Latest News

2020

The Annual Rally was again a highlight for us, based in New Plymouth and organised by Linda Hutton and Pat Steer. There is a fuller report in the newsletter, but a quick summary is as follows. The Rally kicked off with a Barbeque on Friday night, then on Saturday the main run started from the Top Ten Holiday Camp and went round the Mountain. We stopped at Okato for morning tea, then continued on to Hawera were we had lunch at Tawhiti Museum. We returned to New Plymouth via secondary roads on the eastern side of SH3 and had dinner and awards in the evening. On Sunday we headed off to Whangamomona, again avoiding main highways and including a stop at the historic Bertram Road swing Bridge. All in all a great rally and a big thanks to Pat and Linda and all the other helpers who made it a great weekend.

2019

The New Zealand Velocette Register has had a busy introduction to 2019. Firstly the NZ Velocette Register took part in the NZCMCRR race meeting at Pukekohe. Thanks to all those who helped to erect the tent and staff it over the three day event. Then within two days it was off to Raglan,west of Hamilton for our annual Rally This was well attended and our thanks go to Cheryl and Neville Mickleson, who organised the event. The roads travelled were most scenic with minimal traffic. Don’t forget the dates for our 2020 Rally at New Plymouth….watch this space..

Velocette Rally 2019 – Raglan

Go to the gallery page for some more photos.

Monday 4 the Feb.

This year saw us on the west coast of the North Island at the seaside town of Raglan. Unlike previous times the rally was held over three weekdays and continuing on from the weekend at Pukekohe. We arrived on Monday for the normal BBQ and get together.

Tuesday 5th Feb.

With a great crowd of some 30 odd riders plus followers and back up vehicles.  Swelled by our Aussie members along with just 2 riders from the South Island. !! We were off for a longer than normal run, (I recorded 165 miles),  around the Waikato countryside with so many twists and turns that we lost count, which only added to the enjoyment of the ride, stopping at Nikau Cave Cafe for lunch, then on to Ngaruawahia for a fuel stop. Following along the west side of the Waikato River to stop for a cool drink at the Waingaro Pub overlooking the Hot Pools and back to Raglan.

Wednesday 6th Feb.

This was a shorter run that gave some of us older riders a bit of a break and was more suitable for the LE and Viceroy bikes. We went via the spectacular ‘Bridal Falls’ and coastal view, then on to visit the Hamilton Motor Museum.

Thursday 7th Feb.

Once again we were on our way via the back roads to see Heather Garrett for homemade muffins and morning tea and to see her historic property at Te Pahu, Pirongia.  This was one of the original kit-set houses sent out from England back in 1839 with a very interesting history, once requisitioned by the British Army during the New Zealand Wars and now on the list with Heritage New Zealand. Heather’s late husband Les, was a keen gun collector (and I believe self-taught engineer) who used to bore and re-rifle barrels, he also had police permission to store owners guns in his ex-bank walk in strong room.  Riding on to Cambridge with a stop for lunch at a converted church now called, ‘The Good George Restaurant’ where we recalled earlier rallies and friendships. Next, a visit Andrew Drake’s home followed for yet more refreshments and to see his collection of Velocette bikes and engines, and where his two lovely dogs took pride of place before returning to our campsite.

The Garden Restaurant at the Harbour Hotel in Raglan was the venue for the evening meal and prize giving. The Veloce Cup was awarded to John Meharry for his work with the Register. The Aussie President, Keith Canning presenting the Swagmans Award to Warwick Darrow. The hard-luck prize went to Alister Moffat. The furthest ridden to the Rally went to David Toefield who rode his Thruxton to the rally from Dunedin. Framed Life Memberships were awarded to Earnie Williams and Peter Butterworth. Thanks must go to Alastair Moffat and Peter Butterworth for manning the backup vehicles and to the riders for maintaining their bikes, as they were not required.

I feel that Neville and Cheryl Mickleson should be congratulated for organising a great rally as it was held following directly after the Pukekohe Racing where both were deeply involved, which must have put great pressure on both of them.  

John and Angela Bryant

Classic Racing at Pukekoe 2019

Friday the 1st Feb

Prior to the Velocette Rally saw us arrive at the Pukekohe ready to assemble the Velocette display tent with John Meharry. As eight people are required for this we were grateful for the extra helpers for this task.    We had a good turn out of mainly MAC 350cc bikes, so we’re pleased when the Phil Price owned  1934 500cc ‘Big Velo’ was added to the display.

