Danish Old Bike Mart reader Knud Rasmussen, otherwise known as ‘Velo Knud’, tells of his passion for Velocette motorcycles which began with the sight and sound of a postman’s 1946 MAC.
It was our country postman who first aroused my interest in Velocette motorcycles when I was 12 years old in 1950. He came to our home each day on a 1946 MAC, and sometimes visited my parents in the evening. I can still recall the sound of his bike coming down the road.
In 1955, a large motorcycle exhibition in Copenhagen featured a great Velocette stand that also made a big impression, and a year later, after acquiring my driving licence at 18, I bought a second-hand 1953 MAC with a swing frame. In 2006, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of that first purchase with many guests at a festive ‘open house’ at our home.
My next big dream came true in 1959, when I bought a brand new Velocette Endurance – at the time there was only one more like it in Denmark – and it was on that motorcycle that, as a young man, I took to touring with my girlfriend Sonja, who has now been my wife for more than 55 years.
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Detective work
I have this bike in my stable once again after it was sold and remained out of my sight for 40 years. After a lot of research, detective work and luck, I received a tip-off about where it might be found, and sure enough it was our Endurance, albeit in a very poor condition.
Despite this, the price was high, but the seller had lured me. I just had to have it, and of course bought it back.
After a thorough renovation, the Endurance now appears as good as new, and is probably the pearl of my collection. It was great to have another ‘sweetheart trip’ with Sonja on the pillion.
Read more in the September issue of OBM – on sale now!
