Skip to main content

LOT 781

1956 Velocette 192cc LE MkII Registration no. XNK 636 Frame no. 23188 Engine no. 200/20531 (see text)

Sold for £2,875 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 781

1956 Velocette 192cc LE MkII
Registration no. XNK 636 Frame no. 23188 Engine no. 200/20531 (see text)

1956 Velocette 192cc LE MkII
Registration no. XNK 636
Frame no. 23188
Engine no. 200/20531 (see text)

Launched in 1948, as the 'motorcycle for everyman', the Velocette LE addressed the criticisms most often levelled at motorcycles - that they were noisy, dirty and needed special clothing to ride - achieving impressive levels of silence, comfort and practicality. Sadly, for the LE, its arrival coincided with the start of the scooter boom; asked to compete against Italian style, Velo's ugly duckling never stood a chance, even after the sidevalve flat twin's performance had been boosted by a capacity increase from 149 to 192cc in 1950 with the introduction of the MkII. It was however, a big success with police forces - for whom its attributes were more important than its appearance - gaining the sobriquet 'Noddy Bike' as a result. This Velocette LE was bought at auction in 2015 and restored between 2016 and 2019. Works carried out include rebuilding the crankshaft with new big- and small-end bearings; relining the clutch; re-magnetising the flywheel generator; and fitting Minimag electronic ignition and a new battery. In addition, the machine was repainted; the chrome renewed; and the seat re-covered. Last run earlier this year, the machine is offered with a V5C document; spare parts list; workshop manual; Mimimag ignition manual; some old MoTs and tax discs; and some receipts relating to its restoration. It should be noted that the engine is not original to the frame.

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 2 July 2021, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 3 July 2021, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 4 July 2021, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

Bid now on these items

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
1982 Yamaha XS650
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1982 Yamaha XS650

£1,800 - £2,400
1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle

£2,000 - £3,000
1978 Yamaha XS650 Special
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Yamaha XS650 Special

£1,800 - £2,400
1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,

£2,000 - £3,000
c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1

£1,800 - £2,400
1972 Ducati 350 Mk3
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1972 Ducati 350 Mk3

£2,000 - £5,000
1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI

£2,000 - £3,000
1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'

£2,000 - £4,000
1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III

£3,000 - £5,000
1976 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
1936 Austin 7 Ruby,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1936 Austin 7 Ruby,

£3,200 - £4,000
Triumph 5T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 5T

£3,000 - £4,000
Triumph Tiger 100
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph Tiger 100

£3,000 - £4,000
1971 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
Triumph 6T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 6T

£3,000 - £4,000
1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah

£2,400 - £3,400
Triumph 6T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 6T

£3,000 - £4,000
A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,
United Kingdom

A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,

£2,000 - £3,000
A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,
United Kingdom

A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,
United Kingdom

A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,
United Kingdom

A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,

£2,000 - £3,000
A 48 inch Ordinary bicycle by Samuel Leek of Walsall, circa 1880,
United Kingdom

A 48 inch Ordinary bicycle by Samuel Leek of Walsall, circa 1880,

£2,000 - £3,000