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
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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.
Andy Higham
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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.
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.
Matchless
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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.
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.
A MAC is a 350 Plonker, reliable but not a performance machine, an MSS is essentialy a 500 MAC and a good reliable period tourer untroubled by distance or hills. A well known Rally Attendee in Australia has done a number of Continental crossings on his MSS, 3300km/2000mls each way and one of the returns was The Long Way.
A Viper is quite different, very similar cycle parts to the MAC ans MSS with better brakes and a redesigned short stroke engine, 72 x 86mm for more performance, more like a 350 Goldie. The Venom and Thruxton have square engines, 86 x 86mm.
A Viper, Venom, their Clubman variations and the Thruxton use the same cases (The Viper barrel has a thick base to fit the cases and the primary and final drive ratios are different), different heads, valves, ports, carbs and the Thruxton uses ratioed valve gear. Bikes could be ordered with a choice of magnetos, carburetors, exhausts, gearbox ratios, cams, compression, the factory would build a bike to order so you never really know what you have got untill you get into it. Parts comonality is great and you can build a Viper into a Venom or Thruxton if you wish.
Common oppinion seems to be that a Viper is the sweetest runner, my Viper goes well and the handling is surprisingly good.
My problem is that I live in a hilly area and a relatively heavy 350 with a 4 spead 'box needs to be reved hard, which it is quite happy to do, I have seen 70mph in 3rd gear. A Venom would suit me better, horses for courses.
They are a beautifully made machines, sometimes called the 'Engineers' or 'Watchmakers' motorcycle. I have a mate, a Toolmaker, with 9 Nortons, singles and twins as well as other bikes, when he first saw inside a Velocette hes said he was Very Impressed.
Velocette parts availability would rival Commando's.
They are kind of addictive.
