During this last year he has spent an enormous amount of hours in his shop to create something no less fantastic than a three cylinder Vincent! It started with him having three Comet engines lying around and a complete frame as well.
He realised that he could not really use three Vincent bikes, so instead of selling anything, he started making plans to see if a 1500 cc Vincent could be created. When it comes to the figures, three times 28 bhp would mean 84 bhp in theory.
The only way really was to use a Comet block as a starting point since the angle between the cylinders needed to be altered anyway.
Instead of the Rapide 50 degree set up, the new design meant 42 degrees between rear and middle cylinders, and 44 degrees between middle and front cylinders.
A wider bearing journal for the connecting rods had to be created as well as an intermediate section between the crank cases.
A lot of welding and a lot of aluminium was needed to create spindle housings for the extra cylinders and camshafts. The location of the cylinders is such, that the centre cylinder is located to the right on the bearing journal, the rear cylinder has the centre position and the front cylinder the left position.
When the engine was done, the next problem was around the corner. The engine could not be housed in the original frame. The UFM and the fuel tank had to be lengthened in order to keep the front mudguard from obstructing the front cylinder. This operation was to prove not enough, there would still be a risk for contact if the Girdraulic fork was completely compressed. The solution spelled a short pipe installed inside the hydraulic damper to somewhat limit the damper travel. Better this, than to risk a locked front wheel due to hard braking or a sizeable bump in the road surface.
Since the engine had to be tilted somewhat backwards, the Vincentlogo on the timing case is no longer horisontal. But if this is a nuisance to anyone, Sune feels that, well, then this person can maybe do the job better himself.
The two front carburettors proved no greater problem, but the rearmost carburettor conflicted with the chain guard. The solution was to resort to an updraft carburettor situated between the engine plates behind the gearbox.
To find a magneto that could properly serve this configuration would prove as impossible as finding space for it. Instead a modified version of an electronic Pazon system takes care of this.
No advanced NC-machines were involved! A no-fancy lathe, TIG welding equipment and drill press that also doubled as a milling machine.
All Sune needed to build his astonishing Triple-Vincent he had on the shelf in his shed. Well, almost all.
