Description
History and Details
1958 Velocette LE Mk II Police Motorcycle – 200cc Eur 3, 000
Manufactured by Veloce Ltd. in Birmingham, England, this Velocette LE Mk II features a 200cc side-valve flat-twin engine and a three-speed manual gearbox.
The LE was nicknamed "The Whisperer" because of its exceptionally quiet operation, a characteristic particularly appreciated in police use.
History and Provenance
The motorcycle has a recorded commissioning date of 1 May 1958 and was subsequently brought to Finland, where it became part of the late Kauko Piirainen's historic motorcycle collection.
Its Finnish museum registration documentation, dated 5 May 2005, records previous owner Paul Gregory Moss of Burton-on-Trent, England, and former registration NSL-749.
The documentation also references a Finnish customs clearance certificate issued on 27 April 2005. During the Finnish museum vehicle inspection, the motorcycle was recorded as fully corresponding to the 1958 model.
The motorcycle was museum registered under VMPK Certificate No. 5214.
Historical photographs from the museum registration paperwork show the motorcycle carrying its earlier registration NSL-749.
According to family recollections, Kauko Piirainen's late brother, Saku Piirainen, also rode the motorcycle, including trips to Kalapuisto.
Mechanical Condition
The motorcycle is fully functioning, fully driveable and in good overall condition.
According to Jamppa Hirvasoja, who is familiar with the motorcycle, it has operated reliably, and both the engine and gearbox are in good working condition.
Identification
Model: Velocette LE Mk II Police
Year: 1958
Engine: 200cc side-valve flat-twin
Transmission: Three-speed manual
Frame number: 1415/ 34
Engine number: 3284/ 3
Current Finnish registration: ME-859
Previous registration: NSL-749
Finnish museum certificate: VMPK 5214, dated 5 May 2005
The motorcycle is accompanied by Finnish museum registration documentation and historical photographs supporting its recorded history.
Reasonable offers are welcome.
History
This 1958 Velocette LE Mk II Police motorcycle was part of the late Kauko Piirainen's historic motorcycle collection in Finland. Kauko was a dedicated collector and enthusiast of classic motorcycles, with a particular interest in British engineering and motorcycle history.
What makes this motorcycle particularly interesting is its distinctive design and exceptionally quiet 200cc flat-twin engine. Nicknamed "The Whisperer," the Velocette LE was well suited to police work because officers could approach locations discreetly without the usual noise of a motorcycle engine.
The motorcycle also has documented British ownership history. Its Finnish museum registration paperwork identifies Paul Gregory Moss of Burton-on-Trent, England, as a previous owner and records its former British registration, NSL-749. Historical photographs included with the paperwork show the motorcycle carrying that registration.
The motorcycle later became part of Kauko Piirainen's collection and was officially museum registered in Finland on 5 May 2005, under certificate VMPK 5214. The museum documentation confirms that it fully corresponds to the 1958 model.
This was not simply a motorcycle kept on display. Kauko's late brother, Saku Piirainen, also enjoyed riding it, including trips to Kalapuisto. According to Jamppa Hirvasoja, who is familiar with the motorcycle, it has performed reliably, and both the engine and gearbox are in good working condition.
What makes this Velocette stand out is its combination of unusual engineering, distinctive police-style appearance, documented history and fully rideable condition. Its remarkably quiet engine and unmistakable design give it a character quite unlike conventional motorcycles of its era.
The motorcycle is now being offered for sale as part of the late Kauko Piirainen collection.
