Dave Hempsted - the star prize going to his wife, Heather!!!
Thanks to all who sold the tickets and provided prizes for us to win. A
total of £250 was raised to be donated to Avril’s chosen charity, the N.S.P.C.C.
What a happy day!
DORSET
John Fear
No Dorset notes in FT 429, partly due to family matters, but also
due to generally poor weather such that not much was worth
reporting. I have rounded up a few topics which I hope are
informative and possibly even interesting!
Firstly I am pleased to report that the planned visit to Devizes to see
Dave Cox (ex Secretary and mainstay for the Bob Foster run for many years)
has taken place recently, Three club members rode up to Dave and Jan’s new
abode, all on Velos, of course, including Steve on Dave’s old MOV. The trip was
not entirely trouble free, but I won’t go into details! Unfortunately I managed to
break a collar bone prior to the run, so was unable to make it myself and in fact it
rather messed up the ride-in day as well (more of that later).
45
I am informed by our illustrious Bob Foster Run Director (Sandy)
that the intended changes for this year’s 25th anniversary event have been
implemented and will mean a change of rotation around the course - i.e.
clockwise - with some changes to the route as well, such that the outward and
return sections are fairly equal I understand. The lunch stop will be as before at
Freshwater Beach Caravan Park and the usual bun fight and presentations, etc.,
will be unchanged. Fairly shortly, I will be sending out electronic forms and info
to all Dorset members with email, but be aware that Sandy has recently moved
and has a different address since last years paperwork, also note the pre-entry
closing date is 20th September and not the 4th as shown on the form. Anyone
without email can check out more information and Sandy’s contact details in FT
429 [And in this edition - see ‘Noticeboard’ - Ed].
So, back to the Ride In on 12th July. With me incapacitated Steve
Gayler kindly stepped in at short notice to cover and in particular take the ride.
Unfortunately the weather was pretty grotty and turnout was poor after last
year. Nevertheless three or four brave souls took it in their stride, not least of all
a couple of visitors from the Isle of Wight of all places. Les and Dot started out
very early, came over the ferry, rode through the New Forest (foreign territory) to
arrive on time, determined to do the 40 mile ride whatever the conditions. They
completed the run, stayed for lunch and then left for the lengthy journey home.
That’s what I call enthusiasm! Apparently they enjoyed the whole day and were
keen to join us on any future activities we organise. They will be most welcome.
Finally, it seems that summer in Dorset has come in fits and starts with
blazing sun one day, cloudy cool days the next or thunder and pouring rain at
a moments notice. Not ideal for planning a riding season, not that I am doing
any riding at the moment due to an incident with a large British twin on a gravel
drive and a vicious sprung side stand! Still it’s Popham this week end albeit on
four wheels, plus Shepton and Netley Marsh in September and hopefully I will
be on two again for the Bob Foster.
EAST MIDLANDS
Geoff Bloor
The Centre was saddened by the news that Dave Mead had passed
away. Dave was a really nice guy and a good friend to all who
knew him; he will be sadly missed. Sincere condolences go out to
his wife June and family, and also to our President, Ivan, on his loss
of his partner Joy.
On the 27th June our Centre’s annual BBQ took place at the windmill
home of Mike and Yvonne Lawrence. This is a superb event not to be missed.
Thanks Mike and Yvonne, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
On July 1st we had our ‘Show off your Velo’ night with over 30 bikes
attending. The winning Velo was Nigel Lines’s Cammy Special. In 2nd place
46
was the Velo Racer of Graham
Austen (see picture ) which
will be raced by Tony Ainley
in this years Manx GP and
the best non Velo was the
Calthorpe of Trevor Bostock.
The Rempstone
Crossroads Run on the 15th
July was well supported we
went through all the local
villages then back to The Red
Lion for a pint. Thanks to Paul
Hunnicette for piloting us and
also on the 1st August when
we had another run this time to the private museum of Mike Wilds at Crich.
We had a good turnout 11 Velos and 1 Triumph, including our President, Ivan,
on the 1928 Bennett TT bike. We were all so pleased to see him on this fabulous
iconic machine. The museum was full of Rudges and a solitary Venom Sport.
His collection and memorabilia were amazing. The ride home was a bit wet but
it did not matter - we had had a superb day.
While writing this I have just packed my MK8 and Aermachi into my
van before going off to Germany to compete in the Schottenring Grand Prix,
This will be my 15th time to this great event. Safe riding. [And you, Geoff! - Ed]
ISLE OF MAN
Michael Hodgson
Excellent turn outs for the last two runs. Steve Cox’s on the 12th
June followed by Cliff’s run last Sunday (August 9th). We seem to
be getting some better weather after a disappointing summer for us
‘Northern folk’.
