The Knowledge - Velocette Owners Club

diameter . I bought a pair of clip ons from Grove which were supposedly 'Thruxton type ' but were not
correct . the Velo clip on bars butt onto the tube which clamps onto the fork leg . the ones I obtained
were secured in front of the fork leg clamp . I kept them until I found a pair of second hand ones at an
Autojumble .
#1917 What is the exact bolt up configuration for the loops most forward bolt on both sides?
#1925 These bolt into the fixing point inside the 'arcuate ' section of the frame . 5/16 bolts with
spacers to ensure they clear the shock absorber tops on adjustment . The offside mount is also the
mounting for the VMT oil tank.
L #2170 As part of the continuing re-build I took the rear damper units off the 1963 Venom, and
discovered there is about 12 thou of side play on the swing arm trunnions. Otherwise they feel fine.
Now I have owned the machine since 1970 and the previous owner since 1967, and since neither he
nor I ever touched them, it maybe they havent been moved since they came out of the factory. So the
question is what should I do. I could 1. just tighten the thing up (need to be creative re the tool required)
2. take it apart and put new felt washers in (is this still the state of the art?) 3. just forget it If I move
anything I am worried about getting the whole thing lined up properly without the mystical, special
alignment tool Input anyone?
#2171 It depends if you are purely talking about end play or if there is play in the bushes. If end play,
set bike up on centre stand with rear wheel on the ground and slacken one trunnion clamp and tap the
swinging arm with a rubber hammer or similar to take up play. The relationship between the two
swinging arms will remain the same. If there is play in the bushes these and a new trunnion if
necessary can be obtained from Grove Classic Motorcycles (great service). I undertook this work over
the winter on my Viper, and it was not as difficult as the service manual makes out. Use a local
precision engineering firm to ream out the bushes to size once fitted into the frame The finished
sizes/clearance can be found on the Velo Ownere Club Web Site under technical info. Setting the
swinging arms up in parallel needed a little bit of ingenuity and a metre spirit level. The swinging arms
were clamped together using long threaded rod and a 2 large brass plumbers nuts of a diameter wide
enough to clear the trunnion and 2 suitably sized steel washers.
#2187 There should be NO endplay on the swinging arm assembly. Two special washers are pulled
together using a length of studding through the "pin".
L #2661 I have fitted new bushes top and bottom to my 1961 venom and reading the technical
info came across this which refers to the top bush:- "Original bushes were slightly shorter with a
machined grove to allow the oil to seep back to the fork leg. Only suitable for the 1.250 dia.
stanchions." My bushes do not have this return groove will this be a problem?
#2685 Don't worry, most of us are using non grooved bushes
L #2826 According to the various books I have all I need to do is slide the fork slider tube
assembly smartly along the tube to jar the seal and bush free. Does anyone have a trick or alternative
method? For further information if this helps. The forks tube is rusted and must be replaced. Judging by
that much of the other parts are due for replacement.
#2830 That's exactly how to do it! Clamp the slider by the spindle boss in a set of soft jaws to protect it,
screw out the spring from its location and remove it, then use the stanchion as a slide hammer to
remove the top bush and seal - easy!.
L #3133 I am currently re-building a 1970 Venom Clubman, the shock absorbers are well past
their best. Could anyone recommend a replacement? I have heard that NJBs are quite good? Any
advice would be gratefully received..
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