Dear Vincent Enthusiasts,
Just a line to ask if anyone can help me fill in the life story of my Vincent Series 'C' Rapide 1951. 445 MLP. I was lucky enough to purchase this fine machine at around this time last year from a Gentleman who lives in Berkshire not far from my mother. Sadly though, it came with absolutely no history whatsoever, which is a great shame, bearing in mind the originality of the bike and its matching numbers etc. Vince Farrell shed a little bit of light telling me of a change of U.F.M. at some point to a Comet one, but certainly when bought the bike it had been swopped back to the original. Without getting in touch with the DVLA I know not a lot else, apart from a name written in pencil on the rubber battery box lid. Frank Allinson, I think. Do any members remember Frank and the bike? Please let me know. I fear the Vin has been subject to a few quite short spells of ownership in recent years, perhaps due to the steady rise in value of Vincents in general. Indeed the last time it was taxed before last year was May,2005.
The bike has just been returned to the road after a long and careful fettling session by me and Colin Jenner, who rebuilt my clutch to a very high standard. This item snatched so badly when I first used the bike, that it was virtually unrideable, especially in traffic. She had her first proper outing the other day when we went down to The 'Ace Cafe' Vincent and Velocette Day. I was absolutely thrilled with the way the Bike ran, despite some pretty miserable weather on the way back, but more importantly I was delighted to meet so many helpful and interesting members, one of whom rescued my new S.Steel handlebar mirror from dropping off! (forgot to take some allen keys with me)!
I have included a couple of pictures in this post and would be really interested to read any comments members have to offer. Please bear in mind that I am new to Vincenteering and have probably got quite a lot of cosmetic things not quite right. The wiring to the battery is only temporary until I can sort out a neat fuse arrangement.
Many thanks to you all,
Alaster.
Just a line to ask if anyone can help me fill in the life story of my Vincent Series 'C' Rapide 1951. 445 MLP. I was lucky enough to purchase this fine machine at around this time last year from a Gentleman who lives in Berkshire not far from my mother. Sadly though, it came with absolutely no history whatsoever, which is a great shame, bearing in mind the originality of the bike and its matching numbers etc. Vince Farrell shed a little bit of light telling me of a change of U.F.M. at some point to a Comet one, but certainly when bought the bike it had been swopped back to the original. Without getting in touch with the DVLA I know not a lot else, apart from a name written in pencil on the rubber battery box lid. Frank Allinson, I think. Do any members remember Frank and the bike? Please let me know. I fear the Vin has been subject to a few quite short spells of ownership in recent years, perhaps due to the steady rise in value of Vincents in general. Indeed the last time it was taxed before last year was May,2005.
The bike has just been returned to the road after a long and careful fettling session by me and Colin Jenner, who rebuilt my clutch to a very high standard. This item snatched so badly when I first used the bike, that it was virtually unrideable, especially in traffic. She had her first proper outing the other day when we went down to The 'Ace Cafe' Vincent and Velocette Day. I was absolutely thrilled with the way the Bike ran, despite some pretty miserable weather on the way back, but more importantly I was delighted to meet so many helpful and interesting members, one of whom rescued my new S.Steel handlebar mirror from dropping off! (forgot to take some allen keys with me)!
I have included a couple of pictures in this post and would be really interested to read any comments members have to offer. Please bear in mind that I am new to Vincenteering and have probably got quite a lot of cosmetic things not quite right. The wiring to the battery is only temporary until I can sort out a neat fuse arrangement.
Many thanks to you all,
Alaster.
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