The Knowledge - Velocette Owners Club

G. The Frame
G.1. Frame, Bodywork, Paint and Polish -
L #302 Finding it hard from archive photos to tell which alloy surfaces should be polished and
which left 'rough' on my '68 Clubman 500 rebuild. Timing chest cover is obvious but what about brake
plates and surfaces on other side of hubs? Gearbox cover on kickstart side? etc.
#304 Regarding which areas to polish on a Velo restore: timing cover valve inspection cover gearbox
outer cover brake plates hub backs Some people do a lot more, like crankcases and gearbox cases,
and some Velos came with unpolished timing covers and gearbox covers (the Specials, with
fiberglass engine covers), which sometimes show up on other bikes. Engine/gearbox cases were very
clean as cast, but not polished
#306 My '68 VMT came from the factory with fully polished engine and gearbox cases. It is totally
unrestored (some might say neglected) and the only remaining polished area was found behind the
primary case! The first (and only previous) owner was definitely not the polishing type, more of a
"working machine" sort. OTOH, my Veeline was completely "as cast". It had f/g covers that hid
everything up to the bottom of the fuel and oil tanks. The difference is very obvious, the castings are
quite rough. I polished the timing cover on the Veeline myself, not a Simichrome job, needed my
buffing wheels and plenty of compound. Still not sure if it was a good idea. I have read that the factory
left the engine and gearbox unpolished on Specials and Veelines to save the labor. Plus it cools better.
But most Velos came with polished cases. Not like a mirror, just bright. I applaud any attempt to resist
"overpolishing" your Velo, too many are overdone.
#307 I have owned both my Venom and MSS since 1973, they too were unrestored. Polished areas
were consistent on each set of castings covering the following Timing cover T/S crank case around
timing cover periphery, front edge of pump housing, front edge of filter bolt housing, front right hand
side of T/S crank case D/S crank case barrel flange, front and bottom of face of crankcase Gearbox
cover and sleeve gear cover Top inch or so of the shell where the serial number is, right the way
around to the concave front side of the shell. Front and rear break plate Front full width hub on the near
side 3 hole disc only on the rear FW hub I was also told by an ex Velo dealer.
#1036 I am always envious when I see Velocettes with polished timing covers and gearbox end
covers. My timing cover is smooth but their gearbox is a very rough casting. Has anyone any useful
advice on how to improve the gearbox appearance. I am not necessarily after a mirror finish but at
least an improvement on what it currently is.
#1037 It basically requires lots of elbow grease but have a look at www.englishcustompolishing.com it
has a wealth of info on the subject
L #352 For the colour schema Velocette had their own identification which gave the original
polychromatic Silver Grey of the 150 the no. 1. For to get this colour I recommend to contact L.E. VELO
SPARES Bullers End 43, Bradford Lane Walsall WS1 3LU.
#447 I have a Le Velocette mk1 I am trying to identify the greyish colour, that they are painted. Does
anyone know the exact colour and where I can get it
#452 According to Roy Bacon's book "Velocette Flat Twins" the colour schema for the Mk1 from 1949-
50 is: Main frame pressing, top and bottom fork crown, front mudguard, front fork legs, front fork lower
shrouds and saddle bracket in silver grey. Polished alloy leg shields and wheel rims, chrome plated
fork stanchions and headlamp rim, dull chrome plated exhaust pipes. Black headlamp shell,
handlebars, headstock, radiator surround, rear engine pressing, rear fork footboards, cylinders, sump,
hubs, generator, silencer box, number plates, battery strap, stand, rear brake pedal and pannier
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