Do/Did Vincents have keys

They had magneto ignition, so no.

Thank you Mr Thrasher.

Then they went over to coil ignition for easier starting on the series D . . . In their final year ( I think)

Bernhard said:

Then they went over to coil ignition for easier starting on the series D . . . In their final year ( I think)

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Yes, that's it so D series do have keys.

Thanks Bernhard & Eric,
That brings up another question. When did production start on the series D?
Thanks,
Jim

production started around 1954 until their last year before the factory closed its doors, 1955;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Motorcycles#1954_Series_D_Vincents

https://allenmuseum.com/vincent_black_shadow.htm

http://thevincent.com/vinmodel.htm

Thanks Bernhard!
I checked wikipedia but I am reluctant to trust their information.

production started around 1954 until their last year before the factory closed its doors, 1955;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Motorcycles#1954_Series_D_Vincents

https://allenmuseum.com/vincent_black_shadow.htm

http://thevincent.com/vinmodel.htm

Are you thinking of the song?

That line always jarred with me

johnm said:

Are you thinking of the song?

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Yes, that song annoys me because of that AND it glorifies a motorcycle thief.

I never thought about the thief bit

No activity here for a few weeks, so I thought I'd add the conversation. After I converted over the the Lucas DKX2A distributor, it was natural to add a key switch.

With the stock Lucas mag, it is still possible to add a key switch if the switch could be made to lock in the closed "on" position. Connecting that switch to the optional Lucas cut-out cover on the mag would be quite effective. Essentially, a keyed kill switch.

~998cc