By way of being helpful, and having worked for a main agent sixty years ago, the kick start routine is simply : set the choke and ignition levers to what you knew is right, find compression with the kickstarter, then let the kick starter return all the way back up. Then deploy the valve lifter, and carfully advance the kickstart one full kickstarter. stroke down, then allow the kickstarter to return all the way up back again. Then with the valve lifter released, take your full force starting swing. If it does not start repeat the sequence. Don't wildly kick-away. I have demonstrated this many times to new owners. Wonderfuly good handling bikes. Everything Velocette did was first rate.... Nothing wrong with the starting, and nothing wrong with the clutch.
Freeing up the clutch as described is always a good idea. Then get the piston just past TDC on the compression stroke. Now swing the kickstart (don't jab at it) to get the flywheels moving. The flywheels will do all the work, and that's it! If you are going to bump start it first roll the bike back against compression, again so that the flywheels can do theit work.
Now that's how to start a velo! I had a tuned T140v '77 bonnie, didn't have high comp pistons in just well ported & set up for the extra midrange cam & raygun silencers, loved getting my 6 & a half stone girlfreind to kickstart it in front of none belivers who swore i had high comp pistons in after seeng how well it went on the road, she used to start it first kick every time after they'd failed she just knew the routine so well.
@@TheRideNut Yep the bonnie did too, thanks to my freind Broderick Rogers RIP.who tune & bluprinted the motor to am early 80's motorcycle mechanics midrange tuning article i'd found.
I know how frustrating that can be. It takes a while to 'learn' the combination and start 'em in a kick or two. It is not brute force... it is finesse!
I know it was a big deal to start it, but once you learned the procedure, and practice, it will start easily, my dad used to have several Velocettes, he was a fanatic of the brand name.
A friend bought one second-hand as a teenager in silver/blue , 'G' reg.and he was advised by the bike shop salesman to go and see the only previous owner to learn the starting procedure which once learned, never failed !.That owner had just taken delivery of a new one in black , must have been one of the last, c. 1969.In the early 80s , my friend bought another silver/ blue Thruxton ( VMT 345 ) which he totally restored but was never as good as the original !.
For some reason I could always start other guy’s bikes when the offered me a go on them. It may be that some bikes speak to me. I recall an old WW2 BSA M20 that a lad owned at a flat I was visiting for the weekend in London back in the mid ‘80s. I admired his bike and he was impressed that I knew what it was. I was wearing a suit so he assumed I was bluffing. But he said you can have a go if you can start it. That drew a small crowd of people convicted the guy in the suit was about to look very silly. It was in a very rough state. He said some mornings he gave up and caught the bus! Fuel on, I think I tickled the carb, and turned the engine over a few times. Two kicks later and it fired. Spent a glorious 30 minutes bombing around the side streets of Kennington making a wonderful noise. I learned to ride on an old ex GPO BSA Bantam and ride loads of different bikes. I owned a few Brits, but I caught the Honda bug early on, and never got a Velo when I should have. I recall a Thruxton in MCN for £120 in old money, and thought it was way too much...! Ride safe. Thank you for sharing
Good comments. I've long maintained that for the fortunate few of us, machines do speak to us clearly and 'we' understand them perfectly. I love them all dearly, and will feel a degree of sadness when the last internal combustion machine is built.
Never let anything mechanical know you are in a hurry. Brit bikes especially have a critical need factor -if you need it quickly, it ain't gonna respond.
The world would be a far more better place, if more people could have your attitude. Your smile placed one in my face. Nice video
Thank you Richard, I share your view. Mag more, bark far less!
By way of being helpful, and having worked for a main agent sixty years ago, the kick start routine is simply : set the choke and ignition levers to what you knew is right, find compression with the kickstarter, then let the kick starter return all the way back up.
Then deploy the valve lifter, and carfully advance the kickstart one full kickstarter. stroke down, then allow the kickstarter to return all the way up back again.
Then with the valve lifter released, take your full force starting swing.
If it does not start repeat the sequence.
Don't wildly kick-away.
I have demonstrated this many times to new owners.
Wonderfuly good handling bikes.
Everything Velocette did was first rate....
Nothing wrong with the starting, and nothing wrong with the clutch.
Freeing up the clutch as described is always a good idea. Then get the piston just past TDC on the compression stroke. Now swing the kickstart (don't jab at it) to get the flywheels moving. The flywheels will do all the work, and that's it!
If you are going to bump start it first roll the bike back against compression, again so that the flywheels can do theit work.
