1966 Velocette Venom, 499 cc. Registration number GNB 833D. ...

Hammer

£4,600

1966 Velocette Venom, 499 cc. Registration number GNB 833D. Frame number RS 18833. Engine number VM5344 (see text).
The Venom was Velocette’s hottest bike from its inception in 1955. In 1961 factory-prepared Venom with a small fairing set the world's 24-hour endurance speed record of 100.05 MPH at the Montlhery race track in France. The record stood until 2008 for 500 cc motorcycles. The 499 cc Venom was derived from the Velocette MSS. In a field crowded with a new crop of vertical twins from nearly every maker, Velocette simply didn't have the means to join the vertical twin race. They had to make do with what they had, that being a line of very advanced singles. Designed by Eurgene Goodman (son of the owner) and Charles Udall, the Venom engine of 'square' bore and stroke dimensions of 86 x 86 mm had an alloy cylinder with cast iron liner, an alloy cylinder head and a high compression piston. The cam was set high in the crankcase to allow for very short pushrods. This offered some of the benefits of an overhead cam setup, but was much simpler and cheaper to produce.
The MSS frame and forks were retained for the newcomer, but full-width alloy hubs were adopted to boost braking power and smart chromed mudguards fitted to enhance the models' sporting image. Manufactured until the end of Velocette production in 1971, the Venom represents the final glorious flowering of the traditional British sports single.
GNB was first registered on the 30th September 1966 and its subsequent history is unknown until P. Dawson of Northwich bought it in the July of 1987, as this was the last time it was taxed one presumes it was a non-runner. In April 1990 Britbikes of Bolton bought it and at some point sold it to Mike Hanson, although he never informed DVLA. Earlier this year it was sold on and registered from the old V5 but the buyer has subsequently returned it as he is not happy with the engine number stamping. He has stated that the bike is fitted with Dunlop alloy rims and a Velocette twin-leading shoe front brake. A steel 4 ¼ gallon Clubman tank matches the later fast-back twin-seat. The engine is fitted with a BTH TT manual advance magneto and the early series heavy flywheels. A new Omega piston has been fitted and the cylinder barrel bored to suit. The Velocette clutch and primary chain is retained and drives the prefix 12 gearbox. Sold with the new V5C, buyers should satisfy themselves as to the correctness of the machine.