c.1970 Norton-Vincent 499cc Comet Sprinting Motorcycle 'Moto3'

Registration no. HPX 536H Frame no. R13 86229 Engine no. F5AB/2A/10528

• Built in the 1970s by the late Gordon Colquhoun
• Last run competitively at the Brighton Speed Trials in 2015
• Present ownership since 2015

This unique and very special motorcycle was built in the 1970s by the late Gordon Colquhoun, a highly respected sprint bike builder and Vincent aficionado. The current vendors bought the Comet five years ago to do UK sprint events but also with an eye on setting some speed records at Bonneville. Unfortunately, the unpredictable weather and salt condition, plus abandoned Bonneville meetings, have made the risk and cost of shipping and travel too prohibitive, despite the keenness of the partners.

Gordon Colquhoun was well known in Vincent and sprinting circles for building three Vincent-based motorcycles of note. The first, 'Moto1', was a twin-cylinder Vincent-engined sprinter that was ridden with some success by Charlie Rouse, setting national speed records in Ireland and other sprint meeting records. It is believed by some that the second, 'Moto2', was a supercharged Vincent-engined bike but its current whereabouts are not known. The bike for sale is 'Moto3 (stamped 'GCMoto3') which was built by Gordon in Dave Massam's commercial garage in Devon (where Gordon then lived). Dave Massam rode the bike at various sprints for Gordon over many years as the Vincent was developed.

In 2000, Moto3 was bought directly from Gordon by classic motorcycle and sprinting enthusiast Roger Pales. Roger further developed the Vincent over the next 14 years until it achieved a quarter-mile terminal speed of over 100mph (something of a landmark). It was he that added the magnificent fairing, a work of art handmade by craftsman/artist Carl Neville to a standard rarely found today.

Moto3 last ran competitively at the Brighton Speed Trials in 2015 where it behaved impeccably. It has been kept in air-conditioned storage and turned over regularly since then. The number of the Comet engine (currently jetted to run on methanol) corresponds with that on the V5 and in Vincent archives. As was the norm with sprint bikes of this era, the engine is built into a sturdy Norton Featherbed frame. Moto3 has the registration number of the Norton and the relevant old logbook.

On file, there is a thick file of results, technical data and check lists for starting and storing after events compiled by Mr Pales together with a report of how he came to own the bike and of the work undertaken during his 14 years ownership and development. There is also a file of receipts for parts and costs over that time.