Did You Know? - Vincent Hrd Owners Club

Transcript

DID YOU KNOW? Ted Davis MPH 354 Page 26 Increased valve lift can be achieved by re-siting rocker arm pivot pin. Front damper extended eye bolts can result in the bike falling over when using propstand. A Black Lightning achieved 200 mph nearly 25 years ago. A Series "B" Rapide was officially timed at 126 mph on 72 octane 30 years ago. More Black Lightning engines were sold for installation in cars than bikes. Picador engines cost the government £1,200, produced 60-odd bhp and propelled the little radio-controlled planes at approximately 250 mph. An 1,150cc Lightning engine on methanol, propelled a Formula Three Cooper car to 146 mph. A Grey Flash would do 116 mph and 40 mpg at racing speeds. A road-going version of the Grey Flash was built and a number sold. All the show Princes, Knights and, the solitary Victor were pitched off the factory articulated lorry en route for Earls Court. A 75cc Vincent industrial engine installed in a moped would do 250 mpg; a Firefly 137 mpg and a Black Shadow 137 mpg all at a constant 30 mph. Part of the original Vincent works on the Great North Road is preserved as an ancient monument. Alloy pushrods are both reliable and quieter in operation as well as reducing reciprocating mass and allowing use of slightly higher rpm before reaching critical engine speed (all that in theory anyway). In practice I used them successfully for many years; the necessary diameter increase does not allow one to withdraw or assemble the rod through tappet adjuster threaded in the rocker arm. Fath valve springs control valves up to 8,000 rpm with Mk 2 cams. Early Series "B" brake drums were made of steel. 48 tooth rear sprocket gives the highest maximum speed on a Twin, while 50 teeth does it on a Comet. The front head runs hotter on open Twins, while both heads are similar on enclosed bikes. Float chamber capacity extension end covers are desirable for high speed sidecar work or competition riding when using Monobloc carburettors. Ted Davis MPH 357 Page 28 A Vincent engine has been used to power: A ski lift; a glider winch; a rear-engined three-wheeler; a front-engined three-wheeler; a rear-engined four-wheeler; a speedway sidecar racer; a radio-controlled aircraft; a cylinder-type lawn mower; a rotary-type lawn mower; a cultivator; a six foot long water scooter; a 12 foot long dinghy; a generator; a crop sprayer; a chain saw (total weight 10 lb); an airborne lifeboat 36 foot long; a bicycle; a go-cart; world solo and sidecar record holders; and last, but by no means least, the fastest accelerating single cylinder device in the world! The "D" type rear suspension appeared in the Vincent three-wheeler five years before the Series "D" appeared. Ted Davis MPH 358 Page 40 In 1962, a complete and original Comet was sold for £5, while in June 1978, a similar Comet was advertised, with photo, in Motor Sport for £2,000. 1 John Surtees' mother used a big Twin and chair for personal transport in the fifties and still has a hankering after one today. To lower handlebars for racing with Girdraulics, rotate the handlebar clamps forward approximately 160°. Note that it is necessary to remove the damper shroud and file a grove in the clamp spigot to refit the clamp bolt. A number of super light magnesium 75cc Vincent engines were made for chain saw application. Bantam fork rubber gaiters will cause rusting of lower spring case, if fitted to Girdraulics without drilling vent holes top and bottom.. If you fit a 22-tooth Lightning final drive sprocket, you must relieve the crankcase casting to avoid the chain fouling. On one batch of heads, two plug holes, one either side, were drilled and tapped in error by the factory. Many bikes were built and shipped with these heads with a blanking-off plug filling, the spare hole, which is now frequently used for fitting a decompressor. A 20 inch racing tyre on the rear wheel of a Lightning grows almost an inch in diameter at 150 mph. My "B" Rapide, in the Clubman's TT, grooved its rear 19 inch tyre to a depth of an eighth of an inch on the head of the lower guard attachment bolt, which was 3/8 inch clear static. Hence -the longer RFM on "C" models. Ted Davis MPH 359 Page 40 A full scale dynamometer test carried out in 1956, using Bardhal, a friction-reducing additive, in a Picador engine did not confirm Bardahl's claim of increased bhp. Vincent were the only motor-cycle manufacturer to offer left or right hand kickstart as a standard option on one and the same machine. A Picador was fitted with a 28 watt, 17 amp generator which could easily be converted to 12 volt. A modern pre-focus Wipac light unit fits perfectly in a six and a half inch Miller shell; whilst still retaining the 50s look, it gives a superior light. Plugging the left hand kickstart shaft tunnel will stop oil leaking into the kickstart cover. The plug should be alloy and long enough to ensure that it cannot fall into the chaincase should it become loose. A shallow groove starting at the lower guide retaining ring to lead any collection of oil down the rocker tunnel will frequently stop oiling plugs and smoking. It is essential with cut aback guides that are necessary when using Mark 2 cams. Ted Davis MPH 360 Page 27 A rear head can be, and has been, used quite successfully on a "C" Comet, modifications :to carb stub and the underside of the petrol tank being necessary. Single and double propellered water scooters were made with single and twin engines, the highest speeds attained being in excess of 20 knots from only five bhp with a lightweight tester. Planing hull and high speed propellers were designed and developed at Stevenage. Good quality alloy can and has been used for: filter nut, G5 plate, Twin engine sprocket, pushrods, hollow axles, speedo gears, rear sprockets and big-ends (single only). A bronze oil pump worm was successfully used until 1948. Wear on the pump teeth was very much less than with