"Most Improved 2012" ??
- Thread starter grandpaul
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htown16
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I might make it.
What constitutes done, all parts together, running, sorted?
mitch-basket-case-t4616.html#p40967
What constitutes done, all parts together, running, sorted?
mitch-basket-case-t4616.html#p40967
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Roadworthy ; or Track ready . 
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Took mine in for a the safety check last week. There were three issues; loose chain, worn swing arm bushings and spongy MC. Bushes replaced, chain is next, waiting on the sleeve insert for the MC (hopefully arriving next week). So, with any luck at all (and this means it's not going to happen), I should have the plate on it by mid-October; just in time for some fall riding. Bought as boxes of parts and a frame, it's taken almost exactly 1 year.
The good news is that it starts on the first kick. The mechanic doing the safety was impressed (as was I) and it sounds better than great.
BC
71 Commando
68 TR6P
The good news is that it starts on the first kick. The mechanic doing the safety was impressed (as was I) and it sounds better than great.
BC
71 Commando
68 TR6P
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i think that if Will can get his bike straightened out after its "restoration" by our residence "expurt" it would be a real good candidate for most improved :shock:
Jerry Doe
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Yes- lets go for it. Please send me your before and after photos as well as story. I want to get everything posted early this year. I am tied up in December. If I can set a close date (everything sent to me for your projects) by Dec 1 that would be good then we have December to vote. Hopefully I will have a bike to enter in 2013.
I say we open the contest to any classic british bike rebuild pre-1979- Thoughts? If you object post here and I will decide later if or not we should enter other bikes. For now just send me your Commando before & after while I think about this. I will post rules later. Donations will happen a different way this year so please don't donate yet as I need to organize it.
If you are a VIP member please post your photos in the Gallery as it will make my life easier: gallery/
Cheers
I say we open the contest to any classic british bike rebuild pre-1979- Thoughts? If you object post here and I will decide later if or not we should enter other bikes. For now just send me your Commando before & after while I think about this. I will post rules later. Donations will happen a different way this year so please don't donate yet as I need to organize it.
If you are a VIP member please post your photos in the Gallery as it will make my life easier: gallery/
Cheers
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- Sep 30, 2011
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- 308
My 71 Commando is now complete after a basket case re-build. It was nothing but a frame and boxes when I started and took almost exactly 1 year to finish (total cost yet to be determined but I did al the work myself inc. paint). It not only starts on the first kick, it roars. And what an incredible sound. My beloved Triumph 650 sadly pales in comparison.
But I must add that to compare the two, the Norton does seem like a bit of a prima dona; "I don't like this fuel, it's too cold out, the humidity doesn't suit my electrical". The Triumph is like a puppy going for a car ride; Ohboy ohboy ohboy lets go. First kick: boom! ~ outta here. No worries. I may be just getting used to the nuances of the new machine but the Norton seems like a high maintenance girlfriend whereas the TR is like my gal at the local pub.
First impressions, I hope. I love 'em both.
BC
But I must add that to compare the two, the Norton does seem like a bit of a prima dona; "I don't like this fuel, it's too cold out, the humidity doesn't suit my electrical". The Triumph is like a puppy going for a car ride; Ohboy ohboy ohboy lets go. First kick: boom! ~ outta here. No worries. I may be just getting used to the nuances of the new machine but the Norton seems like a high maintenance girlfriend whereas the TR is like my gal at the local pub.
First impressions, I hope. I love 'em both.
BC
DogT
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Well, as I remember, the high maintenance girlfriend gave me the best memories. Same with the Norton, it's a sweet babe that requires a lot of attention, and I don't mind. You can put up with a lot of shit when you're in love. It's a sign of a good affair.
Dave
69S
Dave
69S
Doesn't sound like my project would qualify, much of it was made in 2012 tho the temporary engine is from 1947.
The first photo is already showing some signs of improvement, about 2 days into the project. Actual starting point was obtaining a 4" SS tube for the spine and a 2.5" dia round solid SS crop for the steering tube.
and here is the account of the head scratching that went on during the build. 26 pages of some pretty boring stuff, but there are some photos that might be of interest.
http://www.vincentownersclub.co.uk/show ... win-engine
and here is the improved project
I'm smiling both for the photo and the fact that the show's organizers have asked me to light the bike up inside the building right after the photo is taken. With the open megaphone it has a pretty wicked bark, either a treat or a deafening noise depending on your point of view. Luckily they were all vintage bikers and were grinning too afterward!
Glen
The first photo is already showing some signs of improvement, about 2 days into the project. Actual starting point was obtaining a 4" SS tube for the spine and a 2.5" dia round solid SS crop for the steering tube.
and here is the account of the head scratching that went on during the build. 26 pages of some pretty boring stuff, but there are some photos that might be of interest.
http://www.vincentownersclub.co.uk/show ... win-engine
and here is the improved project
I'm smiling both for the photo and the fact that the show's organizers have asked me to light the bike up inside the building right after the photo is taken. With the open megaphone it has a pretty wicked bark, either a treat or a deafening noise depending on your point of view. Luckily they were all vintage bikers and were grinning too afterward!
Glen
Thanks Brent
Some of the oldtimers at the Mother Club in England have kinda warmed up to it too. They were skeptical when I first put my ideas forward, but as long as I put the original motor back in it's Vincent cycle parts when done, it is OK with them!
I think the most improved contest is probably intended more for bikes that are in a horrendous state and are then put back into fully useable condition. My build was mostly fabricating things from new clean materials. The temporary engine was a bolt in, ready to go without any repair needed. In many ways it was an easier job than the restoration of a rusty worn out motorcycle, such as the projects you and some of the other members on the site have done.
Glen
Some of the oldtimers at the Mother Club in England have kinda warmed up to it too. They were skeptical when I first put my ideas forward, but as long as I put the original motor back in it's Vincent cycle parts when done, it is OK with them!
I think the most improved contest is probably intended more for bikes that are in a horrendous state and are then put back into fully useable condition. My build was mostly fabricating things from new clean materials. The temporary engine was a bolt in, ready to go without any repair needed. In many ways it was an easier job than the restoration of a rusty worn out motorcycle, such as the projects you and some of the other members on the site have done.
Glen
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