1948 Velocette 349cc KSS MkII, Frame no. KDD 9651 Engine no. KSS 10848

1948 Velocette 349cc KSS MkII
Frame no. KDD 9651
Engine no. KSS 10848
The 349cc KSS represented a major redesign of Veloce Ltd's road-going overhead-camshaft single when it arrived for the 1936 season. The MkII version featured many improvements including a new aluminum-alloy cylinder head with enclosed valve-gear, together with the cradle frame and heavyweight Webb forks of the new MSS. In this form, the KSS resumed production post-war in November 1946 before being updated, together with the other road models, with (optional) Dowty Oleomatic telescopic front forks in August 1947. Expensive to produce in a period of austerity, the KSS was dropped from the range at the year's end.

This beautifully restored example first arrived in the USA when it was traded in to Brooks' Cyclery of San Jose, California on October 1, mileage at the time, 4,847. Ed Brooks' shop was the place to go in San Jose, in the heyday of the British motorcycle, although Brooks was pretty much everything but a Velocette dealer. 'Old man' Brooks died years and years ago and the shop closed, 'locked up like a big time capsule" and not re-opened again until just after Mrs. Brooks' passing. This KSS had slumbered in Ed's back room until his collection of bikes were sold at auction in 2011. Post sale it was built up from a bare frame with every component dismantled and 'administered' to.

These late overhead camshaft KSSs are wonderful motorcycles to ride...here is a well restored example. Ed Brooks would be proud.