Velocette MSS
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Make Model | Velocette MSS |
Year | 1935 - 68 |
Engine | Single cylinder, 4-stroke |
Capacity | 499 cc / 30.5 cub in |
Bore x Stroke | 86 x 86 mm |
Compression Ratio | 6.75:1 |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Carburetor | Amal Monobloc |
Lubrication | Dry sump |
Exhaust | Single, megaphone silencer |
Ignition | Magnetor, Lucas system |
Starting | Kick start |
Battery | 6V, 60W |
Max Power | 19.9 kW / 27 hp @ 5000 rpm |
Transmission | 4 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Gear Ratios | 1st 14 / 2nd 9.6 / 3rd 7.3 / 4th 5.5:1 |
Dimensions | Length: 2130 mm / 84.0 in. Width: 700 mm / 27.5 in Height: 990 mm / 39.0 in |
Wheelbase | 1365 mm / 53.75 in |
Ground Clearance | 140 mm / 5.5 in |
Seat Height | 775 mm / 30.5 in |
Front Suspension | Telescopic fork with 2-way hydraulic damping |
Rear Suspension | Woodhead-Monroe springs with hydraulic damping, later Armstrong and Girling, adjustable |
Front Brakes | Drum |
Rear Brakes | Drum |
Front Wheel | WM2 x 19 |
Rear Wheel | WM2 x 19 |
Front Tyre | 3.25 x 19 in |
Rear Tyre | 3.25 x 19 in |
Rake | 27° |
Fuel Capacity | 19.3 L / 5.1 US gal |
Dry Weight | 170 kg / 375 lbs |
Top Speed | 130 km/h / 80 mph |
Colours | Black/chrome, Red/black, White/Black |
Source | Wikipedia, Motos-anglaisis |
The Velocette MSS is a motorcycle made by Velocette. It was fast, reliable and economical but could not compete against a new range of British twin-cylinder motorcycles. Production ended in 1968.
It was launched in 1935 as a 500cc sports version. World War II halted production which did not resume until 1954. The new MSS was a much more modern machine with the same frame as the Velocette MAC and was fitted with sidecar lugs and had optional panniers to appeal to the touring market. Buyers started tuning the MSS for speed, however, and the factory responded by producing the sports Velocette Venom model. In 1955 a scrambles version was also produced.
Racing history
Burt Munro from New Zealand, featured in the film The World's Fastest Indian raced a heavily modified 1936 Velocette MSS. Racing preparation included making special pistons, changing the frame and increasing engine capacity to 650 cc. His top speed record on this motorcycle was 138 mph (222 km/h) with a 1/4 mile time of 12.31 seconds.