Preserving a Piece of History: The Lasting Legacy of Velocette Motorcycles

Velocette was a British motorcycle manufacturer based in Birmingham, England that was active from 1904 to 1971. The company produced a range of single-cylinder motorcycles that were known for their quality, reliability, and exceptional handling.

Velocette’s first motorcycle, the Velocette VK, was introduced in 1904 and over the years, the company introduced several other models, including the Velocette LE, Velocette MAC, and Velocette Thruxton. These motorcycles were designed for a variety of uses, including racing, touring, and everyday commuting.

Velocette motorcycles were also known for their exceptional handling and balance. The company’s use of a unique frame design, which incorporated a duplex cradle frame and a horizontal engine, allowed for a low center of gravity and improved handling. This made Velocette motorcycles particularly well-suited for racing, and the company had a strong presence in the racing world throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Despite their high-quality and performance, Velocette motorcycles were never produced in large numbers, and the company struggled to compete with larger, more established motorcycle manufacturers. In 1971, the company was forced to close its doors, bringing an end to a truly unique and important piece of British motorcycling history.

Today, Velocette motorcycles are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and the company’s legacy continues to live on. If you’re a fan of vintage motorcycles or British motorcycling history, then a Velocette motorcycle is definitely worth checking out!

The National Motorcycle Museum currently has over 20 Velocettes within its collection, so why not pop and take a look at these beautiful machines plus also browse through our collection of over 1,000 bikes.

Also, we currently have 2 unique Velocette prototypes on loan from Velocette Guru Ivan Rhodes. These are the Supercharged race machine “The Roarer”, and the road going Model O.

The NMM is located at B92 0EJ on Coventry Road in Bickenhill, Solihull and is open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm.