26 Feb On Yer Bike: Velocette LE Mk.1

Is it a bike, or is it a scooter? This month we look at a Velocette with something of an identity crisis…

One of the fascinating motorcycles in the FMM motorcycle collection is the Velocette LE, a machine that was made by Veloce Ltd from 1948 to 1970. The designation LE stood for ‘little engine’, and the bike was a ‘conceived-as-a-whole’ design, with engine, gearbox, drive shaft and bevel box in a single unit. It was launched at the British International Motor Show at Earls Court in 1948 as the “Motorcycle for Everyman”, and had a 149cc four-stroke, side-valve, water-cooled, horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder engine developing 4,5 kW at 5 000 r/min. Gearbox was a hand-change three-speed. The engine and clutch were contained in special castings, and final drive was by a shaft mounted in a swing frame with adjustable suspension. Coil ignition helped starting, and the only instrument was a speedometer.

Interestingly, to reduce noise and vibration, the pressed aluminium frame was lined with soundproofing material. The LE was noted for being quiet-running.

Aluminium leg shields were fitted, and footboards gave it a scooter feel, which worked against it appealing to regular motorcycle buyers. Despite being called a “motorcycle for everyman”, it was expensive, costing considerably more than its rivals.

A Mk.2 version was launched in 1951 with a 192 cc engine that increased power to 6 kW, and the clutch was upgraded. The rear swinging arm was uprated with cast aluminium to improve rigidity, and the brakes were improved. In the UK, the Metropolitan Police Force bought half of the LE production and used them for patrol duty. At that time, officers were trained to salute an Inspector or above, but when riding the LE this meant taking one hand from the handle bars, so it was agreed that instead they could nod to show respect. The police riders therefore became known as ‘Noddies’, and the LE was nicknamed the ‘Noddy Bike’ – but this nickname does not appear to have had anything to do with Enid Blyton‘s famous character…Sales remained poor, however, and the company had to reduce the price..

In 1958, Velocette launched the LE Mk.3 with a foot-operated gear change and a conventional kick start. An extra gear was added, together with bigger wheels, and the instrumentation was relocated to the headlamp. With 10 years development, the Velocette LE was more reliable and practical, but on 3 February 1971, the company went into voluntary liquidation. The very last motorcycles made in the Veloce factory were LEs.

The Velocette LE Mk.1 is currently on view in Hall C.