Classic Bike Racing

[calmone]

I have been thinking about what to do with my 1934 KSS Velocette,which had been raced extensively in the 30s and 40s.It is still a pretty original bike aside from the front end and guard which were wiped out circa 1936.My preferred option is to Classic Race her rather than restore for the road. Anyone on KB invoved in this I am located on the North Shore, and would welcome some advice.

[GSVR]

Did you go to the last classic festival at Puke it included the 100 year celebration of Velocettes. One of them under the Gazebo in the background of the pic was an X Burt Munro machine (Must have been before he saw more potential in Indians).

I'm sure there must be a club or something for them in NZ as theres quite a few of them around.

[Paul in NZ]

An old Velo... horrible thing mate.. probably take you leg off if you try and start it so best thing is to dump the pesky thing before you get hurt... Tell you what, as a special favour because you are new I'll whip 'round with me trailer and get rid of it for you.. No need to thank me.. I'm a kind soul that loves helping people...

Not convinced?

Oh well... Seriously, if you have a few bucks to spare (well OK more than a few) to give the engine a refresh, buy a set of leathers etc then join up the NZ Classic Motorcycle Racing register. http://www.nzcmrr.com/

They are a great bunch and turn on one of the (if not THE) best event in NZ at Pukekohe every year. HIGHLY recommended. The Velo would qualify in the 'you bloody beauty' class where fun is had by all... GO FOR IT!

But if you don't want to... Can I have first dibs on it 'cos I sure would...

[calmone]

Thanks for the feed back guys. I am a member of the Velocette register and did get to Puke for the meet, I have been to a lot of them over the years. The reason for my post was to see if there were any KB members involved in Classic Racing on the Shore. I will investigate the Classic Motorcycle Register and join up. Paul in NZ the bike was my late fathers, who raced velos pre war all around the NI.It was the first bike I went on at two years old(sitting on the tank) riding down our drive, and has had to wait its turn to be reborn. I had a couple of cars to play with and a 61 Thunderbird 6T to re assemble before I could start on it. Engine has been fairly modified about 12.5 :1 comp and is fun to kick start. I have had a few offers for the Bike but would never sell it, and do not really want to ride it on the road so figure its hillclimbs and the track.

[calmone]

Paul in NZ ,one of the guys I sometimes ride with is a Guzzi man from the Shore (Dave G) I think he went south on his California for the Rally.

[Paul in NZ]

Hi

Yup, I know Dave. Nice chap (well of course - rides a Moto Guzzi - bound to nice)

Honestly, your bike is virtually priceless to your family and whatever you would get for it on the open market would not replace it's worth as a piece of family history.

One thing I would recommend is to collect copies of whatever documentation, photographs etc I could find related to the bike and save them while family members are still in posession of them. Even write down the bikes history NOW before it's lost as it's often not an actual objects value thats important but it's place in history and associations.

I have spannered for a friend on a couple of occasions at classic meetings and done a little bike set up and prep. My order of business is...

1: Make sure it is reliable!
2: Make it comfortable (adjust controls etc)
3: Chassis (check the front end in particular)
4: Brakes
5: Engine

I'd take a good look at the rules as well. At 12:1 comp ratio the bike probably ran on dope / Methanol back in it's era as commonly availiable pool petrol was pretty dreadful stuff. If it has been run on Methanol it will have needed Castrol R or another vegetable based oil and it was usual to strip the engine to clean it all out before returning to mineral oils.

Not sure if you can run methanol any more? So check the rules.

If you can run it in a 'road bike' class you will probably be a bit more competitive as well. But thats up to you!

In truth, I'm as jealous as hell. Nice bike, my fave era, more fun than you can shake a stick at and I hope you find time to post a few pictures of the beast.

Paul N

[calmone]

I do have a lot of the bikes history,photos and documentation. My fathers mate and he bought two new velo kss in 1934,the one I have was owned by my fathers mate 1934 to 1938 raced and ridden on the road during this time.Sold to another friend who owned it until 1948 and then bought by my father in 1948. My fathers original KSS ended up being sold when my parents married in 1938. Len Southward ended up with the engine from this bike but in another frame. The engines were almost identical, they did run on a doctored fuel mix when racing but when riding to and from meetings, often Wgton to Muriwai or Waiheke and back a "compression plate" was fitted between head and barrel so they would run on pump gas. I will post some photos. Dick

[Paul in NZ]

I do have a lot of the bikes history,photos and documentation. My fathers mate and he bought two new velo kss in 1934,the one I have was owned by my fathers mate 1934 to 1938 raced and ridden on the road during this time.Sold to another friend who owned it until 1948 and then bought by my father in 1948. My fathers original KSS ended up being sold when my parents married in 1938. Len Southward ended up with the engine from this bike but in another frame. The engines were almost identical, they did run on a doctored fuel mix when racing but when riding to and from meetings, often Wgton to Muriwai or Waiheke and back a "compression plate" was fitted between head and barrel so they would run on pump gas. I will post some photos. Dick

Sounds like you are pretty well onto it Dick!

If they fitted a compression plate under the head I assume the OHC drive (KSS is OHC??) has a sliding coupling to allow this? (I suppose it must to allow for expansion)

Hard men in those days!