c1951 Velocette Le MkII 200cc Motorcycle

Description

Velocette, a small manufacturer of motorcycles from Birmingham, established a reputation for building high quality, innovative bikes from its inception in 1908. One of the most innovative - but ultimately unsuccessful - models was developed in the years immediately following the end of the Second World War. Designated the LE (which stood for Light Engined), the new model was largely the vision of one man, the company's director Eugene Goodman who, like so many before him, wanted to bring motorised transportation to the masses. Quite unlike anything made by Velocette previously, the LE used a 149cc water-cooled flat twin with shaft drive and a radical frame design that was different from anything else on the road. Designed by Charles Udall, the LE had a hand-operated gearchange, coil ignition, crank start and alloy fairings that housed the instruments either side of the tank. The pressed steel frame had plenty of rubber to damp vibrations and soundproofing to muzzle noise and the silenced engine ensured the LE is one of the quietest motorcycles ever made. A glove box and detachable panniers made the bike practical as well, but the unusual looks and high price meant sales failed to live up to expectations. A revised Mark II model was announced in 1951, featuring an enlarged 192cc engine with slightly more power (up from 6 to 8 horsepower), stronger rear swing arm, better brakes and other improvements. Even a drop in the price failed to excite the public but Velocette persevered and released a Mark III version in 1958, with a foot-change and conventional kick start. One of the key reasons the LE survived so long was a decision by the British Police to begin using the bikes and ultimately around half the total production would be pressed into service by the local constabulary, giving rise to the ?Noddy? nickname - riders were forbidden from saluting whilst riding so adopted a deferential nod whilst passing superiors. The LE died with Velocette in 1970 and it remains something of a curiosity outside Britain, with great appeal for collectors and bike enthusiasts generally. As a classic commuter, the Velocette LE would also make a great alternative to the ubiquitious 'Postie' bikes or Vespas.