Advice on SEVERE tank slap

PaulB

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Hi Dean,

JTAN is a web message board for Vincent related topics. It is similar to this forum, but all messages arrive as email. I don't recall how to join, but if you send an email to voc@jtan.com asking how to join, someone will, no doubt, tell you.
As for the other 2 sets of initials, I'm afraid I'm non the wiser either :confused:

Paul
 

Howard

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Hi again

Looks like you need a steering damper as suggested by others. The friction one on the Vin (like most of the parts) were probably the best available in the 50s, but modern hydraulic ones do the job much better.

I know this is easy to say while sitting in front of a computer, but if you leave the bike to its own devices it will (room permitting) get out of a tank slapper itself. The first thing we do in these circumstances is tense up, which effectively stops the bike doing its job. Relaxing your arms will allow the castor (or is it the trail - I forget the theory) to pull the forks straight (wheels in line). If you are really brave, open the throttle slightly, this reduces the force on the front tyre which is causing the tank slapper in the first place.
I know it's a bit late, and it's difficult to relax with your cheeks clenched, but this technique will get you through all but the worst tank slappers.

Regards

Howard
 

VinParts

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Tank Slapper

Hi Dean, you can buy Forty Years On from me www. vintech.co.uk or give me a call on +441597851542. I can get you a damper if you want and a drawing of how to fit it and btw, I had a tank slapper in 2003 at 95+ mph on my D so I know how it feels.

Regards,
Russell Kemp
 

mach1ne

Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify things, the bike actually did'nt wobble prior to me coming off, just the bars. The only clear picture I have in my mind is the bars on the left stop and going to the right stop instantly and then a close up of the road surface. It all happened in a flash.
Russell, thanks for offer of finding a damper, but I'll look locally first.
Thanks
Dean
 

samueljohn

Active Forum User
VOC Member
Dean,
While you are healing, the following are the recommended reading list of the VOC;

FYO = Forty Years On - Articles from the first 40 years of MPH, edited by Jeff Bowen

ATY = Another Ten Years - More Articles from the next ten years of MPH, edited by Jeff Bowen

KTB = Know Thy Beast - by E.M.G. Stevens , a comprehensive owners manual

Riders Handbook - Reprint of the original manual

Spares List - Repro of original parts manual, including illustrations and listings

I am sure there are other important books, including those written by Phil Irving, Phil Vincent, J.P Bickerstaff, David Wright and others that will be helpful.

Good Luck
John R
 

mach1ne

Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Thanks John,
I'll order both FYO and ATY. With all the books I have for the Vincent, I'm starting to wonder if its a bit like the aircraft story , that is, when the weight of the paperwork exceeds the weight of the aircraft, you can fly it.::D
Thanks
Dean
 
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