Velocette project?

Now that the first commando’s all finished up and there’s a dunstall future resto in the shed my mind’s been wandering…. Once the Bonnie is off the lift maybe I should get a big single… I’ve never been a BSA man, so gold star is out… plus they’re an arm and a leg! But I do have a friend that has a few velos languishing in storage that might be parted with for some of the green stuff… Any Nortoneers here also velomen? How’s the experience? I know that after riding the commando a single probably won’t blow my hair back, but as an around town/out in the hills putt around bike, how are they? And if my options were a viper, an mss or a Mac, what would it be? Sell me on it! Or save me from total bankruptcy….

tompkins said:

Now that the first commando’s all finished up and there’s a dunstall future resto in the shed my mind’s been wandering…. Once the Bonnie is off the lift maybe I should get a big single… I’ve never been a BSA man, so gold star is out… plus they’re an arm and a leg! But I do have a friend that has a few velos languishing in storage that might be parted with for some of the green stuff… Any Nortoneers here also velomen? How’s the experience? I know that after riding the commando a single probably won’t blow my hair back, but as an around town/out in the hills putt around bike, how are they? And if my options were a viper, an mss or a Mac, what would it be? Sell me on it! Or save me from total bankruptcy….

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I had a Venom, and regret selling it to be honest. The engines are incredibly well made, and easy to work on. The clutch is the only weak point in my opinion, but there is a guy in the U.K, that does a conversion kit which vastly improves it apparently.

Don't overlook the 350 Viper. Almost as fast as the venom for a lot less wedge

Got my '54 Swing-Arm MSS 500cc two years ago, imported it from UK. It was fully restored with loads of spendy upgraded bits, including a belt drive primary, 12v electrics, turn signal lamps, BTH electronic coil ign "maggie" and a Triumph/BSA 7" TLS front stopper. Had un-solvable issues with the BTH unit giving constant misfiring...now running a TriSpark unit and starts/rides a treat.
Have a friend in our local club with a '57 MAC 350 which he uses as a daily rider (leaves a BSA A10 in his parking spot most of the year).
It's had more riding miles past two seasons than my '74 850 C....and it never fails putting a smile on my face hearing it at full chat on the highways. Sure, never going to have the umph of the Commando (24??Hp vs 50??Hp), but there's more to motorcycling than high speed work and acceleration. If that gives concern, consider the Clubman or even the Thruxton (both close to 48hp).

Here's some eye candy to tempt you further:

Tornado said:

Got my '54 Swing-Arm MSS 500cc two years ago, imported it from UK. It was fully restored with loads of spendy upgraded bits, including a belt drive primary, 12v electrics, turn signal lamps, BTH electronic coil ign "maggie" and a Triumph/BSA 7" TLS front stopper. Had un-solvable issues with the BTH unit giving constant misfiring...now running a TriSpark unit and starts/rides a treat.
Have a friend in our local club with a '57 MAC 350 which he uses as a daily rider (leaves a BSA A10 in his parking spot most of the year).
It's had more riding miles past two seasons than my '74 850 C....and it never fails putting a smile on my face hearing it at full chat on the highways. Sure, never going to have the umph of the Commando (24??Hp vs 50??Hp), but there's more to motorcycling than high speed work and acceleration. If that gives concern, consider the Clubman or even the Thruxton (both close to 48hp).

Here's some eye candy to tempt you further:

View attachment 123155

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Have not tempted him yet but I’m guessing $$$ goes mss mac viper in ascending order, and also is the order from “comes with these boxes” to “proudly displayed in the house”

Tornado said:

Got my '54 Swing-Arm MSS 500cc two years ago, imported it from UK. It was fully restored with loads of spendy upgraded bits, including a belt drive primary, 12v electrics, turn signal lamps, BTH electronic coil ign "maggie" and a Triumph/BSA 7" TLS front stopper. Had un-solvable issues with the BTH unit giving constant misfiring...now running a TriSpark unit and starts/rides a treat.
Have a friend in our local club with a '57 MAC 350 which he uses as a daily rider (leaves a BSA A10 in his parking spot most of the year).
It's had more riding miles past two seasons than my '74 850 C....and it never fails putting a smile on my face hearing it at full chat on the highways. Sure, never going to have the umph of the Commando (24??Hp vs 50??Hp), but there's more to motorcycling than high speed work and acceleration. If that gives concern, consider the Clubman or even the Thruxton (both close to 48hp).

Here's some eye candy to tempt you further:

View attachment 123155

Click to expand...

Nice. Clearly built to ride…

The hotter the engine the more problems you will have. A standard issue rider probably is
the best bet.

tompkins said:

Have not tempted him yet but I’m guessing $$$ goes mss mac viper in ascending order, and also is the order from “comes with these boxes” to “proudly displayed in the house”

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The MSS in good nick should value at more thsn the MAC and close if not more than the Viper in similar state of condition...people pay more for the 500cc generally. The Venom (500cc higher compression spec) is marginally more hp than the low compression MSS and it get better money. The Clubman is bacisally a sportier Venom with some Thruxton components such as angled header pipe and low bars, rearsets. Thruxton gets bigger inlet valve at a different angle, GP1000 racing carb (no idle circuit), coil ign, low bars, rear sets, racing fairing, special seat and oil tank and most were blue painted frames and grey tanks.

Prices have fallen dramatically in past few yrs and by all reckoning are still dropping.

I've had my Velo for over 25 years and as far as I'm concerned a better single than most. Bear in mind though that it must be well sorted. I f you cut corners while getting things right it will let you down. It took a fair bit of time to get mine right but when I did, I've found it a pleasure to ride. Join the club. It's a goldmine of information. What you buy really comes down to what you want out of it. Any one of them would be fun. My first choice would be the Viper. Velo's have their quirks but once you understand them, they're a treat. Whatever one you decide on, get the most complete and unmolested one you can. Ask a LOT of questions.

I owned a Venom which I bought as a restored bike (mistake) from a bloke who restored Porsches for a living. It was very shiney but bodged up mechanically, so I dread to think what his cars were like. The first problem I had to fix were the leaking forks, due to what appeared to be Mole grip damage. The next thing to sort was the wet sumping, due to a worn out oil pump. To replace this I decided it would be easier to strip the engine, as the crankcase needs to be heated in order to fit the new pump. Also it gave me the chance to check for any other problems. I must say that the engine was very easy to work on, & thoughtfully designed. Another problem I found was that it was all but impossible to seal the primary chaincase, so I gave up & bought a belt drive from Kevin Thurston at KTT Services.
There were two reasons for selling the bike. The first was when bombing around the back lanes where I then lived, it didn't have quite enough get up & go to pick off dawdling car drivers, before the next blind bend came up. The other reason was I needed the cash to build my 920 Commando, & Maney, TTi, & Maxton bits don't come cheap.
Having said all that I would still have another, but kitted out with lots of goodies from KTT. Check out the website.
I should also add that the handling was excellent, & the front twin leader was the best drum I've ever used.