Hello (and a question!)

b'knighted

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Hi Chewie,

Welcome.

Parts to keep post war Vincents on the road are readily available. Having broken a gear lever I rode home using the gear indicator to select gears and immediately telephoned an order to the VOC Spares Co. That was on a Wednesday and it arrived either on the Thursday or the Friday. I may have misled you slightly as I’d had a spare screen in stock for decades. External parts for the enclosed D’s are slightly harder to source but WCS used to make bits to order, and since Phil Primmer’s retirement the moulds have gone to someone else who should be able to continue the service. However only a serious crash should entail replacement, as the cowlings are tougher than most cars bodywork and no more difficult to repair. You wouldn’t remove the panelling from a scooter or a car to protect it.
If you are concerned about damage in the early days I’d consider putting the bike in “Thought Police” trim by removing the screen and the handlebar muffs. These are the most vulnerable parts and unbolt easily. I rode without a screen last summer and may do the same again this year if it warms up.

The bikes designed to be naked all look good but I believe the open D twins are less attractive because they resulted from problems with the plastics in the 1950s.

Cheers,
 

BlackLightning998

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Chewie,

If you can afford it, buy it. Oh, and another thought, if you can't afford it, buy it anyway.

Take Ian up on his offer and get him to come round, have a coffee and go over the bike with you giving you some pointers BEFORE YOU BUY. They can all look the same but some can be a real money pit if you buy the wrong thing, just like anything in life.

Ride it, use it as it was intended to.

Meet some of the folks in the club - you'll have a ball.

Listen to all the opinions and views you can - and then make up your own mind. Ask 10 VOC members for an opinion and you'll get at least 12 different ones - you have to make your own mind up and live with the consequences. You'll soon learn that not everyone's opinion in the VOC is equal and there are those you really should listen to.

I've got modern stuff too - but the Vincent comes out of the garage most - just an absolute joy to ride.

Have fun.

See you at some events - do introduce yourself.

Regards
 

macvette

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Hi ,
I got my open series D just over 4 yrs ago. I wanted an original bike as was possible as I intended to get a bike that I could rebuild as I wanted to make it my own ( I had just retired and wanted to fullfill a dream). Cost wasn't a factor.I have other bikes and an old car and am a pretty good mechanic. I rode during the first summer to suss out what I needed to do. It was very scruffy and the engine needed a rebuild. I decided to restore the cycle parts myself and sent off the engine to be overhauled. I completely stripped the cycle parts to the last nut and bolt and methodically worked my way through the reconditioning of them during the winter. I didn't find this difficult but didn't feel I could do the motor justice.Six months later I was done. I niavely assumed that work on the motor would procede in parallel. Despite regular and frequent contact with the specialists doing the work, three and a half years later( and several thousand pounds), I am still without the motor. It seems a common occurence so my advice is as follows:- if like me you always wanted a Vincent, then get one but if you want to ride it, make sure that the engine is in good running order, not needing major work. If like me you want a bike that you can work on then be prepared for a long haul and some expense. Definitely get someone knowlegeable to advise you because even in poor health these engines are still capable of pulling well. I was well aware of the condition of my bike but the experience with the engine rebuild is very frustrating. From what I remember of riding the bike whilst assessing it, it was very enjoyable and if I live long enough to get the engine back, I'm sure it will be again. Spares are easy to get from the VOC and others.
Regards Mac
 

John Appleton

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Hi chewie, good advice here from Mac and Stuart. Even if you dont intend to be guided by others in your decision about the purchase, advice from Ian at the VOC spares company, and Russel at Vinparts will help you to avoid the pitfalls that Mac has found, (most of the members will know who he refers to). Build an early relationship with either of our favourite suppliers and you wont go far wrong. John
 
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