Less and less Classic Bikes seem to make it over for the TT these days
but bikes are already appearing a week before the Manx Festival. We are all set
for another 3rd Thursday meeting at the Creg ny Baa this month followed by our
M.G.P. programme starting with a 10.00am gathering at the Ginger Hall Hotel
on Sunday August 30th then on to the Jurby Festival the same day, hosted by
Tony East and his band of VMCC helpers. There should be over 16,000 people
expected this year with a full complement of exotic classic race machines and
their famous riders.
Wednesday September 2nd evening (7.00pm on) sees us as usual
upstairs in the function room at the Creg. Order your food at the bar downstairs
and it will be delivered upstairs. Our September run will again be set by Ken
Blackburn starting 2.00pm prompt from the Douglas Grandstand on the 6th.
KENT AND SUSSEX
47
Clive Larby
Hello! I am back in the fold again after an 18 month lay off. My
MAC now has an Alton electric starter, hopefully to keep me riding
a few more years. Harold Beal had one fitted to his Venom first.
He fitted mine with great difficulty as they are not made for the
MAC and MOV, which have smaller crankcases and main shaft than the others.
The Sittingbourne Run and the West Kent International were blessed
with good weather. By the time you read this the Ramsgate Sprint, and the bike
night at the ‘Frog and Orange’ will have been and gone. On the 6th September
will be the Dickie Dunster Run (Kent Gliding Club, 10.30am) led by Brian
Andrews. On the 7th there it’s Club Night at the ‘Wagon & Horses’. Details of
the run on the 13th are yet to be announced. Looking forward into October,
we have the Girder Fork Run on the 11th from Dunkirk village hall This year
Nick Pearce will be leading the run instead of Richard Mummery. This will be
followed by the AGM at the ‘Plough & Harrow’ in Bridge at 8 pm on the 14th.
NORTH LINCS
John Hannis
A busy month with two evening meetings as well as putting on a
display at the Cadwell Festival, reported elsewhere.
On July 22nd we had our annual visit to the King William
at Scaftworth to meet with the Vintage Sports Car Club and the
VMCC. For the first time, Velos outnumbered both the cars and the VMCC.
On July 29th we visited Dave Wells to view some of his collection of
Velos. The bikes cover the whole range of Velocette production and the whole
range of conditions from ‘as found’ to fully restored. It was so interesting
we never got to the pub but stayed at Dave’s chatting and drinking his tea
and coffee. It was good to see a new face, Les Humphreys from Grantham. I
hope we were able to convince him that the rattle from his Venom was only
piston slap from a solid skirt piston in an Alfin barrel and not an indication of
impending disaster. It’s a nice bike.
Last weekend on August 9th there was a concours at the Petwood
Hotel in Woodhall Spa that used to be the officers mess for the Dambusters 617
squadron during the war. Mainly cars but John Mundey brought along the Mk1
KTT that he’s only just finished restoring for a Velo enthusiast in Australia. It’s a
superb job and rightly won first prize in its class. For those with long memories,
this is one of the KTT’s that used to be campaigned by Barry Blyth in vintage
racing back in the 70’s. I don’t think Barry would recognise it now.
Photo (overleaf, by Paul Charlton) from our visit to the Battle of Britain
Memorial Flight at Coningsby. We were shown round the BBMF hangar by
a volunteer guide. Inexpensive and a highly enjoyable experience.
48
Peter Livesey, Derek Manders, John Mundey, Ray Meggett (a guest on a nice
650 CSR AJS), Peter Snowden, John Hannis, Peter Bateman and Frank Allinson
Northumbrian
John Duguid
Our June Velo Club evening run had an excellent turn out at The
Dyke Nuke with, surprisingly, Velocette being the most prominent
marque.
My Vogue had a run out to The Quay Motorcycle Clubs
10th Anniversary Show at North Shields on Sunday 19th of July. 321 various
two and three wheeled vehicles attended on a mostly sunny day. Quite a few
people including motorcyclists had never seen a Vogue ! Comments like “is this
a British motorcycle” , “it looks like something from Thunderbirds” and, lastly,
“I can see why they only built 380 machines”. How unkind.
Our next Club evening ride will be to the Swinburne Arms
Stamfordham NE18 0QG on Tuesday August 24th for 7pm.
Scottish Raymond Albeson
By the time you read this the Biggar Show will be passed. We have
14 signed up for the Club Stand so we should have an interesting
display, and hope to have caught up with a few members between
wolfing down burgers and rummaging round the autojumble.
Next up will be Malcolm’s Run on the 6th September, departing from
the Dundee area. This should be a great run round Tayside, so contact Malcolm
Kervell at [email protected] for more details.
The Sunday after this on the 13th September is the West Coast Ride
In. This will again be at the Irvine Maritime Museum, as it has been a popular
venue for the last couple of years. It is such a draw that David Rankin is coming
across from Northern Ireland especially for the meet, so it would be nice to get a
good turnout for him. For more details e-mail me on [email protected] .
