Britbike forum Forums General discussion The Rod and Tappet A Vincent, one mans vision, and out on the Pan....

I managed to start the old 62 Panhead this morning, 50 weight oil, cold garage and wet sump, can make it a little sticky! but a little blast of easy start helped get it moving. So I took it for a short ride on a quiet Sunday morning...





A little later after checking up on my old mum, I took a drive over to see Terry, as he mentioned at Kempton that he had just finished the Vincent he had been building. This really is one mans vision on how a Vincent should be put together, not one for the purists, and all built from parts and hand made pieces. The bike looks great in the pictures, but it is even better up close and personal.

I think it beautiful but I've got to ask: I see the shocks but with their maybe 2" of travel doesn't it ride about like a hardtail?

I have no idea, never ridden a Vincent, but that is standard suspension as far as I know.

Amazing to me that in the UK you can get a "Daylight Only" registration and don't have to run headlights!

With as tight as they are about MOT's and SORNs and other administrivia involving motorcycles, elfin safety regs, etc, you wouldn't think that they would let you register a bike with no headlights.

Even the most open, liberal, and sloppiest of our states (say Mississippi or Vermont) would never let you put such a bike on the street.

That's a stripped down Vincent all right! Although having owned two Panheads, I must say that I would take that one and ride it anywhere. A nice Duo- or Hydra- Glide is a really neat old bike, and (subject to being careful about overruning the brakes in traffic) will take you anywhere on a modern highway in comfort.

I'd have one now except for the company you find yourself in out on the highway. I tend to really enjoy talking to the folk I meet on my Guzzis, BSAs, or Norton ... not so much a Harley, though I tried in the most open-minded way for many years ....

Lannis

Is that a legal way to do the plate on the fender? What a nice bike.... Bikes !

No.

Those are both stunning bikes

Kudos to both of the builders!

I have one comment or question...
I've noticed on the majority of British bikes that the fenders rarely follow the tire line.
Being a designer/builder/modifier, body lines are a pet peeve of mine. I could never live with two lines that do not follow or complement each other.

Is there some ingrained reason the Brit Bikers seem to allow this? In fact build them this way?

Taking this Vincent as a prime example. Since the bike was custom built, I would have to think that rear fender was the"preferred" choice.

By NO means do I intend to criticize the build or the builder. Just the opposite. The man has skills to be admired.
Just a curious trend on these style bikes, and I'm wondering why out loud.

the way the law reads in ohio you don't have to have a headlight, either. motorcycles must have a tailight, and headlights are described, but not specified.

in california, you don't have to have a headlight unless it's after dark, and don't have to have one on the bike at all if it's older than 1978.

Yeah the rear guard looks a bit shitty.

Thanks for the constructive criticism, I am sure Terry will appreciate it.

Funny! You ought to see most Triumph rear fenders! I just try not too look to closely....

Cheers,

Bill

That's exactly what I mean.

It just seems to be the accepted norm. To my eye, they appear to be mistakes or just the wrong fender.





Triton,
Maybe dinner, and a movie first?

I'd hate to explain that to the judge!

"See, judge, they're NOT SPECIFIED, so I don't have to have one ... Be seein' ya ... Hey, man, leggo my arm, hey watchoo doin', hey put that stick away ....."

Lannis

well, i didn't say it was something i'd be willing to argue.

it's just, sort of, ambiguous, like . . .

Thanks for the criticism criticism.

Always worthwhile!

Is the fender's radius that way to ease rear wheel R & R ?

And that folks, is the first time in history
(and possibly the last time)
that anyone EVER uttered
"open", "liberal", & "Mississippi"
in the same sentence!

Just remember, you heard it here first!
(and thank you very much to Lannis! for those immortal words)

BTW, the Vincent IS stunning. Sweet bits n bobs, very nice touches there. The overall affect is jaw dropping.
Your pan is pretty damn amazing too brah. I'd love to take that for a spin.
(i'd hop right on that Vincenza too, you betcha)

Two thumbs up! :bigt :bigt

Both beautiful bikes-envious, envious!
congrats to builders & thanks for posting.

In over 40 years of riding I have never seen a Vincent on the road. Looks quite nice...I hate to say this,but to me the stock seat just spoils the sleek look of the bike..But it's not like I will be buying one anytime soon...

If you ever get a chance to ride one, though, jump on it. The one I rode was a Norvin, but it's that motor....seems so tame until you look at that big Chronometric and it says you're doing 85 when you thought you were doing 55....

Cheers,

Bill

I will jump right on that's for sure...but I have to be allowed to flog it..

Kev,
Beautiful bike, crisp quality images, what is not to like.

Please impart to the builder that the construction and use regs require a registration plate in a single flat plain (I know it will spoil the line of the rear guard!!), or it will be an excuse for the rider to get tagged by plod on any outing.

"Yeah the rear guard looks a bit shitty." - tough luck TT as that is exactly what the factory produced on the production racers (lightning) they built, it is entirely practical as it still allows easy rear wheel drop outs while keeping flicked up debris off your back. Anyway, I think it looks perfect (what that it matters any to the owner).

Still needs a proper front carb though.......
Thanks Kev

No. The ride is amazingly soft, like a BMW. And the bike tracks like a modern mono-shock road bike. If you ever get the chance to ride one, don't turn it down.