We knew that this side was going to present more head-scratching. The correct configuration hanger plate was fitted and the gear linkage parts loosely assembled. The hollow FT256AS tube for the rose joints is clearly too short – this would have originally been fitted to a Black Lightning which employed the Vincent “unit” gearbox. So, …
As acquired, 2751 featured a mix of foot controls. We have looked at each component carefully to assess provenance and made a decision whether to employ the part in the restoration, replace with the correct item (I have a stock of NOS racing foot control components) or remanufacture to correct specifications. Both footrest control hanger …
The correct size 20″ x 2.1/2″ Borrani rear rim (supplied by John Hanson) has been laced to the hub and fitted to the rear fork. The rim was not as good a condition as hoped and the wheel builder had a bit of a job tweaking it to run true. Being of the correct pattern, …
The rear hub features a hollow axle which passes through the hub and is secured by a nut at each end. These nuts sandwich the hub/bearings and brake plates together allowing the entire rear wheel assembly to be installed into the rear fork as one unit. This is also the method employed for the front …
The rear brake plates are the original magnesium racing items. The sprocket is a lightened item and will be left. The original finned drums disappeared when the bike was in bits ‘n’ pieces many years ago – it is suggested that someone who went to look at the project took them away with them as …
It was decided that before fully stripping the bike down it would be advantageous to work out the correct angles for the mudguard blades and stays. To do this necessitates lacing up the correct size rear rim. A 19″ Borrani is currently fitted but I’d acquired a correct 20 incher some while back from John …
Having chronicled the known history and listed the parts unique to the Grey Flash model, and this bike in particular, I will shortly start publishing, on this blog, posts detailing the restoration process. Since I acquired the bike in 2008 I have diligently researched what parts fitted were original and not, what parts I needed …
When I acquired 2751 it was fitted with a BT-H BKH1 magneto. Nearly all Grey Flashes were fitted with BT-H TT magnetos so I knew this was not correct to the bike. Also, the retard fitting was for the opposite rotation. I wasn’t expecting to be able to find a BT-H TT magneto very easily …
All racing Vincents were fitted with a blanking plate; none of them needed a dynamo as there was nothing for a dynamo to run. These plates were machined from light alloy to a pattern – drawings are held by the VOC. Two are required and held in place with a 1/4″ BSF bolt.
Grey Flashes were all fitted with finned drums finished in black enamel. These are the same as fitted to Black Shadow and Black Lightning models: two per hub, front and rear. The rear hub is drilled for 10 bolts as per Black Shadow and Black Lightning models. Only 5 bolts are present – perhaps they …
Grey Flash 2751 