Roger Perry has taken a few pictures at the S&T and Scottish
49
Convention, and I have put these up on the website (http://velocettescotland.
weebly.com/past-events.html). I heard that Peter Oram was very taken with
the LEs (!!). Bill Dunlop has decided to keep hold of his KSS, as the deal for the
bike of his dreams fell through. If you offer him obscene amount of money, he
may reconsider though. On the Members’ Bikes page (http://velocettescotland.
weebly.com/members-bikes.html) there is also a photo of Bill’s KSS along with
his mate Gary’s rigid MAC on an evening run to Falkland Palace, as well as a
couple of shots of Ian Spinney’s new rigid MSS. Ian is only the 3rd owner of the
MSS, and after a bit of fettling courtesy of Ron Sabey and Jim McKillop, he has
put a few hundred miles under the wheels and the post vintage experience is
fully living up to his expectations.
On 20th July I went along to the Edinburgh VMCC Inter Club night at
the Ratho Hotel. Bad weather and an accident on the M8 meant there were fewer
people than usual, but with 4 Velo owners, we held our own. Hopefully the
weather will be fine for the next one and we can have a car park seething with
black and gold.
Like many of you, I will be off the the Manx Grand Prix at the end of the
month, so If you see me, give me a wave.
South Hants
Chris Stevens
Variety is the spice of life, so it is said. If that is so, then there has
been a lot of spice spread in our neck of the woods this year, due to
the unpredictable weather. Our June Club Night run was to be led
by Peter Halladay. We do enjoy these rides on our local, very minor
lanes. Then the heavens opened and we all dashed inside for a consoling pint
or two. Isn’t it amazing how such a collective decision is made with not a word
said! It was agreed to have the run on the following Thursday lunch time unfortunate for those still in gainful employment. However, we had a really
good turn out, a cracking ride, returning to the pub for lunch. Thank you Peter.
Claude and I have been running the ‘Up The Downs Run’ for more
years than I would care to admit. Except for the occasional shower every run
has been dry. This year was different though - oh boy, was it ever! The forecast
was not good at all. We decided at least to go to the start at Stockbridge to see if
anyone would turn up. Sunday 26th July 2015 will go into my list of memories,
as one of the wettest, windiest, wonderful riding days I can remember. Claude
and I were the first to arrive at the White Hart and, soon after, we heard the
unmistakable sound of an aproaching Velo over the thrashing rain and wind.
We were soon joined by six happy chaps, eager for a good ride and I think they
deserve mentioning by name as it really was a foul day. They were, Ron Willis,
Simon Brindle, Malcolm Hole, Dave Humphrey, Roger Sloley, Alistair Grundy
and Simon Stevens, Claude being the only lady. Having ridden through the
50
floods and tempest to the Calley Arms at Hodson, just south of Swindon, for
our lunch stop, I was quite surprised at the warm reception we received. Our
table was laid out ready for us and food served very promptly (I had a menu and
phoned everyone’s requests through before we left Stockbridge). We left Hodson
in intensifying rain and wind, so, after Lambourn we headed for Newbury and
south on the A34 and home. I was surprised just how clean the bike was when
we arrived home, but it had been jet washed for a hundred miles...
Our August Club Night run was lead by Alistair Grundy, with really
good support. I counted thirteen Velos and four others. It was grand to
welcome our pal Mike Love, who we haven’t seen for many years, with his
recently finished scrambler. Also, on a purely personal note, to welcome my
son Simon to his first Club Night. As usual, we enjoyed a lovely ride, on a warm
clear evening, returning to the Bowman for a pint and repartee.
STAFFORDSHIRE
Arthur Muller
The midweek rideout to Ironbridge was poorly attended. However
the weather was good and all enjoyed the experience with requests
to repeat the event. The Friday club nights are keenly attended with
an average of 14 enthusiasts discussing all topics, even Velocette
motorcycles... The main topic was the Staffs Centre stand in October and which
motorcycles to exhibit. As if by magic, Arthur Warham arrived at the centre, on
his very nice newly rebuilt Thruxton. After a brief discussion it was agreed that
it would be displayed on the stand. Several members travelled to the IoM for the
Southern 100 and unfortunately missed the Velocette annual rally at Burntwood
Roy Gimbert (secretary) has finally resolved the issues with his
Velocette gearbox and he thanks all those people who gave him advice and help
with his technical problem.
THAMES VALLEY
Dennis Edginton
We had 6 bikes leaving the start point on the A4: Keith and
Richard, both on MSS’s, Les on his red Venom, Dai Gibbison on his
Venom/MSS, Mick on his Thruxton and myself on my Venom. One
bike was a bit slow at starting and Dai went on to the Hungerford
meeting place to advise delay but no problem as we had no-one waiting there.
The rain started gently as we left and persisted throughout even after we had
picked up Dai at Hungerford, so we all arrived at Crofton safely but damp!
After coffee and cake etc. in the café we started to dry out and warm up,
although it was cool but dry for the rest of our time there. Then Chris Wiggins
and his son from Trowbridge arrived shortly after on their lovely Velo KTSs Mk1
and Mk2. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour on the engines which were in steam
51
and the barbeque was producing excellent food so lunch was much enjoyed. We
set off for home about 2:30 all having had a very enjoyable day.
