Velocette KTT TT | Turning dreams into realities

[@ossieosborn5966]

Love that machine , Dad used to sprint a KTT Mk1 in the late 50s early 60s and I remember it in the house when I was a little lad , it was sold with a Scott in the 70s I have just bought an 1934 Excelsior Manxman 350 in road trim I’ve had problems starting after commissioning I had the bumping issue , it through me down the road 😬 luckily no damage to the bike , but I was ! All running now and on the kick start so happy ending 😆 keep those vids coming ! 👍

[@velofan.]

@@ossieosborn5966 thanks ossie I love hearing these stories it’s what motorcycling is all about for me. And Iam restoring a 1928 kns it’s the same as a mk1 ktt but just not as racy. When I first bumped my ktt I was doing it the way I was told for this bike dump clutch while running alone side it. Very very close to a disaster one day when my throttle hand was slightly too open. I always jump onboard now it’s the way I have always bumped and always will. Excelsior manxman is one on my wish list along with matchless g50 and maybe a Manx Norton. These type of bikes really appeal to me. Finances permit this but it’s good as it keep me wishing lol.

[@ossieosborn5966]

@@velofan. Manx Norton is my dream too ! One day ! 👍🙏

[@MarkDaleADV]

Another spirited ride, and fine chat along the way. I'm pleased you grasped the opportunity to acquire your dream bike, and are getting so much pleasure out of it. I appreciate you giving it the beans, and not holding back, it's always best to use them as intended. That route looks amazing, through those trees in the sunlight. Had a bit of that through the Ribble valley this last week. As for turning dreams into reality, well there's only one thing for it, no time like the present, you have to go for it, don't whatever you do, put it off. I've done a fair few, and regretted none of them. Buying, and renovating a 300 year old farmhouse on Anglesey, after moving my young family there, Lands end to John O'groats with my son in a Nissan Skyline that I imported myself(a dream within a dream? Is that Inception ??). Driving to, and riding off-road in the Carpathian mountain in Romania on my own bike. Coast to coast (race the sun), on a Ducati 900ss on the summer solstice. I do dream things up deliberately as well, for example, as I'm selling my CCM604 supermoto, to give it a good send off, I rode it around the five nations(Holyhead, Dublin to Belfast via the Mountains of Mourne, Stranraer, Carlisle to Kendal via the Hardknott pass, Ingleton to Preston via the Forest of Bowland, then Liverpool and back home)over three days last week, and had a blast creating some great memories. Despite all that, I still enjoy riding with you, as a virtual pillion. Keep on livin the dream!

[@velofan.]

Wow amazing too many for me to pic out my favourite as all sound really really great. Race the sun I am unaware of so shall check it out. I need to check out your KZbin channel and watch some of your adventures. Good luck with selling the ccm I am currently trying to sell a 916 reluctantly but finances dictate. Yeah the ktt gets full throttle all the time more so when off camera. Iam still unsure what top end I can go to. I’ve had 75 on speedo but this is probably only 70mph but my old speedo is inaccurate as I’ve noticed the trip miles don’t run at same pace as the odometer miles but it’s all good. Many many thanks for watching and more importantly for commenting.

[@MarkDaleADV]

@@velofan. Yes, it's all about what fires you up! Consult Mr Clarkson, as he did a route down your end of the country, so probably more challenging. You really don't, I'm nowhere near as accomplished as you at talking interesting bollox while riding, haha! Yeah money, space , and time all put pressure on a bike collection, I can't support all my metal dependants anymore, but I've still got two other CCM's, and building a third, so I should be ok LoL. A long way to go, but the seven mile straight on the Clady circuit would be an ideal location to stretch the KTT's legs! Sounds like the Velo and CCM share Speedo woes, I'm sure my bike has done twice as many miles as indicated, such is the unreliability of the drive system.

[@velofan.]

@@MarkDaleADV Yes trying to talk whilst riding is quite hard when my rides can be an hour long, with nobody talking back so its not a conversation which would be far better. I nearly bought a ccm spitfire back when they were limited edition but just couldnt stretch to 10k at that time. Btw if your mum has any Ernie Thomas stuff she would part with let me know as iam slightly into velocette related race history.

