Velocette New Zealand takes a look at two versions of the iconic Velocette MAC Motorcycle, a lovely working 1954 example and an untouched barn find Velocette MAC.
Having ridden large capacity bikes since passing my test 45 years ago I've come to the conclusion that the 350ohv engine is the perfect engine configuration for a motorcycle. It has enough power to go at speeds that you can actually enjoy. It is low stressed so very reliable and gives great fuel economy. My Velocette Venom is a fantastic bike but it wants to be ridden fast, which is fine when you're the mood. My 350 Matchless is much more enjoyable to ride though. I have had the pleasure of working on and riding a MAC and it has all the attributes of the Matchless but with the wonderful steering of the Velocette and an overall more refined package.
The rather flat exhaust note may be due to the non-genuine fishtail silencer. These cheap pattern fishtails were around in the 60s and were notorious for causing poor performance. The reason was the baffles were of an incorrect design. The way to tell one of these is by the tail end being welded on instead of in one with the body. There are differences in the drilled hole pattern also. It is a surprise to see someone still using one of these silencers.
When I when I took my big trip out of the when I got out of the Air Force my lady friend in England found my 350 bullet and it had a rigid frame even though it was outdated because it was cheaper and you could order one with a rigid frame all the way up to the early sixties because they would be available and they would be cheaper than getting a sprung frame and I rode that bike all over Europe and all over the Middle East and all over Africa is starting first kick every time and it was a great bike I wish I could have brought it home with me
In about 1964 I asked our local agent for all bikes, in Maitland, NSW, "Ian, could you please order me a new Thruxton Velo, please. His answer was, which I`ll never forget was......."You don`t want one of those, they`re only a racing bike with a headlight". He was probably right........I wouldn`t be here today at 79.
Nice video - keep them coming please! The dual seat on your barn find Mac, is a Feridax, and whilst synonymous with Vincents, they were a proprietary product that any rider could purchase. My 1951 civilian BSA M20 came with one, despite the rigid frame!
Did many thousands of miles on mine, both solo and with my wife in sidecar. Relatively low top speed, but pulled like a train - It’s the bike I miss the most - sold back in 1986. I have classic BMW twins now, but have a real soft spot for that bike. FJG 862 where are you now?
Ex Ariel Anstey link as on ALL sprung square fours and NH / VH models until they went swinging arm circa mid fifties, In my humble inexpert opinion. P.S. they wear out quicker than you can say Siddaway spring heel, but that's another story. Best wishes Martin. G.B.
Watching this video over and over again has made me go out and get my very own 1956 MAC.
What are lovely motorcycle you could stare at it for hours
Hope you will do more Velo videos----you do a good job.
Lovely bike the MAC, it was my first Velo and took me everywhere I wanted to go, solid and reliable, with no awful electronic junk to go wrong.
Having ridden large capacity bikes since passing my test 45 years ago I've come to the conclusion that the 350ohv engine is the perfect engine configuration for a motorcycle. It has enough power to go at speeds that you can actually enjoy. It is low stressed so very reliable and gives great fuel economy. My Velocette Venom is a fantastic bike but it wants to be ridden fast, which is fine when you're the mood. My 350 Matchless is much more enjoyable to ride though. I have had the pleasure of working on and riding a MAC and it has all the attributes of the Matchless but with the wonderful steering of the Velocette and an overall more refined package.
What I liked about my 1953 MAC was that it was like a 250cc with extra zip rather than just feeling like an underpowered 500cc.
Love to see you cover the modern mss, venom and viper. Great content
Vow!! Nice velocette bikes
Nice video! I can’t wait to get mine up and running. New wheel this week! 😀
Dad was a gentleman called Sid Willis
The rather flat exhaust note may be due to the non-genuine fishtail silencer. These cheap pattern fishtails were around in the 60s and were notorious for causing poor performance. The reason was the baffles were of an incorrect design. The way to tell one of these is by the tail end being welded on instead of in one with the body. There are differences in the drilled hole pattern also. It is a surprise to see someone still using one of these silencers.
When I when I took my big trip out of the when I got out of the Air Force my lady friend in England found my 350 bullet and it had a rigid frame even though it was outdated because it was cheaper and you could order one with a rigid frame all the way up to the early sixties because they would be available and they would be cheaper than getting a sprung frame and I rode that bike all over Europe and all over the Middle East and all over Africa is starting first kick every time and it was a great bike I wish I could have brought it home with me
The fish tail silencer was very efficient.
In about 1964 I asked our local agent for all bikes, in Maitland, NSW, "Ian, could you please order me a new Thruxton Velo, please. His answer was, which I`ll never forget was......."You don`t want one of those, they`re only a racing bike with a headlight". He was probably right........I wouldn`t be here today at 79.
Nice video - keep them coming please! The dual seat on your barn find Mac, is a Feridax, and whilst synonymous with Vincents, they were a proprietary product that any rider could purchase. My 1951 civilian BSA M20 came with one, despite the rigid frame!
Didn’t the M20 have a plunger frame by 1951?
Plunger was an option in 1951, I believe, but mine was rigid with teles. Wish I could post a picture...
@@simonfletcher3982 My father had one and I rode many miles on the back and later riding it myself. A very interesting bike.
Did many thousands of miles on mine, both solo and with my wife in sidecar. Relatively low top speed, but pulled like a train - It’s the bike I miss the most - sold back in 1986. I have classic BMW twins now, but have a real soft spot for that bike. FJG 862 where are you now?
@@simonfletcher3982 I’m now in Stratford upon Avon and among other bikes, have a MAC Velocette. That’s how I ended up watching this ...
I'll buy one someday. 🤣
Where did the rear plungers come from ?
Anstey link , fiftes Ariel , I think they come with a tendency to wear rapidly . Best wishes , Martin and Jill.
Ex Ariel Anstey link as on ALL sprung square fours and NH / VH models until they went swinging arm circa mid fifties, In my humble inexpert opinion. P.S. they wear out quicker than you can say Siddaway spring heel, but that's another story. Best wishes Martin. G.B.
Nice
In my book, the best MAC was the 1952/53 rigid with the later engine. Light, good brakes and a tad more powerfu
People would buy 350 singles in the old days over 500 shingles because they 350 single was easier to start
Let's not forget that for ten years after World War II that England had gas rationing that helped keep the British bike manufacturers in business
Old MacDonald had a farm; sounds like a fishy tail. See you roadside.