Velocette MAC
Encyclopedia
The Velocette MAC was a British
motorcycle
made by Velocette
. A reliable single-cylinder, the 'MAC' coped well with the low grade post war petrol and was a popular commuter and touring motorcycle. Although they started as innovators, Velocette failed to keep pace with developing technology and production ended in 1959.
On the outbreak of World War II
military versions of the MAC, the Velocette MAC (WD)
and the MAF were produced. The MAC (WD) had an upgraded clutch and the MAF had a new 'up-for-down' gear shift. The pressed-steel front brake drum was replaced by cast-iron fittings which became standard for the later MAC.
After the war MAC production restarted and in 1948 the outdated girder forks were replaced with innovative air-sprung Dowty Oleomatic forks. In 1951 these were upgraded to Veloce 'tele forks' which were devleoped for the Velocette LE
. These had coil springs with damping. In the same year the engine was upgraded to an alloy barrel and head with wider fins to improve cooling. For the 1953 the MAC was updated with fully adjustable rear suspension, swinging arm and a tube frame. The clutch and gearbox were also greatly improved. From 1954 the MAC is sold as a sidecar machine to try to broaden the appeal but by 1960 production is halted. The company had invested £50,000 developing the Velocette Viceroy scooter and despite continued sales of the singles became insolvent.
, ridden (and crashed) by the elderly teacher, Hector, played by Richard Griffiths
.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
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 by Velocette
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...
. A reliable single-cylinder, the 'MAC' coped well with the low grade post war petrol and was a popular commuter and touring motorcycle. Although they started as innovators, Velocette failed to keep pace with developing technology and production ended in 1959.
Development
The first version of the Velocette MAC was launched in 1933 and was developed from the overhead valve Velocette MOV 250cc, which suffereed from reliability problems. The single-cylinder engine was enlarged 349cc and could comfortably reach 75 mph. The early MAC weighed 280lb and had girder front forks.On the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
military versions of the MAC, the Velocette MAC (WD)
Velocette MAC (WD)
The Velocette MAC was a British military motorcycle made by Velocette. A single-cylinder, the MDD could cope well with battlefield conditions but Velocette's limited production facilities meant it was a difficult to keep up production and by September 1942 the MDD order was cancelled and the...
and the MAF were produced. The MAC (WD) had an upgraded clutch and the MAF had a new 'up-for-down' gear shift. The pressed-steel front brake drum was replaced by cast-iron fittings which became standard for the later MAC.
Velocette LE
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"...
. These had coil springs with damping. In the same year the engine was upgraded to an alloy barrel and head with wider fins to improve cooling. For the 1953 the MAC was updated with fully adjustable rear suspension, swinging arm and a tube frame. The clutch and gearbox were also greatly improved. From 1954 the MAC is sold as a sidecar machine to try to broaden the appeal but by 1960 production is halted. The company had invested £50,000 developing the Velocette Viceroy scooter and despite continued sales of the singles became insolvent.
Media apprearances
A Velocette MAC motorcycle appeared in the 2006 film The History BoysThe History Boys
The History Boys is a play by British playwright Alan Bennett. The play premiered at the Lyttelton Theatre in London on 18 May 2004. Its Broadway debut was on 23 April 2006 at the Broadhurst Theatre where there were 185 performances staged before it closed on 1 October 2006.The play won multiple...
, ridden (and crashed) by the elderly teacher, Hector, played by Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths, OBE is an English actor of stage, film and television. He has received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actor and a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor...
.