Circulates throughout the world Established 1903

Economy Class

There was of course a strong 350cc racing class throughout the 1920s and 30s, and then from the start of the world championship, until it started to fizzle out in the late 1970s, the 350cc world championship finally disbanded in 1982. Some legendary 350cc racers appeared too – from AJS Big Ports, to KTT Velos, AJS 7Rs, Moto Guzzis, Aermacchi Ala d’Oros, Yamaha TZ350s (which all but killed the class), tandem twin Kawasakis... the list goes on...

Why though was the 350cc class so popular with road riders? I remember reading (or at least I think I do!) that BSA made approximately four times the number of B31s than B33s, while although Velocette ‘over engineered’ its MkII roadsters (KSS/KTS) so, in theory, they could be bored out to 500cc and add another model to the range, but Veloce decided it wasn’t necessary – a 350 was enough. Presumably, it was because the 350 offered that (for the time) ideal compromise between performance and the all important fuel economy – with fuel economy something pretty much abandoned as a criteria when buying a new motorcycle nowadays. I for one find this somewhat incredible... in a world where we’re constantly reminded of how we’re depleting the world’s resources, wouldn’t eking the most out of what we have left, seem a sensible course of action?

The 350cc machine presumably offered the best of both worlds – 1950s road tests seem to typically offer 68mpg at 60mph for a 350cc model (1956 B31), with around 53mpg (1951 Red Hunter) or 52mpg (1954 Velocette MSS) at the same speeds on 500s. However, fuel economy wasn’t discounted in the bigger categories – on launch, the 1948 Vincent Black Shadow returned an astounding 70mpg at 60mph while the 1955 650cc Triumph Thunderbird (equipped with an SU carb) which a friend of mine is running, is returning over 70mpg, compared to his modern car’s 45-ish. It’s cheaper to use the classic Thunderbird... compare this to another friend who won’t use his modern bike for work, because his car is so much more economical. He should buy himself a 1950s 350cc model, or at last a raffle ticket for the VMCC Goldie; it’s perhaps not quite as economic as some 350s, but you can’t have everything for a quid...

James Robinson
Editor