Japan Meets Britain

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sun Oct 01, 2017 8:40 pm

I took the bike out for a shakedown ride this morning - only managed about 65 miles as it was very chilly out, and I was a bit underdressed for the occasion. However, I did discover that the bike ran great and had no issues. Plenty of power, rock-solid idle, no oil leaks, all good. The only thing I had to do was to just tighten one of the new brass drain plugs on the Amals, as it was weeping just a tiny bit of fuel. Other than that minor adjustment, everything seemed quite alright.

Hopefully I'll be able to do a much longer ride next weekend - and dress warmer!

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 2:34 am

"Tuning for Speed" - my Bible since I was 14 years old....... :-)

G

Nick wrote:Yeah, the plastic drain plugs for the Amals are junk. If you have them, no tighter than finger tight and use Yamabond.

In 'Tuning for Speed' by Phil Irving (the designer of the Vincent engine), he explains many engine building techniques, such as how to determine if the piston is running true in the bore, how to prepare pistons, balance cranks, etc. He also suggested to Triumph way back when that they use a 270° crank instead of the 360. They finally got around to it with the Hinkley bikes!

Well worth reading.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 2:35 am

Vince

Sounds like the "wheels are back on the wagon"

Hope you get some decent weather before winter.

G

Vince Lupo wrote:I took the bike out for a shakedown ride this morning - only managed about 65 miles as it was very chilly out, and I was a bit underdressed for the occasion. However, I did discover that the bike ran great and had no issues. Plenty of power, rock-solid idle, no oil leaks, all good. The only thing I had to do was to just tighten one of the new brass drain plugs on the Amals, as it was weeping just a tiny bit of fuel. Other than that minor adjustment, everything seemed quite alright.

Hopefully I'll be able to do a much longer ride next weekend - and dress warmer!

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 6:22 am

G-Man wrote:Vince

Sounds like the "wheels are back on the wagon"

Hope you get some decent weather before winter.

G

[

Many thanks Graham! My problem is that I like to go out early (like 7am), and yesterday at that time it was about 45 degrees. I could wait until later in the morning when it gets to about 55-60, but then there's more traffic on the roads, plus I don't want my wife waiting around for me while I'm off riding.

You should let me know if -- in your many travels to the US -- you're ever going to be in the Baltimore/DC area. Maybe we could meet up!

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 1:44 pm

Vince

Thanks for the offer. Going to be busy until next spring. Maybe then....

G

Vince Lupo wrote:
G-Man wrote:Vince

Sounds like the "wheels are back on the wagon"

Hope you get some decent weather before winter.

G

[
Many thanks Graham! My problem is that I like to go out early (like 7am), and yesterday at that time it was about 45 degrees. I could wait until later in the morning when it gets to about 55-60, but then there's more traffic on the roads, plus I don't want my wife waiting around for me while I'm off riding.

You should let me know if -- in your many travels to the US -- you're ever going to be in the Baltimore/DC area. Maybe we could meet up!

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 11:50 am

A beautiful day for a fall ride!

Fall SuperHawk 2017 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

I had a morning business meeting today, so I thought it would be a good excuse to ride. I did battle with the 8:00am commuters on I-95 (yes I am a brave soul), and everyone was pretty well-behaved. I noticed a little bit of oil-weeping just below the points cover -- John thinks it could be the gasket behind the points housing there and is dripping down, so we'll have a look at it next week. Nothing major I hope!

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:33 pm

Finally managed to get out for a late-season ride. It was yet another shakedown ride, as I had some annoying oil leaks to sort out: Ignition housing gaskets, clutch rod seal, a new clutch rod, and oil pump gaskets. We also added one of those Cappellini crankcase breather vents. Bike ran great, very smooth, and best of all no oil leaks.

I'm actually thinking of selling the bike -- not sure if I'll actually follow through with it, but it's something I'm considering. I have no clue what it would be worth on the open market -- definitely nowhere near what I have in it.

Thank God for heated mitts and long underwear. And Belstaff :)

]
November Ride by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

The Cappellni crankcase vent -- the hose has a small K&N filter on the other end, hidden up behind the right side cover.

Cappellini Vent by Vince Lupo, on Flickr