Van Veen

[Norton]

This is the rarest of Rotary bikes, the Van Veen OCR 1000. It was built in the mid 1970\'s using a  Comotor (NSU/Citroen) twin rotor engine. Rumour has it that a few were fitted with Mazda engines. Total production may have been as few as x30 built!

[clive]

Never heard of that one.

Where was the picture taken

[Norton]

Originally posted by clive
Never heard of that one. Where was the picture taken

Excellent!!  Ive just told Clive something he didnt already know about Rotaries... bet that wont happen again!  Sorry, dont know where the photo was taken, i kinda borrowed it from the www If i remember rightly Van Veen was a Dutchman so i guess they were probably built in Holland.
A Van Veen was sold yesterday at Christies Auctions Jack Barclay showroom in London for £17,500. As far as i know it is the only one in the UK.

[Ianmcurtis]

Flippi\'n heck! I remember these bikes from my early years as a biker in the mid/late 70\'s as a teenager - actually had forgotten about them so nice to see some news on them too. There were several road tests in the motorcycle press of the time, MCN etc. but I\'d thrown them away years ago (like we all do).

I clearly remember seeing blokes riding their Suzi rotaries also - those bikes so far ahead of their time, and what a sound they made!

Oh yes........................... memories.

And still a biker at heart.

[Norton]

the other side...

[Norton]

Another pic of TWO Van Veens together! (i havent even seen one yet).
These bikes produced over 100bhp, impressive in the mid seventies.

[G@NDY]

A little of this subject, but i was wondering if all Norton motorcycles are rotaries? saw a nice yellow one on a trailer going down the A1 the other day. :cheers

[Ianmcurtis]

A little of this subject, but i was wondering if all Norton motorcycles are rotaries? saw a nice yellow one on a trailer going down the A1 the other day. :cheers

The short answer is \'No\' mate. The long answer is too long and historical for me .......

Here\'s a pic of a yellow Mk2 750cc twin cylinder Norton Commando, 1972 model. Perhaps it was one of these you\'d seen?

Ian.

[Ianmcurtis]

Another pic of TWO Van Veens together! (i havent even seen one yet).
These bikes produced over 100bhp, impressive in the mid seventies.

A few quids worth there! Very nice :Thumbs-up

[Norton]

A little of this subject, but i was wondering if all Norton motorcycles are rotaries? saw a nice yellow one on a trailer going down the A1 the other day. :cheers

The youth of today! eh Ian? :rolleyes:  (said in jest G@NDY :chat )
The Norton company started over 100 years ago (1902). The wankel engine is only 50 years old. Norton started rotary research in 1969 and produced around 1000 rotary bikes between 1982-1992.

[G@NDY]

It was like that bike Ian Matey. Apart from it had twin exhausts and they were the other side:o

The Norton company started over 100 years ago (1902). The wankel engine is only 50 years old. Norton started rotary research in 1969 and produced around 1000 rotary bikes between 1982-1992.

Thanks very much for the info:wave I feel a bit ashamed that i should know more about rotary bikes, i guess i do now !!!!!!!!;) :cool

  Cheers, Andy.

[13B]

This is the rarest of Rotary bikes, the Van Veen OCR 1000. It was built in the mid 1970\'s using a  Comotor (NSU/Citroen) twin rotor engine. Rumour has it that a few were fitted with Mazda engines. Total production may have been as few as x30 built!

One person in Norway have not 1, but 2 brand new!

[Ianmcurtis]

Any chance of some photos 13B? :cheers

[13B]

Any chance of some photos 13B? :cheers

I will talk to my neighbour. He was the one talked about him. He was a test driver (The Van Veen owner) for Moto Guzzi or something. I will tell him to take some pictures when he visit him again. It is about 1.5+ hour drive from me. BTW. My neighbour have a street legal famous 1750+HP 1978 Ford Granada. My house is shaking when the car is running outside my window:-)

[Ianmcurtis]

Thanks 13B. I hope you can manage to get some pics.

If you do get some pics, you might have to ask a full member or a moderator to post them for you mate (?) :wave