the later steel worm, and failures were unheard of in normal use - so why did they change? Black Lightnings and Grey Flashes were supplied with 5/8" x 1/4" rear chain as standard equipment, which, together with 1/4 inch sprockets, showed a weight saving of several pounds. Ted Davis MPH 361 2 Page 33 Cast-in links between the fins on the cylinder heads were introduced in 1949 for noise reduction, unfortunately with little effect! The Series "B" kickstart covers rarely if ever, broke away adjacent to the stop, the weaker "C" version being the main culprit for this form of breakage. The change to underwater exhaust on the Amanda water scooter not only totally eliminated exhaust noise but also gave a slight increase in. power, when used with a long expansion chamber, similar to today's racing two strokes. The Series "D" steering damper (twin friction) can be fitted to the "C" as can the engine shock absorber and chain-side water excluder. Ted Davis MPH 362 Page 25 The highest ever bhp recorded on the brake in the Stevenage test house was 119 from a supercharged Twin in 1956, running on petrol? Felt seals normally used to retain grease in wheel bearings will rapidly wear Electron brake plates. Bronze seals should be used with alloy or Electron brake plates. The two vertical stays between the rear mudguard and the rear frame were added in 1948, after experiencing mudguard fractures. Failure to fit these stays or the steel strips inside the guard will result in certain fractures. The life of the bearings in the rear frame pivot can be doubled if the outer tracks are removed and refitted 180° from their original position. Early Series "B" Twins did not have a rear chain lubrication adjuster screw in the oil tank filler neck. Ted Davis MPH 363 Page 25 Fully floating little end bushes were used in Picador engines and a number of Lightnings and Grey Flashes. Best time to lubricate the rear chain is after a run and while it is still warm. The tensile strength of some commonly used stainless steel is below the required figure for critical applications on a Vincent. Paul Richardson rode his own Comet sidecar outfit in trials in the 50s. Ted Davis MPH 367 Page 26 Deep radial depth, high pressure rings fitted to pistons E7/9, 7/10 and 7/11 cannot be used with lower compression pistons, as these have low pressure rings. It is, however, permissible to use low pressure rings with high compression pistons. To fit an Albion gearbox to a Comet use casting F102/1 to replace F102, F106/1 to replace F106 and add the extra Flash gearbox link and machine the large boss from the inside of the inner chaincase. Apart from internal ratios and kickstart mechanism, the gearbox fitted to, several Royal Enfield models is identical to that fitted to the Grey Flash. The Albion gearbox has a slicker gearchange, has oil lubrication (instead of grease and oil in the Burman) and shows a slight weight saving. If you use a Twin clutch sprocket with one or more teeth damaged or missing, you will rapidly have more to join them, plus resultant damage from broken bits floating around in the chaincase. The nearside Comet footrest hanger can be used satisfactorily on the offside, and offside post war hangers are interchangeable with pre-war, providing the tapered spacer goes with the appropriate hangar, since the taper is not always the same. All "A" and "D" Twins had Lucas electrics, while all "B" and "C" Twins and "A" and "C" singles had Miller electrics. Grey Flashes were built with the option of BTH or Lucas racing magnetos, with and without kickstart mechanism-type Albion gearboxes. 3 The Twin prop stand casting (an item in short supply) can be made from a Comet casting by welding a section into the centre to increase the overall length. Ted Davis MPH 368 Page 35 "A", "B", "C", and "D" wheels are all interchangeable except that a "B", "C" or "D" front wheel should be used in the rear of an "A". (Now I'm as confused as everyone else!) "B" Brampton forks will fit an "A", but the "'A" head stem is too short for a "B". Black Lightnings were offered first with 1.5/32 inch TT carbs, but after one year the size was increased to 1.3/16 inch and finally, from late 1951 until the end of production, 1.1/4 inch with longer induction stubs were fitted. A few special bikes had big port heads with even larger carbs, while others had GP type carburettors. Ted Davis MPH 369 Page 32 "A" singles were offered with optional stainless steel tanks for £1 extra in 1939. In 1979 a stainless tank was sold for £300 not by me, I hasten to add! The fastest bike in the IoM in 1948, including all the works bikes, was a Series :'`B" Rapide. The fastest accelerating bike made in 1948 was also a 1948 Rapide - 126 mph and 1.5 -seconds from 0-30 mph respectively. Grey Flashes won over 100 races world wide in approximately three. years. The stopping distance of 21 feet from 30 to 0 mph achieved by a Comet in 1948 has never been equalled. All Shadows had a bronze front carburettor and a "'monkey" metal rear one. Short arm float chambers used until 1948 were replaced by long arm versions on all models to improve access to the slide and slow running adjustment screws. A useful cost and weight saving can be achieved by omitting 10 of the unnecessary 20 hub to brake drum bolts on Black Shadows, unless drum flange or hub are of five bolt type. Blank off the five unused holes to avoid ingress of the elements. The sprocket side "D" water excluder can be used with advantage on all models. The Series "A" Comet Special, of which less than 20 were produced, was sold as a 100 mph fully-equipped road bike. Ted Davis MPH 371 Page 19 The Series "B" kickstart lever was a different shape and made of stainless steel. Most post war bikes had a black plastic Miller dip-switch with a light-house emblem. Very early "B"s had Miller stop lamp switches. "A", "B" and "C" valve lifter levers were all a different shape. "A" singles used BTH and Miller magdynos. Grey Flashes were equipped with Lucas and BTH racing magnetos as. original equipment. Ted Davis MPH 372 Page 30 Series "B"s were fitted with curved and flat eight inch headlight glasses and six and a half inch headlamps. The intermediate ratios shown in the Spares List were never made for general production. Works Grey Flashes had mirror-finished flywheels, con-rods, crankcase innards, rocker arms and cam followers. 