Velocette LE
Encyclopedia
The LE was a Velocette
motorcycle
made from 1948 to 1970. The designation LE stood for "little engine". Used by over fifty British Police forces, the police riders became known as "Noddies" because they were required to "nod" to senior officers, and the LE was nicknamed "the Noddy Bike". Production ended in 1970 when the company ran into financial problems and went into voluntary liquidation.
, planned an innovative and radical design that would appeal to a new market that needed cheap, clean and reliable transport. Designer Charles Udall developed the Velocette LE as a "conceived-as-a-whole" design, with engine, gearbox, drive shaft and bevel box in a single unit to do a specific job.
The Velocette LE was launched at the Earls Court
Show in 1948 as the "Motorcycle for Everyman". With a 150 cc four-stroke, water-cooled, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder
engine, the LE also had a radiator and was fitted with coil ignition to help starting. The three-speed gearbox, engine and clutch were contained in special castings, and final drive was by a shaft mounted in a swing frame with adjustable suspension. Aluminium leg shields were designed to keep the rain off, and footboards gave it a scooter feel.
Instruments included a speedometer and trip recorder. To reduce noise and vibration, the engine was rubber mounted, and the pressed steel frame was lined with soundproofing felt. The water-cooled engine was actually well silenced, and riders reported that sometimes they only knew the engine was running was by checking the ignition light. Carrying capacity was boosted by quickly detachable panniers and a "glove compartment" in front of the petrol tank. All this made the MkI LE expensive, however, at £126 compared with the BSA Bantam
at £76. The odd looks also meant that it didn't appeal to the usual motorcycle buyer.
A breakthrough for Velocette was when over fifty British Police forces decided to use the LE for patrols and ordered more than half the production. Ex police machines can be identified by the after market fittings for the police radio. These include the manufacturers data plate being moved to the headstock, the word 'POLICE' stamped under the generator cover and a distinctive V shaped pressing rivetted in front of the seat. This was designed to keep rainwater out of the battery compartment.
.
With ten years development, the Velocette LE was more reliable and practical, but in 1970 the company went into voluntary liquidation. Production of other motorcycles had been delayed or canceled to produce the LE in various forms, and the lucrative police orders had dried up with the introduction of the "panda car
" for patrol use by most forces. Kent County Constabulary purchased the remaining spare parts and were able to keep LE's running until 1974.
Velocette
Velocette is the name given to motorcycles that were made by Veloce Ltd, in Hall Green, Birmingham, England. One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham, Velocette was a small, family-owned firm, selling far fewer hand-built motorcycles than the giant BSA, Norton or Triumph concerns...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
made from 1948 to 1970. The designation LE stood for "little engine". Used by over fifty British Police forces, the police riders became known as "Noddies" because they were required to "nod" to senior officers, and the LE was nicknamed "the Noddy Bike". Production ended in 1970 when the company ran into financial problems and went into voluntary liquidation.
The Mk1 LE
Velocette's Director, Eugene GoodmanEugene Goodman
Eugene Goodman, was the co founder of the Velocette motorcycle company with his father John Goodman.Eugene was born in Birmingham. His father had a small shop in Great Hampton street in Birmingham selling and making bicycles and fittings....
, planned an innovative and radical design that would appeal to a new market that needed cheap, clean and reliable transport. Designer Charles Udall developed the Velocette LE as a "conceived-as-a-whole" design, with engine, gearbox, drive shaft and bevel box in a single unit to do a specific job.
The Velocette LE was launched at the Earls Court
Earls Court
Earls Court is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It is an inner-city district centred on Earl's Court Road and surrounding streets, located 3.1 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It borders the sub-districts of South Kensington to the East, West...
Show in 1948 as the "Motorcycle for Everyman". With a 150 cc four-stroke, water-cooled, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder
Flat-twin
A flat-twin is a two cylinder internal combustion engine with the cylinders arranged on opposite sides of the crankshaft. It is part of the class of flat engines, sub-type "boxer", and shares most characteristics of those engines.-Motorcycle use:...
engine, the LE also had a radiator and was fitted with coil ignition to help starting. The three-speed gearbox, engine and clutch were contained in special castings, and final drive was by a shaft mounted in a swing frame with adjustable suspension. Aluminium leg shields were designed to keep the rain off, and footboards gave it a scooter feel.
Instruments included a speedometer and trip recorder. To reduce noise and vibration, the engine was rubber mounted, and the pressed steel frame was lined with soundproofing felt. The water-cooled engine was actually well silenced, and riders reported that sometimes they only knew the engine was running was by checking the ignition light. Carrying capacity was boosted by quickly detachable panniers and a "glove compartment" in front of the petrol tank. All this made the MkI LE expensive, however, at £126 compared with the BSA Bantam
BSA Bantam
The BSA Bantam is a two-stroke unit construction motorcycle that was produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company from 1948 until 1971...
at £76. The odd looks also meant that it didn't appeal to the usual motorcycle buyer.
The Mk II LE
Launched in 1951 the Mk.II had a 192 cc engine, giving an extra 2 hp, and strengthened bearings. Sales remained poor, however, and the company had to reduce the price. The clutch was upgraded, and an Amal 363 monobloc carburetor replaced the standard unit. The rear swinging arm was uprated with cast aluminium to improve rigidity, and the brakes were improved. The petrol tank capacity was also increased from 1.25 gallons to 1.62 gallons (7.4 litre).A breakthrough for Velocette was when over fifty British Police forces decided to use the LE for patrols and ordered more than half the production. Ex police machines can be identified by the after market fittings for the police radio. These include the manufacturers data plate being moved to the headstock, the word 'POLICE' stamped under the generator cover and a distinctive V shaped pressing rivetted in front of the seat. This was designed to keep rainwater out of the battery compartment.
The Noddy name
Metropolitan Police Officers of the time were trained to salute a Sergeant or Inspector, but when riding the Velocette LE this meant taking one hand from the handle bars, so it was agreed that instead they could "nod" to show respect. The police riders therefore became known as "Noddies", and the LE was nicknamed "the Noddy Bike". It is, however, much more likely that the bike was named after the children's character, Noddy. This character already had a "Noddy Car", and the adjective "Noddy" was often used to describe something that was seen as small or childish. Indeed, it is a LE Velocette that Police Constable McGarry (Number 452) rides in the children's puppet series, Camberwick GreenCamberwick Green
Camberwick Green is a British children's television series, originally seen on BBC One, featuring stop-motion puppets. It was one of the first British television series to be filmed in colour.-Background:...
.
The Mk III LE
In 1958, Velocette launched the Mk III LE with a foot operated gear change and a conventional kick start. An extra gear was added, together with 18 inches (457.2 mm) wheels. The instrumentation was relocated to the head lamp, and the petrol capacity was increased from a meagre 1.25 gallons to 1.62 gallons.With ten years development, the Velocette LE was more reliable and practical, but in 1970 the company went into voluntary liquidation. Production of other motorcycles had been delayed or canceled to produce the LE in various forms, and the lucrative police orders had dried up with the introduction of the "panda car
Panda car
The phrase panda car refers to a small or medium-sized police car operated by British police forces. They are used for ordinary patrol work, with larger and more powerful vehicles being used for emergency response, Road Policing Unit duties and as Armed Response Vehicles-History of the term:Panda...
" for patrol use by most forces. Kent County Constabulary purchased the remaining spare parts and were able to keep LE's running until 1974.