CLUTCH CORRECTION
Somebody has been leading Rowena seriously astray on the subject of Velocette clutches, and in the interests of historical accuracy and as a Velocette owner for many years I must correct the errors in her otherwise excellent article. Velocette clutches vary in the number of plates, according to the power and engine size. For instance, my 1953 MAC. has seven plates, whereas more powerful models may have from nine up to thirteen plates.
When you operate the clutch lever the tilt only operates for one revolution of the clutch assembly, after which the lift pins in a properly set up clutch maintain the plates in a separated and parallel condition, without them touching. Even conventional motorcycle clutches are not designed to be held disengaged for any length of time, as a look at the thrust mechanism and the loading it carries will confirm.
I would agree that the Velo clutch is not easy to set up, requiring patience and a delicate touch, not say a careful study of the workshop manual. Properly set up the Velo clutch does not slip or drag, frees silently on start-up, because of that initial tilt and because of its design, is feather light. As regards starting, with correctly set ignition and carb, correct positioning of the piston, hey presto away she goes.
As an aside I thought Frank might be joking when expressing his admiration for the dreadful knee-knocker Matchless tank badge, but studying the article, I can only think he was serious. No wonder he is not a Velo man, with their understated black and gold, pure class.
Many thanks for an interesting and refreshingly different magazine.
Paul Rees, member
I’ll stick my hand up here and confess that way back when I was a youth I could never figure out how to make a Velo clutch work. Neither could my pal Geoffrey, and he went on to design aero engines for Rolls-Royce. Some people know how to do it and others do not – which is actually the problem. Most amateurs – like me – familiar with AMC clutches will be mystified by the Velo. And yes, I really do like the late Matchless kneeknocker badges! FrankW