The Knowledge - Velocette Owners Club

L # 5492 I am starting a Venom/Viper based project and have a 1960 frame (with the down tube
welded to the bottom cross member). What interests me is just how accurately aligned or straight
should I expect this frame to be. What has prompted this query is that I have been offering up a pair of
rear set footrest plates that have a 5.875" fixing hole spacing to match the nominal distance between
the centres of the swinging arm trunnion and the bottom centre stand mounting lugs. Having
deliberately not incorporated significant clearance for adjustment, the offside (right) plate fitted neatly
but the nearside (left) one did not line up. Measuring the actual distances between centres on the frame
showed 5.9" (right)and 6.0" (left). As a result I have attempted some basic alignment checks, with the
frame upside down using an machinists spirit level and plumb lines, that show for example that the
bottom rails when set level across adjacent to centrestand lugs are up to 1/16" out crossways adjacent
to the front down tube lug. There is no sign of accident damage on the frame so I am coming to the
view is this level of innaccuracy is probably typical i.e. within tolerance. Is this view correct? Your
thoughts and advice on this and how best to carry out checks would be appreciated.
# 5493 I suspect that frame building was not always as accurate as we might imagine. The front
engine plates on Mk VIII KTTs are drilled to suite each frame; they cannot be swapped over as the
bolts will not pass through. These frames are more of a blacksmith's job than might be expected.
# 5516 I'm sure you are right. Perhaps as long as the swinging arm trunnion bearing is perpendicular
to the headstock bearing, what happens in between, as long as it looks in line, is of no great concern.
L # 5536 can anyone send me info on the toolbox/rear stay fitting. I have a 1936 MAC with a
repro rear stay FK58/25AS supplied with no fixing studs for the mudguard or chainguard. The problem
is: I don`t have a toolbox (yet), I`ve established the position and made/welded on studs for the
mudguard, chainguard. The parts book shows a fourth stud on the toolbox side. Question any info on
location of this stud, is it for the toolbox, how long, what thread.
# 5545 All studs would originally have been 26 TPI, but question as to if you do in fact have the correct
repro. vertical stay. ? If you did , the toolbox mounting would be obvious , as the right hand side stay is
flattened, & 'kinked' forwards to give a vertical, forward facing flat area with 2 holes drilled in it, to which
the rear face of the toolbox mounts with two 1/4 inch bolts. ( I would venture to suggest that the stay is
incorrect ?) Toolbox mounts to the front underside seat stay tube with clamp. Also you mention welding
studs to the stay , - an original type stay would have all studs already welded into place, - 2 to take the
mudguard mounting strap, ( correct position & length is critical), & one for the rear chainguard mount. I
have one repro 'D' type toolbox left in stock, ( complete with all fittings),& have no plans to make any
more.
# 5548 The stay you refer to is the later type FK58/42AS which me previous MAC had. The bike I have
now is earlier according to the parts manual both descriptively and graphically does not have a
flattened section to accommodate the toolbox.
L # 5543 When replacing the split beading around the headlamp cowl (viper) I assume it should
be fixed in place with adhesive, if so what adhesive should I use.\
# 5544 No glue; the beading just clips on.
L # 5566 I know that this is a recurring theme - but can anybody recommend from experience, a
high quality electroplater anywhere in the UK that could do a nice job chroming a restored (but not
chromed) Venom Tank? I don't mind where I send it as long as the results are worth it.
#5567 Cleveland Chroming Co., Ltd (Middlesbrough) TEL 01 642 244 911
# 5574 Try Marque Restore, Unit 4 Shilton Industrial Estate Shilton, Coventry Tel 02 476 622 225. I
have just started using them after seeing the resoration work they did on a badly damaged Gold Star
Tank. The tank was badly dented by the clip on and now looks better than new. I am restoring a Honda
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