Beschreibung:

With its deep petrol tank, massively finned overhead-cam engine and purposeful appearance, the Mk VIII KTT is unquestionably one of the most beautiful racing motorcycles ever made. The talking point of Velocette's new racer on its introduction in 1939 was swinging-arm rear suspension, an innovation first seen on the works bikes in 1936. By now tried and tested, the Velocette rear suspension comprised a pivoting fork made from tapered tubing and complemented by a pair of Dowty Oleomatic air-sprung struts. The rest of the cycle parts remained much as those of the rigid-framed Mk VII. The engine, while basically the same as its predecessor's, incorporated a number of improvements intended to enhance power and reliability, and despite the springer's increase in weight over the rigid model, its superior performance and excellent handling made the Mk VIII KTT a formidable competitor. Despite its pre-war origins, the Mk VIII KTT proved good enough to provide Freddie Frith and Velocette with the 350cc World Championship in 1949, a year in which he won every Championship round, though in most cases courtesy of a special works twin-cam engine. Just 49 MkVIIIs were constructed prior to WW2 and a further 189 up to the end of production in 1950. Today the Mk VIII KTT is one of the most sought after of all British racing motorcycles. The second of two KTTs in the Late Leo Andrews' Collection, this particular machine is believed to have been built in 1948. The bike was carefully restored by Leo over several years and ridden on numerous occasions until his passing. Included are the original rear shock absorbers and handle-bar clamps.