4 All Grey Flashes had Albion gearboxes, with the exception of the TT bikes, which started life with pre-war racing Burmans, but had to revert to Albions during practice. The following parts were drilled for lightness on Grey Flashes: brake, torque and brake arms, headlug, rear frame pivot housing, brake cams, head bracket, footrest plates, foot-change levers, seat and steering damped knobs, footbrake arms, rear wheel sprockets above 46 teeth. Ted Davis MPH 373 Page 15 The carburettor cutaway beneath the petrol tank was considerably increased with the introduction of the Series "C". A five speed cluster was available for the Albion gearbox, as used in the Flash, but never actually used. Counter-wound Bowdenex front brake cables, as used on "B"s, make a much less spongy brake. KLG brown screw-on bakelite plug covers were used on post war bikes until the introduction of suppressors. Ted Davis MPH 374 Page 30 Series "A" brake cams, plates, levers and shoes, although not identical, can be used on post war bikes. Wipac light units fit the Series "D" headlight, retaining the Lucas eight inch reducer rim. All wheels, including the spare, were interchangeable on the International Six Day Rapide outfit built for Harold Taylor in the early 50s. He won a Gold Medal on it. A good Steib sidecar will fetch a fantastic price in the States. Conversely Vincents are now cheaper to buy in the USA than anywhere in the world. Britax sell Series "A" valve springs. Since 1928, Vincents have marketed 50cc, 75cc, 100cc, 125cc, 200cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, 600cc and 1000cc machines. Three types of headlug were used on post war Vincents; two with female, one with male connection to the cylinder head, bracket. Ted Davis MPH 375 Page 26 Fuel consumption varies according to the head of fuel. Pressure-fed with a speed-sensitive regulator set to minimum requirement gives the best economy. Ultimate performance from any Vincent cannot be achieved without correctly gas flowing the head. A satisfactorily flowed head will take at least 10 hours hand work, assuming you know what to do. The best piston crown shape is the Specialloid 9: 1. Blending and smoothing all sharp corners on the piston crown is beneficial. The gudgeon pin should slide in the piston after warming the piston in your hands for five minutes. The piston skirt should be chamfered on the inside diameter for approximately a quarter of an inch. The lighter the piston the smoother the engine and vice versa. Ted Davis MPH 377 5 Page 29 Series "A" spring boxes had grease nipples. Only Series "B" Bramptons had spindle bushes. Series "A" brake cam spindles did not have the undercut for grease reservoir. Series "B" spring box eye bolts were not identical to Series "C" ones. Intermediate gear ratios for Twins were never made. Comet Special TTs had 5X Replica cams, polished crankcase, Vibrac rod, high compression 8: 1 piston and close ratio gearbox. Black(or dark brown) bakelite Miller dipswitches were standard up until 1954. Some Series "B" Rapides did not have an eight inch Miller headlamp, a six and a half inch or seven inch Miller being fitted for specific shipments. Odd numbered crankcases have been successfully used - identical letter and number should be stamped on each case half, between the cylinders. For the best brakes, the drum internal diameter should be skimmed after bolting to the hub. 5/8 x 3/8 chain will run ok on 5/8 x 1/4 sprockets, but is not recommended other than as a temporary measure. Reducing the width of the main bearing outer track (correct width items are no longer available) on a magnetic surface table grinder leaves the track magnetised and it will then attract steel or iron particles. The answer is either not to use a magnetic grinder or to have the tracks de-magnetised. If Norton forks are fitted to a Vincent UFM, the head angle should be changed accordingly, depending on whether long or short Roadholder forks are used and, of course, what size front wheel you use. The Comet, Morini, Moto Guzzi, Ducati and 500cc Honda are all better balanced than a Twin. Only eight factory employees owned their own Vincents during the period 1947 to 1955. Also, only five factory employees are Club members; Hans Edwards, Alan Rennie, Ted Davis, Mike Creamer, and, of course, P.E.I. Ted Davis MPH 379 Page 30 Split skirt Hepolite pistons were fitted as original equipment in Series "D"s. Three different HRD timing covers were fitted between 1947 and 1949: exposed oilways, then flat HRD and finally thin raised HRD. Brake plate retainer nuts should not be fitted when using alloy or electron plates. A slotted head bracket can be used with early-type headlugs if a tight-fit tubular spacer is fitted in the bracket. SU float chambers are available to fit directly to original Amal carbs and work very well, solo or sidecar, and they do not drip. Alloy cylinder bolts and nuts have been used on Twins and singles. Only TT Replicas had cast iron drums pre-war, all other models, including the early Series "B"s, had steel drums, which at least did not crack, although they are inferior to the later cast iron drums as a brake. Ted Davis MPH 380 All the Grey Flashes had the headlug Mercury transfer mounted on a polished alloy plate. 