Marty Dickerson - World's Fastest Vincent
by Steve
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
In addition to Burt Munro, known as the "World's Fastest Indian", there was also Marty Dickerson, known as the "World's Fastest Vincent".
The New Times of San Luis Obispo published a story about him recently, that's worth reading if you like to read about tough old bikers...
http://newtimesslo.com/index.php?p=showarticle&id=2784
In 1953, a short, stocky motorcyclist raced a thundering blue British Vincent across the Bonneville Salt Flats and into the pages of motorcycle history books, setting a world land speed record that endured for 20 years.
Last month, Dickerson repeated the same feat, at 80 years of age, by riding above 150 mph, on an old Vincent.
The article goes on to mention his friendship with Burt Munro, and his association with Vincent Motorcycles.
Labels: Marty Dickerson, Vincent Motorcycles
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1952 Vincent Motorcycle
by Steve
Friday, January 28, 2005
Here is an interesting article about a guy in Central California that built a 1952 Vincent motorcycle from a bunch of boxed-up parts that he bought from another guy.
The previous owner kept the boxes for about 10 years in Gilroy, hoping and expecting to put the motorcycle together, but somehow it didn't happen. Then, along came McIntosh, to whom he was happy to sell the project, getting it out of his hair finally.
This bike was built for speed, and introduced some technological advances in its time.
At the front of technology it was either the first or one of the firsts to have rear wheel suspension, damped suspension (where a spring is controlled by a hydraulic damper), and both the engine and gear box in one casting. This last feature essentially meant doing away with a tubular frame, which lessened the bike's weight considerably.
It all translated into a 1,000cc motor delivering 50 horsepower, which achieved a high-end range of 120 miles an hour.
Labels: Vincent Motorcycles
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