Velocette Thruxton
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Velocette |
|---|---|
| Also called | Venom Thruxton |
| Production | 1965–1971 |
| Predecessor | Velocette Venom |
| Engine | 499 cc (30.5 cu in), OHV air cooled single 9:1 compression ratio Amal 5GP2 13/8 carburettor |
| Top speed | 180 km/h (110 mph) |
| Power | 31 kW (41 bhp) @ 6,200 rpm |
| Brakes | front drum, 7.5 inch John Tickle 2LS, rear drum |
| Wheelbase | 139.1 centimetres (54.75 in) |
| Seat height | 30.5 inches |
| Weight | 180 kg (390 lb) (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gallons |
| Oil capacity | 4 pints |
| Fuel consumption | 60mpg at 65mph |
The Velocette Thruxton was a sporting motorcycle produced by Velocette between 1965 and 1971. Revealed at the 1964 Earls Court Show, it was the final development of Velocette's antiquated pushrod single, the Venom.
Sometimes referred to as the Venom Thruxton or simply Thruxton, some surviving examples could be 'upgraded' replicas based on the Venom or Viper, as many parts in the range were interchangeable. Due to the high values involved and possibility of fakes, a register was established by a member of the Velocette Owners Club, using production data of engine and frame numbers acquired after the factory closure, to enable owners and potential buyers to confirm provenance when selling and buying.
The Thruxton ceased production only when the company folded in 1971.
An optional cylinder head for the Venom became available for racers in 1964; a Venom equipped with this revised cylinder head took first in its class at that year's Thruxton 500, a 500-mile (800 km) endurance road race. Veloce introduced the Venom Thruxton production model in 1965 with an advertised 41 horsepower at the crankshaft. Period tests clocked it at 110 mph (180 km/h) without race tuning.
The well-proven Venom was improved by Velocette designer (and owning-family member) Bertie Goodman with rearward placed footrests having brake pedal and remote gear-change linkage to suit, close-ratio four speed gearbox, alloy rims, twin-leading shoe front brake and 'clip-on' handle bars. The engine gained a race specification cylinder head to accommodate extra-large valves, a downdraught inlet port and an Amal 5GP2 13/8 bore carburettor with extended inlet tract which was so long it required a special cut out in the rear of the fuel tank. The upgraded engine delivered 41 brake horsepower (31 kW), 5 bhp more than the Venom.
It was important for eligibility in endurance races such as the Thruxton 500 that competing motorcycles were genuine production machines, but although the Velocette Thruxton was sold in a road-going version, it was really targeted at the racing fraternity.
...
Wikipedia