6 Page 35 It is vital to start the two inch section of the Flash or Lightning exhaust as near as possible to the cylinder head, which makes a half width exhaust non mandatory. A TT BTH magneto is the best magneto to fit to any Vincent single. Albion clutches, as used on the Grey Flash, are currently in use on the Howard Rotavator. The futuristic 250cc racer made by BSA just before the rot set in had triangulated cantilever, monoshock rear suspension. Alloy pushrod tubes were used on "D"s and are more likely to leak than the stainless version. Pushrod tube nuts were originally produced in cadmium plated brass, then steel, before the introduction of stainless steel versions, which are the best of all. Exhaust nuts were produced originally in bronze and later in steel. Both were cadmium plated. Front stand plates, always steel, came cadmium plated or stove enamelled, depending on year and model. Only Twins had platinum magneto points as original equipment. Series "B" propstands are shorter than those on the Series "C". Hollow axles came in both alloy and steel. Original spokes were butted eight gauge to 10 gauge straight. Original petrol taps had a cork adjuster screw on the face of the serrated plunger. Ted Davis MPH 381 Page 27 There are some G11 gears in circulation that are too short by approximately 0.100 inch and some G11/1s that have insufficient chamfer on the outside of the teeth, which results in jumping out of gear in the case of the G11 and inability to get into gear in the case of the G11/1. These gears have been produced since the Vincent factory closed down. The G11/1 can be rectified, but the G11 can not. There are one or two camplates in circulation that have the wrong relationship between the notches on the periphery and the flats on the bevel hole. If a problem is experienced getting correct travel, ie good camplate pawl location for top and first gear, compare your camplate with a known good one. Ted Davis MPH 382 Page 27 A Comet timing cover can be easily modified for use on a Twin and vice versa by drilling out rear cam and cylinder feed hole bosses when using a Comet cover on a Twin and blocking off those same holes when using a Twin cover on a Comet. A long drill is required to link the 'bosses with the vertical oil feed channel. It is, of course, necessary to plug this drilling at the rear of the cover. The Twin gearbox, crankcase and Comet chaincase drain plugs are all identical. Early ones were brass, but later they were made of steel. Short arm float chambers were fitted up to 1948 on Rapide carburettors. The longer version was, of course, fitted to give easier access to the adjusting screws. Right handed adjuster front carburettors were fitted on Rapides until 1948. Therefore a foot long screwdriver was a must in every road-tester's tool kit, so that he could reach the idler screw through the cylinders without frying his hand on the red hot exhaust. The alloy banjo bolts, which were introduced in 1949, should be tightened with caution. Prior to 1949 stainless banjo bolts were standard. 7 Ted Davis MPH 383 Page 33 Broken camplate bosses experienced on "B" and "C" crankcases can easily be repaired. This type of failure does not occur with Series "D" crankcases, some of which were used on late Series "C" models and can be easily identified by the pronounced corner just to the rear of the cast-in Vincent emblem below the front cylinder on the left hand side of the crankcase. The Firefly had a purpose-made centre stand with attachment lugs cast on the crankcase. The Firefly kit had two different shaped fuel tanks supplied as an option. Both fitted to the lower frame tube, but only the wedge-shaped flat one will fit a double down tube ladies bike. The Series "B" alloy seat damper knobs have a flat top, not slightly domed as are the Series "C" ones. Series "B" seat lugs were too short, causing the seat nose to foul the rear tank securing bolts and rubber pad. For the best crankcases, lighting systems, ignition system, engine shock absorber, steering damper, fork springs and damper you need a "D". These features can all be adapted to a "C", if you can find them. However, the larger and better-designed fuel tank and monoshock rear suspension cannot be used on the "C" without using the "D" frame parts. A few financial facts: in 1949 the profit on a Comet was £9 2s Od. The material cost of a Series "B" Rapide was £106. The company received £230 for a Black Shadow in 1950. The labour cost to produce a Comet was £15 10s, Od in 1949. Breakeven bike production was 40 per week. The maximum was 60 in one week. Ted Davis MPH 384 Page 25 Series "D" exhaust nuts have parallel slots for tightening, while "B" and 'C" items are as-cast curved fins. Reducing the length of fork and frame springs improves handling with a chair. Preventing the rear frame from extending on right-handers with a chain or sliding link can improve the handling of a sidecar outfit. The two unused holes in the rear frame lugs make excellent attachments for display or racer stands and hand hold peg fixture points for sidecar racing. If the valve spring cap touches the inside of the inspection cap, the valve may have stretched or the seat may be excessively pocketed. In either case replace the valve. Panther sold a complete 250cc ohv motor-cycle in 1939 for the price you would pay for a rear tyre for a Comet in 1980. Ted Davis MPH 385 Page 31 The Vincent industrial engine was the only small industrial engine to have a built-in kickstart and hand-start option. Brampton post war forks had black plastic damper knobs on all but a very small early production batch. Series "A" rear brake wing nuts stop in the vertical position, as opposed to those on "B", "C" and "D"s, which stop in a horizontal position. Series "A" rear wheel spindle nuts had a domed head. Black painted steel mudguards, the same section as the standard alloy guards, were factory fitted for a short time in the early fifties. Four types of Comet clutch inspection covers were fitted over the years: HRD - square capital letters, pre-and post war; HRD - scroll-written, pre-war; Vincent-HRD - Vincent scroll above HRD (Series "B" Meteor); Vincent - plain Vincent in capital letters, post war Comets. 