Velocette Viper
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Make Model | Velocette Viper |
Year | 1955 - 68 |
Engine | Single cylinder, 4-stroke |
Capacity | 349 cc / 30.5 cub in |
Bore x Stroke | 72 x 86 mm |
Compression Ratio | 8.0:1 |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Lubrication | Wet sump |
Exhaust | Single |
Spark Plug | KLG FE100 / Champion N3 / NGK B8ES, Lodge 3HLN |
Battery | 6V |
Ignition | Belt driven dynamo, after 1962: Lucas system |
Starting | Kick start |
Max Power | 25 kW / 28 hp @ 7000 rpm |
Clutch | Dry, three-plate |
Transmission | 4 Speed constant mesh, close ratio |
Final Drive | Chain |
Wheelbase | 1353 mm / 53.25 in |
Front Suspension | Telescopic fork with hydraulic compression and rebound damping |
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 |
Rear Tyre | 3.25 x 19 in |
Turning Radius | 4.9 m / 16 ft. |
Rake | 27° |
Fuel Capacity | 13.6 L / 3.6 US gal |
Dry Weight | 165 kg / 364 lbs |
Top Speed | 91 mph |
Colours | Willow green |
Source | Wikipedia |
Introduced in October 1955, the single-cylinder Viper was developed from the 349cc Velocette MAC. Designed by Charles Udall, the Viper's 349cc engine had a bi-metal cylinder with a cast iron liner, high compression piston and a light alloy cylinder head. Using the same bottom end as its sister bike the 500cc Velocette Venom, the Viper had a lot of chrome plating and was offered in a choice of black or "willow green" paintwork. The Viper was also ahead of its time in being one of the first to have glass fibre enclosure panels from 1962. These panels proved unpopular with the traditional buyers of Velocette singles, as they extended from the front of the engine, level with the top of the crankcase, to the rear pillion footrests.