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51 Velocette LE200

Posted by Leon Novello <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Leon+Novello' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 22, 2023, 7:12 am

Mostly hand-operated, possibly for people with leg or foot problems. The pink trim was probably ordered by a lady with taste?

Leon Novello

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by 6TDen <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=6TDen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 22, 2023, 8:24 am, in reply to "51 Velocette LE200"

I certainly didn't see many that colour used by the Police force over here.
Den

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

That should be any not many!
Den

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 22, 2023, 8:52 am, in reply to "Re: 51 Velocette LE200"

Just like mine though mine was converted to 200cc.
When you pulled the starting handle the centre stand went up a lot of people disconnected this also the carb used to ice up in moderately cold weather so needed a new water heated manifold..one of the best handling bikes I have ever ridden.. use mine for commuting into London .. the engine now still doing Stirling service in a small boat.
Also known as the Noddy bike story says because riding the bike you couldnt salute to senior officers so alowed to nod...

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by Will <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Will' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 22, 2023, 10:37 am, in reply to "Re: 51 Velocette LE200"

LE Velos were intended as a "car substitute" to be used by non-motorcyclists. Part of the design brief was they should be suitable for ladies. They had a pull hand-starting lever because kickstarting was considered "unladylike". They were issued to district nurses, midwives etc in some areas.

It provided an alternative to bicycles for beat policemen who initially were not considered sufficiently proficient motorcyclists to safely salute officers, hence the nod as TUD says. Also he is correct about the handling. One old PC I knew did receive training, with his instructor expecting the underside edges of the footboards to be polished by enthusiastic cornering!

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Riding two up Maz and I along the Westminster embankment in the snow I completely lost the front end let go of the bars to abandon shop and it righted itself.. Maz didn't notice..
Reason we used to Mudlark on the Thames foreshore before you needed a licence.. have some very nice finds and the panniers were ideal for storage..

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by pete__s <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=pete__s' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 22, 2023, 12:41 pm, in reply to "51 Velocette LE200"

Hmm, depending on how the knee heals up, I may need one of those.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 22, 2023, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Re: 51 Velocette LE200"

pete, the knee will still be sore after 4 months although walking is soon after the operation. Mine is 19 years old now with no problems except i only have 90 degree bend due to all the injuries i already had. Absoloutely work the physio as much as you can to get at least 115 degrees. I found that excercise one day and not the next was best as daily workouts just made it very sore. 12 months and it will be as good as it is going to be. Always feels like a slightly rusty hinge in operation. I went back to work after 5 Months and able to lift and carry , build scaffolds and work quite well apart from i can never kneel due to the angle i have. I am still walking quite well on it and pain free. Hoping it will stay that way. Its design life was 15 years. Its had a few bumps but the bone cement holds well. Good result for me as i was unable to walk aged 51 without a lot of pain.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by pete__s <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=pete__s' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 23, 2023, 7:18 am, in reply to "Re: 51 Velocette LE200"

Thanks, yes I now know this is one of the more painful operations. However, my right knee was in fail mode and I didn't want to lose all my mobility while waiting years after it failed so I went for a new one maybe a bit early and got a replacement. They cost the same as say a fully restored Velo Thruxton or a mid range new Hardley. Money well spent I reckon.

I did learn a new word from the nurses last week though. Its to describe the folk who roam round the ward with sticks and elastics and foam rollers. They are the physio-terrorists.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by Beezabryan <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Beezabryan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 23, 2023, 10:44 am, in reply to "Re: 51 Velocette LE200"

I did learn a new word from the nurses last week though. Its to describe the folk who roam round the ward with sticks and elastics and foam rollers. They are the physio-terrorists

BeezaBryan

He knows not where he's going, For the ocean will decide,
Its not the destination, It's the glory of the ride (Edward Monkton, Zen Dog)

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Easy to work on undo about ten bolts and lift the body off leaving the engine and back wheel..

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

There was a member here rode around Britain with a trailer attached to a very bright red one. I saw him as he went through Sidmouth.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by MadMike <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=MadMike' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 22, 2023, 5:19 pm, in reply to "Re: 51 Velocette LE200"

That was Graham Bailey, aka BOF.

Other opinions may be available but this one is always correct.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Thats him Mike. Is he still around ?

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

Posted by MadMike <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=MadMike' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 23, 2023, 9:18 am, in reply to "Re: 51 Velocette LE200"

I haven't spoken to him for some time but he was OK last time we spoke.

Other opinions may be available but this one is always correct.

Re: 51 Velocette LE200

I'm surprised NVNL hasn't popped up on this thread.
Den

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