Velocette 1968ca Venom Thruxton 499 cc 1 cyl OHV

Velocette 1968ca Venom Thruxton 499 cc OHV frame # RS18486 engine # VMT1016C gearbox # 12/13181

The Thruxton 500 was a motorcycle endurance race for production based road machines, covering 500 miles and ridden by a team of two riders per machine. The event had started life as the Thruxton Nine Hours Race staged by the Southampton and District Club in 1955 and became the Motorcycle 500 Mile Race in 1958. It was to be the scene of several manufacturer inspired entries in the long distance production machine race. The Thruxton name referred to the former RAF airfield north of Southampton, where since the early fifties motorcycle races were held and where in 1968 a proper racing circuit was established. This race was very important to British motorcycle manufacturers as a test of their bikes which provided public exposure. A win, or second and third places in the Thruxton 500, offered advertising opportunities and boosted sales, resulting in keen competition around Thruxton’s fast, flowing and demanding track.
A Velocette Venom Clubman won the 500cc class at the 1964 race. This prompted designer Bertie Goodman to come up with a tuned engine with revised big-valve cylinder head, close-ratio gearbox, alu wheel rims, Amal GP carburettor, clip-on handlebars, rear-set footrests and a twin-leading-shoe front brake as standard equipment. The result was the “Venom Thruxton”, a high performance production racer, which was also sold over the counter in road going version. A perfect choice for both the fast touring enthusiast and the racing buff!
In 1965 the 500 mile race (held at Castle Comb that year) was won and two years later two Thruxtons gained first and second places in the Production TT that was first staged at the Isle of Man that year. The machine could be bought in two colour combinations, the traditional black with gold lining or the more exotic version with blue frame, forks and seat and silver tank with gold lining. In all, no more than 1108 Thruxtons were manufactured between 1965 and 1971, when the company folded.
The engine has square bore x stroke dimensions of 86 x 86 mm with a compression ratio of 9:1 and an output of 41hp @ 6200 rpm. Top speed is around 172 km/h.
The authentic, unrestored Venom Thruxton we present here is equipped with John Tickle instrument brackets with Smiths speedo and rev counter, a touring-type seat, and a starting-friendly Amal Concentric Mk1 carburettor. She has been part of a substantial motorcycle collection in Japan and hasn’t been ridden for quite some time.