Amazingly beautiful sound
That smile said it all! Must admit never had any issues starting mine just wish I still had it60 years later!
Love that grin when she starts
What a beautiful beast.
Thank you! I appreciate you watching my Vids, Dick Casey
That was a long ride😮
Now that's how to start a velo! I had a tuned T140v '77 bonnie, didn't have high comp pistons in just well ported & set up for the extra midrange cam & raygun silencers, loved getting my 6 & a half stone girlfreind to kickstart it in front of none belivers who swore i had high comp pistons in after seeng how well it went on the road, she used to start it first kick every time after they'd failed she just knew the routine so well.
Thanks Junglie, You paint a fun picture of your Girl putting all those men in their places.
@@TheRideNut Yep the bonnie did too, thanks to my freind Broderick Rogers RIP.who tune & bluprinted the motor to am early 80's motorcycle mechanics midrange tuning article i'd found.
Mine has a belt drive. So gearing slightly different. Kick start movement decompressed a bit shorter. Otherwise as shown.
So cool. Love your pleasure smile. So cool.
Excellent video, thanks for taking the time
I used to have one and starting it was an art form. Great bike once it was going but my mates would be a mile down the road before I got mine started.
I know how frustrating that can be. It takes a while to 'learn' the combination and start 'em in a kick or two. It is not brute force... it is finesse!
He is allowed to grin broadly.
The most beautiful motorbike, and I never owned one. But I think starting it would have driven me mad
I know it was a big deal to start it, but once you learned the procedure, and practice, it will start easily, my dad used to have several Velocettes, he was a fanatic of the brand name.
Thank you Arturo. Your Water had had "good taste".
1:14. Me every time I go to start my bike
A friend bought one second-hand as a teenager in silver/blue , 'G' reg.and he was advised by the bike shop salesman to go and see the only previous owner to learn the starting procedure which once learned, never failed !.That owner had just taken delivery of a new one in black , must have been one of the last, c. 1969.In the early 80s , my friend bought another silver/ blue Thruxton ( VMT 345 ) which he totally restored but was never as good as the original !.
"We" Velo owners closely guard the Secret Hand-Shake and the Starting Drill.... cheers!
Knew 2 brothers both had Venoms. Completely different start process one needed the choke & setting the piston exactly the other no choke.
For some reason I could always start other guy’s bikes when the offered me a go on them. It may be that some bikes speak to me. I recall an old WW2 BSA M20 that a lad owned at a flat I was visiting for the weekend in London back in the mid ‘80s. I admired his bike and he was impressed that I knew what it was. I was wearing a suit so he assumed I was bluffing. But he said you can have a go if you can start it. That drew a small crowd of people convicted the guy in the suit was about to look very silly.
It was in a very rough state. He said some mornings he gave up and caught the bus! Fuel on, I think I tickled the carb, and turned the engine over a few times. Two kicks later and it fired. Spent a glorious 30 minutes bombing around the side streets of Kennington making a wonderful noise.
I learned to ride on an old ex GPO BSA Bantam and ride loads of different bikes. I owned a few Brits, but I caught the Honda bug early on, and never got a Velo when I should have. I recall a Thruxton in MCN for £120 in old money, and thought it was way too much...!
Ride safe. Thank you for sharing
Good comments. I've long maintained that for the fortunate few of us, machines do speak to us clearly and 'we' understand them perfectly. I love them all dearly, and will feel a degree of sadness when the last internal combustion machine is built.
Dick Casey Thank you. I totally agree. And yes, this electric thing is wrong on so many levels.
Ride safe
Never let anything mechanical know you are in a hurry. Brit bikes especially have a critical need factor -if you need it quickly, it ain't gonna respond.
bought vmt 825c new wish i still had it
When I had a Velo I would only visit people who lived at the top of hills!
What are they like with a modern, working carburetor that has an idle circuit?
They are much better with a Amal GP!
Beautiful bike ...... 🧡
Excellent, now I can make off with the next Velocette I see...
May I ask what Amal carb is being used on your bike? Thank you
Mikuni, not Amal.
It's a brave man (or woman) who goes to start their British classic in front of a camera, or audience. 🤣
such a shame about the modern carb - ruins it
Its runs better thats all matters.
@@shivaram.m6119 Can't agree with you there. Just need setting up right
Now I know the starting drill, I'm coming round to steal your bike!
Watch out for my trained T-Rex lizard...
Beautiful bike. Just don't use it as a getaway vehicle.
Thanks RC, your comment made me laugh. Dick Casey
The only way to steal one of these was to use a van - you couldn't ride it away...................
well oiled machine