Woodcote Steam Rally was well attended over the 2 day event this
year, with a number of Velocette Members rallying around the Banner in the
Motor Cycle Arena. 2 days to enjoy meeting and speaking with other likeminded people and enjoying vehicles from a past era.
West Hagbourne was an excellent turnout. 9 members met at The
Bull at Streatley early evening and the proceeded to West Hagbourne where we
teamed up with 5 other Velocette members. Simon Kay, a new member, joined us
at Streatley on his Venom which was on its debut run since being re-built. Great
to see you Simon. Once again the weather did not perform as had been forecast
and as the rain set in we made our way back to our ’watering hole’, The Cherry
Tree, for our Tuesday club night where 6 other members were keeping our places
warm and dry!!! It was a cold wet night – but after all it was only July!!
Our main event of the Year, ‘Show off Your Bike Day’ was held at The
Cherry Tree and what a great turn out!! 55 Bikes, families and children and
some members of the public. I think everyone who attended really enjoyed the
weather, bikes, food and company. It was wonderful to see a number of the
younger generation taking an active interest in the Velos. The Awards for 2015
were as follows:
Best Rigid Velocette
1953 MAC
Peter Read, Dorking
Best Spring Frame Velocette
1960 Venom
Bill Grimes, London
Best Pre 1945 Non Velo
1935 Nimbus BumblebeeRichard Reich, Dorking
Best Post 1945 Non Velo
1957 Ariel Square 4
Mike Kowalczuk
Best Post 1972 Classic
1982 Laverda
Kevin Cornwell
Arthur Lavington Trophy
1959 Venom
Heathcliffe Moss, S. Hants
Ben Mallinson Cup
1937 KTS
Chris Wiggins , Bristol
Cherry Tree Shield
1959 Gold StarIvor Reyland
Brian Harris Trophy
1975 Norton Commando
Chris Winsby
The Ted Portsmouth Trophy, the Chairman’s Merit Prize was presented
by Norman Bailie to Jon Dunsden for his excellent work and advice he has
given over the past year. Norman also presented the Thames Valley Trophy for
outstanding effort and service to the Thames Valley Velocette Centre to Pete
Woodward, who surely must be one of our oldest ‘active’ members in the Club.
We would like to thank everyone for making this a special and memorable day
for the Club, with a special thanks to Dave Downer and his Marshalls who all
did a great job. And sincere thanks also to Dave Hogg and Richard Knight for
judging the awards (a particularly difficult task this year) and to Dave Hogg’s
wife for organising the raffle and all members who kindly donated prizes. And
thanks also to the members from the Dorking, S.Hants, Bristol, London, Oxford
and Dorset centres that came along to support us – we do hope to see you all
again next year.
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Our annual run down to Sammy Miller’s Museum at New Milton
was our next outing with 9 riders turning up at the Reading meeting point. An
excellent run in ideal motorcycling weather, plus little traffic on the Sunday
morning. Sadly a very different matter for the journey back with considerable
traffic and many delays, but still a very enjoyable day at the Museum plus the
added bonus of the Auto Jumble. Dave Downer was pleased with his purchase.
Just a reminder to every one of the forthcoming events in September
(where has the year gone?). On the 13th September we have the Seymour
Charity Run starting and finishing at The Cherry Tree. 19th/20th the Kop Hill 2
day event. We have reserved a pitch for us but you will need to register for this
event. Please see me at the Club night and I will explain. This is a great event
with a high public profile. 27th September is the Crofton Steam Gala, which has
a large number of steam vehicles. Times/meeting points via email soon.
Sadly I need to advise you that one of our long standing members, Bob
Prior died of cancer at the age of 65. Bob was a very keen motorcyclist and his
first job at the age of 16 was a telegraph boy on a BSA Bantam 125 in the Henley
on Thames Post office. Bob owned a number of Velos and other bikes and our
thought go out to his family for their loss.
WELSH
Phil Edwards
July saw two potential new members for the Centre. It was a close
race won by the Chairman’s grandson, Max, who arrived at 6pm
on the 28th June closely followed by my grandson Aidan Sahan at
3.25am on the 29th June! Mothers and riders are doing well.
Only John made it to the National Rally with June, Emma and Wally the
dog. He managed to pick up some bargains at the auto jumble and a raffle prize.
On Wednesday 15th three Velocettors met at the ‘Station House’ and
rode to the Museum of Speed in Pendine, then Amroth for lunch and a
tour of the coastal roads of Pembrokeshire ending at Pembroke. On the 22nd
John, Rick, Vince and Phil joined Rob at TalyBont on Usk campsite and, during
the following two days, did ride-outs over the mountains. The weather was
atrocious in the morning but we dried out in the sun in the afternoon. The
sensible amongst us rode home Thursday night leaving Rick, Vince and Graham
to brave the predicted rain on Friday. Many thanks to Rob for organising the
camping do. It was great to be part of 20-ish Velos roaring through the beautiful
roads around Brecon. Rob’s daughter made an excellent job of designing our
Welsh section badge which is in the process of being made by a local company.
