I have a how-to question for those of you who have completely restored a Vincent before, about the best procedure to follow. My question isn't about which modifications to make, what paint to use, etc. (although, such questions could come later), but instead is at a more "global" level. To ask my question, I have to give some background information:
Although I show up on this forum as a 'guest', that's because I don't have my VOC member number yet since I just rejoined after having been a member through the 1990s. I have a workshop with full size lathe, mill, hydraulic press, TIG, bore gauges, micrometers, etc, and have completely restored other motorcycles before (ranging from a Bultaco to a Gold Star), so I'm not completely new to this. I also have copies of all the relevant Vincent books and manuals, and a nearly complete set of 'MPH' through c2000.
With the above as background, I'm now getting ready to start the complete restoration of a non-running 1950 Black Shadow that I've owned (in non-running condition) for many years. I will do this restoration over evenings and weekends so, even if I somehow manage to keep to a rather optimistic schedule, it will take at least a year. While it might be more "efficient" or cost effective if I could take the Vincent completely apart, ship all ~1000 fasteners in one batch to be replated while working on the engine, then put the motorcycle all back together, that clearly would end up in tears. I will need to break this restoration into "modules," each of which I can restore separately (before forgetting which spindle bush goes on which exhaust lifter) before moving on to the next module. My question is, what should those modules be for a Vincent?
The way standard British bikes are made naturally lend themselves to such a module-based restoration. The engine and cycle parts can be restored separately and remated only at the very end. It doesn't matter if the engine is restored first, or last. The frame serves as a base unit, with it sitting alone on the stand at the start of the restoration. The forks, wheels, tanks, engine, etc. each are independent "modules" that can be restored in just about any order and added to the frame at just about any point. However, a Vincent isn't built that way. So, given that I really do have to do this part time over an extended period, meaning that I will need to finish something before starting on the next, I'm hoping for some sage advice on the best order to use when attacking a Vincent.
Although I show up on this forum as a 'guest', that's because I don't have my VOC member number yet since I just rejoined after having been a member through the 1990s. I have a workshop with full size lathe, mill, hydraulic press, TIG, bore gauges, micrometers, etc, and have completely restored other motorcycles before (ranging from a Bultaco to a Gold Star), so I'm not completely new to this. I also have copies of all the relevant Vincent books and manuals, and a nearly complete set of 'MPH' through c2000.
With the above as background, I'm now getting ready to start the complete restoration of a non-running 1950 Black Shadow that I've owned (in non-running condition) for many years. I will do this restoration over evenings and weekends so, even if I somehow manage to keep to a rather optimistic schedule, it will take at least a year. While it might be more "efficient" or cost effective if I could take the Vincent completely apart, ship all ~1000 fasteners in one batch to be replated while working on the engine, then put the motorcycle all back together, that clearly would end up in tears. I will need to break this restoration into "modules," each of which I can restore separately (before forgetting which spindle bush goes on which exhaust lifter) before moving on to the next module. My question is, what should those modules be for a Vincent?
The way standard British bikes are made naturally lend themselves to such a module-based restoration. The engine and cycle parts can be restored separately and remated only at the very end. It doesn't matter if the engine is restored first, or last. The frame serves as a base unit, with it sitting alone on the stand at the start of the restoration. The forks, wheels, tanks, engine, etc. each are independent "modules" that can be restored in just about any order and added to the frame at just about any point. However, a Vincent isn't built that way. So, given that I really do have to do this part time over an extended period, meaning that I will need to finish something before starting on the next, I'm hoping for some sage advice on the best order to use when attacking a Vincent.