Velocette Venom Clubman
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Make Model | Velocette Venom Clubman |
Year | 1960 - 66 |
Engine | Single cylinder, OHC, 4-stroke |
Capacity | 499 cc / 30.5 cub in |
Bore x Stroke | 86 x 86 mm |
Compression Ratio | 8.75:1 |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Lubrication | Wet sump |
Carburetor | TT Amal racing, monobloc |
Exhaust | Single, megaphone |
Spark Plug | KLG FE100 / Champion N3 / NGK B8ES, Lodge 3HLN |
Ignition | Miller type D6 with automatic volt regulation |
Battery | 6V, 60W |
Starting | Kick start |
Max Power | 27.2 kW / 37 hp @ 5900 rpm |
Clutch | Dry, three-plate |
Transmission | 4 Speed constant mesh, close ratio |
Gear Ratios | 1st 9.25 / 2nd 7.03 / 3rd 5.35 / 4th 4.87:1 |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Single down-tube and twin bottom rails |
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 hydraulic damping and an offset wheel spindle |
Rear Suspension | Woodhead-Monroe springs with hydraulic damping, later Armstrong and Girling, adjustable |
Front Brakes | 7.5 x 1.5 in, drum |
Rear Brakes | 7 x 1 in, drum |
Front Wheel | WM2 x 19 |
Rear Wheel | WM2 x 19 |
Front Tyre | 3.25 x 19 in, ribbed |
Rear Tyre | 3.25 x 19 in, studded |
Rake | 27° |
Dry Weight | 183 kg / 404 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 19.3 L / 5.1 US gal |
Top Speed | 161 km/h / 100 mph |
Colours | Black/chrome,Red/black, White/black |
Source | Wikipedia |
From 1960, Velocette produced the Venom (and the Viper) in a Clubman racing version, fitted with TT Amal carburettors, a manually controlled BTH racing magneto (in place of the Lucas unit) and a close-ratio gearbox, with the compression ratio raised to 9.3 to 1. The Venom Clubman dispensed with the glass fibre enclosure and instead made a feature of highly polished crankcase and gearbox castings. Supplied with "rearset" controls, lowered handlebars and a steering damper, the Clubman also had a range of optional accessories including a "megaphone" exhaust silencer, a rev counter and light alloy wheel rims. Although they could be difficult to start – an entire section in the owners handbook was dedicated to starting technique – experienced Clubman riders found them easy to maintain and fast, as the Venom Clubman could achieve over 100 mph. In 1966 the Venom was upgraded to the Mk II, which had the Thruxton front forks fitted with rubber gaiters, a twin leading shoe front brake and narrowed mudguards, combined with a new exhaust design giving it a more modern sports motorcycle look.
On the 18th March 1961 a production Velocette Venom Clubman set the 24-hour world record at a speed of 100.05 mph.
The record attempt took place at the Montlhery speed bowl, a 2.7 km concrete track just outside Paris with a very uneven road surface and poor track lighting.
A team of six French riders were accompanied by motorcycle journalist Bruce Main Smith, who achieved the best lap time of 107 mph despite the poor lighting conditions. After securing the 12 hour record at more than 104 mph, the team went on to complete the 24 hour endurance record attempt.
Stopping only to change riders and refuel (from a bucket using a funnel) the Venom secured the world record. It was the first motorcycle of any size to achieve an average speed of over 100 mph for 24 hours and to this date no other motorcycle of the same capacity has been able to equal this world record.
The publicity was very important for Velocette, as the success revived sales of the Venom which went on to become one of Velocette's best selling motorcycles.