8 Ted Davis MPH 386 Page 36 In the Vincent engine nothing is gained by using a central plug, or two simultaneously ignited plugs one each side or central and either side. Nor, as I have discovered recently, using two-plug heads with a split second firing interval. This information should save a lot of wasted time and a lot of b ... heads. Phil Irving (see MPH 380, page 12) is right about intermediate gears and I was wrong. I guess we just called them by a different name. Vincents pioneered the chopping off of a Twin gearbox for a one-off experimental marine engine that was built at the factory and so mutilated in 1949. The engine was 127 lb. The project foundered, on the financial rocks. Ted Davis MPH 387 Page 34 In their catalogues Vincents described the rear frame as having Girdraulic suspension (something else for the Japanese to copy, maybe?). The NSU Quickly used hard chrome alloy cylinders on all production engines with great success 25 years before BMW adopted it on their 1981 bike range. During the time Vincents were UK concessionaires for the Quickly, not one cylinder failure was reported from the tens of thousands sold! Complete, brand new, overhaul kits are now available for Series "D" distributors, together with all parts except the cam. Complete new units, less cam, are also available. Vertical holes drilled through cylinder and barrel fins improve cooling under certain conditions and devalue the head and barrel by 50 per cent at the same time. Grey Flash Albion racing gearbox ratios are: 1: 1 top, 1:18 third, 1: 4 second and 2: 13 first. The light alloy crankpin was used in the "half a thousand" car racing engine. (This was the Twin with the front pot deactivated that I described some time ago.) Ted Davis MPH 388 Page 30 The higher your compression, the cooler your exhaust valve. Platinum points were standard fitting in the Twin magneto. (For Bill H.'s benefit, they are as rare as hen's teeth nowadays.) Series "C" breather assemblies came with either bronze or alloy sleeve. Filtrate Plus oil (with collodial graphite) is available in 10-40 multigrade; excellent for winter riding. [If you can find it! Ed.] The Series "D" stop light switch can be used on a "B" or a "C" and original new ones are still available. Upper frame members can be assembled and checked by Furness and Searle on the ex-factory jig. Copper rocker feed pipes and a brass main oil feed pipe were superceded by steel around 1949. Ted Davies MPH 390 Page 35 The crankcase lettering found on some crankcases, adjacent to the dynamo housing, was put on by the crankcase supplier for inspection and batch identification. John Surtees was lapping Brands in under one minute on his Lightning on the "Surtees Day". Comet clutch rollers are not 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch, as the length is one thou under. Standard 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch rollers can be ground on a magnetic surface grinder (remember to have them demagnetised) if difficulty is found in acquiring correct rollers. 9 All engines (production, that is) had numbers stamped on them on completion of assembly. Ted Davis MPH 391 Page 16 The heavier gauge spokes currently used to replace the lighter butted type (no longer available) are not stronger and the weight saving by using butted spokes as specified in production, together with the smaller nipples required, is almost one pound per wheel, unsprung rotating weight at that. It is surprising how many famous aircraft that have the same names as Vincents: Comets; Meteor; Rapide; Lightning; Shadow; even Firefly. Series "A" models came with alloy heads, alloy barrels, iron heads and barrels, or bronze heads and any combination of the above. Ted Davis MPH 392 Page 17 If liners are bored from the bottom, you could end up with a tapered bore. Series "A" brake shoes are retained by a screw, as opposed to post war shoes, which are retained by a split pin. If a plate-type clutch is used on a Twin, a spacer may be required between chaincase and clutch cover, which would, in turn, necessitate spacing out the left hand footrest hanger. Some Series "A"s were fitted with steel and alloy hubs of Series "C" type, as well as the more common bolt-through alloy type. Vincent made twin and single cylinder outboards and grain elevator power units, which were exhibited at the New York and London boat shows in the late 50s. The Vincent factory at Fishers Green, Stevenage, where most of the machining, enamelling, plating etc, was carried out post war, was razed to the ground in 1980. Ted Davis MPH 393 Page 36 Excelsior racers, whilst recommending Castrol R for engines, specified mineral oil for valve guide lubrication, even having a separate oil tank and feed. The life of the Twin kickstart quadrant can be doubled by reversing it on the kickstart shaft, not forgetting to swap the spring anchor pin to the alternative hole already supplied in the quadrant. A Burman kickstart shaft can be used in a Twin; although not the same length, it will keep you going until you can obtain the correct one. WM3 rear and WM2 front rims in conjunction with modern tyres give best results, while WM2 rear and WM1 front are best for original tyres. The life of Alpha big-ends, contrary to popular belief, seems to be less than the original Vincent crowded roller big-end. A two start (double capacity) oil pump will definitely extend the life of the big-end. Side plates in the seat stay casting and pillion plates were both alloy and steel in production on Series "Cs", but steel only on the Series "B". Ted Davis Full tanks make a quieter Vin. MPH 394 Page 25 . Series "B" tanks had a smaller cutaway for the carburettor than "Cs" and "Ds" Curved glass from many old alarm clocks fit a Shadow speedometer and look much nicer than the standard flat glass. 