C: Clutch Series ‘C’ Rapide Clutch Slip

[Bill Thomas]

Just a quick point Danno,
Every time I start a Vincent, I take the filler cap off and look in the hole to make sure
The oil is returning, With the engine running the oil should squirt back in the tank ,
In fits and farts, That's how they work !,
You should be OK with just changing the oil,
But after an engine rebuild we often get an air lock in the pipes and NO oil return !,
We should really PRIME the pipes with oil, After a BIG rebuild.
Good Luck, Bill.

 

[danno]

That’s great. Thanks for the info.
TBH I didn’t really fully understand the ‘dry sump’ principle until the mechanic I mentioned earlier, explained it.
Have always had wet sump bikes and cars.
I’ll clean up the engine underside too. The Grosset starter motor tends to get rather caked in oil.
Possibly from the breather pipe but wouldn’t have thought so.

 

[bmetcalf]

For a system diagram, see:

https://www.vincentownersclub.co.uk/resources/a-new-oil-system-for-vincents.1708/

 

[Bill Thomas]

Just a thought Danno, You sound new to Vincents,
Don't know if your dad is still with us,
I recommend Vincents need an Hydraulic Steering Damper, for safety sake.
My one is about £80 plus a pair of simple brackets.

Time Traveler does a kit £ 125 ish ?.

 

[danno]

Just a thought Danno, You sound new to Vincents,
Don't know if your dad is still with us,
I recommend Vincents need an Hydraulic Steering Damper, for safety sake.
My one is about £80 plus a pair of simple brackets.

Time Traveler does a kit £ 125 ish ?.

Relatively new to Vincents. I'm a BMW airhead/oilhead owner and enthusiast.
Inherited the Rapide in 2003. Dad sadly no longer with us but he bought the bike in 1962.

Since owning the bike, I've patiently worked on it and got in running after ten years standing.
I've just today, taken off the Craven rear carrier contraption and it now looks like a different bike. Much more sleak.
Looking to fit some discreet indicators now as the old ones were mounted on the rack.
The steering damper is original and dad did once mention 'tank slapper'. Not sure though about fitting the hydraulic type.

 

[Bill Thomas]

Sorry to hear about your Dad Danno,
People can do a life time without a Tank Slapper, My Brother Ron , Membership Man, Thinks I am MAD,
He has stopped riding now , But he is now 82 !,
And used to ride like a Nutter, Never had one .

I didn't have one solo for about 17 years, You just have to be unlucky and hit a bump on a bend ,
Or a strange bit of road surface, And all hell lets loose.
It also used to happen to old BMW s with Leading link forks, I worked for a short time at MLG Motors London.
And other bikes.

But a lot of us have been caught out, And it's not nice,
I got thrown over the Bars at Mallory Park , Racing, I had a few warnings on that day,
Even joked about it and tightened down the standard damper.

Even my Lovely old Comet started doing it many years ago,
Wheel lock to lock with such force !,
The front tyre squealing, Pure luck to have stayed on,
I didn't go near it for 2 years, Till I had time to fit an Hydraulic Damper,
It's lovely now, Touch Wood .

If you have the 2 holes in the bottom of the steering Column, Some are not drilled,
It's an easy fix.
I just feel I should warn people, Sorry.

Strange, We built a bike from nothing for a friend some years ago ,
And I said to Ron what about fitting a H /Damper,
He spoke to the person and they said if we did , They would take it OFF !.
It only has to be about 2 clicks from soft.

 

[danno]

Danno , Really after you have had a ride, You should not have to drain it again,
For the summer season,
Till after a long layoff, Unless the oil pump is worn really bad.

If there is too much oil in the sump , It's a bit harder to start ,
And when It starts , Oil smoke comes out the exhaust BAD !,
The " return "of the pump is more than the supply,
So it should sort it's self out after a time.
Like I said keep checking the level, There will always be a little in the sump,
So after a start up , It should have some left in there all the time.

Some Vincents "Wet Sump " Some don't , It's just your luck.

Useful this.
I’m now just putting a sheet of cardboard under the engine rather than a huge oil tray.
Just a couple of small drips over several days and keeping the underside clean so easier to see.
Certainly helps to drain the sump! Hasn’t been done for over fifteen years.

 

[stumpy lord]

Sorry to hear about your Dad Danno,
People can do a life time without a Tank Slapper, My Brother Ron , Membership Man, Thinks I am MAD,
He has stopped riding now , But he is now 82 !,
And used to ride like a Nutter, Never had one .

I didn't have one solo for about 17 years, You just have to be unlucky and hit a bump on a bend ,
Or a strange bit of road surface, And all hell lets loose.
It also used to happen to old BMW s with Leading link forks, I worked for a short time at MLG Motors London.
And other bikes.

But a lot of us have been caught out, And it's not nice,
I got thrown over the Bars at Mallory Park , Racing, I had a few warnings on that day,
Even joked about it and tightened down the standard damper.

Even my Lovely old Comet started doing it many years ago,
Wheel lock to lock with such force !,
The front tyre squealing, Pure luck to have stayed on,
I didn't go near it for 2 years, Till I had time to fit an Hydraulic Damper,
It's lovely now, Touch Wood .

If you have the 2 holes in the bottom of the steering Column, Some are not drilled,
It's an easy fix.
I just feel I should warn people, Sorry.

Strange, We built a bike from nothing for a friend some years ago ,
And I said to Ron what about fitting a H /Damper,
He spoke to the person and they said if we did , They would take it OFF !.
It only has to be about 2 clicks from soft.

Hi ,
Dano, I would highly recommend that you fit
your bike with a hydraulic steering damper, they are easy to fit, and more effective than any friction damper, if you are interested, i have a complete set of parts going spare, one set is already drilled, the other is not drilled, it also has a spare damper. I f you are interested plese let me know.
stumpy lord