1967 Velocette LE200, Mk III, 192 cc. Registration number LR...

Hammer

£1,450

1967 Velocette LE200, Mk III, 192 cc. Registration number LRH 914F (not registered with DVLA). Frame number 8549/34. Engine number 8549/3.
Velocette's LE (little engine), affectionately known as 'The Policeman's Friend' because of its adoption by over 50 police forces, was announced in October 1948, the police riders became known as "Noddies" because they were required to nod to senior officers, and the LE was nicknamed "the Noddy Bike". It was acclaimed world-wide for its quietness in running, its enveloping 'coachwork', comfort and safety. Early models were powered by a 149cc engine; however in 1951 capacity was increased to 192cc for the Model LE 200. Advanced technical features included a water-cooled, twin-cylinder, horizontally-opposed engine, shaft final drive and pressed steel, box-section frame with readily adjustable rear springing. The LE was revolutionary but expensive to produce. In 1952 it was priced at £173 and offered a maximum speed of 55mph. It remained in production until 1971, having struggled against, but seen off, competition from the motor scooter during its long production run.
In 1958, Velocette launched the Mk III LE with a foot operated gear change and a conventional kick start. An extra gear was added, together with 18-inch-diameter wheels. The instrumentation was relocated to the head lamp, and the petrol capacity was increased from a meagre 1.25 to 1.62 imperial gallons
With ten years' development, the Velocette LE was more reliable and practical, but on 3 February 1971, the company went into voluntary liquidation. The very last motorcycles made in the Veloce factory were LEs. Production of other motorcycles had been delayed or cancelled to produce the LE in various forms, and the lucrative police orders had dried up with the introduction of the "panda car" for patrol use by most forces.
LRH 914F was purchased by the Hull City Engineer on the 9th August 1967, probably from Jordans of Hull, not for Police work, (they had bought theirs from Jordans in 29th May 1963, as a batch interesting with number 900 -916 FKH before being sold on in 1969). This example was used to tour the streets of Hull checking for faulty street lights. In October 1972 it was sold on by the council, by public auction to William Pickard of Cottingham who many years later passed in to our vendor. At this time it was MOT'd at 20,472 miles, today it is at 20,922 and unrestored.
Sold with the V.E.60, a 1973 tax disc and the 1972 MOT.