1929 Velocette 348cc KTT MkI Racing Motorcycle

• Sold new to John 'Sonny' Hanson
• In-period Manx Grand Prix and Isle of Man TT history
• Off the road in storage for some time
• Restored 2018-2019

By the early 1920s it had become apparent to Veloce Limited that a more up-market model was required to supplement their existing two-stroke range. Other manufacturers were fielding new overhead-valve and overhead-camshaft machines, and Veloce followed suit, the Percy Goodman-designed, overhead-cam Model K appearing in 1924. Of 348cc, the new engine employed a single overhead camshaft and was unusual in having a very narrow crankcase, an arrangement determined by the existing transmission and frame design, but which made for a stiff crankshaft assembly.

Entered in the 1925 Isle of Man TT, the model K did not fare well, all three entries retiring because of lubrication problems. Its engine redesigned to incorporate dry-sump oiling, the cammy Velo returned the following year to score a memorable victory, Alec Bennett romping home in the Junior race ten minutes ahead of the next rider! Second place in 1927 followed by another win for Bennett in 1928 ensured a healthy demand for Velocette's overhead-cam roadsters and prompted the launch of the KTT. One of the most successful over-the-counter racers of all time, the KTT debuted at the 1928 Olympia Show where it was hailed as an 'exact replica' of Bennett's 1928 works bike, though in fact the production MkI KTT incorporated a number of improvements. Slightly fewer than 270 MkI KTTs were made - including 22 dirt-track versions - before the advent of the MkII for 1931.

This MkI KTT comes with information taken from the Factory Despatch Records (supplied by the VOC) showing that it was invoiced to agents C Hayward & Son in Ashford, Kent and sold new in 29th April 1929 to local man J (John) Hanson. The Velocette was ridden by John 'Sonny' Hanson in the 1929 Manx Grand Prix and 1930 Isle of Man TT, and had been leading the former at the start of the second lap. He went on to finish 2nd.

Retaining matching frame, engine and gearbox numbers, KTT '56' was removed from long-term storage in Somerset in 2018 and fully rebuilt over the next year or so. The vendor advises the engine was fully stripped and rebuilt with new bearings, piston rings, valves, etc as close to factory specification as possible. The gearbox too was stripped and rebuilt with a new and correct close-ratio gear set supplied by Ivan Rhodes (see letter on file). The machine is said to be running recently.

Key not required