1950 Vincent 499cc Comet

Frame no. RC/1/6401 Engine no. F5AB/2A/4501

• Meticulous and extensive restoration
• Known ownership history dating back to the 1950's

The Vincent HRD brand originated in 1928 when Philip C. Vincent acquired the name, jigs, tools and patterns of the recently liquidated HRD Company. Vincent moved production from Wolverhampton to Stevenage and set about putting his motorcycle design ideas into practice, commencing with an innovative sprung frame that would remain a feature of Vincent motorcycles until production ceased in 1955.

Like others, Vincent relied on proprietary engines until increasing dissatisfaction with suppliers led to the creation of Vincent's own motor in 1934. An overhead-valve 500cc single, this all-new power unit was designed jointly by Vincent and Chief Engineer Phil Irving. The duo brought fresh thinking to the design of what would become known as the Series A motor, opting for a relatively short stroke of 90mm coupled to an 84mm bore, a high-set camshaft and two guides for each valve with the rocker arm engaging between them. The sum of all these features resulting in a compact engine with considerable scope for tuning. The names Comet and Meteor were chosen for the sports and touring versions respectively of the stylish new Vincent HRD.

From its Burman gearbox and 'missing' cylinder, the Comet was pretty similar to Series-C twin-cylinders machines, featuring the newly introduced Girdraulic front fork, Cantilever rear suspension and of course the engine as a stressed member of the frame permitting the absence of front downtubes and engine cradle. This especially gave a serious weight advantage to the 'little' Vincent and permitted it to fight against way bigger and powerful machines. The air-cooled OHV Comet engine develops 499cc with a compression ratio of 7.3:1 and camshaft sets high in the crankcases. Also, the engine has that valves arrangement that offered them way more lateral support and a much straighter path.

The Meteor was soon dropped but the Comet continued in production until 1954, offering the same refinement as its bigger brother. It combined a 90mph potential with excellent economy and was an ideal touring mount. An expensive machine to produce, the Comet did not sell as well as hoped and was dropped when the Series-D range was introduced.

The Comet presented here was purchased by the vendor in 2014 and comes with original UK registration book from its first purchase. The previous owner purchased the Comet in the late 1950s. He used the Vincent to attend the A-CU National Rally in 1962 (Rhyl) and 1963 (London), receiving a 'Maximum Marks' finisher's plaque on both occasions (awards included in sale). It also comes with a 1965 Test Certificate from the UK Ministry of Transport as well as an original insurance certificate from the same year, also offered with the machine are the invoices for the work carried out during the restoration. The bike is in excellent condition having been restored from the ground up and kept in pristine condition since the current owner purchased it.