1954 Velocette MSS500

[Rannsachair]

I’ve heard of good mileage from those,there’s the highlands one I told you about,plus when I viewed a G80 in London the seller recounted one he took to 70,000+.

There is one local guy that had around 100k miles on a Venom before he sold it, he bought it back last year as a basket case to rebuild.

 

[Rannsachair]

Yesterday the bike was covered in road salt from being trailered, so I gave it a quick wash.

Today it got polish, well impressed by the quality of build and details:

The castings are really good with polished surfaces and details like quality of pushrod tube and oil lines.

Most fasteners have been made in stainless.

Chain link brake linkage and rims are Dunlop not Akront as I thought

chaincase oil level pipe mod and grease nipples on most pivots

I do like the looks of it, even compared to my Bonnie.

 

[nickk]

What’s the inverted U pipe on the points cover? Like the square shafted gear lever.
To eliminate my dislike of occasional cleaning,I’d like a metallic light blue one,I think they’d suit.

 

[Rannsachair]

What’s the inverted U pipe on the points cover? Like the square shafted gear lever.
To eliminate my dislike of occasional cleaning,I’d like a metallic light blue one,I think they’d suit.

I assumed a breather, I have messaged the previous owner to check.

 

[Greeves246]

Just a breather to stop condensation. The pale blue you mention is the Thruxton. You don’t want a Thruxton unless you have started and ridden one for more than ten minutes.

 

[Rannsachair]

What’s the inverted U pipe on the points cover? Like the square shafted gear lever.
To eliminate my dislike of occasional cleaning,I’d like a metallic light blue one,I think they’d suit.

Jim, the original owner replied: "The pipe is a safeguard against rain blowing into what is an open hole. There is a trap inside but could fill up."

 

[Rannsachair]

Decided on a deeper clean and reroute some cables:

also got a mod list from the owner:
BSO 423 spec variations as of 28 Feb 2026



VCL toothed belt driving 12v Lucas E3L dynamo

12v V-Reg 2a negative earth electronic regulator

12 v LED lights and horn

Avon Roadrider tyres

Alloy wheel rims front WM2 x 19 rear WM3 x 18

Wheels built by Colin Aitken using Stainless spokes

Bonded touring brake linings by Villiers Services with "Titch Allen" modification

Amal Mk1 Concentric upgraded slide and float

BTH BKH1 manual magneto with platinum points and EasyCap

Anti-sumping valve replaced by Yamaha outboard motor item.

Roo centre stand.

20 tooth gearbox sprocket

Prefix 14 gearbox with reverse camplate and correct 1954 change lever.

Venom kickstart lever

Clubman silencer modified to clear stand

Later cast-iron cylinder barrel with std bore Omega MSS solid-skirt piston

Modified Viper cylinder head with oversize valves (Nimonic 80a exhaust)

Later screw-up primary chaincase

9-plate Venom clutch

Special crankshaft oil-thrower attached to VCL dynamo drive wheel

Special spacers on rear wheel spindle to prevent swaging of speedo drive

 

[Greeves246]

That is well sorted. Have you got the piece of 1/4” rod with a flat ground on one end to adjust the clutch?

 

[Migmac]

Decided on a deeper clean and reroute some cables:
View attachment 531847
also got a mod list from the owner:
BSO 423 spec variations as of 28 Feb 2026



VCL toothed belt driving 12v Lucas E3L dynamo

12v V-Reg 2a negative earth electronic regulator

12 v LED lights and horn

Avon Roadrider tyres

Alloy wheel rims front WM2 x 19 rear WM3 x 18

Wheels built by Colin Aitken using Stainless spokes

Bonded touring brake linings by Villiers Services with "Titch Allen" modification

Amal Mk1 Concentric upgraded slide and float

BTH BKH1 manual magneto with platinum points and EasyCap

Anti-sumping valve replaced by Yamaha outboard motor item.

Roo centre stand.

20 tooth gearbox sprocket

Prefix 14 gearbox with reverse camplate and correct 1954 change lever.

Venom kickstart lever

Clubman silencer modified to clear stand

Later cast-iron cylinder barrel with std bore Omega MSS solid-skirt piston

Modified Viper cylinder head with oversize valves (Nimonic 80a exhaust)

Later screw-up primary chaincase

9-plate Venom clutch

Special crankshaft oil-thrower attached to VCL dynamo drive wheel

Special spacers on rear wheel spindle to prevent swaging of speedo drive

Looks like all you can do is ride it and clean it

 

[Rannsachair]

That is well sorted. Have you got the piece of 1/4” rod with a flat ground on one end to adjust the clutch?

Unfortunately, no tools at all, will start looking into what I need to make or buy

 

[brewdexta]

I helped my dad change the clutch on his velocette venom, one of the last things we did together in his workshop before he decided to sell up. He copied the works tool to hold the clutch with while you tried to push against a few dozen tiny springs while trying to screw it onto a very fine thread. I tried for about an hour or so, swearing profusely. I put it down for the night, the next morning I got it on first time

My dad's tools are mostly now in my workshop. If I can remember what the clutch tool looks like and spot it lurking in the workshop, you can have it.

 

[Seadog]

Velocette KSS & KTS Toolbox & Tool Section

Motorcycle Spare parts for the Velocette KSS and Velocette KTS. Genuine and high quality Velocette spares for your KSS & KTS classic Motorcycles. Use the Parts illustrations to locate the parts you need for restoration of your vintage motorcycle.

www.velocetteonline.co.uk

 

[Rannsachair]

Out a run today:

tickover still too high and not changing with slide stop backing off, so a wee bit more investigation.

Otherwise goes well, 70 is easy, cruising at 60 effortless.