1964 Velocette 499cc Viper (see text), Registration no. RRF 110B Frame no. RS17868 Engine no. VR 4286

Important Collectors' Motorcycles and Spares
1964 Velocette 499cc Viper (see text)
Registration no. RRF 110B
Frame no. RS17868
Engine no. VR 4286
Velocette's new sports models, the 350cc Viper and 500cc Venom, were both launched at the 1955 Motorcycle Show and followed a long tradition of wonderful sporting singles, their power and speed being a significant advance on the more sedate MAC and MSS. A total of 3,693 Vipers were produced before production ceased in 1968.

The Viper (bore and stroke 72mm x 86mm) and Venom (86mm x 86mm) had many components in common including the engines' bottom ends. "Venomising" a Viper engine by grafting the top end of the larger engine on to the Viper crankcase is thus an easy conversion in the quest for extra power. This example was Venomised way back in 1973 as evidenced by the entry in the accompanying continuation logbook, which also shows the original registration number as EPA 347B. The V5C indicates that the RRF 110B registration was issued in 1985.

Multiple old MoTs date back to 1998 and show that the mileage increased by only 377 between 1998 & 2006, then 2008 miles being covered 2015-2016. The current displayed mileage is approximately 4473. There are recent bills from various suppliers such as Hitchcocks (for a new Concentric carburettor), & Grove Classics (for multiple items including new handlebars and seat), also an undated letter from Criterion Engineers for one of their alternator conversions. Inherited by the vendor in November 2016, this very well presented Viper has been on SORN since April 2017.