Vincent

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Jun 30, 2012
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Here is the second bike my brother built for the owner of the 880JAP:

Vincent


Vincent
 
That sure is the pretty side of Vincents and what a sight your brother's is. Gosh could he fit a bigger sprocket? Would just pop straight up if not restrained by something.
 
They don't usually wheel stand, but the front wheel can skip a bit on the start. They usually spin the back wheel first, and if the passenger gets over too soon the bike can steer towards the infield.

Sorry, I've put stuff about last saturday in two threads . Here is the 880JAP finally doing something right :

http://youtu.be/TG2yYxgbgZw
 
What cam and follower does your brother use in that monster engine? Most people tell me the original followers are only OK up to a point, and for serious horsepower the design has to be changed. As there is not too many options available for changes within the timing chest, it would be very interesting to hear how he overcame this particular difficulty. Knowing nothing at all about sidecar speedway, am curious to learn whether it is usual to change gears during the race, or is it mostly run in one gear.
Love the open pipes, must sound great in the confines of a speedway environment
Snotzo
 
My brother knows Greg Summerton - builds a good bike. The 880JAPs that he builds are replicas. This one my brother built is one that was raced in the 50s, and it is original but restored.
About Vincent cam followers - speedway sidecar races are usually only four laps of a 400 meter circuit, so the followers don't really get much use. It is normal to only use two gears in most races. Our local circuit in Wangaratta is of a shape where the sidecars can be ridden on full noise the whole way round without shutting off. It is really worth watching the Vincents there, however the modern sidecars are simply mind-blowing on that circuit.
 
Yes that correct. Greg build replica JAPs. He does also work on original engines upgrading them where he can.

http://www.eurospares.com/greg.html

I have actually never met him but we have corresponded for several years now. He knew Les Denier very well and was able to pass on his workshop notes to another friend who owns and races Eldee2 in New Zealand. Hes one of these guys who works to such a high standard he takes way too much time and is always broke. Tried to get him across to NZ without success so far. He did have one trip to NZ many years ago when they raced street sidecars. They won at the Cemetary circuit at Wanganui which aint too bad for an Ozzie :)
 
When IO was in Technical College in the UK in the mid-1960's, many of the guys at the school had motorcycles. Back then you could ride at 16 but couldn't get a car licence until 18. Lots of leather jackets, many with bike names spelled out across the shoulders with brass rivets.

One scruffy kid, probably only just turned 16 had "VINCENT" across his jacket. I wondered how he had such a hot bike, until I discovered he rode a 125cc BSA Bantam. Vincent was his first name!
 
Might have been better had he written "Bantam" not just for the bike!
 
Bantam and Batman aren't far too apart - just would have been ahead of his time... ?
 
Do lights make the bike go faster, like a good polish ? Joseph Lucas, Prince of Darkness ?
 
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