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A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:56 pm
by DEEMAN
Just a few pics to show the 1949 Vincent Rapide I have been working on (to satisfy Mr Slade).
The reason for the 'warm' pictures is that they were taken in my bedroom where the frame resides!!! The bike last ran in the late 70's/early 80's and lived most of its life since then in pieces under a bench somewhere in the East Midlands. Luckily the keeper stored the original frame and most of the ancillary parts.

Picture as it was when raced.

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And where I am up to now

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(URL=http://s1244.photobucket.com/user/DEEMA ... 5.jpg.html]Image[/URL]

All for now. A Happy New Year to you all

Ian

Off to see the Blue Belle tomorrow - lots been happening so more to my thread coming soon.

Re: A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 9:54 pm
by jb
Wow
Now that is a fabulous project
What a great find

Re: A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:30 pm
by KS
Holy crap! Wow, just wow! 8)

Re: A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 11:48 pm
by 911hillclimber
Please make this another Bike Thread and keep us up-to-speed as you progress.
What a great project!

My little Honda is a bit of a pain at times, but doing one of those must be a real challenge for parts.

I think I heard Keith fall off his sofa when he saw that period picture. :)

Just finished my engine, opposite end of the spectrum compared to this HRD unit.

Re: A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 12:43 am
by sladey
Thanks for posting - that engine looks a work of art

Re: A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:22 pm
by DEEMAN
I just had to post this. The skill some people have......

From this...

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to this....

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All credit goes to Colin Smillie from Pathhead, East Lothian (Master tankman).

Re: A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 5:25 pm
by 911hillclimber
Just got 3 quotes to pain my little Honda with a tank just like your was.
Sure is expensive to paint a few bike parts here in the Midlands.

The take looks simply perfect. So important to have it right.

Please keep on posting. :)

Re: A not so rapid Rapide restoration

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:45 am
by jb
I was looking for Andy's 904 thread when I came across this lovely thread and wondered if the build is still in progress.