Velocette Gallery
Velocette Gallery
From: Dave Disney
Sent: 21 April 2009 21:57
To: Kevin Thurston
Subject: Venom clutch
Hi Kevin,
Just thought I’d drop you a line about the clutch you supplied for my Venom.
I have now done over 16,000 miles (yes sixteen thousand ) in under two and a half years and had no trouble whatsoever with it. I have not had to adjust anything – clutch or belt – and the only adjustment to the rear chain has been two flats on the adjuster.
The clutch is a delight to use - I can operate it with my little finger, it is so light. There has been no hint of slip or drag hot or cold. I have been on holiday on the bike five times to the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors (Heartbeat country) and many of the roads have been steep and twisty, demanding a very reliable clutch.
I can thoroughly recommend your clutch to all Venom owners.
Regards, Dave Disney
Above: Dave Disney and his Venom at Stanford Hall Velocette Owners Club Rally 2008
KTT Services
Above: KTT Services at Stanford Hall Velocette Owners Club Rally in 2009
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Rafter
Sent: 10 March 2014 21:01
Subject: Clubman Velo
1965 Clubman Venom,built to full Thruxton spec. by Geoff Dodkin and sold by him to David Thompson of Belfast in 1967.Mr Thompson had problems starting the bike and brought it to Ken Turner [ who raced Manx Nortons] to check the G.P. carb and Mag timing and as a lad of 19 I remember admiring the bike in Kens workshop. 45 years later I came across the bike again,. It had been with 2 owners for about 40 years and had never been taxed or MOT'd and somewhere along the way it had lost its GP Carb and Big valve head. I bought the bike in Nov 2013 and with it came a letter from Dodkin dated 1972 detailing some of the "considerable work" he had done to the machine, which included a still present polydene cam and lightened and polished flywheels. I fitted a new Thruxton barrel and piston and ordered a belt drive and Thruxton head from Kevin Thurston. The head was posted on a Friday afternoon in early Feb. I received it Sat. lunchtime and after a bit of checking on Sunday I put it together on Monday morning. Everything was ready by lunchtime and to my surprise and delight it started first kick! When the weather improves I'll MOT and tax it and start running it in.
Thanks, Kevin. Roll on Summer!
From: Malcolm Sanger
Sent: 04 September 2014 21:16
To: Kevin
Subject: Velton
Malcolm Sanger
Belbroughton
Worcs
Hi Kev, Just a line or two of comments on the Clutch-Belt Drive and oil seal kit you recently supplied for my Velton,
I fitted the whole assembly as per your instructions to the letter, coupled to a close ratio gearbox and a well tuned Venom Engine, 16 springs in the clutch, and running dry.
* Clutch operates easily with two fingers, very light.
* No slip whatsoever. (and I tried hard to make it happen)
* No drag in traffic.
* Selecting neutral, no problem at all, cold or hot.
* No oil leaks at the crank either. (Bless)
Just one very important point to mention to anyone re-building a velo for the first time:- (like me)
The world and his wife might have been there before you !
First CHECK all of the parts associated with the clutch mechanism for size and wear, and do not assume that what you are dismantling is in the correct order, or even the correct part, even if the guy you bought it from is an expert and worked on them for years.
That said when all is correct and you understand how the clutch operates it's a breeze to do one.
Get a GOOD MANUAL and parts book first, (Mr Grove Classics) and there's lot of info on the net, if you still have problems, ask Kev for a pointer or Mike at Grove, they both go the extra mile.
All of the parts supplied are of a very high quality and finish, and if all else is correct will not give you any problems at all.
I think that just about sums it up then Kev, I have attached a few pics of the Velton for your amusement and that of others if you want to use them. I am now off to strip and re-build my engine, the only part of the bike I didn't have time to do before the Manx and it let me down like a cheap pair of tights (Crank Pin loose) after all, it was only re-built just before I bought it by an EXPERT!
Again Kev, the Clutch is superb, and Thank You for all of your help along the way, five star job mate.
Kind Regards,
Malc.
From: Tony Meredith Geyer
Sent: 30 November 2017 07:34
To: 'Kevin Thurston'
Subject: Belt Drive
Hi Kevin,
My Venom belt drive which I purchased from you early this year continues to perform flawlessly, no drag, no slip , easy neutral selection and quiet operation.
Regards
Tony Geyer
South Australia
Above L to R: 3 Venoms at Snetterton CRMC race meeting - Reid, Thurston, Clifford
Michael Hodgson in the Isle of Man has fitted the road belt drive kit to his very tidy MOV Valiant Special
(posted July 2010)
Kevin at Stanford Hall in July 2010, talking about front wheel hubs...
