Sunday, September 18, 2022

Looking Back at The Vincent in the Shed

Looking back at the red 1950 Vincent Touring Rapide that Geoff & I rebuilt for Ken and Sharon Engel at Ken's Powder Coating in Spanaway Washington. Ken has passed away now, and last I heard Sharon still has the bike - though starting to deteriorate from storage. Ken's was the only Vincent I have ever done, even rebuilt the front and rear original shock units which were completely rebuildable. Geoff and I made new mudguard stays all around as the ones that came with it did not fit properly. Rebuilt the engine, gearbox, and clutch to all stock. Geoff and I brought back to original , from remaking the special complicated rear axle adjusters,- to rebuilding the original Amal carbs. Rebuild was done over a period of eleven years - with the bike being put on show occasionally during that time. Originally all red was in paint, but Ken had me take it all apart - and he had special powder mixed, to match, and powder coated it all, except the fuel tank - which was painted.