1924 EL3 Ladies 250cc two-stroke

The resurrection of this motorcycle hardly qualifies as a restoration, an almost complete build is closer to the truth!

Over the years I have acquired large quantities of early Velocette, T/S bits and pieces, only one bike that could have been described as anywhere near complete and original, and even this was minus wheel and chain guards and the exhaust system. The rest of the collection was individual engines, gearboxes and wheels, (not always complete), and petrol tanks.

There were frames and forks from the years 1923 to 1929, covering 3 basic models – the early well designed and built G and H models etc with mechanical oil pump and gear driven magnetos, and double front frame down bars – a design feature that was the predecessor of the 350cc OHC models of 1924-35, then on to the much cheaper A and B models and their many derivatives, with a simpler (and weaker) frame, and crankcase breathing oil control systems. Then finally the completely new, (but inherently weak) frames of the 1927 U models, with the new saddle petrol tank.

All the later models used a basically similar engine, which eventually gained twin exhaust ports, in a more generously finned barrel – even a detachable alloy head in the case of some sporting models.
Slowly individual machines were assembled from the pile as wheels and hubs were found, and odd frames turned up with original, (but rusted out) mudguards, which served as patterns for replica items to be made. Gearboxes were a big problem, but amazingly they continued to turn up at swap meets, and were bought regardless of condition. So after a few years, I had rebuilt and restored three individual two-strokes, and assembled several complete bikes equipped with my own manufactured chain guards, and many small parts such as fork links and spindles, and brake pedals – all cast or fabricated as necessary.

These machines were sold, as slowly 'dyed in the wool' Velocette owners became aware that there were such things as early two-strokes by Velocette!
Eventually I was reduced to contemplating frames that had missing tube sections, and in the case of the U models, badly broken gearbox mounting lugs – even broken and repaired steering head lugs – and all of these were given away as a 'job lot', the new owner then having enough parts to build at least two frames.

But the remains of a Ladies model frame with tubing sections cut out, and missing the rear bolt up section, assumed a new interest when another badly rusted but complete men's frame of a similar model turned up with a complete ready to run motor still attached – and a little later, another complete motor and a pair of good forks.

So it was, that the front section of the Ladies frame was rebuilt, and the rear section of the other frame was refurbished and fitted – a correct cush drive rear hub was available, and a decision was made to fit a slightly larger front brake in the interests of future safety – even though a correct 4 inch (100mm) was on hand. Unfortunately the rear hub lacked the correct brake plate, but a search through my stock of odd hubs and brake plates, supplied a compatible item that only needed a modified anchorage fitted to do the job. Luckily these models had still used veteran type guards originally, and one rusted frame was still complete with all guards and fittings, so new ones were easily manufactured using veteran guard blanks available through our V&V spares scheme.

Many years previously I had made up a casting pattern using a broken original Velocette aluminium footboard, and several batches were cast up – as it happened, I was down to my last pair! The other ally casting requirement was for a dress guard over the top of the motor, and luckily years before, I had the foresight to borrow an original guard, and use it as a pattern to cast up two new guards.
A gearbox was the biggest problem. Years of searching had turned up one in the UK – but at an exorbitant price, and no guarantee of condition. These early boxes had an horrendous record of failure, few survived, and so I cast about for a better solution.

I had always considered that an early KSS gearbox could be used, but there came a time when I found that not only was there a problem with primary chain alignment – which I had figured I could easily overcome, but the two gearbox mounting bolts were of different centres, and eventually an early GTP gearbox proved to be the easy answer. The frame mounting still had to be altered, and a thin adaptor plate used, but the result is quite satisfactory, and virtually undetectable!
Probably the most time consuming individual job was the making of the petrol tank. I had all the measurements and some templates, but the strange shape had even me baffled when it came to cutting out the steel sheet sections. So I made a full size wooden mock up, and using it as a guide, the tank was easily fabricated, making the top section first and smoothing the welds and joints, then the two bottom panels were welded into place in the manner of the later saddle tanks. The original tanks were built up using soldered tinplate.

Originally the tires were beaded edge, and I still have an unrestored bike with these wheels still intact, but all my restorations of these machines have used modern 19 inch rims, and this is no different. Wheels were built up from my considerable stocks of old spokes, threads being rolled to the correct length in my machine. Original carburettor and ML magneto was checked and found to be in good condition. I have a selection of old acetalene lights, and decided to restore a set to a lower standard quality, where black enamel was used on some parts, rather than nickle plated all over.
A gear lever and gate and all linkages were made up, and a set of control levers were repaired and fitted. Other made up items were the rear carrier and handlebars, as well as the stands. Even the seat is one of several replicas that I made up several years ago.

Eventually the bike was complete, and was quickly dismantled and after stove enamelling and nickle plating was carried out it joined the Velocette lineup. It was taken to the Sydney 100 years Good Companions Rally, where it was cantered around the motel area by a couple of visiting enthusiasts.