1961 Velocette Venom
From the Keith Mason collection

Registration No: 147 PKK
Frame No: RS15275
MOT: Exempt

• Authentically restored 500 Venom
• Good paperwork file of receipts and manuals
• Supplied with its original RF60 and a current V5C

A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Keith Mason started working in his local bike shop at the age of 15 before eventually branching out on his own a few years later. From humble beginnings selling secondhand bikes from a small shop, Keith built up the Moto GB empire to become one of the biggest motorcycle retailers and importers in the UK. The group has now grown to include 15 retail shops and is responsible for importing 9 different brands, also supplying many independent dealers, including QJ Motor, Voge, Lambretta, FB Mondial, Morbidelli, SYM and Hero. Keith sadly passed away in 2023, but in recent years he had put together a fantastic collection of his favourite classic bikes, ranging from a humble Honda Express to a beautiful Egli Vincent, documenting his lifetime in the trade. We are pleased to offer all 31 bikes from this collection in our March sale.

Velocettes were produced by Veloce Ltd in Hall Green, Birmingham between 1904 and 1971. Velocette was a family-owned firm selling almost as many hand-built motorcycles during its lifetime as the mass-produced machines from the likes of Triumph and Norton. Veloce, while small, was a great technical innovator and many of its patented designs are commonplace on motorcycles today including the positive-stop foot shift and swinging arm rear suspension with hydraulic dampers. Renowned for the quality of its products, the company was "always in the picture" in international motorcycle racing from the mid 1920s through to the 1950s, culminating in two 350cc World Championship titles and its legendary, and still-unbeaten, record of averaging over 100mph for 24 hours on a 500cc single cylinder machine. This was achieved on a Venom in 1961, cementing its reputation as one of the best sports bikes of its day. This example has been authentically restored in the past, keeping a good degree of originality. It comes with the original buff log book, service manual and spare parts book together with a number of invoices/receipts for work completed over the years. This machine is being sold as a collector’s item, part of Keith’s stunning private collection of Vintage and Classic machines which have all been dry stored for several years and will require recommissioning before use. It will be supplied with a current V5C.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415871189