In 1966 the lovely but elderly Velocette Venom was given a racing-inspired overhaul, with a gas-flowed cylinder head, larger valves and an Amal Grand Prix carburetor so big that the base of the fuel tank had to be cut away. It was good for 110mph, and over a thousand ‘Thruxtons’ rolled off the factory floor in Birmingham, England. But by the end of the decade, Velocette was no more, doomed by falling sales. Today, many owners convert their standard Venoms to Thruxton specification—if you’re looking to buy, make sure you know what you’re getting. NB: Paul d’Orléans, the Vintagent, has just posted an evocative report on the 2009 Rally recently hosted by the Velocette Owners Club of North America.
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II | 1/160s | f/13.0 | ISO 100 | Focal length 120mm
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9 Comments
wow.
1) closet velocette love affair here for longer then i can remember (i think i saw one on some trading card once when i was a kid)
2) this one is incredible
3) great shot
awesome bike.
It really breaks the mold in british bikes around that era. Chock full of personality this one!
I was going to name my son Velocette Thruxton, but my wife talked me out of it. I guess that’s a good thing?
I guess it is. Good job you’re not as passionate about the Hodaka Combat Wombat.
The cut-away in the tank was not only because of the size of the GP carb but also the angle of the inlet tract. It may be also worth adding that the other major departures from the standard venom spec. were : (1) Steeper valve angles to enable higher revs. (the valves in the standard Venom tended to knit due to valve bounce at high revs). (2) Twin leading-shoe John Tickle front brake (vast improvement). (3) Heat treated strengthened crankcase to combat the increased stresses owing to the extra power.
It may interest you American readers to know that in 1967, two Thruxton Venoms were entered in the 500 cc production TT in the Isle of Man and they finished 1st and 2nd! The winner, Neil Kelly was clocked at 129 mph (not bad for a road-going 500cc single).
The Venom (pre-Thruxton) set the 24 hour record of over 100mph including fuel, rider, tyre (tire) and chain change stops, in 1961. This record still stands!
Love this bike. A true testament to English engineering
i love it
this is the most beautiful object I have ever seen!
Back in 1960 I owned a 1956 Venom ,rare chrome tank panel model and loved it.
Potentially all the get up and go of a Goldie but with tons more class . A real testiment to fine British engineering. Mine was well worth the 65 pounds I paid for it !!
Today I finished restoring the very first BMW K100 ‘Brick” ever sold in this country in 1983 (New Zealand). Next week, on new metzlers, it will get its first road run for several years.