Paul Zell’s Custom Vincent Special

By Margie Siegal
Published on August 21, 2009
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Paul Zell's custom Vincent Special.
Paul Zell's custom Vincent Special.
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Gorgeous Borrani wheels and Grimeca drum brakes are perfect compliment to Zell's special, which also features Ohlins reservoir shocks.
Gorgeous Borrani wheels and Grimeca drum brakes are perfect compliment to Zell's special, which also features Ohlins reservoir shocks.
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Paul Zell's custom Vincent Special
Paul Zell's custom Vincent Special
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Custom fabrication allowed Zell to adapt belt-drive technology to the Vincent engine.
Custom fabrication allowed Zell to adapt belt-drive technology to the Vincent engine.
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Paul Zell's custom Vincent Special
Paul Zell's custom Vincent Special
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The beautiful Egli-style frame carries the Vincent engine as a stressed member, as did the original Vincent frame.
The beautiful Egli-style frame carries the Vincent engine as a stressed member, as did the original Vincent frame.
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The engine in Zell's Vincent Special may date back 50 years, but with close to 70hp on tap and only 380 pounds to haul around, its performance is anything but dated.
The engine in Zell's Vincent Special may date back 50 years, but with close to 70hp on tap and only 380 pounds to haul around, its performance is anything but dated.

2005 Custom Vincent Special

Year produced: 2005
Claimed power: 70bhp @ 6,000rpm
Top speed: 125mph
Engine type: 998cc, two-valve, 50-degree V-twin
Weight: 171kg (380lb) dry
Price: Custom, not for sale

Paul Zell likes classic British motorcycles. And like many aficionados of old British bikes, he believes they can sometimes stand a little improvement. Case in point: his 2005 custom Vincent Special.

Classic Vincent motorcycles are unquestionably among the most charismatic of motorcycles. One of the few road-going British motorcycles that change hands at five-figure prices, they are also one of the few motorcycles from the Forties and Fifties that are comfortable at freeway speeds.

Since the Fifties, Vincents have been a magnet for “specials” builders who craft custom motorcycles with the aim of improving performance and handling. Typically, the specials builder shoehorns a hot engine into a light, good-handling chassis, and upgrades the suspension and brakes.

Paul Zell built his custom Vincent motorcycle in this tradition. With a unique combination of imagination, ingenuity and mechanical smarts, Zell builds custom motorcycles that draw small crowds — previous projects have included a streamlined sidecar with clamps for a folding wheelchair and a Velocette with an electric starter. He has just finished this custom Vincent special.

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