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Velocette Venom Clubman

Make Model	Velocette Venom Clubman
Year	1960 - 66
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV
Capacity	499 cc / 30.5 cub in
Bore x Stroke	86 x 86 mm
Compression Ratio	8.75:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Lubrication	Wet sump
Carburetor	TT Amal racing, monobloc
Exhaust	Single, megaphone
Spark Plug	KLG FE100 / Champion N3 / NGK B8ES, Lodge 3HLN
Ignition	Miller type D6 with automatic volt regulation
Battery	6V, 60W
Starting	Kick start
Max Power	27.2 kW / 37 hp @ 5900 rpm
Clutch	Dry, three-plate
Transmission	4 Speed constant mesh, close ratio
Gear Ratios	1st 9.25 / 2nd 7.03 / 3rd 5.35 / 4th 4.87:1
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Single down-tube and twin bottom rails
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 hydraulic damping and an offset wheel spindle
Rear Suspension	Woodhead-Monroe springs with hydraulic damping, later Armstrong and Girling, adjustable
Front Brakes	7.5 x 1.5 in, drum
Rear Brakes	7 x 1 in, drum
Front Wheel	WM2 x 19
Rear Wheel	WM2 x 19
Front Tyre	3.25 x 19 in, ribbed
Rear Tyre	3.25 x 19 in, studded
Rake	27°
Dry Weight	183 kg / 404 lbs
Fuel Capacity	19.3 L / 5.1 US gal
Top Speed	161 km/h / 100 mph
Colours	Black/chrome,Red/black, White/black
Source	Wikipedia

From 1960, Velocette produced the Venom (and the Viper) in a Clubman racing version, fitted with TT Amal carburettors, a manually controlled BTH racing magneto (in place of the Lucas unit) and a close-ratio gearbox, with the compression ratio raised to 9.3 to 1. The Venom Clubman dispensed with the glass fibre enclosure and instead made a feature of highly polished crankcase and gearbox castings. Supplied with "rearset" controls, lowered handlebars and a steering damper, the Clubman also had a range of optional accessories including a "megaphone" exhaust silencer, a rev counter and light alloy wheel rims. Although they could be difficult to start – an entire section in the owners handbook was dedicated to starting technique – experienced Clubman riders found them easy to maintain and fast, as the Venom Clubman could achieve over 100 mph. In 1966 the Venom was upgraded to the Mk II, which had the Thruxton front forks fitted with rubber gaiters, a twin leading shoe front brake and narrowed mudguards, combined with a new exhaust design giving it a more modern sports motorcycle look.

On the 18th March 1961 a production Velocette Venom Clubman set the 24-hour world record at a speed of 100.05 mph.

The record attempt took place at the Montlhery speed bowl, a 2.7 km concrete track just outside Paris with a very uneven road surface and poor track lighting.

A team of six French riders were accompanied by motorcycle journalist Bruce Main Smith, who achieved the best lap time of 107 mph despite the poor lighting conditions. After securing the 12 hour record at more than 104 mph, the team went on to complete the 24 hour endurance record attempt.
Stopping only to change riders and refuel (from a bucket using a funnel) the Venom secured the world record. It was the first motorcycle of any size to achieve an average speed of over 100 mph for 24 hours and to this date no other motorcycle of the same capacity has been able to equal this world record.

The publicity was very important for Velocette, as the success revived sales of the Venom which went on to become one of Velocette's best selling motorcycles.