VB 598cc sv single || 370Ib || 50mpg || 60mph || 1945-58

Side valves were quickly going out of fashion after the war, except for sidecar use. The VB was one of the last of those side valve sloggers. The side valve set-up means you get great reliability, massive charm and almost no performance. They offer an alternative experience to more common singles. If you have a choice, go for the rigid, which boasts considerable character, the swinging arm model rather less so, feeling rather more like a slower version of the OHV bikes. Do not expect great acceleration or excitement.