To be sold as a pair ,c.1948 Velocette 350cc KTT MkVIII Duke Reynolds Replica

Frame no. n/a Engine no. KTT 980 (see text)

1936/1949 Velocette 350cc KTT MkVIII Special
Frame no. SF7
Engine no. KTT 936

• 'KTT 936' is the original Duke Reynolds Special engine
• Replica frame commissioned by Ivan Rhodes
• 'SF7' is a 1936 development frame
• Duke Reynolds Replica completed by Peter Crew in 2008
• Duke Reynolds Replica last used in 2017


This racing motorcycle has been constructed as a replica of the famous 'Duke Reynolds' Velocette KTT built for World Champion Geoff Duke by master frame-builder Ken Sprayson of Reynolds Tubes. As Ken recalls in his book 'Ken Sprayson The Frame Man', 'The first major Duke Reynolds project was a frame to accommodate a 348cc KTT Velocette engine, a works engine that had been reputedly previously used by Les Graham. Up to this time most of the frames had been based on the duplex Featherbed design, but this was impractical due to the positioning of the exhaust. The solution seemed to be a frame in which twin loops were connected to a single downtube.'

The Duke Reynolds Velocette made its international debut at the Isle of Man TT races in 1956 ridden by Jack Wood. Although he retired from the Junior event, Wood finished 24th in the Senior race, the first '350' home. In total, three frames were made. The Duke Velocette chassis is notable as the first to feature Reynolds' leading-link front fork that became the favoured suspension for future Reynolds specials. The original frame is currently owned by the Rhodes Collection.

An on-file letter from Ivan Rhodes to the current owner, well-known collector and classic racer, Robert Lusk, states: 'The Duke Reynolds Replica frame you have was built initially for Simon Goodman who at that time as you know had the original works engine. Simon provided the taper down tube whilst the rest of the frame was faithfully copied from our original No.2 frame by Bill Cooper of Derby, a reputable frame builder and sidecar racer of the time. Bill used T45 tubing, but did not include an oil reservoir for the chain oiler. As you know, Simon did not take up the project. We have fabricated all the additional pieces, which were then taken to Spondon Engineering along with our original frame to complete the work required. Engine plates were laser cut from the original samples and the swinging arm pivot bearings made up and fitted locally. Front forks were built up from sound used components and new stanchions, seals etc from the Velocette Club spares. Our Club technician built up a set of two-way damping rod units which will need charging with 120cc of fork oil adding to each leg before use. I have built you a gearbox which is unmarked, as new shell incorporating new bearings throughout plus a full set of new internals to KTT spec from the Velocette Company in Meriden and using a KTT cover-plate which doesn't carry a neutral notch - the whole built up on Morris Castrol R40 oil.' Ken Sprayson (who built the original) has stated that the Rhodes replica frame is an excellent copy.

Circa 2006, Robert Lusk bought the Replica frame from Ivan Rhodes and the original Duke Reynolds engine ('KTT 936') from Simon Goodman of the Velocette-owning Goodman family (Simon had purchased it from his father). The machine was purchased an unfinished project together with the Velocette KTT MkVIII that forms part of this Lot. That KTT, frame number 'SF7', currently houses engine number 'KTT 936', the original works engine from the Duke Reynolds Special (see below). '936' is loosely assembled in the frame and, it should be noted, has 'W H Foster' engraved in the cylinder head. The engine currently fitted to the Replica is stamped 'KTT 980', though there is evidence of a previous engine number having been removed; whether or not by the factory is not known. Records show that engine 'KTT 980' was despatched 21st May 1948 to Taylors, Shipston for their customer, 'Mr Woods'.

In another letter, Ivan Rhodes states: 'Frame SF7 is a 1936 development frame. A spare intended for 1936 racing but never used. SF1-3 were development machines and SF4-6 works machines. SF7 remained in the store as a spare and is not recorded as being issued in the records book.

'Engine No. 936 originally left the factory 13.7.1949 in frame SF192, despatched to dealer Wing/Daybrook for customer H Lomas & Son.

'Engine No. 936 was later loaned to Cliff Bennett to form part of his Earles Velo before being removed and reused in the newly built Duke Reynolds Velocette and ridden by Jackie Wood.'

CRMC stalwart Peter Crew was recruited to rebuild the Replica, which returned to the racetrack for the first time in 2008. Peter even managed to find a correct 'humming top' (replica) twin-leading-shoe front brake (second mechanism is on inside of brake). Engine '980' was chosen for the Replica because its wider cylinder stud spacing permitted the use of a big-fin barrel. The engine incorporates an Alpha-rebuilt crankshaft and has been converted from hairpin to coil valve springs by Ron Lewis.

While in Robert Lusk's possession, the Duke Reynolds Replica has been ridden by both Peter Crew and his son Gareth at the Goodwood Revival Meeting in 2009 - and by Gareth in BHR races at Lydden Hill in 2009 and 2010. In 2017 Gareth and Robert shared the Velo at the Donington Park Classic Festival, its most recent outing. Gareth also wrote an article for Classic Racer magazine about his Goodwood experiences riding the machine.