Velocette VIPER: history, specs, pictures
| Velocette VIPER | |
| Manufacturer | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1956 |
| Class | Classic |
| Engine | Single cylinder, 4-stroke, Air-cooled |
| Bore / Stroke | 71.1mm x 71.1mm |
| Compression ratio | 8.0:1 |
| Horsepower | 28.03 HP (20.9 KW) @ 7000RPM |
| Fuel System | Carburetor |
| Transmission | Gear box: 4-Speed constant mesh, close ratio Final Drive: Chain |
| Suspension | Front: Telescopic fork with hydraulic compression and rebound damping Rear: Woodhead-Monroe springs with hydraulic damping, later Armstrong and Girling, adjustable |
| Brakes | Front: Drum Rear: Drum |
| Front Tire | 3.25 x 19" |
| Rear Tire | 3.25 x 19" |
| Wheelbase | 53.31 inches (1354 mm) |
| Weight | 165.0 kg (wet) |
| Manuals | Service Manual |
The Velocette VIPER was a Single cylinder, 4-stroke, Air-cooled Classic motorcycle produced by Velocette in 1956. Claimed horsepower was 28.03 HP (20.9 KW) @ 7000 RPM.
Engine[edit | edit source]
A 71.1mm bore x 71.1mm stroke result in a displacement of just 349.0 cubic centimeters.
Drive[edit | edit source]
The bike has a 4-Speed constant mesh, close ratio transmission. Power was moderated via the Dry, three-plate.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 3.25 x 19" front tire and a 3.25 x 19" rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Drum in the front and a Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic fork with hydraulic compression and rebound damping while the rear was equipped with a Woodhead-Monroe springs with hydraulic damping, later Armstrong and Girling, adjustable. The wheelbase was 53.31 inches (1354 mm) long.
1956 - 1968 Velocette VIPER[edit | edit source]
Introduced in October 1955, the single-cylinder Viper was developed from the 349cc Velocette MAC. Designed by Charles Udall, the Viper's 349cc engine had a bi-metal cylinder with a cast iron liner, high compression piston and a light alloy cylinder head. Using the same bottom end as its sister bike the 500cc Velocette Venom, the Viper had a lot of chrome plating and was offered in a choice of black or "willow green" paintwork. The Viper was also ahead of its time in being one of the first to have glass fibre enclosure panels from 1962. These panels proved unpopular with the traditional buyers of Velocette singles, as they extended from the front of the engine, level with the top of the crankcase, to the rear pillion footrests.