Lot number	211
Hammer value	N/S (est. £1,300 - £1,500)
Description	Velocette LE
Registration	XMR 859A
Year	1963
Colour	Red
Engine size	200 cc
Chassis No.	592734
Engine No.	3611/3

After the war, Velocette sought to exploit the growing demand for cheap personal transport with the Velocette LE

Launched in 1948 under the slogan ‘The Motorcycle for Everyman’, it bristled with innovative features designed to appeal to ordinary motorists of either sex. These included an exceptionally smooth and quiet water-cooled horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder engine; generator and coil ignition for easier starting; a car type clutch pedal; multi-jet butterfly valve carburetor; shaft-driven rear wheel; glove compartment; leg shields and footboards and a low 28” ride height for stability and ease of riding.

The ride quality was outstanding thanks to the rigidity of the pressed steel frame, a sprung saddle and adjustable coil spring suspension. Top speed was a respectable 50mph with 95mpg economy. However, such innovation did not come cheap and, although it was Velocette’s best-selling model to date (being especially popular with the police), it alienated traditional motorcyclists and was never quite as popular as they had hoped.

Reported by the vendor to run sweetly and ride well, its last MOT expired in July of last year, so it will need to be presented for a new test before it's rider can enjoy its next jaunt on the public highway.