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Velocette KTT Mk VIII 1939

1939 VELOCETTE KTT Mk. VIII. In 1928 and 1929 the Junior I-1 T.T. was won by a Velocette of the type that was virtually the Mk. I KTT  and history repeated itself a decade later when, in the hands of Stanley Woods, "works"-entered models virtually identical to the Mk. VIII won again in 1938 and 1939. The first production batch of thirty-two Mk. VIII was described in Motor Cycling in May, 1939.

This was the first production KTT to be equipped with pivoting-fork rear suspension—a feature pioneered by this factory in the Island—and this was the main change from the Mk. VII. Light-alloy hubs were also introduced front and rear but for front suspension the T.T. Webb girder forks were retained.
The engine, dimensionally the same as the Mk. I at 74 mm. x 81 mm. stroke, had a massive alloy barrel with iron liner and a one-piece alloy head and rocker box with valve seat inserts. Compression ratio was 8-75:1 and valve control was by hairpin springs.

Although the top half of the motor was so vastly different, the crankcase was surprisingly similar to the Mk. I, showing the inherent "rightness" of the original design, with its compact yet stiffly webbed construction. For the first time, light alloy was used for the now-conical hubs themselves, with Elektron backplates.
After the war the Mk. VIII was once more produced by Velocette's and, incidentally, another decade later, won the Junior T.T. in 1947-48 and '49. In the hands of private owners the model was near invincible at small meetings, and it established a reputation for handling that few machines have ever equalled, let alone surpassed. In the early fifties, interest waned at the factory in racing and the racing shop was closed. The Mk. VIII, however, has a direct link with the current factory singles, for their four-speed gearbox is internally identical with the racer and the frame itself bears a very close family resemblance.

SPECIFICATION
Engine: single-cylinder 350 c.c. o.h.c; light-alloy head
and barrel; shaft and bevel drive to camshaft. Ignition: magneto.
Transmission: chain via four-speed gearbox.
Frame: single down-tube cradle type with pivoting-fork
rear suspension controlled by Dowty oil and air
units.
Forks: single-spring Webb girder with friction dampers-