Not many at the August meeting but good to see our promotional sign
attached to the side of the ‘Station House’. Already people are showing interest
while we were erecting the sign and we are looking to advertise the club in the
press in the near future. Here’s to the rest of the summer being sunny and dry.
West Midlands
53
Brian Coldicott
Our main event since the last edition was the National Rally.
Once again Alan Harper and his little West Midlands helpers got
everything in order for yet another successful Rally and can I thank
everybody that volunteered and of course, everyone that turned up.
The Rally has now established itself as a weekend event, with a number
of regular faces turning up on the Friday afternoon and leaving on the Monday
morning. I do believe that some would have also turned up on the Thursday
evening if they’d have known it was ‘Pie ‘n Mash’ night at the Rugby Club (if
you give me a ring next year I’ll check to see what they’ve got on). This year we
organised two runs on the Saturday, a shorter one around Cannock Chase Forest
and a longer run through the villages of South Staffordshire to Burton on Trent,
where we visited the Claymills Victorian Steam Engines. I have received a
note of thanks from Claymills for bringing the group to visit them. However the
pleasure was definitely ours and I think we all enjoyed a most informative tour.
It is definitely worth a visit, especially when they’re in steam (www.claymills.
org.uk). Saturday evening was spent ‘socialising’ at the BBQ event and thanks
go to Jim Plant and the team for putting it on, doing the cooking and supplying
the ‘refreshment’. Further, post-BBQ, socialising carried on at the Rugby Club
and as per last year’s request they’d kept the cask ale on tap for the Rally.
54
The weather behaved itself until the award presentations, when
somehow most of us managed to squeeze into the marquee. I say ‘most of us’,
but I believe a few were left out in the downpour trying to hold down Kevin
Thurston’s gazebo which was re-enacting the tornado scene from the Wizard of
Oz. Here’s looking forward to next year’s Rally.
Toward the end of July, Rod Fuller and I joined in with the Wye Valley
Centre’s camping event at Talybont-on-Usk. Having not really done much
Velo’ing this year I was certainly looking forward to the outing. We had a
decent run to Tal-y-Bont, stopping for refreshment at Dom’s Bike Stop in
Leominster. Once at the campsite I needed to make repairs to the charging
system with the fault being quickly and expertly traced to a dodgy bullet
connection – thanks to Dave Hoskins for the connector block. The Campsite
was very pleasant and just a sobering stroll from the local amenities and apart
from a bit of damp weather on the Wednesday morning run (which included an
off piste detour due to road closures and the disastrous loss of the morning tea
stop!) we managed a few dry miles over the couple of days. With a very poor
forecast for the Friday, Rod and I decided to break camp after the Thursday
run and head home in the dry. You know what it’s like, you’ve just packed the
tents away, loaded all the gear on the bikes, put the riding gear on and I’m sat
there watching Rod failing to start his machine. Off comes the camping gear, off
with the riding gear, off with the seat. Once again, with expert diagnostics an
ignition system fuse was replaced and off we went. Many thanks to Rob Jones
for organising the event.
And now for a bit of an apology. Having read Raymond Albeson’s
account of the Borders Run in the last edition, it would appear that Rod Fuller
was awarded the ‘furthest travelled’ prize in error, albeit by a ‘tappet’ clearance.
However, as the rightful recipient Colin McMurray will probably agree
(Raymond re-presented Colin with a belated prize), it was probably the best litre
of finest malt we’d enjoyed for some time. Both Richard Bettles and I would like
to thank Rod for sharing his ill-gotten gains whilst we were on the Wye Valley
Tal-y-Bont camping event.
WOBURN
Patricia Thurston
Some of our members went to the VOC Annual Rally back in July.
They felt that the event was better attended than last year, and apart
from some rain they all had a pleasant day. They thought the food
was a bit limited in the bar tent [Not surprising - it was not a bar
and the food was intended for the volunteer helpers! - Ed] but that changed
later in the day with free sandwiches and other goodies [the surplus...]. There
was plenty to see in the way of bike displays and also the whole range of the club
regalia was available to buy including items with the new additional VOC logo.
55
There were stalls with Velo related offerings and Kevin Thurston’s stall had a
great deal of interest with his Velo upgrades.
We have a very happy
Club member by the name of
Mark Huggins who much to his
surprise was presented with a
trophy and a plaque at a recent
NSA sprint which took place at
Weston Zoyland, Somerset. The
award was for post 1945 500cc
vintage Southern Champion of
2014.
Many of our members
attended the Founder’s Day Rally (a VMCC event) back in July. Ray had a stall
there and had a good weekend. Unfortunately, the mid-week run in July was
cancelled at the last minute but hopefully that will take place at another time.
