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<blockquote data-quote="BigEd" data-source="post: 91975" data-attributes="member: 161"><p>A lifetime of kick starting bikes, throwing myself down the road and working in sometimes challenging environment all conspired to make my right knee say take it easy. I fitted a Grosset electric start to my Rapide. A few observations that may reinforce what posts above have said above:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Firstly, the electric start is not cheap but if it means you can still start and ride your Vincent I think it is well worth the money.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">If you are OK to do a bit of spanner work and have drill, hacksaw and file you can do most of the work yourself. There is a small amount of machining to a couple of components. I got a friend to do it for me. Now that I have bought a reasonably good lathe I would do the machining myself.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">After a year of use I was satisfied that the system was reliable so I removed all the kickstart mechanism and turned up an aluminium bung to plug the hole in the kickstart cover. (An added bonus if you remove the kickstart mechanism, there is then room to do a small mod to the G61 for a little improvement in the gearchange.)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">A good 12 volt charging system and battery is a must. (Especially if you have removed the kickstart .<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />) I fitted the Walkernator kit that provides abundant power for good lights and accessories such as heated clothing. Very useful if like me you ride all year round. If you are concerned with trying to preserve the original looks of the bike (I'm not <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />) then an Alton looks very much like a Lucas dynamo. (If yours is a "B" with the larger diameter dynamo you may need some packing.) Another option might be to get your dynamo rewound to give more output.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">A battery with enough cranking amps needs to be fitted. This needs a bit of modifying to make room for the larger battery. If you are prepared to pay for a Lithium battery it can fit inside a dummy battery case. (I have done this and it works fine.)</li> </ol><p>I can't really help with your original request for recommended restorers as I try to do as much as I can myself.</p><p>If you haven't visited your local section the details for what may be your closest section (South West?) may be found in MPH and on the VOC website.</p><p></p><p>Getting to a meeting and talking face to face with people might be productive about who can do what and where. Also have a look in Classic type magazines where you will find people listed who supply or repair various items. You may find some in your area. There are also a few people listed in the back of MPH.</p><p>Finally (if you have not got bored by now <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />) you can do a search for things on this forum for specifics. Keep asking questions on the forum, there is a wealth of knowledge out there and you might get a good answer if the right person sees your post.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BigEd, post: 91975, member: 161"] A lifetime of kick starting bikes, throwing myself down the road and working in sometimes challenging environment all conspired to make my right knee say take it easy. I fitted a Grosset electric start to my Rapide. A few observations that may reinforce what posts above have said above: [LIST=1] [*]Firstly, the electric start is not cheap but if it means you can still start and ride your Vincent I think it is well worth the money. [*]If you are OK to do a bit of spanner work and have drill, hacksaw and file you can do most of the work yourself. There is a small amount of machining to a couple of components. I got a friend to do it for me. Now that I have bought a reasonably good lathe I would do the machining myself. [*]After a year of use I was satisfied that the system was reliable so I removed all the kickstart mechanism and turned up an aluminium bung to plug the hole in the kickstart cover. (An added bonus if you remove the kickstart mechanism, there is then room to do a small mod to the G61 for a little improvement in the gearchange.) [*]A good 12 volt charging system and battery is a must. (Especially if you have removed the kickstart .:)) I fitted the Walkernator kit that provides abundant power for good lights and accessories such as heated clothing. Very useful if like me you ride all year round. If you are concerned with trying to preserve the original looks of the bike (I'm not ;)) then an Alton looks very much like a Lucas dynamo. (If yours is a "B" with the larger diameter dynamo you may need some packing.) Another option might be to get your dynamo rewound to give more output. [*]A battery with enough cranking amps needs to be fitted. This needs a bit of modifying to make room for the larger battery. If you are prepared to pay for a Lithium battery it can fit inside a dummy battery case. (I have done this and it works fine.) [/LIST] I can't really help with your original request for recommended restorers as I try to do as much as I can myself. If you haven't visited your local section the details for what may be your closest section (South West?) may be found in MPH and on the VOC website. Getting to a meeting and talking face to face with people might be productive about who can do what and where. Also have a look in Classic type magazines where you will find people listed who supply or repair various items. You may find some in your area. There are also a few people listed in the back of MPH. Finally (if you have not got bored by now ;)) you can do a search for things on this forum for specifics. Keep asking questions on the forum, there is a wealth of knowledge out there and you might get a good answer if the right person sees your post. [/QUOTE]
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