For a serious bike rider like Kelvin Garthwaite of Mooroopna, picking up a 1948 Velocette LE150 and restoring it back to almost new was a labour of love, if not completely at odds with his other bikes.
The bike itself, once belonged to his grandfather, Aub Leggett who bought it new around 1950. Aub owned it until 1970 when it was then sold to a Melbourne owner.
After some years of searching, Aub’s grandson, Kelvin tracked the bike down and brought it back to Shepparton where he set about restoring it.
The bike has a 149cc, 6 bhp, 4 stroke water cooled engine. It has a three speed hand change gearbox coupled to a final drive shaft to the back wheel.
The new price in 1949 was 126 pounds, seven shillings and fourpence. The price for it now in its fully restored condition would be a lot more.