Coming up there are two more runs booked for September. We have our
annual Old Warden Steam Rally from the 18th September to the Sunday 20th.
Lots of Velo’s are on the club stand which gathers a lots of interest. There is a lot
to see, apart from the bikes and is a good weekend for the whole family. Happy
days and keep safe.
WYE VALLEY
Rob Jones
Rob J and Richard W headed north and took part in the VMCC
Scarborough Week. Lovely riding over some great scenery and all
Velos performed well. Rob came home via the VOC National Rally
doing the run to the Victorian Pumping Station on the Saturday and
the Rally itself on the Sunday. Also there were John and Molly and Mike P.
The second Wye Valley Camping Experience went well, although a
bit damp on the Wednesday morning. Thirteen Velos and three other makes
enjoyed the country roads of the Brecon Beacons.
Chris is organising parts ready to begin a build on one of his bikes and
Peter has made substantial progress in obtaining a registration number of the
DVLA for his Venom rebuild.
Sunday 9th August saw Graham, Brian, Rob, Chris, John PJ and Neil
heading over the Seven Bridge for a visit to the Helicopter Museum at
Weston Super Mare. Graham had organised the day and his planned route
took us through Portishead and Clevedon with views of the Bristol Chanel
before heading through Yatton and on to Weston. Here we met up with George
and Graham Drinkwater and visited the Museum. It was nice to see George
making an improvement after his recent knee operation. The Museum houses
56
a large collection of helicopters, including ones from the Royal Flight, a speed
record holder and ones that fought in Vietnam and Afghanistan as well as
numerous others. It is well worth a visit and we sent a good few hours there.
Leaving the museum Graham took us on the main roads to Bristol before
crossing the Old Severn Bridge and heading for home. A good day out. Picture
shows Brian, John PJ, Chris,
Rob, Neil and Graham. By Rob
Jones. Finally our best wishes
go to Jim Bennett who has taken
early retirement. Unfortunately
this means he will be heading
back up to North Wales and
the Chester Centre. We’ll miss
you in Tintern but we’ll keep in
touch. Enjoy your retirement.
going spare
Club members may place adverts
in ‘Going Spare’ at no charge. All
ads. should be sent to the Editor.
Only ‘For Sale’ ads. are accepted
from non-members.
PersoNal...
Would the gentleman who rang re
the rear half of the KSS MKII
primary chaincase in FT429,
contact me again as the phone line was
very poor. Brian Ling
Did you buy a Venom dual seat
at the VOC rally? Please contact John
Goodall on 01283 713 715. We got
soaked in the downpour, checked the
marquee and also drove along the line
of parked vehicles to no avail.
for sale...
MSS 1956, restored to a good standard
12V electrics, S/S rims, etc £6,200. Stan
Bayliss 01926 858 615 (Kenilworth)
motorcycle boots Frank
Thomas Euro Aqua, small, 8. Brand
new, never used: £35. Pair of
mirrors, end of handlebars: £25.
01908 640 316 (Milton Keynes)
Pre War MAC as a restoration
project. Frame (broken tube), Side
stand, Rear stand arms, Engine (more
or less complete, but dismantled, ball
valve in crankcase type), Gearbox,
Engine Plates, Oil Tank, New Indian
Petrol tank, Original Tank, New
Mudguards, Wheel hubs, Dowty forks,
seat, refurbished Speedometer - no
logbook, but registration number
HTT 18 with original front & back
plates. A bargain at £600. Martin
01743 821 266 (Shrewsbury)
TT magneto BTH (BKH1) Venom
Clubman. Rebuilt and refurbished by
Salmons correctly last year and never
used. Complete with new steel pinion
and manual cable. £425 – no offers.
020 8524 0489 (NE London)
1953 MAC One of the first of the
swing arm MACs, it has most if not
all the original fittings plus pannier
frames. Needs some TLC as has stood
for a few years but would not take
much to get going again. An ideal
winter rebuild project. £3500 ono.
See below.
BMW R80, approx 1982 reg. Has had
cylinder barrels removed some time
ago to do work on it but life got in the
way of finishing it off. Has Panniers
so would make an ideal tourer. Needs
some TLC as it has stood for some
time. £1500 ono Transport can be
arranged to a UK destination for
relevant fee. Adrian 02392 377 488
(Portsmouth)
Complete Venom in pieces £80
(well, a model, anyway). RAE Models
produced these very detailed white
metal kits some 16 years ago. This one
was started but needs someone with
more patience than I to finish it. Ken
01202 888 248 (Wimborne)
1934 MAC very early, registered
28.02.1934 Correct Web Forks, Leather
Tool Box and Pre Fishtail Exhaust.
Refurbished Manual Magneto and
Carburettor. Replacement 7 Plate
Clutch. Used regularly, starts, runs
and handles well. Mainly oil leak free
in tidy condition. £5800
Peter 01277 622 760 (Essex)
Venom/Viper pair of 19” road
wheels c/w brake plates and very
good tyres (no speedo drive) £650
the pair (circumstances permitting).