Once again we had a good turn out of Australian Velo. members including their President Keith Canning. Also, Alan Howlet who is the agent for the Velocette Alton Electric starters and Tim Thearle who makes modified parts for them.  It was interesting to hear their opinions of its efficiency, and the pros and cons of the starters.

On the racing side, it was good to see Bill Swallow, (who is a regular visitor to NZ), again racing on Phil Price’s 250cc El Dee Special while his son Chris rode Phil and Nick Thomson’s  1952 350cc DOHC Works Replica along with  other Velo owners Carl Stanley on his 1960 MOV,  Craig Pippin on both his 1937 MAC and 1962 MOV, Errol Bird on his 1936 MAC and Neville Mickleson on his 1960 Venom and 1932 MkIV KTT.  Unfortunately, things didn’t go great and several people had mechanical issues over the weekend which saw them unable to complete, or compete in, all the races.

In NZ we divide our race groups up by cc (250, 350 and 500 – where Velo’s are concerned) and within that there are several race classes Vintage (Pre – ‘31 with some restrictions, including no foot change), Pre-War (Pre ‘46) and then Pre ’63 Clubmans (which allows for very little modification), Modified, Factory (which are ex-factory road racing bikes) and finally Classic ‘70’s (for bikes from ‘63-‘76 with some restrictions).  These bikes all race together on the track grouped by their cc except in the 250cc group you also have the Vintage and Pre-War classes.

Results were for Velocettes were:

Bill only managed to get out in the first race where he got a second on track and second in class in the 250cc Modified Class. Chris managed to get out in the first and second races where he got a second in the 350cc Factory Racing Class each time. In the second race, he was kept busy dicing with his father who was riding a 1972 Aermacchi Ala de’Ora. Carl only managed to get for the second race where he got fourth in the 250cc Modified Class. Neville’s KTT, Craig’s MAC and Errol managed to complete all four races and came in first, second and third in the 350cc Pre War Class each time.

Neville was the only Velo in the 500cc Clubmans Class and second in class for each of the four races.

Along with the Velo’s stated above the following were also busy successfully competing on other bikes: Bill on the De Lacy 1972 349cc Aermacchi Ala d’Ora, Chris on Glynn Robinson’s (Sports MC) 1981 750cc Ducati T1 and Neville Wooderson’s 1959 500cc BSA Gold Star, Carl on his 1952 350cc AJS 16M and Neville on his 1962 850cc Matchless sidecar (with his daughter Jo)

New Zealand Motorcycle Show 2018 (Auckland)

The Velocette Register had a good mix of models entered in the NZ Motorcyce Show
which was held at the ASB Showgrounds on the weekend Nov 24-25th 2018.
These included two Vipers,two Norton/Velocette specials an L.E. an MSS with sidecar,
a prize winning 54 Mac, Viceroy scooter,a newly restored 47 KSS, a 490cc KSS in a S/A
frame and a 39 GTP.
Congratulations to the prize winners and to those who entered machines and supported the Velo cause.

Winners were,
Best Scooter in Show. John Meharry. Viceroy scooter.
Best Post War, Jim Bird 1954 MAC.
Merit award. Roy Harvey. 500 Velo/Norton Special.

NZ Velo Rally 2019

See this page

New DOHC Velocette

This exciting new motorcycle made its first appearance at the Classic Motorcycle meeting at Pukekohe.  The team of Phil Price, Pat Clancy, Nick Thomson and Chris Swallow are pictured here with the new KTT.

The team is planning to take 2 bikes to the Classic TT on the Isle of Man this year, the Eldee  which they took in there in 2014 but also and excitedly this new bike.

The machine is almost entirely hand made, in fact about the only parts which are not are the oil and petrol tank caps which are genuine period items.

The guise of the bike is largely in the form of the last of the factory works racers of which it is thought 5 were made, 3 were 350’s and 2 were 250’s (or perhaps the other way round).  These all sported special frames which used the standard KTT bottom half with the top being more like a Manx Norton with the exception that the brace tube goes all the way from the top of the steering head through the centre of the petrol tank to the seat tube. The team was lucky enough to borrow a genuine article from Ivan Rhodes to copy. Most engine and gearbox castings with the exception of the head and barrel are cast in magnesium and this has been copied this very accurately although the choice of engine is the earlier dog kennel style DOHC top knot which was arguably a better design. In any case history has it that the factory never really optimised either double knocker so Phil says they are taking up that challenge now. There are many other special features to this bike which may be of interest which we will add to the site in the future.

Ride Forever Motorcycle Show.

