The Velocette KTT Mk VIII is a British racing motorcycle made by Veloce, Ltd. who built motorcycles named the Velocette. The Mk VIII KTT was ultimate development of their K series of overhead-camshaft 350cc machines introduced in 1925, and the TT designation indicated a production racing motorcycle, and a near replica of the factory race team machines. Production continued until 1950.[1]
The final development of the Velocette KTT, the Mk VIII KTT was introduced in 1938 at that year's Earls Court Show, and was the first motorcycle to use the now-conventional swinging-arm rear fork with a shock absorber unit (in this case, an oleo-pneumatic unit built by the Oleo Strut Co. of England). The rear suspension system was designed by Veloce development engineer Harold Willis, and was inspired by the Oleo strut landing gear on the DeHavilland Hornet he borrowed at the Midland Aero Club, while his beloved DeHavilland 'Moth' was undergoing repair. Contact with the Oleo company led to several pairs of air shocks built for Veloce in 1936, for which the factory's racing rigid-frame racers (similar to the Mark VII KTT) were adapted with a swinging-fork rear end and bolt-on subframe for the seat. The experimental first swinging-arms used an adapted steering head lug turned sideways, with the cup-and-cone bearings retained. Production Mark VIII KTTs used a more conventional bronze bush and trunnion shaft pivot for the one-piece rear fork. The first experimental swing-arm machines were raced by the factory in the 1937 season, and introduced as the Mark VIII KTT the next year, for sale to the public.[2]
The Mark VIII KTT was offered from 1938 - 1950, after which Veloce closed its racing department.
^Kemp, Andrew; De Cet (2004). Classic British Bikes. Mirco. Bookmart Ltd. ISBN1-86147-136-X.
^'Velocette; Technical Excellence Exemplified', Ivan Rhodes, 2003 (Motorbooks) ISBN978-0760316931
External links
Detailed analysis of the Velocette Mk VIII engine design and construction
Veklocette Mk VIII racing specials
January 05, 2023
velocette, viii, british, racing, motorcycle, made, veloce, built, motorcycles, named, velocette, viii, ultimate, development, their, series, overhead, camshaft, 350cc, machines, introduced, 1925, designation, indicated, production, racing, motorcycle, near, r. The Velocette KTT Mk VIII is a British racing motorcycle made by Veloce Ltd who built motorcycles named the Velocette The Mk VIII KTT was ultimate development of their K series of overhead camshaft 350cc machines introduced in 1925 and the TT designation indicated a production racing motorcycle and a near replica of the factory race team machines Production continued until 1950 1 Velocette KTT Mk VIIIManufacturerVelocetteProduction1938 1950 approx 240 builtPredecessorVelocette KTT Mark VIIEngine348cc OHC air cooled singleTop speed115mphPower27hp 6500rpmTransmission4 speed foot shift SuspensionFront Webb girder forks Rear swing arm with Oleo air shocks BrakesMagnesium drum brakes 7 dia single leading shoe front and rearTiresFrontl 21 WM1 Rear 19 WM2Fuel capacity4 gal Oil capacity1 gal Contents 1 Development 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksDevelopment EditThe final development of the Velocette KTT the Mk VIII KTT was introduced in 1938 at that year s Earls Court Show and was the first motorcycle to use the now conventional swinging arm rear fork with a shock absorber unit in this case an oleo pneumatic unit built by the Oleo Strut Co of England The rear suspension system was designed by Veloce development engineer Harold Willis and was inspired by the Oleo strut landing gear on the DeHavilland Hornet he borrowed at the Midland Aero Club while his beloved DeHavilland Moth was undergoing repair Contact with the Oleo company led to several pairs of air shocks built for Veloce in 1936 for which the factory s racing rigid frame racers similar to the Mark VII KTT were adapted with a swinging fork rear end and bolt on subframe for the seat The experimental first swinging arms used an adapted steering head lug turned sideways with the cup and cone bearings retained Production Mark VIII KTTs used a more conventional bronze bush and trunnion shaft pivot for the one piece rear fork The first experimental swing arm machines were raced by the factory in the 1937 season and introduced as the Mark VIII KTT the next year for sale to the public 2 The Mark VIII KTT was offered from 1938 1950 after which Veloce closed its racing department See also EditVelocette Velocette KTTReferences Edit Kemp Andrew De Cet 2004 Classic British Bikes Mirco Bookmart Ltd ISBN 1 86147 136 X Velocette Technical Excellence Exemplified Ivan Rhodes 2003 Motorbooks ISBN 978 0760316931External links EditDetailed analysis of the Velocette Mk VIII engine design and construction Veklocette Mk VIII racing specials Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Velocette KTT Mk VIII amp oldid 826881696, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
