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gli-Vincent 1000a inevitable minor - or major - inconveniences that can befall even the most carefully restored Classic bike. That's because the Godet-built Egli-Vincent is in fact an all-new motorcycle, entirely constructed with modern components made from improved materials, to enhanced specification. Yes - that includes the 998cc push rod OHV 50-degree Vtwin engine, too, for this is a purpose-built power unit assembled by Patrick Godet using new parts he's commissioned from current suppliers around the world. It's still a faithful copy of a period Black Shadowspec Vincent engine, though - the kind that set World Land Speed records in the postwar era, which in Godet-built guise delivers 55 hp at 5800 rpm at the gearbox, running on a period 8: 1 compression and thus content to drink regular unleaded fuel on quite a frugal basis, through the twin period 30mm Amal Concentric carbs. But it's a faithful reproduction of what any Vintage enthusiast will tell you was 50 years ago the finest motorcycle engine money could buy, one moreover which was built to aircraft standards of tolerance and effi(Left) A design from the 19605 - now available in a brand-new motorcycle. Meet the Egli-Vincent, the bike that invented the current V-twin caf6 racer cult. (Below) Sir Alan, the man who invented the current V-twin caf6 racer CUlt, riding the Egli. replicas to leave his workshop at the charmingly named village of Le Bel Endroit (literally, 'Beautiful Place' and it is) in the heart of the Normandy countryside north of Paris, I can only say that the plaudit is well deserved. For this is a period motorcycle hand-built to modern standards, which succeeds in the tantalizingly difficult objective of matching the spirit of the past with the function of the present - well, just so long as you 9ive that four-leading-shoe replica Fontana front drum brake a good squeeze before you start exploring the limits of the Egli's braking potential. Oh, and take account of the rangy steering geometry's kicked out (28degree) head angle, and the lazy but stable - feel of the 19-inc'h front wheel, before you try to change direction too fast. Or - but, hold on: the whole point of a bike like the Godet-built Egli is not that it should be compared to modern sportbikes, but that it provides period-style riding pleasure in complete safety, and with added convenience. And, that it'll get you home again at the end of the day, without any of the irritating but By ALAN CATHCART PHOTOS BY KYOICHI NAKAMURA hen is a fake not a fake? When it's a reproduction, created by the man who produced the original work of art that the copy duplicates. Either that, or when The Master specifically licenses a student of his work to create a copy - as in 'By the School of... Rembrandt, Velazquez, Monet or Picasso.' Or Egli. Because the Swiss visionary, who back in 1967 created a new type of motorcycle henceforth to be known as the Cafe Racer, has now officially licensed the reproduction of a series of faithful copies of the bike that started it all off in Switzerland 35 years ago - the Egli-Vincent 1000. What's more, the perfectionist that Fritz Egli is justly renowned as being has paid his disciple, 49-year-old Frenchman Patrick Godet, the ultimate compliment: he's bought one of the Rouen resident's replica Egli frames to build up his own V-twin Vincent cafe racer. Chapeau I - as they say in France, meaning 'I take my hat off to you, Monsieur Patrick!' And after riding the latest of the dozen or so Godet-built Egli-Vincent W 28 AUGUST 22, 2001 • cue I e neVIl's