The Official 356Talk Forum

Hello Adrian, here are the before pictures of a Velocette Thruxton that I am finishing a "rustoration" on. I have polished the aluminum as well as the rust but no painting has been done. I had been friends of the original owner since before he bought the bike from Dodkin's in London. I bought it from his estate but sadly it has been stored in a damp basement for at least 20 years. It got a thorough mechanical rebuild but I can't bring myself to erase the evidence of my friend's ownership.

Magnificent Velocette! An amazing 500cc single cylinder that ran against far more modern bikes at the world level. I believe it won the 500cc class at the Isle of Man in'67. Beautiful.

Thank you Geoff. I got hooked on Velos by the guy that taught me how to ride in the late 60s. He had one I rode occasionally and they have a special feel.

The attraction lasts in a similar way to the 356 attraction. It's too bad that the 356s rust so badly or we would have more unrestored cars.

lovely to see some British iron, CJ. here's my next 2
variousA 009 (Small) by adrian rendle, on Flickr

and

April 2016 001 (Small) by adrian rendle, on Flickr

embarassingly not British

Adrian Rendle wrote: April 2016 001 (Small) by adrian rendle, on Flickr

embarassingly not British

But still a cool moped, what is it? Do the front fork tubes have suspension? Almost a Meissen Blue (required 356 content )

I like them both. Bikes are the ultimate road going mechanical conveyance. It is a joy to study every detail on an old bike especially because each company had their own distinct style. After all that is what makes a 356 so great also. My life has been truly blessed to have experienced so many wonderful machines.

the Guzzi is in Italian "Forestry Commission" livery and the French Motobecane AV78 has just plenty of rust, (and a bit of front suspension travel) and they will remain visually the same (to get back to the OP)....CJ, i, too, love, just exploring these wonderful pre-computer-designed machines

This topic is split from the "Over-restored" thread

Hey Greg, why not have separate motorcycle and car threads for off topic? "Old Cars" (not Registry qualified)

I bet I know a guy that will post some Stude pictures!

Geoff Fleming wrote:Magnificent Velocette! An amazing 500cc single cylinder that ran against far more modern bikes at the world level. I believe it won the 500cc class at the Isle of Man in'67. Beautiful.

A Velocette Venom Clubman entered by Pinks of Harrow was lying second in the production TT in ‘67 when the gearchange linkage fell to bits. I know because I owned the bike having bought it from Pinks closing down sale.

The Venom Clubman was faster than the Thruxtons, except the Work ones that had a modified cylinder head and Manx Norton piston.



When I got it, the camshaft was worn and the sleeve gear was broken. I may also have had to helicoil the head stud above the magneto stud. They were often stripped.

Sorry about poor photo quality it was taken forty or more years ago with a Polaroid.

My Velo is finished its "rusteration", no paint, no plating, just cleaning and a 100% tear down mechanically. I have to wait for good weather to ride it. 30 years ago I owned a Thruxton a few numbers away.

Very nice Ashley! My bike was ordered and sold through Dodkin's. My friend picked it up during one of his IoM TT vacations.

I loved my Velocettes and really enjoyed everything about them except starting. They could be b———-ds

My old Ducati 160 Monza Jr turned cafe racer.

Nice Sebastian! Bologna proud! Nice chrome tank Honda too. The Black Bomber Jr!