A QUICK LEARNER
The enclosed photograph shows my dad, David Parker, on what I believe to be a Velocette Viper or Venom. He was living in Grimsby at the time and it is a locally-registered bike. Mum thinks the photograph was taken around 1960-62. She also recalls that dad sold the bike and replaced it with a James, due to a change in the law regarding the maximum engine size you could ride without passing a full test. It seems to have an interesting seat cover and I’m not sure what he is carrying on the rear carrier! If you could identify the exact model and possibly even a year, that would be great. Dad is no longer with us, but I have got into bikes more recently. I ride a 2009 Royal Enfield Bullet, which despite being half a century newer, doesn’t look too dissimilar to the bike in the photograph. Stuart Parker, Alvingham, Lincolnshire
Hi Stewart, David’s bike was registered in July 1960 and from what I can just see of the exhaust pipe I would guess it is a 350cc Viper – the Venom had a largerdiameter pipe. The 250cc maximum for learners came into force from July 1, 1961. Maybe that’s when this picture was taken, because there are no L-plates visible – perhaps David took them off to avoid being spotted before going down to a smaller bike! The seat cover is a stretch-over leopardskin print – a popular accessory at the time and it goes well with your dad’s natty Cuban-heeled ‘winklepicker’ shoes! All the best, Rick Parkington