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Velocette MOV

Velocette MOV

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Velocette MOV
Lot number 207
Hammer value £4,100
Description Velocette MOV
Registration PSL 307
Year 1938
Colour Black
Engine size 249 cc
Chassis No. MD 7943
Engine No. MOV 6206

The Velocette motorcycle was made by the modest family-run firm of Veloce Ltd (French for speed) based in Hall Green in Birmingham.

Renowned for their beautifully made, fine handling and sporting machinery, their highly regarded OHC models sold well, but were expensive to produce, requiring a lot of hand-finishing to the complex valve-train.

The solution arrived in 1933 with the introduction of the ‘M’ series, a simplified machine using overhead valves instead of it's predecessors OHC arrangement. The first to arrive was the 250cc MOV which used a ‘square’ configuration of bore and stroke at 68mm x 68mm. An instant success, it was soon joined by the ‘stroked’ 350cc MAC and finally the rapid 500cc MSS.

Despite Veloce Ltd’s small size, they were great innovators, pioneering the positive stop foot gear change and swing-arm suspension using hydraulic shock absorbers, both items found in motorcycles produced to this day.

In 1938 when this machine was produced, they were still using a rigid frame and girder forks which makes this nicely restored machine a very traditional bike to ride. The low seat height and relative light-weight, allied to its modest, yet lively 250cc engine makes it easy to manage, these late ‘30s machines enjoying a strong following amongst motorcyclists of all ages.

Purchased by the vendor in April 2013 in restored condition, it has seen little use since then, this fine machine looking particularly sporting with its large fish-tail exhaust and offering plenty of performance from its lively engine, a top speed of nearly 80mph being guaranteed when they were new.

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