Vincati Build

[GoFarKid]

I have always wanted a Vincent, since I was about 14 (That is 50 years ago), now its time. Ill post the journey on here.

It all starts with the engine. I asked John Mossey, of JMC in the UK, to build me a Black Shadow spec, brand new engine. Loosely, the specs are 8.5:1 Compression, Black Shadow cams, 5 speed Quaife gearbox. It arrived at my place in Washington DC in 2024.

 

[GoFarKid]

Next I had to source a Frame. Originally i thought of using a Ducati Darmah, but then pivoted to a 1974 750 GT. I found one on Ebay, with a really nice Tank and Seat, so that created a great starting point

 

[GoFarKid]

I had been searching for a couple of years, and finally found a set of 38mm Ceriani Replica (actually Nuovo Forcelli Italiana) forks. I had to strip them down, and finding replacement stanchions was impossible (the old ones had a slight bend / wrinkle to them), so I had "Forking By Frank" to manufacturer me a brand new set!

 

[GoFarKid]

OK, so next, I found an Italian supplier of a Fontana 250mm Quad LS front brake, and a really nice set of 38mm Tripple Tree Tops and Bottoms. I had to make my own spindle out of a Grade 8 Bolt on the SouthBend Lathe!

 

[GoFarKid]

The really scary bit was then starting to put it all together. I had to first cut the front down tubes off the Frame (The point of no-return, and start to position the engine under the frame, to figure out the right position. I used a laser to get alignment of the Frame center line, the Engine, and especially to make sure the Chain drive from the Vincent Engine to the rear Sprocket. Once that started to come together, I had to build the rear engine mounts. I had a lot of Help from Phil Pilgrim in Australia for this. He was a fantastic help

 

[GoFarKid]

Next I had to fabricate the Top Cylinder Head mounts.

They require welding a set of cross tubes to the frame, and fabricating vertical plates to hang the cylinder heads. This is an important part, to get the alignment, and vertical height of the engine together

 

[GoFarKid]

A Few more images of the Top Mounts

 

[GoFarKid]

Next, I had to build the Steering Yoke carrier, bearing mounts, and steering lock for the tripple tree. Again, the central shaft was a Grade 8 Bolt.

 

[Calsco985]

What a interesting project, look forward to seeing your end result.
Cheers, Grant