As part of my 'Analysis of Vincent Front Suspension Systems' (see MPH November and December 2021), I established that the total front unsprung weight of a standard Series C Vincent is 58.35lb. The weight of the pair of Girdraulic fork blades is 8.25lb so, assuming that 1lb of alloy is milled out of each blade (which is generous/ dangerous/ stupid?), the front unsprung weight would be reduced by 3.4%. Is it worth attacking the blades for such a marginal weight saving?
By way of comparison, substituting an alloy rim for the steel one would save 3lb, removing the headlamp about 2.5lb, shortening the mudguard and removing the front stay (as per Lightning spec.) about 1lb and removing the speedo about 1lb. I have not weighed a 5" speedo but to mill the fork legs and then to fit a Shadow speedometer would be madness.
Interestingly, although the total front unsprung weight of a Brampton equipped Series B is 4lb less than that of the Girdraulic equipped Series C, the saving mainly comes from the absence of springboxes, hydraulic damper and by only having a single spring. In fact, the Brampton Girder weighs more than a pair of Girdraulic blades but, when the weight of the two front spindles plus the unsprung weight of the links is included, the unsprung weight of the two forks is very similar.
