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another pic...

Great looking machine Steve. It is one of the bikes I always had on my "wish list". It looks like yours has a Mikuni Carburator, Right?

Hi Peter, yes it had a Mikuni but I recently changed it for a Monobloc as it just didnt look right (although I have to say I think it ran better on the Mikuni!) I'm fiddling around getting the jet and needle positions right as its a bit of guesswork as the ports have been opened up in the head. I'm currently on a 350 mainjet same as a Goldie, seems about right. When its on song its such a sweet bike to ride. I would like to find a Thruxton type finned inlet but it needs 2inch stud centres both ends, anyone got one?

Heres another pic showing a better engine shot and Mikuni..

Beautiful bike. I don't think I'd take appearance points off for the Mikuni, it doesn't look bad on there.

But if it runs just about as well with an AMAL, I think I'd get more satisfaction out of riding it with an original-type carb on there.

They have a reputation for hard-starting because of the low gearing between the kickstart and the crank ... how's yours?

Lannis

Well much has been said about starting a velocette! It has been said that its easier to start a war than a velo and the advice is to live on a hill!

Its really not that bad, certainly made more difficult by the short kickstart and gearing. I think the answer is to make sure the ignition is spot on with a good spark. Most bad starting is I believe ignition related rather than fuel. I usually give the carb a good old tickle until petrol comes out, dont bother with the air lever, one slow kick with the valve lifter pulled, back to compression and then give it an almighty swing with the throttle held open only a touch. If the heat shield on the oil tank (which acts like a cheesegrater) hasnt taken the skin off the inside of your right knee your lucky. All good fun really. Starting hot on mine isnt bad at all, but usually needs a tickle even after a short stop. The real answer as for a lot of velocette issues, and they are mostly from its quirkiness, is to get involved and to really get to know your bike. Its so worth it for when its set up right there isnt much better. but then i'm biased!

Lannis,
You missed my Velo at Mid Ohio this year. It is usually a 1-2 kick starter. I just follow the drill set out in the owners manual. Tickle, free clutch, find compression, pull in compression release, push kicker all the way down, let kicker up and take slack out of throttle cable, and give her a boot. I also find that this procedure works pretty well for most big singles with a compression release.

Ed from NJ

Years ago we used to have issues starting Velos but once we ditched the old mags they became one or two kick starts.

Even in the South Island in winter ice and snow.

What a lovely thing. Envy is a terrible affliction, and this forum creates plenty of fit in me.

In 1963 I rode a 50's something AJS 500 single. I loved that old bike.

However, even then I looked at 500 Velos as THE macho bike. Though I ended up with Triumphs, because most everybody did, I never did forget that period when I so desperately wanted that Velo 500.

Though I envy you, I could not get the old tart running these days. I hope they make them in heaven!! RR