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Velocette MSS

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Make Model

Velocette MSS

Year

1935 - 68

Engine

Four stroke, single cylinder,

Capacity

499 cc / 30.5 cub in

Bore x Stroke

86 x 86 mm

Compression Ratio 6.75:1
Cooling System Air cooled
Carburetor Amal Monobloc
Lubrication Dry sump
Exhaust Single, megaphone silencer

Ignition 

Magnetor,  Lucas system
Starting Kick start

Battery

6V, 60W

Max Power

19.9 kW / 27 hp @ 5000 rpm

Transmission 

4 Speed

Final Drive Chain
Gear Ratios 1st 14 / 2nd 9.6 / 3rd 7.3 / 4th 5.5:1

Dimensions

Length:  2130 mm / 84.0 in.

Width:      700 mm / 27.5 in

Height:     990 mm / 39.0 in

Wheelbase

1365 mm / 53.75 in

Ground Clearance

140 mm / 5.5 in

Seat Height

775 mm / 30.5 in

Front Suspension

Telescopic fork with 2-way hydraulic damping

Rear Suspension

Woodhead-Monroe springs with hydraulic damping, later Armstrong and Girling, adjustable

Front Brakes

Drum

Rear Brakes

Drum
Front Wheel WM2 x 19
Rear Wheel WM2 x 19

Front Tyre

3.25 x 19 in

Rear Tyre

3.25 x 19 in

Rake

27°

Fuel Capacity

19.3 L / 5.1 US gal

Dry Weight

170 kg / 375 lbs

Top Speed 130 km/h / 80 mph
Colours Black/chrome, Red/black,  White/Black
Source Wikipedia, Motos-anglaisis

The Velocette MSS is a motorcycle made by Velocette. It was fast, reliable and economical but could not compete against a new range of British twin-cylinder motorcycles. Production ended in 1968.

It was launched in 1935 as a 500cc sports version. World War II halted production which did not resume until 1954. The new MSS was a much more modern machine with the same frame as the Velocette MAC and was fitted with sidecar lugs and had optional panniers to appeal to the touring market. Buyers started tuning the MSS for speed, however, and the factory responded by producing the sports Velocette Venom model. In 1955 a scrambles version was also produced.

Racing history
Burt Munro from New Zealand, featured in the film The World's Fastest Indian raced a heavily modified 1936 Velocette MSS. Racing preparation included making special pistons, changing the frame and increasing engine capacity to 650 cc. His top speed record on this motorcycle was 138 mph (222 km/h) with a 1/4 mile time of 12.31 seconds.