The Modern "Vincent"

speirmoor

speirmoor

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The Modern "Vincent"

I had forgotten about this project until the resurgence of the new Norton reminded me to check them out.I remember the engines were Honda's RC51's.The prototype bikes were to be auctioned in May by Bothams at the Quail event.Maybe someday someone will pick up the project and put "Vincent" back on the road?
 
Testing revealed the two small radiators were inadequate for proper cooling in slow traffic. Bernie Li was killed before the problem(s) could be addressed. A big deal was made of the fact that Honda had never before supplied motors to any other builder. The actual resuurection of Vincent by the two Australians fell apart when they realized a modernized version of the old motor would make the machine more expensive than they could sell them for.
 
Thank for the update Danno. I knew the guy had died but I didnt know he was killed.I wonder what the problem with cooling was? Maybe they didnt opt for the cooling fan because of aesthetics?
 
Strikes me as a bit odd that anyone would think new Vincents built from up-rated and modernised original Vincent designs could EVER be considered overpriced, based on what new Nortons are fetching, and what Rickmans expect to fetch for thier new proprietary twin. ESPECIALLY when you consider what OLD Vincents sell for!!!
 
That is most certainly NOT! a Vincent.
It's hideous, disc brakes, a radiator, Honda power, digital instruments etc.

YUCK-O!

Unclviny
 
Forgot to mention, I would NEVER consider a (non-Honda) bike with a Honda engine to be anything other than a custom Honda.
 
Well Vincent are never going back to production like before are they?.But if they did I think they would include modern technology such as disc brakes, a radiator, digital instruments and probably would have been the fore runner of such technology had they not ceased production.As for Honda Engines they are among the most dependable on earth and the fact that they were keen to be involved was significant.Indian returned with disc brakes,digital instruments and not their own engine either and they sold thousands of them.
 
I'm not questioning the quality but it says Vincent on the tank and it's not one, period.

I think the Kawasaki Indian-clone is more "INDIANY" than the Indian but I don't want either one.

If you want a vintage bike, buy one and if you want a modern bike, buy one of those but this "checkbook nostalgia" thing is just another passing fad like so many before it and I'm not putting ANY of my money into a fad.

Unclviny
 
If I ever had loads of cash sloshing around for a 'new' bike, I wouldn't mind owning a Springfield Indian. Much better than one of the Harley knock off engined bike. I'm so out of touch I didn't know Kawasaki was making one. Is it a flathead ?

Greg
 
These types of things are so repulsive to me. Both are a joke, ugly as sin, have none of the qualities & nothing to do with the real bikes. But there are people who see things without caring about the history or soul of the real thing. I went to a show a few weeks ago & a friend told me to go look at the old "Trident". What I found was a 70's Honda poorly imitating a "British" cafe bike with " Trident " painted on the Honda tank above a ugly Honda motor in a Honda frame. Seeing the look of disgust on my face my friend really thought I was such a snob becouse he too thought "Trident"was a STYLE not the specific engine frame combo from by gone days. The Norton seems a little diferant to me in that they seem to really want to build modern bikes and I hope they can. I don't care for "fake old" stuff but a lot of people do. I bet they think Mc Donalds makes good food too. I bet if Ducati went under these poser Vincent Honda guy's would paint the words "Desmo & Bevel " on it and call it a Super Sport. Sorry for the rant but if it's a Duck call it a Duck, if it' a Kawi, or a Honda (nothing wrong with that) call it one!
 
people really wanting a Vincent have a few choice these days:
buying a real, expensive, one
building one from scratch, all the parts are available news
do as I did and opt for a "replica" of a Engli-Vincent as made by Godet or by another in the UK (name better forgotten!)

Can't say I am happy with my Godet: too many problems, dealing with a French is not easy (even if youi are French, like me!), in one word not worth the money I spent 5 years ago and certainly not the price today. The only excuse is the snobery piece of equipment, rare and expensive. I mostly love riding motorcycles and this can be achieved with better results on any modern cheaper bike! Like checking the time on a Rolex or a Kelton: its the same time!
Philippe
 
prmurat said:
people really wanting a Vincent have a few choice these days:
buying a real, expensive, one
building one from scratch, all the parts are available news
do as I did and opt for a "replica" of a Engli-Vincent as made by Godet or by another in the UK (name better forgotten!)

Can't say I am happy with my Godet: too many problems, dealing with a French is not easy (even if youi are French, like me!), in one word not worth the money I spent 5 years ago and certainly not the price today. The only excuse is the snobery piece of equipment, rare and expensive. I mostly love riding motorcycles and this can be achieved with better results on any modern cheaper bike! Like checking the time on a Rolex or a Kelton: its the same time!
Philippe
Click to expand...
What engines are they using Philippe?
 
In regaurds to my earlier post here I want to apologise if I was rude & offended anyone. 3 days of 16 hr shifts w/ little sleep & I become a bit of an ass, judgemental & a little "cracky". Judged on it's own merrits that's a pretty amazing bike, judged against a real Vincent,, well it isn't one so it can't be so judgement is harsh & I'm sure they got more then their fare share of greif & don't need mine. Glenn.
 
gtsun said:
In regaurds to my earlier post here I want to apologise if I was rude & offended anyone. 3 days of 16 hr shifts w/ little sleep & I become a bit of an ass, judgemental & a little "cracky". Judged on it's own merrits that's a pretty amazing bike, judged against a real Vincent,, well it isn't one so it can't be so judgement is harsh & I'm sure they got more then their fare share of greif & don't need mine. Glenn.
Click to expand...

Why are you apologizing, you are right.
 
Heres one produced in 2006 from scratch by the Vincent H.R.D. Owners Club.Every part was new supplied or sourced by the VOC Spares Company Ltd.
The Modern "Vincent"
 
It's not hard to build one from parts, just EXPENSIVE!

WAY more than restoring an old rusty one.
 
At least it is to some extant a real one. I would love to have it & would think of it as real. I wonder what will happen to it's value as time goes by? On one hand it's all new so the value should be higher than an old original one with lots of miles but on the other hand it will allways be a 2006, not really from the factory. Has it been sold? And if so resale may be less than an old one.
 
gtsun said:
At least it is to some extant a real one. I would love to have it & would think of it as real. I wonder what will happen to it's value as time goes by? On one hand it's all new so the value should be higher than an old original one with lots of miles but on the other hand it will allways be a 2006, not really from the factory. Has it been sold? And if so resale may be less than an old one.
Click to expand...

I disagree completely. It's an original spec 50s Vincent, assembled in 2006.
 
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