Build Year: 1954
Make: Velocette
Model: Smith Framed Racer
Body Type: Motorcycle
VELOCETTE 1954 SMITH FRAME
Following WW2 there was a thriving motorcycle racing scene. Initially there was a shortage of factory race bikes such as Manx Norton and Velocette KTT Mk 8. So, many street bikes were racerized until more potent factory equipment materialized. An industry of back yard tuners sprang up providing engine upgrades and rear suspension installation. One of these race equipment suppliers was Stan “Nuge” Smith. A post war ‘British “Beasley” race frame came into his possession for a crash repair and he used the opportunity to make a jig and manufacture his own copies.
The exact number of “Smith” replica Beasley frame copies produced is subject to conjecture. One version is that 18 were produced – 14 for Velocette engines and 4 for BSA Gold Star Engines. There are claims that another person borrowed the jig and made a few more.
These frames with various Velocette engines featured prominently in club and championship races in the 50’s. Race photos of the period show them fitted with Velocette KTT, MAC and in this case 500 cc MSS engines.
In 1954, Velocette resumed selling their 500 CC MSS model which they had discontinued in 1948. The new MSS featured a “square” 86 mm bore and stroke and an alloy head, making it very tunable. This engine went on to be developed by the factory into the Venom and Thruxton models.
This “Smith” frame has been fitted with a race tuned version of the 86 mm square engine. It has been fitted with a big fin barrel for racing and the close ratio type 5 gearbox (same ratios as the later Venom model).
Interestingly, the Beasley frames from which this is copied are rare and expensive in the UK. At least one Smith frame has found its way to the UK and been passed off as a Beasley frame.
This Velo would be suitable to go classic racing, Selicks beach or even convert to a clubman road bike. It is easy to fit a kick start to a type 5 gearbox using Standard Velocette components.
This vehicle is located in our facility in Melbourne, for further information please contact Dave Hosking 0474 182 002 or Mason Hibbert 0455 191 035.
To protect your investment vehicle bidders should consider at a minimum replacement of fuel, oil, fluids, filters and thorough brake inspection as vehicles may have been stationary for some time. Vehicles are sold as is off the floor – unregistered. Please check photos carefully for vehicle condition. No warranty expressed or implied, sold with all or any faults, and where applicable sold with Australian Government Import Approval. MC
