HISTORY OF VELOCE, LTD. 1905–1940
1905: John Taylor (born in Germany as Johannes Gutgemann, later changes name to John Goodman) and William Gue create Taylor, Gue, Ltd, and use the name Veloce for their first motorcycle. Goodman later sets up Veloce, Ltd. on his own, to produce cycle parts and services.
1906: First motorcycle, the 2 hp Veloce built as a one-off.
1907: Percy and Eugene Goodman (John's sons) establish New Veloce Motors to produce a car (which doesn't enter production). The new company offers general engineering services and other non-motorcycle products.
1908: Veloce Ltd. begins work on a new motorcycle, with an engine designed in-house
1911: New 2 1/2 hp. four-stroke motorcycle (276cc, two-speed, all-chain drive, unit construction engine, inlet over exhaust) introduced.
1911: John Taylor becomes a British citizen
1912: The 2 1/2hp model gains success in the press and in trials; Ladie's Model introduced.
December 1912: New Sidevalve 499cc machine introduced. Sales of 2 1/2hp model slow during 1913.
December 1913: 206cc Two-Stroke model -the first Velocette announced. 'Footstarter' introduced.
1914: Model range expands; belt-drive available or two-speed with chain drive. Sidecars added to the range.
1914: Adverts and sales of 4 stroke bikes diminish, leaving the Velocette two stroke
1919: Postwar, only two-stroke models offered; D1, DL1, then D2 and DL2
1920: Factory moves to Victoria Rd, Aston, Birmingham. Three D2s enter ACU Six Days Trial, winning 3 gold medals.
1921: D3 model introduced, with 3-speed gearbox, all-chain drive.
1922: Velocette Clutch introduced, inline of final drive sprocket, as are all subsequent Velo clutches (on single-cylinder machines)
1923: Model G introduced. All models now 249cc, electric lighting offered.
1924: Models A (two-speed belt drive) and B (three-speed chain-drive) introduced – economy machines
1925: Model K introduced, new 349cc overhead-camshaft. G-model range becomes H-model range.
1926: Alec Bennett wins Isle of Man Junior TT using the new ohc KSS (K Super Sports). Factory moves to Hall Green, Birmingham. 'Velocette' registered as a Trade Name
1927: Model U introduced, new 249cc two-stroke, 3-speed chain drive. KS model introduced (KSS with standard engine)
1928: KSS takes One Hour World Record at over 100mph. Models KE and KES introduced (economy K series)
1929: KTT introduced (TT replica, K model), using the first positive-stop footshift on a motorcycle. USS introduced (U Super Sports 249cc 2-stroke), plus basic Model 32
1930: MAC introduced (new 249 two-stroke). KTP (K with twin-exhaust ports) introduced.
1931: KTT MkII (variant of first KTT) introduced
1932: KTT MkIII (further variant of KTT)
1933: M-Series introduced; MOV (250cc ohv) and later MAC (349cc ohv). KTT MkIVproduced (KTT with extra frame supports, new cylinder head and cambox, stronger cylinder barrel and conrod). GTP uses ??auto-lubrication?? oil injection system for two-stroke engine (another Velocette innovation)
1934: Works 500cc ohc racer is 3rd in Isle of Man Senior TT
1935: MSS (500cc ohv with new, heavier frame) arrives. KTT MkV produced using similar frame to MSS
1936: KTT MkVI produced (12 in all)
1937: Works ohc Velocette 2nd in Junior TT. 600cc ohc special trials machine wins ISDT
1938: KTT MkVII produced (38 total) – new frame and all-aluminum engine with enclosed valves.
1939: KTT MkVIII introduced. Velocette wins Junior TT. Veloce builds supercharged ohc twin-cylinder 'Roarer', and prototype twin-cylinder ohv Model O
1940: MDD and MAF military models produced (versions of the 349cc MAC)