Velos
In the shed
From JIM BIRD in Warkworth, New Zealand, comes a story of the sort of “shed find” we all dream about. Having been a reader of your magazine since its beginning, I would like to make a contribution regarding a shed-find some eight years ago. From reading your magazine, I am pleased to see that at 78-yearsold I am one of many seniors who enjoy riding our bikes. I also own a modern Japanese machine. While building for a client in suburban Auckland, I was told by him that the neighbour had two old bikes in the shed next door. I had to follow this up. I found these two bikes in very original condition. Their owner was not interested in selling them at that stage. Keen on rescuing them, I gave regular friendly calls to him each Christmas. This went on for seven or eight years until he finally relented. The bikes were two Velocettes – a 1951 rigid frame 350 Mac, and a 1953 swinging arm frame Mac. I took the ‘53 off his hands and a couple of years later my son Colin purchased the other. The ’53 model still had all its paperwork and history, including the tool kit. We both love taking them out and it’s great they are still together in our sheds.
Restorer Gary Crene, based in Kerikeri in Northland, NZ, found them easy to work on as there was little corrective work to do, mainly superficial freshening up. The 1951 rigid had been parked since 1971 and it took Gary two hours to get the engine started. No work needed to be done to this engine. These bikes had been everyday transport, for the two brothers, since new till our ownership a few years ago. The 1953 model was judged the best post-war bike at the recent Auckland Star Insurance show day. My son and I belong to the local Velocette Owners’ Club, so that the two bikes – both of which have been together in the same family from new – can continue to rub shoulders. Maybe they will move on later to yet another family one day. Top marks for your magazine.