laird387 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Hi, Quite a rarity, unless you come from the South-Western centre, where there were quite a few in captivity, were Velocette trials models. To add to the spice of life John Husband, ace mechanic and fettler, could make this girder-forked rigid Velocette talk...... Enjoy - there's more to come!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2stroke4stroke Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 As I recall, John Forster had a bit of success on his - any of him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) Hi, Now here's the conundrum - to the best of my knowledge Velocette never produced, as a 'for general sale' item, a model for trials use. The Hall Green factory is not in Gloucestershire - yet there were several Velocette trials models in use in pre-65 and long distance trials in the county. So the conundrum is 'why'? I have to admit a personal interest. When I was employed as a director of a communications manufacturer my own responsibilities included running the service and installation teams we had based around the regions, so as our annual reporting sessions were in full swing I had quite a few sessions with the independent auditors sent in to scrutinise our books. Over time one of them learned that I spent my weekends restoring and riding classic trials bikes - and admitted he had an interest in 'having a go' but couldn't find a bike - but he had a Velocette Venom of his father's that he was attempting to restore - but it was at the having dismantled it into the smallest possible parts phase - then forgotten how to put them back together.............we've all been there! Over a few lunch-time natters we struck a deal - I had my BSA B21 competition model completed and running well, I had ridden it several times round the Arbuthnot course as we visited each section and each of the landowners verifying all was well in the build-up to 'the' day - so I was satisfied the bike was 'OK' - so with his van full of Velocette bits and a few shekels we did a swop. When I had the Velocette rebuilt, as a road bike, it was a good looking bike, all the cycle parts freshly powder coated, all the alloy bits polished, the motor back to 'as new' condition when I got it - having had the 'Seymour' treatment - but out on the road was a revelation to me. I have never ridden a better bike on the road than that Venom. It handled superbly - the motor was flexible but with real grunt - the gearbox was a treat. I have also owned a Vincent Black Shadow (briefly) but I truly preferred the Venom on the road. But I didn't have time to use it - and there was this farmer with a barn full of Ariel HT and HS bits who just wanted a road bike.........so a swop was done and I had enough Selly Oak bits to complete several HT restorations.......... So I know from personal experience that the sort of power a Hall Green motor can produce would be eminently suitable for trials use - but why do most of the Velocette based specials seem to have a Gloucestershire connection - over to you sleuths - what's the answer. Meanwhile - here's another example - ridden by another rider with a penchant for 'things different' - Mike Newman. Edited April 4, 2014 by laird387 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted April 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Hi, It's Gloucestershire again, the 1992 March Hare, and Mike Newman brings out another of those local rarities - one of his Velocette trials models. Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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