10 Handlebar supports are fixed on Series "Bs" and clamped on "As". Only Series "C" Comets and Twins have been reported (to me, that is) as having pitched their riders off while indulging in a violent tank slapper. John Surtees has replaced the springs and dampers, front and rear, with a pair of combined spring and damper units on his Twin. They look good and certainly seemed to work well at Brands Hatch. On the 500s a small weight saving can be achieved by substituting an alloy steady plate for the original steel one. Ultra close clearance valve guides could contribute to the number of burnt out exhaust valves currently being experienced. Head distortion at high temperature can cause valve hang up in tightly fitting guides. Ted Davis MPH 395 Page 38 This one by request; yes, you could buy your Vincent with alloy rims, Dunlop of course, only in 19, 20 or 21 inch sizes. There are four types of chain adjusters: Series "B" knurled head, undercut beneath the knurl; Series "C" solid knurled head, Series "D" hexagon head screw with locknut and Flash and Lightning, which was similar to the Series "D". But please note that the "B" type overlapped into Series "C" production, so early "Cs" could have the undercut type. A change to a BSF thread was made in the RFM lugs in 1949. It uses a 480 setscrew. Miller ammeters and switches can be found on pre-war and post-war Velocettes (Venoms, MSS, KTS, KSS, Viper and MAC) and post-war LEs. John Mellor is being so successful in locating Series "A" Twins that he will shortly find more than were made! Seriously, he has found a couple with the same numbers and it would appear possible that 80 or 90 per cent of the 78 made will eventually be discovered. Of the 175 post-war Meteors made, two are in Letchworth, but few are ever seen in use. The prototype post-war Comet had a footbrake arrangement similar to the pre-war Comet. Pre-war Vincent carburettors can be easily identified by the string of holes round the body. These were missing on postwar items. A Did You Know Footnote: In the last issue I said that one can use a car-type brush for the Vincent magneto pick-up. I have just had a letter from an on-the-ball member who tells me he has experienced slip ring wear. I have double checked and it is possible -so I now withdraw my recommendation on the grounds of variable hardness of the brushes I've checked and suggest you only use it as a get-you-home move. Better be safe than sorry. Ted Davis MPH 398 Page 25 You can never see more than a mile ahead on the TT Course. You can freewheel at up to 60 miles an hour from the 33rd milestone, nearly to Signpost corner, less than a mile from the finish. The climb to Ballacraine, taken in the reverse direction when using the Clypse circuit in the Island, called for second gear with a G45 outfit in the Sidecar TT. Ted Davis MPH 400 Page 48 Series "B" Rapides started production, with steel brake drums. The change to cast drums provided much improved braking. Post war brake drums, steel or cast iron, can be used on Series "A"s, with the addition of a spacer ring to reduce drum register to the Series "A" smaller diameter.' 11 The Series "D" rear brake arm is cranked and fitted 180° differently from all other models. Allow for 10° to 15° rear of vertical for correct static position in all cases, of course. Ted Davis MPH 401 Page 26 Seats sold by Armours are not really up to our standard, as the steel frame will not fit the seat stays; the seat material is far too soft and, due to the omission of inner support strips, the seat will bend with use. Pre-war Ariels fitted a twin lever which can be used as a Vincent Twin air lever. Of the two Black Lightnings used in the attempt to break the one and two hour world records at Montlhery in 1952, Gunga Din was approximately five mph slower than the newly-built Lightning. Rear tread failures prevented either bike exceeding 50 minutes at speeds in excess of existing records. The riders at the time of the failures were John Surtees and Ted Davis. Ted Davies MPH 402 Page 27 My correct initials are E.J.D. - see Motor Cycle Sport articles. Series "A" singles were fitted with BTH magdynos initially, followed by Miller. The Lucas magdyno can be used, details of adaptation available from me. Early rocker adjustment inspection caps are prone to fouling the adjusters when being removed, even if the valves are shut, especially if the adjuster is high, due to fitting new components in the valve mechanism or timing side. Classic racing successes by John Surtees and his two Vincents, now extend as far afield as New Zealand. His Flash was impounded by customs en route from New Zealand, hence his absence from the May Cadwell; however, he hopes to make the next meeting. Ted Davies MPH 405 Page 27 Some Series "D"s had a drain plug in the chaincase. Twin flywheels can be made from Comet wheels (details from yours truly). Con-rod weights vary considerably and should be matched for Twins. Barrel-shaped alloy pushrods cannot be assembled through rocker arm adjuster threads. A significant weight saving can be achieved by reducing the tappet adjuster heads to 1/8 inch square. Rear brake wing nuts are designed to sit horizontally on post war bikes and vertically on pre-war models. The registration number HRD 1 is, or was, on the mayor of Reading's car. The Series "D" distributor works ok on a Comet. Shadows break their speedometer cables if you push them backwards when the early angle box is used. Ted Davis MPH 407 Page 15 Worn bushes in the G4 gearbox shaft allow oil to escape into the kickstart cover? Early Series "B" rear stands bend at the flattened pivot ends, particularly if you attempt to start the bike on the stand. The gear indicator on the Series "D" is cranked outwards to miss the side panel - Series "C" and "B" indicators will damage the panel. 