Buying a Vincent

robs ss · Apr 18, 2021

James Fanning said:
Had the same itch a few years back with a couple of '70s Commandos and a 961 Sport already in the garage but just enough room to get a coveted Vincent in with space to squeeze round all of them. With genuine original good condition Vins at eyewatering prices , not to mention doubts on reliability of ancient mechanical bits , went for a new build Egli Vincent 1200 cc with modern magneto , Delorto carbs , five speed Quaife cluster and electric start. Turned out a great decision and despite sporty ride position is really comfortable on motorway work with an effortless 2,900 rpm at 70 mph and impressive performance above that if you're so inclined.

James - your profile says you're from the UK - wot's that flag then?

Mike40M · Apr 18, 2021

A good thing about Vincent is that you don't need to keep them original ( which is impossible to tell, as they was often built different ). A lot of good improvements can be made, and most Vincent folks don't have any problem with that as long as they are used on the roads. Personally I'd love to have disc brakes on mine and a centre stand + a side stand not prone to let the bike rest horizontally. Only Vincent I've seen which I don't think should be seen is this: http://www.vincenthrd.se/Galleri/Bild2015-07.html

storm42 · Apr 18, 2021

as long as it is ridden, how ever, there is a complete restored rolling Rapid chassis for sale and the engine would be better in there i suppose.

1951 Vincent rapide rolling chassis. Matching numbers For Sale | Car and Classic

1951 Vincent rapide rolling chassis. Matching numbers For Sale

www.carandclassic.co.uk

Fast Eddie · Apr 18, 2021

Come on James, don’t be shy with pics of yours...

I do like Vincent’s, but of course, the 1940s technology can be improved upon by dragging it into the 1960s !

The pipe is quieter than it looks, honest guv:

Vincent's are fanous for their 5 inch instrument, even if it’s a tacho in this case:

Queue the delirious cries about lack of Amal carbs:

Don‘t need no stinkin’ discs... or aluminium polish:

Fast Eddie · Apr 18, 2021

Plus a shot with Ripper and Jaws...

James Fanning · Apr 18, 2021

robs ss said:
James - your profile says you're from the UK - wot's that flag then?

Thailand - where I spend half my time with the other half in UK. Haven’t discovered how to attach pics on this site just yet (mainly on the NOC site) but will have another go with pics of my Egli Vin tomorrow as it’s late being in the Orient right now.

cjandme · Apr 18, 2021

Fast Eddie said:
What kind of new fangled helmet gadgetry are you wearing on that run fast Eddie?

worntorn · Apr 18, 2021

Mike 40m said " personally I would like to have disc brakes on a Vincent"

Here you go, twin disc brakes on a Vincent ( not a real Vincent tho) . Also monoshock suspension and some interesting engine internals.
Dragging the bike from the 1940s all the way to the 2000s.
Not for everyone I'm sure.
Kickstart start 1360cc @ 11 to one with an acre of squish band. That part is getting old fast!
Light though, 348lbs.

worntorn · Apr 18, 2021

Here's the bike I just sold.
For someone purchasing their first Vincent, something like this is ideal.
Hooning about on an Egli or Norvin is fun, but the greatest thrill for me has been touring.
Put some Cravens on and do 500-600 km a day to faraway places. The bikes are plenty fast and utterly reliable when properly rebuilt, as this one was.

jbruney · Apr 18, 2021

I've had red hornets and black & yellow wasps, but never a bumble..... Been stung by them at walking speed.... Never with the wind pushing the plump critters. Bet it's like being hit in the face with a stinging fast pitch.

I couldn't sleep if that had been mine worntorn. Then I couldn't have forced myself to risk that beauty on public roads either.

James Fanning · Apr 18, 2021

jbruney said:
I've had red hornets and black & yellow wasps, but never a bumble..... Been stung by them at walking speed.... Never with the wind pushing the plump critters. Bet it's like being hit in the face with a stinging fast pitch.

I couldn't sleep if that had been mine worntorn. Then I couldn't have forced myself to risk that beauty on public roads either.

Continuing with this theme , hit a plump adult wood pigeon square on my helmet doing 40 mph odd once - early morning 1972 on the way to Cornwall on holiday and somewhere in Devon , deserted road , three or four fat pigeons on the road ahead , noting they were not in any hurry to move as I approached doing about 60 mph on a '69 750 Fastback braked and put my head down presenting the helmet dome to what looked like an impending head-on with at least one bird taking off at the last second - almighty thud as helmet contacted pigeon , shower of feathers and glancing back with my shuddering bonce saw the carcass disappear into a hedge.

