c1959 Velocette Viper 350cc Motorcycle

Description

The Venom and Viper series Velocettes can be traced back to 1955, the two models being of 500cc and 350cc respectively. The single-cylinder Viper was developed from the 349cc MAC and used a bi-metal cylinder with cast iron liner, high compression piston and a light alloy cylinder head. Using the same bottom end as its sister bike the 500cc Venom, the Viper had a lot of chrome plating and was offered in a choice of either Black or "Willow Green" paintwork. The Viper was also ahead of its time, being one of the first bikes to have fibre glass (fairing) panels from 1962. These panels proved unpopular with the traditional buyers, as they extended from the front of the engine, level with the top of the crankcase, to the rear pillion footrests.