12 A balance factor of 66 per cent as opposed to the 46 per cent current on the Twin, will move the critical vibration point up by approximately 20 mph in top gear. Those who gaily fit "D" breather caps on "B's" and "C's" above the valve springs, will only get the full benefit if they increase the crescent-shaped hole between the head and upper valve guide by approximately 50 to 100 per cent. Ted Davis MPH 408 Page 28 Egli, who originally couldn't get rid of the Vincent rear suspension system quickly enough, was building it back into his frames by 1977. A very well-known authority (?) on motor-cycles, on viewing my "Cs" and "Bs" recently, asked why Vincents had never progressed to monoshock. I couldn't get my Prince's tail up fast enough! The readily-available small Japanese and British six volt coils fit neatly under the "B" and "C" magneto cowl, should you convert to coil ignition. While a rev counter drive can very easily be taken from the distributor gear drive boss, the autoadvance mechanism is, of course, out of harm's way inside the distributor. Ted Davis MPH 409 Page 25 The Series "B" chainguard is a different shape from that on the Series "C". The infinitely superior double chain tensioner blades used on the "D" Twin will not fit the "C" tensioner retention blocks as the slot width is insufficient. The cylinder oil feed hole is sited too high on the majority of post-production liners. Ted Davis MPH 410 Page 27 I will buy or swap useful parts for the free-standing Bullows air compressor as sold with electric motors and Vincent industrial engines. Pre-war Ariel and Sunbeam Burman gearboxes can be fitted to Series "A" machines, but the mainshaft causes an unsurmountable problem. Taiwan/USA source Miller tail lights fall apart in use due to loose retention of the circlip. Closing the shell lip over the circlip at the lower edge will fix it. A significantly better running bike will result if you rebore the cylinder jacket and fit oversize outer diameter liners. Ted Davis MPH 453 Page 26 It is a long time since this series last appeared, so I thought it was time I had another go. Let's start with the dates etc: that some of the important changes occurred to Vincent machinery: January 1947 - F10AB/l /3 October 1947 December 1947 April 1948-F10AB/l/745 August 1948 September 1948 October 1948 - F10AB/l/1309 January 1949 February 1949 R2002 R2340 R2416 R2735 R3000 R3050 R3299 R3500 R3616 Number one Rapide Series "B" Lucas stop light switch replaces Miller Petrol tank tie bolt and distance piece introduced Three inch dynamo replaces three and a half inch unit 1801b fork spring introduced Cast iron brake drums replaced by steel Solid cylinder bolts introduced UFM slotted for hydraulic damper Rear inner spring cases plated Ted Davis MPH 454 Page 33 April and May 1954 saw the introduction of the NSU-Vincent 125cc two-stroke and 98cc four stroke respectively, frame number 1/172 and 108/174. 13 NSU Quickly engine number 7006B announced totally-NSU manufactured two speed mopeds at Stevenage. Sample 247cc Max and 200cc Lux models were received and the Max was part Vincentised, but neither were marketed. Touring Rapides, ie, with black steel valenced guards, high rise bars and cables to suit and 19 inch/18 inch wheels with 350 x 19 inch and 400 x 18 inch tyres were available up to 1954 at no extra cost. Longer rear frame, 18 inch from 17.1/2 inch, was introduced on all models from March 1949; frame numbers were: "B" Rapide, R3900; "B" Meteor R/1/4623; "B" Shadow R/3878B. The seat stay bracket remained straight originally, resulting in a more vertical and subsequently inferior ride, especially for the pillion rider. By 1950 the curved forward bracket had put things right and the seat stay geometry was now back to square one. In April 1953 the nose of the dualseat was raised by 5/8 inch on all models. "B" Shadows were made until April 1950, one year after "C" Shadows were introduced. Lumpy cams with radiused followers to suit were made at the factory, but showed no advantage over Mk IIs. On the Series "C" range the suffix letter A, B, C. D or E after the frame number denote alternative wheel bearings. Ted Davis MPH 457 Page 40 The first "B" Rapide appeared in January 1947, frame number R2002, while the first "B" Shadow (engine number R/2PAB) was introduced in May 1948. The first "C" Shadow RC4010, was conceived in April 1949, as was the first Lightning and the first "C" Rapide. The Grey Flash first appeared in October 1949, engine number RC/lA/ 4821. The first Quickly was introduced in August 1954, engine number 70006B. The first 123cc NSU-Vincent Fox, was introduced in April 1954 and the 98cc version appeared in May. Both the first Black Knight (frame number RD/12489) and the first Black Prince (frame number RD/12493B) appeared in November 1954. All the above are production models, not prototypes. The first Firefly went missing, number and all - now you know where our Far Eastern friends got their two-stroke knowhow! Ted Davis MPH 458 Page 18 Some members may be interested to know when the various models finished production, so here is a list of some of them: Series "B" Rapide discontinued July 1949. Series "B" Shadow discontinued April 1950. Series "B" Meteor discontinued February 1950. Series "C" Rapide discontinued December 1954. Series "C" Comet discontinued December 1954. Series "C" Grey Flash discontinued December 1950. Now some facts on Vincent NSUs: One Vincent-NSU 250cc Max was built using many UK source parts and finished in black and gold. Two silver models, totally German-built, were delivered to Stevenage, but returned unused. The whereabouts of the sole 250cc Vincent-NSU is not known, or is it? All Vincent-NSU activities were discontinued in 1955, some 400-odd machines in total being sold. NSU Quickly, which was marketed in the UK by Vincents, was taken over by NSU Great Britain in 1956, after many tens of thousands had been sold through Stevenage, effectively killing off the Vincent Firefly, of which some 4,000 were manufactured and sold between 1953 and 1956. 