MDDs

Terry, sorry mine's not an MAF, it's an MDD.

You can imagine that, ‘Sad’ as I am, ………….. I’ve done a bit research into its history. This has been gathered from a number of sources but I think I’ve now got a fair idea of how MDDs came into being. As the blog seems as good a place as any to set this out, and as I need to write it down before I forget, I’ll bore you further.

Firstly, the bike is based on the MAC which commenced production in 1936 and I imagine that, with the outbreak of war, and lucrative WW2 contracts up for grabs Veloce decided to bid for them to make up for lost civilian orders. Whilst it was light and quick, the MAC was disadvantaged in military terms by its relative fragility, overhead valve gear and ‘that clutch’. So whilst arguably a better machine in performance terms, BSA and Norton had the market pretty much sewn up as their machines had side valve engines, were very robustly built, and could be fixed at the side of the road by anyone who could wield a hammer (I know, I've also got a 16H - and a hammer).

Veloce must have had a tough time getting into the market as their first order, the MDD series - all 1200 of them, came from the French Government probably late ’39 or early ’40. Veloce started to build them but very few got to France as Hitler got there first (June 1940). Understandably, the French cancelled their order, and the UK WD agreed to take it over. It appears that as the order was fulfilled the bikes were still under development as early MDDs were similar to civilian bikes but mine is one of the last made (9^th last, in fact) and appears to incorporate many of the updates. The War Department must have been satisfied with progress as an order for 2000 bikes was placed - designated MAF. Unfortunately, the MAF contract was not fulfilled (or rescinded by WD?) and only about 950 were built. So, including those used for demonstration/appraisal purposes, that’s about 2150 in all. Compare that to some 70,000 Norton 16Hs and 40,000 BSA M20s. Veloce apparently went on to do other ‘precision’ work for the War Department. Anecdotally this included painting tin hats.

Legend also has it that a number of MDDs destined for France were lost in the Channel - as there is a discrepancy between the number of engines built and the number bikes delivered. Others have dismissed this theory, as it was usual to supply spare engines with a contract and these may have been left un-numbered. Indeed, I have another pair of crankcases which are as cast, un-numbered, and have not been tampered with - which reinforces this hypothesis (posh word).

I have been able to establish the bike’s Army serial number and thought of doing the full WD thing by painting it khaki - and Roger thinks I should do, because it will enable me to join an even Sadder re-enactment society and take part in their Vera Lyn weekends.

However, as black is the 'proper' colour for Velocettes, and as it is also the cheapest available at the powder coaters, I think I will go with that - but with military bits re-installed so that it is ready to be dunked in a vat of  Olive Drab should any future owner so wish (except, for sentimental reasons, I will never sell it).

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………………………………