Restoration of 1951 Vincent Rapide - Part 25 - Top End 3

[@MotoFelipe]

What a machine!!

[@dogpaw775]

matching up head nut and washer lengths to ensure best level fit of head bracket, always an education to watch these methodical engine rebuild clips; thanks

[@gentlerowdy]

buddy - your work is like a Medical Surgeon who would perform a complicated surgery with utmost ease- you have patience, wisdom, knowledge, persistance of perfect craftsmanship- your work for me is like that of a jeweller who would make the queeens crown- i love you work above any one.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi Rahul. Thank you so much for your kind words. That was very nice of you to say that. Best wishes, Mike

[@davehogye576]

Excellent tutorial.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@RyanChelberg]

what a beautiful motor... really a work of art. new hardware looks good on it too!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for your comments Ryan. Cheers, Mike

[@grantsnell6782]

Looking Good!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot Grant. It's getting closer! Cheers, Mike

[@precisionsafetyservicesltd1653]

Another brilliant video, thank you. Please please please do one on timing the Rapide.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Precision Safety Services Ltd Thanks!! Yes, I will be doing one on the timing for sure! Cheers, Mike

[@steveburden1801]

Great Video as always.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks very much Steve

[@frao4160]

Really enjoyed this Mike!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot, Norm. Much appreciated. Cheers, Mike

[@turboslag]

Just a tip for reassembling barrels, for any engine not just Vincent. I don't like to use anything metal for compressing the rings, I use a piece of plastic pipe of a suitable size, and a cable tie or two to hold it in place. No danger of scratching or breaking anything that way. Also, to hold the piston securely during the process of sliding the barrel down over the piston assembly, take 10 minutes to make a wooden fork to fit around the con rod and rest on the crankcase mouth. Using these items it is easy to fit barrels single handed and stress free! Looking good though, will be interested to see it fire up! I'm currently working on my '52 Rapide, which hasn't run since the 60's but I'm only the second owner! It was running when put away by it's first owner but I'm having to check EVERYTHING, it's going to be a long job! At least it is all original and complete though, so hopefully no bodges or shoddy repair work.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you! WOW, that sounds like a fantastic project. Good luck with it. Cheers, Mike

[@Daniel-S1]

Jubilee Clips are still made in England by a family owned business. Available in stainless steel or zinc coated.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Cool, thanks a lot Daniel. Cheers, Mike

[@hoverbotfpv1425]

Plumbing clamps in Canada. Tridon I think, the 50's type were outside screw perfect for the piston rings.

[@tadpoles10]

Things are moving along nicely Mike, can't wait to see/hear the bike running. Another great 'this is how it's done' (my way) video. atvb t ..

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, I enjoyed this part of the project very much! Cheers T, Mike

[@neilwilliams7957]

It's nice to see someone take such care and attention to their rebuilds/work. No swearing or throwing tantrums every five minutes and you seem to have such patience. Is this a regular job for you or are you just extremely good at your hobby? Either way it's always a pleasure to watch the videos you produce. The Vincent engine is a thing of beauty, proper old school engineering. Can't wait to see and hear it running...I'm so envious. Keep up the good work and regards from Blighty.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi Neil, thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Nope, this is just my passion/hobby! I love doing this. I do have a totally unrelated day job - would you believe it - but I've been tinkering with bicycles, then mopeds and then motorbikes (always only British bikes) since I was a kid! Best wishes, Mike

[@54macdog]

One of these days you can do an autobiographical video, with plenty of embarrassing old photographs.

[@hillarylevenworth8824]

Are there head gaskets or o-rings used?

[@naimansori5821]

Like this mike thank

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Naim, best wishes, Mike

[@54macdog]

I'm impressed at how "rapidely" the project is going. Do you have an estimation - touch wood - of when you'll be on the road?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, okay, I'm going to stick my neck out and say that I would love to have it running by May 19 (yes, this year!). My favorite vintage bike event of the year is coming up that weekend and I would like to take the bike to the show.. hopefully running ;) Cheers, Mike

[@54macdog]

Wow! Confidence personified. Best wishes with that - there is a whole crowd along with me waiting to see that bike flying.

[@deanhoare8789]

to retorque both head bolts and engine mounting castings would require removal of oil tank etc again ,i cant see many people bothering

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks Dean. Yes, I agree. I went pretty light on the torque settings so will definitely want to re-do them after a few miles. Cheers, Mike

[@keithsage1593]

Did they use Witworth metrics?

[@453421abcdefg12345]

That looks lovely! How did you get the cylinder muffs and heads so clean ? The bit you missed out showing us was the grinding/lapping in the heads to the barrels, but that can be tedious! you are really making good progress on this project.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Englishman French Hi Chris, I can’t take any credit for the condition of the muffs and heads. They were already in lovely condition when I got the bike. I simply wiped over the heads with some petrol, but was very careful not to polish them. Similarly, the valve train was already completed and the cylinder heads had already been ground & lapped to the barrels when I got the bike. Cheers, Mike