S-21898-0-1

212Property of a deceased’s estatec.1930 Velocette 349cc KSSRacing MotorcycleRegistration no. EOV 989Frame no. 3835Engine no. 3391Continuously developed, the innovative Velocette two-strokeshad proved reliable, economical and very popular, but by the early1920s it had become apparent that a more upmarket model wasrequired. Other manufacturers were fielding new overhead-valve andoverhead-camshaft machines, and Veloce Ltd followed suit, the PercyGoodman-designed, overhead-cam Model K first appearing in 1924.Of 348cc, the new engine employed a single overhead camshaftdriven by vertical shaft, and was unusual in having a very narrowcrankcase, an arrangement determined by the existing transmissionand frame design, which made for a stiff crankshaft assembly. Enteredin the 1925 Isle of Man TT, the new model K did not fare well, all threeentries retiring because of lubrication problems. Its engine redesignedto incorporate dry-sump oiling, the ‘cammy’ Velo returned the followingyear to score a memorable victory, Alec Bennett romping home in theJunior race 10 minutes ahead of the second-place rider! Second placein 1927 followed by another win for Bennett in 1928 ensured a healthydemand for Velocette’s overhead-cam roadsters and prompted thelaunch of the KTT, one of the most successful over-the-counter racersof all time.By the end of the 1920s Veloce’s range of K-Series roadsters boasteda host of variations on the theme that included Normal, Sports, SuperSports, Touring, Economy and twin-port models. Introduced in 1925,the KSS was the Super Sports version while the KTS tourer employedthe same overhead camshaft engine in virtually identical cycle parts,differences being confined mainly to mudguard style and wheel sizes.This particular KSS MkI comes with dating letters from renownedmarque specialist Ivan Rhodes stating that the frame formed partof a machine despatched to the Premier Motor Co, Birmingham inDecember 1930 while the engine had been in another KSS sent toVelocette agent Bell in Blackheath in June of that year. A letter from thelate Jeff Clew states that the engine, ‘3391’, is of the type fitted withthe improved Hoffman big-end bearing. The machine was registeredin 1939 as ‘EOV 989’. Modified for Clubman’s racing, the KSS waspreviously owned and ridden in competition by Malcolm Barron, whobequeathed it to the vendor’s late father in 1989. ‘EOV 989’ was lastMoT’d in 1991 and will require re-commissioning before returningto the road. Sold strictly as viewed, the machine is offered with theaforementioned letters, old-style continuation logbook, assortedcorrespondence and old/current V5/V5C documents.£6,000 - 8,000€7,600 - 10,00032 | the Autumn stafford sale