NOBLE STEED

In 1960’s Britain, riders of lesser machines regarded Velocette’s big singles with awe and their owners with envy.

Though not quite in Vincent territory, they exuded tradition, build quality and longevity — and commanded a premium price to match. Eschewing the gaudy chrome and bright paintwork of the volume bikemakers, Velocette offered buyers a Henry Ford choice of color: echoing the quality brands of the Golden Age, Velocette’s singles were always finished in black with gold pinstriping. It suited their market positioning to a tee.

Velocettes enjoyed a reputation for long-legged cruising capability from a broad powerband and tall gearing. Jokers said of their 500cc singles that at speed, the engine fired about every streetlight; and that their maximum speed and cruising speed were the same. (The latter comment was close to the truth!)

Velocette were also innovators, giving their motorcycles the first positive-stop foot-shift gearbox in 1928, while also being first with swingarm rear suspension (on their 1936 race