VELOCETTE KTT RACING MOTORCYCLE

John Shaw

From the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition, 2024,  this model by John Shaw is dedicated to  the memory of Frank Shaw. It is in 1:4 scale and built using scrap and off cut materials. The chains alone comprise 700 items. Design was based on Works’ drawings and access to a KTT.

The KTT is a British racing motorcycle made by Velocette.  the TT designation indicated that it was intended for racing, and was an early example of a 'production racer' although KTTs could be ordered as road-legal machines.

The Velocette KTT had the first positive-stop foot gear change on a motorcycle, and the first with a swingarm rear suspension using separate shock absorber units. The foot shift innovation significant improvement for racing, and quickly replaced the hand gear change lever, and became the standard for almost all motorcycles to this day. Velocette's swingarm suspension also had profound and lasting effects on the motorcycle industry, and remains the standard for motorcycle rear suspension to this day.

The Velocette KTT went on to become one of the most successful 350cc production racing motorcycles of all time, with many wins in international competition.