Resurrecting an old post here... But here is some more info that has been sent to me from Peter Burgess a Velocette Voletta owner. He bought the bike from John Chilcott and sold it again in 2007.
VELOCETTE VOLETTA.
A unique pre production prototype built by Bill Woods of BMG Motorcycles Ilford in 1961, with the blessing of Veloce Ltd and the approval of Mr B Goodman.
Following enquiries from Epping Forest Conservators who required an LE type quiet unobtrusive vehicle, but with greater ground clearance for forest patrol work.
Bill woods had previously carried out the desmodronic valve conversions for Velocette’s racing singles.
An initial batch of ten was originally envisaged, but after trials of this vehicle the project was sadly cancelled. The frame is from a 1957 Valiant. There was much speculation in years gone by as to whether the Voletta had one of the experimental LE 250cc engines fitted originally, but research suggests that this was not the case.
Bill Woods was last heard of living in Germany, where a club member traced him some years ago. He confirmed that the engine was a 200cc, but with enlarged valves & ports to suit.
He also confirmed that only one of these models was built. The Epping Forest Conservators ended up running standard LEs.
