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….
Velocette project?
- Thread starter tompkins
- Start date
cliffa
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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.
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Don't overlook the 350 Viper. Almost as fast as the venom for a lot less wedge
Tornado
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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:
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:
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”
Fast Eddie
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Nice. Clearly built to ride…
Tornado
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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.
