This 1957 Velocette LE is said to be fully restored after having been brought into the USA from England in 1999. It is very well presented with high quality photos and interested ray and blue colors. The only others we have previously featured have been white and black, so this scheme and the shaped rear compartments give it a much different look. Find it here on eBay in Chicago, Illinois. Special thanks to TY reader Ryan M. for this submission!
Gauges flank the pressed steel frame, here showing an interesting old Amperes gauge and multi-position ignition switch. On the opposite side is the odometer and speedometer.
The engine looks very tidy, and features a pull-cord to start. It is a 2-cylinder boxer or only 200cc, and the water cooling hoses and radiator can be seen in the photo below. 
The seller offers many detail shots like the spoke and rim close-up below. Details like this don’t take too much extra effort to photograph, but make all the difference over the small and grainy photos typically supplied by sellers on Craigslist and some classified sites. Sellers take note!
This is an unusual bike in this condition. They do come along from time to time, bit given their design and displacement are more often looked at than ridden. We home the new owner reverses that trend with this bike.
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LEs are lovely little machines, far to sophisticated for the market Velocette was looking for…this is a rare MkIII version, with optional panniers made by Michenall (Avon), who were pioneers of fiberglass fairings etc for bikes.
People don’t usually restore them, as they’re not worth that much, but they’re actually fun to ride.
Why go to the trouble of fitting Nyloc nuts to the head studs, then not ensuring that the male thread actually passes through the nylon insert so it can do its work, locking the fastener to the stud.
Nice noddie!!!!!!!!!!
Lovely, best looking LE I’ve ever seen, the two tone paint with the blue really works, but what really makes the difference is the lines of the luggage panniers, never seen those before and thank you Paul for the information as I was wondering who made them.
Back in my you in the UK they were nicknamed “Noddy Bikes” as the police riders used to wear the tall helmets that looked a bit like the tall cap “Noddy” the cartoon figure wears.
They were also used on local patrols where they were very useful as being so quite they just suddenly appeared without anyone up to no good hearing them coming.
Oops, that should be noddy.
The last time an LE showed up here I asked if the cooling system was thermosyphon since I can see no sign of a water pump. Is that correct?
Thermosyphon was good enough for a Model T Ford, it worked!
Cop shop noddie!
I’m so used to seeing these in gray with a triangle seat, this one looks so much better.
Like Hawk’s Ducati yesterday, one might argue this example is the best these scooters are capable of looking.
The panniers are great and really smooth out the industrial construction (unlike the front fairings which just looked ridiculous.
Interesting look — but too scooter-ish form my tastes.
Nice looking bike; I owned one in the UK more than 30 years ago. As far as I recall, only the earlier 150cc version had the pull-start feature (a lever, never a cord as you describe) while the later 200cc versions were all kick-start. If this bike wears it’s original registration plate, it originates from Scotland rather than England. The thermosyphon cooling system worked fine, but performance and ground-clearance were both severely lacking.
I love these things but have never seen one in person !
I prefer the black one that was on here before ! Any idea what top speed is or what they can cruise @ ?
My 200cc bike would cruise around 45mph comfortably, maybe 50mph under favorable conditions. Maximum speed was around 55mph, all based on speedo readings. Not something I would feel comfortable on today’s highways, but very smooth and quiet for local roads or around town.
I should have checked my books instead of relying memory…
This bike appears to be a Mark II, which is 200cc, 3-speed hand change with pull-start. The external oil filter on the right-hand side cylinder head supports this, being introduced in 1953. The frame number given suggests a production date sometime in 1955, rather than 1957. The later Mark III models (introduced in 1958) had a faired nacelle-type headlamp; this bike has the earlier design correct for the Mark II. The seat may well be from the later model.
These are pretty desirable, especially for the Velocette cognoscenti from what I understand. I’m a sucker for the ‘through-the-fender’ suspension. I have no idea why.
Agreed Calijags. I am still trying to get over Haw’s Duc…and I had the same reaction with this Velo.
Some police forces in the UK used this bike.
They were called “whispering death” because being water cooled the engine and exhaust note was so quiet.
I,m typing this from the floor of the Midamerica auction in Las Vegas. Plenty of tasty Velos here as well, but no noddies. Lots of oddball stuff, though, including a lovely DKW Hummel. Anyone else from TY here? Cheers!
OK it’s a cute scooter. Just the thing for a female US rider or an English male rider as there’s not much ball space.
Thanx Bill for the info !
Hi,
Just admiring this beautiful LE 200. I lived a few meters from a police station in the 1950′s. They had a few of the LE 200 in use and I was always amazed how quiet they were. When I was old enough to have a motorcycle the police had sold all of the LE 200. They then introduced the triumph and it was so noisy. I always thought it was a shame. They were fantastic for night patrols and were very successful at catching burgulars because they were so quiet. How much would a model like this one shown cost to buy ?.
Regards A.C.