14 Ted Davis MPH 459 Page 22 A drain plug was introduced in the Burman gearbox in February 1952 (RC/1/10497). The timed breather was discontinued on the Lightning in November 1954 (F10AB/2C/10610). The "D" inlet valve spring cap was substituted. Series "B"s were built with touring guards and six and a half inch Miller headlights. Rear stand retention by alloy thumb screw instead of tommy bar was introduced in October 1953 (RC11847). The dynamo cradle was detachable from the crankcase from January 1950 (F10AB/1C/3230; F10AB/1B/3091; F10AB/1/3105). Plated inner rear spring cases were introduced in February 1949 (R3616). Originally they were black enamelled. The Montlhery record attempt Black Lightnings had seven gallon steel tanks which had tie bolts and distance pieces front and rear and a single rear brake and none up front. Any attempt to stop bikes from high speed resulted in instant excessive pedal travel and brake fade. The NSU Max so nearly imported into the UK by Vincents, along with the foxes had quickly detachable and interchangeable wheels. Ted Davis MPH 460 Page 14 The Grey Flash in the National Motorcycle Museum is the only genuine Flash built without grooved fork blades. It was supplied for sidecar racing in Belgium. Two Victors exist, both in pristine condition. And they were both originally built and tested by yours truly. The various Victor mailed fist transfers differ: the instrument panel fist faces left (sitting on the bike), while the larger transfers on the front mudguard and rear end both face right. Ted Davis MPH 468 Page 23 All electrics on Series 'A' Twins were Lucas, while the singles used Miller and BTH. The large diameter frame down tubes that were standard on Series 'A' Twins were also used on Series "B" TT Replicas - the last few Replicas made. In October 1947, from frame number R2380, a Lucas stop light switch replaced a Miller item. In March, 1949, from frame number R3800, the rear chain oiler was introduced in the UFM. The tooth form on the dynamo sprocket was modified to accommodate the extra load of the Lucas dynamo as fitted to all Series ‘D’ models. The ‘D’ petrol tank, whilst retaining the old outside shape and dimensions, holds approximately half a gallon more fuel and is much stiffer. Three types of headlug were used: forged female, malleable cast female and malleable cast male (on late "C"s and all "D"s.) Late Series "C" and all Series ‘D’ crankcases are not only stronger, particularly in the camplate pivot area, they are also some eight pounds lighter. Two friction plates were introduced in the steering damper on Twins and Comets in February 1953, starting with frame numbers RC11937, RC11949 and RC/1/11995. This doubling up of the damper friction plates is a strong deterrent to the "C" models shaking their heads. Series ‘D’ enclose models permit puncture repair in the rear wheel in situ - arguably the only bike that offers this facility. Yours truly, together with a Black Shadow, made a video for British Aerospace, Stevenage, in the still-original road test and cycle assembly building, behind Phil and Elfrida's house on the old factory site. The film, with BBC "Top Gear" man, 15 William Woolard, should be ready by Christmas 1987 for internal use by British Aerospace. [It would be rather nice if they let the Club have a copy, wouldn't it?-Ed.) Ted Davis MPH 471 Page 26 The Vincent-HRD Company had a sales and service depot in Claypole Street, Chesterfield, in the 1930s. Watt for watt, 12 volt bulbs take less out of your battery than six volt. The best dampers for Vincents are Vincent's own designed and manufactured (yes, you can cure them from leaking) or Armstrong (standard on the "D"s). For fully sprung rear ends Konis are ok. Only 13 Series "B" Shadows out of the 70 built in 1948/49 were sold in the UK. Survivors can be counted on one hand, two of which have just been restored and are currently on the road. The Grey Flash appeared in two colours, silver and green/grey. Road versions of the Flash numbered three and these were silver, as were two of the racers. How do you identify an original Miller tail light from the excellent Taiwan copies? There are, in fact, 13 ways, all very minor, but the instant recognition feature is the tiny number stamped in the top of the shell near the rim. A gallon of petrol in 1904 was equivalent to £10 today and the catalogue price of £97.10s.Od for a 500cc Vincent in 1930 was equivalent to nearly £10,000 today. (So what are you grumbling about!) The Series "C" Shadow is the heaviest of the Twins. Ted Davis MPH 473 Page 18 That gudgeon pin diameter should be at least one third of the diameter of the piston - beware of BSA B50 pistons and pins which fit Vincents. The ideal position for the gudgeon pin is less than half way up the skirt; Velocette came nearest to this. Cracked cylinder head nut bosses are normally due to over-tightening or front end prangs. A variation of eight BHP was accepted on the KTT Velocette racers - on a maximum of 30 bhp. So what price your 55 bhp Shadow? Unlike KTTs they were not bench tested. Forty-five tooth rear sprockets were made, as were 60 tooth and they are still available in 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch. No "B" Shadows had an eight inch lamp, but they and some "B" Raps did have seven inch. However, nearly all "B" Rapides had eight inch and "B" Shadows six and a half inch. All were Miller, of course - fluted curved glasses with Miller logo were used on six and a half and seven inch and fluted curved (sans logo) and flat frosted on eight inch, whilst the "A" singles were as the Series "B", except for the lighthouse logo in the ammeter. "A" Twins were the odd man out, with curved fluted glass eight inch Lucas lamp, separate ammeter and switch panel. It is interesting that the first and last Twins, the "A" and open "D" had eight inch Lucas lamps, albeit the "D" shell housed the speedo, switch, ammeter and ignition switch, plus a reducing rim taking a seven inch light unit with the Lucas logo in the patterned curved glass. Phew! That's only the Vincent-engined models. 16