Recommissioning a '48 Rapide

[Chris Launders]

Surely there is someone local who could pop round and give him a few pointers, social distancing observed of course, I would but I'm 150 miles away.

 

[PaulC]

Can we have some photos Paul, I am thinking you have Lucas RITA electronic, They can be tricky !!.
I think they fitted them to Nortons ?.
Don't kick the engine over without the H.T. leads on, Or it will BLOW the magic Box.
I have that set up on my Twin, Mine works on 12v battery but uses 2 6v Coils !!.
I did break down once, Faulty coil, And all I had with me was a 12v coil, It got me home !!.
The distributor is an alloy casting with a polished alloy cover ?.
Have you got the old battery so that you can see if it's 12 or 6v ?.
Maybe take the head light bulb out and see if 12 or 6v ?.

Hi Bill,
Attached 3 photos. I think mine is 6v as only one coil and the regulator is 6v. The battery will need to be 60x100x120h max to fit the box. Someone recommended a DETA B-38-6A battery 16Ah 6v but I can't find one on the internet. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
Thanks
Paul

 

[Bill Thomas]

Super Paul , You have a standard "D", 1955 Vincent Distributor 6v. One coil .
The box is for the regulator for the dynamo.
You should be able to get a standard battery, But I am not the best to talk to, I run 12v.
Hope one of the Lads will come in on Battery's.
Hope the dynamo works, a lot of us have got Alternators and 12v.
Good Luck, Bill.

 

[Bill Thomas]

I have a "D" distributor on one of my Twins, and I think they are the best.
Will work on 6v or 12v.

 

[PaulC]

Thank you Bill, I now know what I have and can try and source the battery and start to recommission the bike. If anyone has a battery suggestion then please let me know.

 

[Bill Thomas]

Sorry Paul , Life is not easy, Has the battery tray / fitting been changed,
Photos again I am afraid.
If it has the standard 1948 fitting, The "D" 1954/5 was a very different Bike,
The VOC Spares sell all sorts, A bit high in price compared to the cheap stuff you can get anywhere.
If you scroll down the entry page on here, There are spares suppliers,
Click on VOC spares, But it's a pain to start with them, With your email etc,
Hope you are better than me with computers !.

 

[Bill Thomas]

If you can get into VOC spares, Click on WEB Shop at the top, Then scroll down to click on NEW or Existing
Members.
Just had a look and I think the "D" battery is the same as your "B", You need 6v maybe in the box ??.

 

[mercurycrest]

Do I see two front heads and Monoblocs with extended float bowls? It looks like someone knew what they were doing. Should be a great ride, once sorted out.
Cheers, John

 

[PaulC]

Sorry Paul , Life is not easy, Has the battery tray / fitting been changed,
Photos again I am afraid.
If it has the standard 1948 fitting, The "D" 1954/5 was a very different Bike,
The VOC Spares sell all sorts, A bit high in price compared to the cheap stuff you can get anywhere.
If you scroll down the entry page on here, There are spares suppliers,
Click on VOC spares, But it's a pain to start with them, With your email etc,
Hope you are better than me with computers !.

Attached is a photo of the battery box, painted metal

 

[Bill Thomas]

You will have to ask the VOC spares company the size of Standard battery,
Looks like you have a standard size but covered in, A lot of us tried to do that in the 60s/70s
But I can't be sure ???.
A lot of us have gone 12v with alternators and needed bigger batteries,
So have made up different fittings, The later batteries are a different shape,
Mine is a lash up with 2 front Heads and a Big Alternator from USA, So no Room !.