Quick bit of advice please .

[MYW 574]

Hi guys just a quick one and apologies if answered countless times I’m sure it has been . But saves me searching ,lazy I know but I work 12 hour days . Lol

Is there a universal grease that good for all the nipples on the comet. I would have probably used a copper grease for the frame and a softer grease for the brakes and speedo etc . But one grease would be easier to manage . Would be happy with a premium grade .

Secondly engine oil , I was erring towards a morris golden film , any ideas , I was thinking an sae 40 . Would prefer the best , I use millers in my tvrs.

And finally my battery 6v is a real cowboy job I assume naked and some git has put a load of black gaffer tape around it , gotta go .

I believe original are rubber battery boxes , I know they do replacements and are all sealed units these days, that’s ok . I’d like to say saves the distilled water for the wife’s ironing but she doesn’t do that . ( ie use distilled water or iron )

What brand is the most authentic to the machine and year 1952 . Or was it the case buy what they can get or spread the love with a few suppliers . ?

I’ve seen exide
Chloride
And Lucas .

I would prefer Lucas and I’ll paint up the naked rubber carcass but what do you guys use .

Thanks in advance for your help and if anyone has a good chrome plater in the northwest do give me the nod .

Oh and finally . I used to throw a stick up my garden as a kid age 5 .A stick that expanded and had the words Vincent on it . The pump . Mine is missing one , if anyone has a spare apex they would like to part with please do let me know . I assume the £100 plus I’ll be paying for it might retrospectively teach me a lesson . Lol.

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Best

Adam

 

[Doug68]

I used one of these (LINK)) the base is the right size, but it was 1" too tall so cut a slice out of it and superglued it back together.
Also, with most of these finding a modern battery that's a good fit without needing spacers seems impossible.

 

[LoneStar]

I think this is the right size case for the Vincent battery mounting:

Classic Motorcycle Large Battery Box With Exide Logo Made in UK

Classic Motorcycle Large Battery Box Exide 116mm long x 162mm high x 88mm deep (external) (Internal sizes 152mm high x 112mm wide x 82mm depth). Complete with Lid Made in UK. Excellent Quality

www.classicbikepartscheshire.com

For the actual battery, I've used a sealed AGM (https://www.power-sonic.com/product/ps-682/) and more recently made a LiFePO4 battery pack to fit inside the case (https://lsvoc.vincent-hrd.co.uk/lithium_battery.html). You will need spacers, but easily fabricated from stiff foam.

 

[chankly bore]

As far as I know the pumps never had "VINCENT" on them. The originals I've seen are "BRITTON" and possibly pre-war "THAPEX" were used, but I can't be sure of this. Never use grease on a speedo or cable a little in the drive gearbox and the Shadow right-angle drive only, if fitted. The speedo cable a little light oil I've found best. Hubs and RFM pivot half full of High Melting Point grease and hubs need good seals- like "NILOS". Grease brake cams sparingly.

 

[MYW 574]

As far as I know the pumps never had "VINCENT" on them. The originals I've seen are "BRITTON" and possibly pre-war "THAPEX" were used, but I can't be sure of this. Never use grease on a speedo or cable a little in the drive gearbox and the Shadow right-angle drive only, if fitted. The speedo cable a little light oil I've found best. Hubs and RFM pivot half full of High Melting Point grease and hubs need good seals- like "NILOS". Grease brake cams sparingly.

You could indeed be right there and Britton now you come to mention it does ring a bell .

 

[vibrac]

There are plenty of batteries that fit the dummy black rubber boxes apart from the burlen twins
Its a case of measure and search
I fit a lithium battery in mine and it drives the Comet electric start! (sports power hjp14b-fp) plus a lot of money

 

[MYW 574]

Thats lovely guys many thanks for your inputs , does anyone have any comment on the oil ? , I think you have covered everything else i needed . A clip in and out LiPo Battery is probably the way ill go as it will make bench charging a doddle, and can take it out of the bike when not in use. Obviously hidden in a rubber housing.

 

[oexing]

LiFePo4 batteries in old boxes can be charged by the standard dynamo certainly when the voltage is correct at 7 V , for two cells Lithium type 3.4 V per cell. Or have 4 inside for 14 V voltage, no problem. But do NOT get Li-Ion for the job, their cell voltage 3.7 V is higher and will not be charged fully. Also they are pyrotech !!

Vic

 

[MYW 574]

LiFePo4 batteries in old boxes can be charged by the standard dynamo certainly when the voltage is correct at 7 V , for two cells Lithium type 3.4 V per cell. Or have 4 inside for 14 V voltage, no problem. But do NOT get Li-Ion for the job, their cell voltage 3.7 V is higher and will not be charged fully. Also they are pyrotech !!

Vic
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View attachment 62362

that's great thanks for this most helpful , battery tech constantly changing , im not long off ni cad . thanks again very informative and the reason im on here. Best Adam

 

[MYW 574]

Today I passed my motorcycle theory test , very technical stuff for people that have driven for 30 years , I had no idea that tram drivers signs are signalled by a diamond , I thought tram drivers died out with lamp lighters but I appear to be wrong. I live in the middle of a forest and thought trams died out in the early 1940;s.. Next we are off for 5 days of intensive training with no doubt the deliveroo wannabe drivers should be fun. I hopefully will be riding my comet before I go away for the summer . Although the older you get all this red tape becomes harder to jump over , que the deep heat. Wish me luck. Im up against people 30 years my junior lol.

I bought this machine as nostalgia and a nod to my father who was a big Vincent collector ,and really to go into a home museum , however starting it up , and smelling the nostalgia, I thought sod that , this needs to be ridden . Im very privileged to live in some of the best vistas and views in the uk. I can go to work 10 miles and see nothing but a few stray sheep on the road. Videos to follow as long as I pass lol.