Buyer collects Castle Douglas (DG7)
or Lockerbie (DG11). 01556 502 703
before 8.30pm.
57
Free standing 45 litre parts
washer. Height 35” length 30 ¾”
width 21½”. Sliding drip tray and
electric pump with nozzle to wash
your parts (motorcycle parts that
is). Won’t fit in the hole I thought it
would, you need one about 32” wide
to be safe. Brand new, assembled
and unused. Similar to the red one
in Machine Mart but in a much more
attractive shade of bright orange. Can
email a picture. Cost me £129. Yours
for £95 so I can buy a smaller one.
Buyer collects. Jim 0121 709 4906 (W
Mids). [email protected]
BOOKS ‘Velocette Motorcycles –
MSS to Thruxton’ - Rod Burris, new,
3rd edition: £20. ‘Velocette since
1950 – the Big Singles’ – Steve Wilson:
£10. ‘Built for Speed’ – John Griffith,
features two Velos: £5. All as new.
Collection only. Kelvin 07463 547 758
(Oldbury)
1938 KSS £10,000 ono. 1960 Mk II
MSS Scrambler (currently used
for hill climbs) £8,000 ono. 1955
Ariel Mk I HS Scrambler
(currently used for occasional sprints)
£8,000 ono. All bikes are in mint
condition.
Tod O’Donoghue 01534 873 749
[email protected]
LADIES TOURING SUIT, BMW
Balice, size 18/20, as new, £200 (cost
£560). EVEROAK RACEMASTER
helmet, size 6 7/8th, new 1971, not
worn since 1972, £100. BAGLUX
tank cover for Kawasaki ER5,
£20. Mike 01332 517 985 (Derby)
58
Concentric Carb 1 3/16 inch
bore includes Choke & Throttle
Cables. Good condition £40. Front
& Rear Wheel Spindles
& Nuts Fair condition £10.
Thruxton Silencer Chrome –
poor but serviceable £15
Alternator Stator RM21 16a
Single phase two lead 12v genuine
Lucas. As new £50. Postage included
Pete Craven (Hants)
[email protected]
1957 Venom rebored, new big
end 5,000 miles ago. New bearings
throughout engine, gearbox and
wheels. Engine and frame numbers
matching. Twin leading shoe front
brake, powder coated frame, good
tyres, 12 volt electrical system with
alternator. A few spares. Clutch
needs attention. £6,750 – no offers.
Barry 01375 383 510 (Essex)
Honda VFR 750 FJ, 1989, 61k miles,
stainless exhaust pipes, tidy red/grey
finish, heated grips,. Owned by me
for 12 years and taken me to Scotland,
Ireland and Belgium but now it’s
time to reduce the collection since it’s
just not getting used. Reliable, good
performing bike , recently qualified as
a Classic. Pictures available on e-mail.
Currently on SORN but will MOT for
buyer. £800. John Fortune 01484 864 588 (W Yorks)
[email protected]
Petrol tank for MOV/MAC
for 1948 telefork models. Original,
lined, in good condition: £200. Bob
Chadwick 01252 624 917 (Fleet, Hants)
Venom, good useable condition,
MOT to June 2016: £7,000. For details
01487 711 333 (Peterborough area)
‘The Great Velocette Show
Album’ by Piet Tuyn (a member of
VOC and Velocette Club Nederland) –
Oldtimer document collection.
A collection of advertisements
showing the history of Velocette
motorcycles. In the ‘70s, Piet Tuyn
used to ride a Venom special in the
Netherlands national motorcycle
racing scene, and started to collect
Velocette, documentation, which
built up into a very extensive archive
of brochures, books, manuals and
motorcycle magazines.
His comprehensive collection
covers the period from 1905 till 1971
- the entire Veloce era. The Album
consists of two hardback A4 volumes
(1905-1946 and 1947-1971) in black with
the Velocette logo in gold, of course. It
holds over 500 advertisements, plus 5
posters A3 size.
It is printed on art quality
paper- in full colour as far as available.
The first 50 albums will be numbered
and signed by Piet Tuyn. It costs
150 Euros excluding p&p. Messrs.
Boekdrukker 0031 756 153 560 or
0031 624 409 709.
[email protected]
The Velocette Owners’ Club
does not vet advertisers, who
may not even be Club members.
It is the responsibility of buyers
to satisfy themselves as to
the good faith of sellers before
making any payments to them.
Exchange...
AIR-FILTER complete with filter
gauze & rubber connector to carb.
original & good condition. Off 1955
MAC. Will swap for Venom/MSS air
filter or sell. 07712 859 953 (Derbys)
Wanted...
FB2/4 Front hub, rigid, cast iron
type (and shoes, if poss). S1/6 Rear
brake plate, rigid, (shoes if poss).
