Acquisition

[Scout63]

I bought this 1946 Rapide today from a friend.  The deal involved my giving him my 77 R100S and 77 Lemans 1, both nice but incomplete projects, as well as a bag of cash.  It is not a numbers matching machine, which kept the price possible. It needs a good going through and hasn’t been run in a while. I’m sufficiently intimidated by the bike. I’m happy to get it and just as happy to get two other projects out of the garage and my head. More to follow.

[LowRyter]

very coool.  I might take a hefty kick to get it going.  What a beautiful machine   

[cliffrod]

Winner winner, chicken dinner!! 

Hot damn, Ben.  Quickening, reduction, distilling, whatever you want call it- I like the way to keep upping the game.  I’ll be watching.

[Scout63]

Thanks Clint. I’ll give you a call to get a sitrep on the CX this weekend.

[Moparnut72]

Oh, wowser. All I can say.
kk

[Kiwi_Roy]

Lucky dog, I once owned a comet 500 single.

[Tom H]

 

Tom

[John A]

My Dad told me that the only reason to sell a gun was to get one that you want more. I apply that sound wisdom to motorcycles. You’ve done well !

[guzziart]

Geez, whatta nice Vincent!!

[s1120]

Whoooooo!!  SO is she a runner?

[bikeridertim]

SWEET!!

[Scout63]

Whoooooo!!  SO is she a runner?

Theoretically yes, but really no.  The tank smells a little varnishy. Tires are shot. I’m going to go slow and get some help bringing it back.  I have no intention of polishing anything. At least no one has brought up chrome bores...

[tazio]

The coolest bike ever made !
I would trade my thundering GRiSO in for one of those. Seriously, I would !!
 

CONGRATULATIONS!

[Dave Swanson]

Very NICE!  I came close to being a Rapide owner a couple times this past year, but it didn't work out.

[larrys]

Nice Vincent! Has the engine been gone through? They were known for weak bottom ends. There used to be a guy in western CT that built them with stronger bottoms. Don't know if he's still in business.
Larry

[radguzzi]

Such an incredible machine, good on ya, Ben.  And kudos to take it slow, seek advice and do the Vincent justice.

I do find it odd that a Rapide of relatively production numbers in '46 be non-matching.  Regardless, a stunning motorcycle indeed.

Best,
Rob

[blackcat]

Congrats on the bike. If you are on FB contact Glenn Bewley as he has great knowledge of Vincents and also Moto Guzzi’s.

[Ncdan]

Just curious.
Was the PO able to offer any of the bikes history?

[s1120]

Theoretically yes, but really no.  The tank smells a little varnishy. Tires are shot. I’m going to go slow and get some help bringing it back.  I have no intention of polishing anything. At least no one has brought up chrome bores...

Good to hear!!  Always better on things like this to get your ducks in a row, and find out where your headed before dipping that toe in the water!  Good luck and enjoy!

[spmoto]

Man! they put the motor in motorcycle. Just look at that lump!! Looks like you've moved pretty close to the top of the ladder with this one, Ben.
Good deal!
Steve

[ray bear]

Hi Scout63, If you need any info or help let me know, Ive had my 47 since 1976 and ride it often and do all my own work , Im guessing by the short rear frame your engine number is around the 600 or later mark so should have the better heads , mines engine 471 . Give me a shout for any info. Ray

[Turin]

DUUUUDE... SWEEET!

[Tom]

 

[redrider90]

I just download this photo this morning. Vincent maybe the most beautiful engines produced anywhere  and the technology was so far ahead of everybody. Nice

[kidsmoke]

I just download this photo this morning. Vincent maybe the most beautiful engines produced anywhere  and the technology was so far ahead of everybody

No maybe about it. They’re beyond category.  I’m fortunate to ride with a Egli - Vincent a couple times a month. Just watching them roll, the profile, the proportions.

Congrats Ben

[Scout63]

Hi Scout63, If you need any info or help let me know, Ive had my 47 since 1976 and ride it often and do all my own work , Im guessing by the short rear frame your engine number is around the 600 or later mark so should have the better heads , mines engine 471 . Give me a shout for any info. Ray

Thanks Raybear. I will need a lot of help.  I’ve found an expert locally to go through it this Fall and show me the ropes.  Now I need to get a good manual and learn another brand.

The bike carries engine no. 3 so it’s an early Series B.

[ray bear]

there's lots of rubbish literature out there full of glossy pin ups that dont tell you any thing worth while  but some that you do need is to join the Vincent owners club and you need to own a Vincent (engine/ frame number) to do it and you then receive the MPH magazine which is more of a magazine full of other peoples fixes and quality articles and they have created a 300 page collection of technical articles submitted by club members from 1949 to 1988 called Forty Years On and recently another collection of 250 pages called Another Ten Years.  No glossy pictures but lots of diagrams and all the info you will ever require. You will need to look hard for these but occasionally they pop up on flea bay etc . Know thy beast and the Vincent owners hand book are also a must book to have.  Bit like Harley Davidson, hundreds of glossy books but only half a dozen will tell you what you really need to know . good luck and ask if you need any help  Ray



how to upload image on website

[Scout63]

Thanks Ray.

[Dave Swanson]

Thanks Ray.

Know Thy Beast is a legendary Vincent book.  I have a whole library of Vincent stuff in preparation for the day that I might actually own one.  I have been a member of the VOC for years also.  Cart before the horse I guess.   

[kidsmoke]

I just download this photo this morning. Vincent maybe the most beautiful engines produced anywhere  and the technology was so far ahead of everybody. Nice

this is my buddy's motor. Ridden regularly. Last motor ever built by Patrick Godet.