Sat/Sun 16/17 September. ASB Showgrounds. Auckland. (see Gallery for photos)

After several weeks of recruiting local Velo fellows, friday before the show was with us. Time to load up our trusty Ute with all the Velocette advertising material together with the GTP.
Ably assisted by my wife Trisha, Bernie Bolstad and Dave Tomkins, the hoardings were quickly in place and the display bikes were beginning to arrive. It transpired that the entrants that were furthest away from Auckland won all the awards.
Over the weekend, the display received many compliments from the attending public. Awards went to Roy and Linda Harvey, Jim Bird and Neville Mickleson.

These being.

1st Vintage Class R & L Harvey 1913 Veloce
3rd Veteran Class. R& L Harver. 1920 D.2 Velocette
1st Post War Class. Jim Bird 1953 Velocette Mac.
Merit Award. Neville Mickleson. Velocette Venom Clubman.

I would like to thank those who made the effort to bring there machines to the show.

John Bryant. 1936 Velocette Mac.
Warwick Darrow. 1939 GTP Velocette.
Tony Vaughan/ John Meharry. Velocette Viceroy Scooter and L.E. Velocette.
Jim Bird 1953. Velocette Mac.
Colin Bird 1951 Velocette Mac.
Roy and Lyn Harvey 1913 Veloce and 1920 D.2 Velocette.
Lyndsey Banks. Velocette 500 OHC Special
Dan Trafford. Velocette Venom.
Nev Mickleson. Velocette Venom Clubman.
Terry Bracey 1954 Velocette Mac.

As a consequence of the display we found the following new members, which the N.Z. Velocette Register extends a warm welcome.
Alister Johnston, Tony Thompson, Rick Hackett and Peter J Lennan, and Casey Lyons who joined earlier.

Warwick Darrow.

NORTHLAND MOTORCYCLE RALLY

 (with thanks to Martin Spicer for the report)

In the week leading up to the rally the weather was wet and windy, but on the Friday morning when Ian Hubbard arrived at at our Pokeno farm to pick me and my bike and trailer up it was sunny. We then went back to St Helliers to get Ian’s Triumph T120.  We had a good trip up to Whangarei. Saturday morning dawned sunny but breezy. After a cupper plotter Martin Salter gave the briefing to the 49 starters.  There were 18 Auckland members taking part.

We set of westwards on great country roads.  We then circled our way up and crossed over SH1 and passed through the township of Hikurangi,  then traveled up and down Mt Tiger – a great biking road. We then followed the water front road, crossing the new road bridge and finished the morning ride at the clubrooms for lunch.

After a very good lunch, we set of west on another circular route but now the rain and wind

arrived.  We stopped at a members property to veiw his collection of British and Amercian cars in varing states of restored and unrestored condition. The owner will certainly have his hands full for many decades. We finished back at the club rooms around 3.30pm, the rain still coming down. Time for a hot shower and then we were of to the Kamo club for the prize giving dinner. We had a very good dinner after the prize giving. Our Auckland members did well in the results.

AUCKLAND RESULTS

Don Green won the Veteran class with his 1916 Triumph H.

Dave Williams won the Vintage class on his 1928 Harley.

John and Jill Williams 2^nd PV in their 1937 Morgan.

Warwick and Trish Darrow won the post war class on their 1953 Mac Velocette.

John Hartles 2^nd in P60, Ian Hubbard 3^rd P60.

Martin Spicer won the P80 class with his 1985 Honda CBX 550, John Comer was 2^nd on his 1983 BMW R80ST.

The overall winner was Auckland member Warwick Darrow.

Well doneWarwick and Trish. Hard luck prize went to John and Angela Bryant  They only got as far as the gate post of the club rooms, when their Velo died.  John worked on the bike and finally got it going at lunch time. They completed the afternoon ride with no problems.

Northland’s Martin Salter did a great job plotting his first ever rally.

Martin Spicer

Velo LE wins Auckland Rally

Velo GTP wins the Taupo to Napier Mail Run.

Held in March 2016.

The 27th running of the Vintage mail run which is open to girder fork machines, with either a sprung seat or plunger suspension attracted 51 Bikes. The ride started at the Taupo Marina and went all the way to Napier over a distance of 142km. The ride celebrates the fact that mail was often delivered by motorcycle in the early days, as the road became impassable to four wheels. The winner was Peter Hargroves on his very neat and restored 1936 two stroke GTP Velocette. Peter received the Tin Man Trophy, a memorial to the late Allan Wakefield, who made replica tinware for many classic bikes in New Zealand. Also New Zealand Velocette Racer and Guru, Phil Price rode his pre war MSS and received the award for the longest ridden bike.

Warwick Darrow.