Geoff 01959 534 469
LE678 rubber buffer for rear
A276/3 petrol tank fixing strap. Also
FK151/5 petrol tank rubber
buffer for location stud on petrol
tank front fixing strap, both to fit early
4 1/4 tank. Peter 01865 376 084 or
[email protected]
Expires: 31/12/15
59
Villiers early ‘50s kickstart and
gear lever 10D 6E 8E etc Dave
Jesson 01455 283 066
Headlamp for rigid MOV/
MAC. Can swap 7” Miller lamp with
deep shell suitable for springer with
headlamp cowling (no holes for switch
or ammeter) Richard, 01886 880 270,
[email protected]
Gearchange rocker shaft
assembly part no. MAS46,
earchange foot lever
shaft part no. GC55, or complete
assembly to fit in prefix 12 or 14
Gearbox end cover. Centralizing
lever pivot sleEve part no.
BK102, Layshaft washer part
no. BK 95, Striking pawl part no.
GC 23/2, +40 MAC Piston Rings
Colin 01299 832 127 or 07871 564 975
60
CHRONOMETRIC
INSTRUMENT SERVICES
Russell P Smalley
Smiths trained Chronometric
instrument Engineer, 35 years
experience in the repair and
restoration of Smiths Chronometric
Motorcycle instruments.
I can supply the correct Speedometer
and/or Tachometer for any Velocette
motorcycle manufactured, including
Cables and Drives.
Over 200 concours Chronometrics
instruments in Stock.
Visitors most welcome..
[email protected]
0115 920 6156 Mobile: 07939 165 290
Wanted!
Classic/Vintage British Bikes
wanted for cash purchase
Any condition from concours to
basket cases! Will collect!
Contact: RICHARD GAUNT
01283 536379 / 07889 292536
email: [email protected]
61
SILENT STAINLESS
Quality Build with Silent Stainless
Specialist lists for Velocette Singles &
Twins
RIGID FRAME MODELS,
R.S FRAME-MAC,MSS,VR,VM&VMT.
LE, VALIANT & VOGUE.
Please contact - stating model.
Graham Hall, Silent Stainless Ltd.
Unit K1 Troon Way Business Centre,
Humberstone Lane, Leicester LE4 9HA
Tel: 0116 2741447 Mob: 07973722728
Email: [email protected]
www.silentstainless.co.uk
www.KTT Services.co.uk
Billet alloy top and bottom yoke set £285
HE30 alloy 5/16” gearbox plates £150
Replica standard Thruxton cylinder heads
or KRT squish design £1450 (tbc)
Replica ‘Thurston’ VMT/VM LM25 heat
treated crankcases £1450 (tbc).
675 Road belt drive / clutch kits sold.
Fits inside standard Velo chaincases
Yamaha R1 friction + slotted steel plates
Venom, VMT 9-plate kits £420 + p&p
Flywheel 500 & 600cc assemblies £950,
conrods, billet nikasil barrels
Billet Cotton Reel alloy hubs
Cylinder heads refurbished.
[email protected]
+44(0)1908 641575
Velocette Owners’
Club Regalia Store
See main ad inside front
cover
Clive Repik
Velocette Specialist
Full workshop facilities
for repairs and servicing especially engine, gearbox and
clutch assemblies.
Over 35 years experience
Clive Repik Restorations
Whitehill Lodge, Exeter Road
Newton Abbot TQ12 6PP
Devon
Tel: 01626 353533
Mobile: 0781-755-5150
www.repik.co.uk
Velocette Owners’
Club Regalia Store
See main ad inside front
cover
VELOCE SPARES LTD
Owned by and operated on behalf of the
VELOCETTE OWNERS CLUB
for the exclusive benefit of its members
The volunteers who run the Spares Scheme are all Velo riders.
Collectively this team has a wide experience of the various models
and their engineering requirements.
VSL aims to make available a range of good quality spare parts at reasonable
prices and to provide special parts to improve the Velocette riding experience.
MONTHLY OPEN DAYS PLUS FULL POSTAL SERVICE
See ‘Fishtail’ or the VOC website for our Open Day Dates.
Mail orders may be sent by post, FAX or e-mail and are processed on a weekly basis
(for e-mail, first register via VOC website).
SALES LISTS
THE LATEST SALES LIST IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON THE VOC WEBSITE
www.velocetteowners.com
A paper copy is available for £2.00 when despatched with an order for parts.
Copies sent separately will cost £3.00 for UK (please pay with stamps),
£5.00 for Europe and £6.00 for Rest of World (postage included in all cases).
ORDER FORMS can be printed directly from the VOC website.
Membership Details are required with Orders or to buy parts on Open Days
MASTERCARD OR VISA CARDS WELCOMED
Cheques are accepted, but Mastercard and Visa are preferred.
VELOCE SPARES LTD
THE OLD CHAPEL
CHENEY END
HUNCOTE
LEICESTER
LE9 3AD
ENGLAND
or FAX to
+44(0)116 275 2703
(The Old Chapel does not have
incoming voice telephone)

Fishtail 430 - The Velocette Owners Club

Transcription

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