SoCal VOC

Section member Mike Klingerman commissioned Max Hazan to build a Vincent engined special, and it won the prestigious Best of Show award at the 2022 Quail Motorcycle Gathering. It also won awards for Best Style & Design, and Best in Class.

Here are some details from Mike:

“A custom Vincent may not appeal to some of the purists in the club but it may help to know that I found the engine and most of the parts after sitting for almost 50 years. Since the bike was in pieces and slightly incomplete, I thought it was a great opportunity to trust an artist like Max to create something unique. There are far too many details to list but I’d be happy to share with any members that care to know. I will say he made everything from scratch, including the carbs. He even reengineered some aspects of the engine: 4 plugs, 2 custom mags, and many other things. I think he created something very exciting and innovative.”

Bill Easter has been named an Honorary Member of the Vincent Owners Club, a very well deserved honor, congratulations Bill. Here is a picture of Bill’s willingness to help out fellow members. This is from 1982. I dropped my father’s Shadow on a gravel corner, and bent the front mudguard. Bill jumped right in and skillfully straightened it out.

The Rattler is slowly coming back together.  The “go fast” parts were sold off years ago, and the core of the bike is being rebuilt back to stock as a street bike.  Here’s a pic of the motor and rolling chassis.

Herb Ailslieger was a club member of the original LA section.  He took some photos when some Vincent owners ran their bikes at Saugus airfield.  As typical, clutch work was in order that day.  Herb passed away awhile ago, and his Red Rapide that he bought new was recently sold by his brother.  The new owner sent me copies of photos that Herb took.  The photos show my father and Gene Ohman working on their Shadows.  My father’s Shadow is number 5s, while Gene’s is 4s.  My father had crashed into a car, so that explains the non-standard front fender.  I still have the seat stays that my father made to make the seat fully sprung.  You can see that my father swung the front foot rest up, removed the kick start, and turned the gearshift lever around to use the rear foot rest.  The battery was also removed.  You can see the Indian breather fitting that is still on the bike (although I have it blocked shut).  I think these photos are from 1955.  Gene is in the striped shirt, my father is in the long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up.