1958 Velocette 499cc Venom
Registration no. WFJ 422
Frame no. RS 10885
Engine no. VM 4313

Post-war, Velocette's '500' was their pre-war MSS design, given a relatively modern square engine dimension in 1954. In 1956, a sporting variant, the Venom entered the range, retaining the classic Velocette adjustable rear suspension but with a tuned, all-alloy engine derived from the factory's scrambles (Moto-cross) bikes, new, full-width brakes and sharper styling with chrome guards, themselves a sign that the years of wartime austerity had passed. The new machine quickly became the standard by which other Velocettes – and, indeed, other makers' sports singles – were judged and was to remain in the range until the end of the Velocette factory in 1971. In fact, so capable was the original design that Velocette's own Vee-line and the Clubman and Thruxton tuned variants failed to eclipse it as the acknowledged epitome of the British sporting single. Today, a good Venom is fully capable of mixing it with modern traffic, its distinctively booming exhaust note marking it and its rider out from all other machines. The make, long-regarded as the home of the motorcycle connoisseur, benefits from an excellent club and spares back-up, making Velocette ownership a pleasure. This example, unused in recent years, has been subtly 'Thruxtonised' with a more sporting tank, rear-sets, exhaust, alloy rims, and engine tuning and has been thoroughly restored and rebuilt as part of an expert's collection. In excellent order complete with old-style V5, it awaits a capable rider.