Can someone kindly offer instructions on how to attach photos to a post ? Familiar with the NOC site where they have an attach image button but can't see one here. Otherwise if I fail to attach my Egli Vin pics , it's a JMC built bike in blue that's also featured on their website.

gortnipper · Apr 20, 2021

James Fanning said:
Continuing with this theme , hit a plump adult wood pigeon square on my helmet doing 40 mph odd once - early morning 1972 on the way to Cornwall on holiday and somewhere in Devon , deserted road , three or four fat pigeons on the road ahead , noting they were not in any hurry to move as I approached doing about 60 mph on a '69 750 Fastback braked and put my head down presenting the helmet dome to what looked like an impending head-on with at least one bird taking off at the last second - almighty thud as helmet contacted pigeon , shower of feathers and glancing back with my shuddering bonce saw the carcass disappear into a hedge.

Can someone kindly offer instructions on how to attach photos to a post ? Familiar with the NOC site where they have an attach image button but can't see one here. Otherwise if I fail to attach my Egli Vin pics , it's a JMC built bike in blue that's also featured on their website.

If you are VIP member you can upload images directly.

For free mambers you have to upload images to a photo sharing website like Google images, Imgur, etc. Copy the link for the image on that site.

In the Reply box here, click on three vertical.dots next to camera icon I toolbar, then the photo icon in the pop-up box and enter the copied URL.

Bernhard · Apr 20, 2021

To continue on this flying dinosaur/insect theme, I came round a corner on my way home feeling very tired after a long day at work, where I let out a large yawn, just at the same time some insect flew right into the back of my throat. . . .there was no option but to swallow it and put that down to not putting my hand over my mouth when I yawn. . . . .

Bernhard · Apr 20, 2021

To get back to this thread, great bike strom42, would love to have one like that, it would be my most prized bike.

Onder · Apr 20, 2021

I would worry about the time involved to get the bike up to snuff. At the rate most tools rooms work I won't live long enough.
Add in that the list of reliable Vincent mechanics is short and their wait list is long. I sent a set of jugs (non Vincent) away months ago and
progress is glacial. Inquired with a good painter and was told his wait time was at least 5 months.
So factor all this in. Still I guess every biker wants to own a Vincent at some point. Add me.

worntorn · Apr 21, 2021

I'm already kicking myself a bit over selling the pristine one pictured above. It was sitting almost unused and my wife's little Mazda 3 has 320,000 kms on the clock. It was time for a new car.
Mazda has this little turbo 4 banger that makes more power than a Chevy small block. It's for their big SUV, however one of the hotrodders at Mazda ( a Canadian) figured out how to stuff it into their little SUV, the CX30. They had change the crankcase casting shape and a few other things to get it in there. Then they had to put more torque to the rear as it just fried the front tires. Then it twisted the rear axle mounts off, so they needed this up.
Who knew Mazda engineers had so much fun?
The result is a car the equals a 60s 427 Corvette or 428 Mustang for acceleration but still gets 40 mpg Imp if babied.
She didn't even think she needed a new car and did not understand that she needed one of these!
So now we have the car and it's going down in value every day as the Vincent goes up!
Oh well, I'm sure having some fun with it.

Glen

Fast Eddie · Apr 21, 2021

worntorn said:
I'm already kicking myself a bit over selling the pristine one pictured above. It was sitting almost unused and my wife's little Mazda 3 has 320,000 kms on the clock. It was time for a new car.
Mazda has this little turbo 4 banger that makes more power than a Chevy small block. It's for their big SUV, however one of the hotrodders at Mazda ( a Canadian) figured out how to stuff it into their little SUV, the CX30. They had change the crankcase casting shape and a few other things to get it in there. Then they had to put more torque to the rear as it just fried the front tires. Then it twisted the rear axle mounts off, so they needed this up.
Who knew Mazda engineers had so much fun?
The result is a car the equals a 60s 427 Corvette or 428 Mustang for acceleration but still gets 40 mpg Imp if babied.
She didn't even think she needed a new car and did not understand that she needed one of these!
So now we have the car and it's going down in value every day as the Vincent goes up!
Oh well, I'm sure having some fun with it.

Glen

You shudda just got her to get her bike license and keep the Vin Glen !

worntorn · Apr 21, 2021

She's a passenger only and less of that every year.
I take solace in the fact that the car is quicker than the Vin and doesn't leak oil ( as all Vins do !)
Gotta go, the Vincent Police will be after me for that!

Glen

jbruney · Apr 21, 2021

May be a great car and lots of fun, but a Vinnie it'll never be..... It just can't comfort you in the twilight years. Nothing with 4 wheels has that capability.

worntorn · Apr 22, 2021

This is true, however the car purchase did not suck up all of the Vin funds. There's just enough left over for another old MC of some sort ( maybe Goldstar or Rudge Ulster) and some lathe tooling. That should ease the pain and suffering quite a bit.

Glen