[@MarkDaleADV]

@@velofan. Sorry she was never much of a source, even when she first mentioned him to me when I was a teenager, she only ever knew the broad details about him being a bike racer and "winning the TT or something". Most of what I know comes from my own research. Interesting ly what fired up my imagination was when I discovered he had appeared in a series of the Churchman's cigarette cards entitled the "Kings of Speed'. I bought the actual card off eBay for £1.75, and converted the image and the write up of his exploits, onto a T shirt for the previously mentioned bike ride to the IoM. I wish I knew more, I have thought of doing a YT video about him, to see if I can tease out anyone who was closer to him, who could provide more info (I'm pretty sure he had kids long after his race carreer, and owned a garage business down south.)

[@velofan.]

@@MarkDaleADV You should do a video. It may well bring out some knowledgeable people. I really want to find some history for my KTT but nothing so far, iam not good at research so did very small amount of digging off the name of the dealer who sold my bike and the person registered as first owner, but i think my bike belonged to the dealer so a time before the first registered keeper so suspicion the dealer sued it some racing events before selling it to a customer but who knows. BTW ive mentioned to my mate about the devil's staircase i think it was you mentioned and my mate wants to go, he was in snowdonia today but its a huge amount of time spent riding from where we live.

[@Thumpersloper]

As for the DGR, I don't want to ride with so many modern and retro bikes. My idea off a great ride is to hit the Lincolnshire Wolds or the Peak District on an old bike either on my own or with 2-3 other similar sorts. Like you say in this video, I fuckin love it when you get a cammy on song and open it up. There's no greater thrill in my mind.

[@velofan.]

Totally agree, i will get to the thing about cammy engines in a future video and will open it up for debate, includes norton etc not just velo but wish to explore the ohc early invention. I dont remember seeing cars talking about ohc untill way way later on, like maybe 1980's or 1990's anyway probably wrong as know extremely little about cars. I have not yet ridden the ktt this year so next video will explore the first ride of the year. Cant wait, but so far this year i have either had continual rain or been busy on the good days. Many thanks for commenting on my rides. Its great o reach people via making these videos.

[@Thumpersloper]

@@velofan.There’s Norton Inters in 350 and 500cc form and and my favourite, the Excelsior Manxman in 250, 350 and 500cc. All OHC engines. Late 20’s/early 30’s Morris and MG cars used OHC engines. Punchy little things 😊

[@velofan.]

@@Thumpersloper yes I was pretty sure early cars did use ohc engines but I guess what I mean is when it became normal in cars and not in race cars. It was a progression I assume all or most modern car engines adapted to. And yes the manxman hey. I was made aware of this bike by a friend. Searched for a 500 and price was total impossibility for me. But it’s on the radar as well as a matchless g50 or a matchless g45 and I probably end up with 45 but it does not have ohc sadly but it’s just such a cool looking motorcycle and an era my motorcycle garage is missing. Kinda late 50’s 60’s all out race bike.

[@Thumpersloper]

I’m lucky enough to own a 350 Manxman which I’ll be re commissioning in the autumn after being off the road since 1967. Untouched and totally original.

[@velofan.]

@@Thumpersloper Ah wow that is lucky. I think i need to find my matchless or manxman of that type, untouched original unused for many years. The KTT was unsued for about 60 years i think. safely stored under the stairs in the previous owners house.

[@JoshNabney]

Some of my favourite ride in there too, Burley to Brockenhurst and on up ornamental drive then up to bolderwood. My dream is to get my Rickman Metisse on the road so i can ride these roads again and a bit if off roading. Shame about all the cars and cyclists 😂

[@velofan.]

Thanks for watching and commenting Josh. Iam sure you will get the Rickman sorted as it’s always worth it when it’s done. The roads are really nice but it was a busy day. I just wanted to open her up but I got one little bit of that on the bends after Brockenhurst.

[@Thumpersloper]

Turning dreams into realities? Being able to ride pre war race bikes. The fastest 350's when one cylinder ruled the race track..........