(posted Jan 2011)
Frank Stafford’s son, Tim, on his Dad’s bike. Stamford Hall 2010 (MAC road 7-plate clutch)
(posted August 2011)
Clive Thomas, Mallory Park 2011 (Venom race belt drive kit fitted 6 years ago)
(posted August 2011)
Mark Huggins. Brand new 600cc long stroke KTT Services Thruxton engine
(posted August 2011)
From: Mark Huggins
Sent: 25 July 2011 10.01
To: Kevin Thurston
Subject: Engine and Clutch
Morning Kev,
Great day yesterday at Stamford Hall. Thank your Dad for supplying the food etc, I’m sure you’re as pleased with the Velo as I am, it’s really starting to go now. The engine has transformed the riding experience. I found it great fun and the belt drive is superb at transferring the power to the rear wheel, with no snatching or jerking - engine and belt drive are quiet too.
You can quote me:
“It was good to get to know Kevin a little more. I found him easy to get on with and a steady fellow. It was also good to meet Max, who I found to be an exceptionally nice guy, much like yourself of course!”
I’ll be over sometime this week to pick up my bits and deliver my saddle for the silicone implant.
I’ll be in touch,
Mark
From: Gordon Roberts
Sent: 29 May 2012 14:43
Subject: Fitting Thurston belt drive primary & clutch Assembly
1939 KSS mk 2
Dear Kevin
Please find attached pictures of the installation of your belt and clutch kit to KSS mk2 1939. Sorry it has taken an age, but long holidays are now very important to me at my stage of life. The clutch and belt assembly has transformed the operation of the velocette. It is now so easy to use in modern traffic conditions which is a condition not taken into account by many classic bike users, that not only are our machines slow and can sometimes be a little frustrating to other road users, but we should do what we can [without detracting from originality] to make our machines as safe as we can for ourselves, and those we share the roads with. I would strongly recommend the fitting of your parts to any Velocette rider.
As I probably mentioned I have been in the industry a long time, and like many have experiences that I am certain people would like to read but of course I would not do it, but Basil and Faulty Towers does come to mind on occasions. Right I've fitted the tyre now where do I put the air into it?, or which bit of the spark plug goes into the engine and which way do I tighten it?
As you asked me to contribute to your already excellent instructions, there is little comment I can make but if I may offer the following:-
Before the outset we can not over emphasise the necessity of following the instructions down to the very last letter.The nature of the Velocette clutch and the close proximity of the pulleys and belt make it essential to do this.
After you have removed the outer primary cover, clutch etc remove the inner primary cover and any seals that might have been positioned between the crankcase or gearbox and the inner primary case. It is also a good time to check that the lower engine bolt is not protruding enough to interfere with the back of the inner primary case which of course will have a twisting effect on the case. It is now you must check the inner case for any damage or twisting that will interfere with the belt or clutch
on assembly.
The clutch pulley has the versatility of mounting either way which will make it possible to acquire a suitable route of the belt in relation to the primary cases. On my own machine I had to fit two cork primary gaskets bonded together and increase the length of the inner chaincase spacer by 1/8 inch to avoid the tilt of the clutch when in operation and that bought its own problem of the outer chaincase fowling the bottom frame tube [all handmade frames can differ] so the inner lip of the outer primary cover had to be ground away. But now the work is all complete it was well worth the effort and again because of the way the Velocette was manufactured there maybe a number of little tasks appear, but nothing that cannot be overcome with a small amount of thought, and is well worth every bit of effort .
Kind Regards
Gordon Roberts
Inverness.
Gordon Roberts with his 1939 Mk2 KSS - May 2012
From: Markku Kallio
Sent: 16 August 2012 14:54
Subject: Thanks again for a perfect clutch
Hi Kevin
I have recently returned from the annual classic bike meeting in eastern Finland, near Russian border.
The clutch is great. I'm sure it also helps me to keep my old gearbox in a good condition. In the rally there was a Venom owner without his bike because of missing teeth in the box! Especially I enjoy the possibility of finding the neutral after stopping. I always have to start and end my trips by driving through Helsinki.
I have had your clutch now for over a year without any adjustments, including my trip to Stanford Hall last summer. I didn't have the time to come this year, maybe next summer.
When I installed the clutch to my Venom MK2, it needed some fiddling. For some reason the front pulley wanted to go too deep towards the engine, but that was sorted by using some thin shims.
Best regards
Markku Kallio
Helsinki
Contact kevin@kttservices.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1908 641575