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LOT 695

1953 Vincent 499cc Series-C Comet Registration no. BEC 692 Frame no. RC/1/11172 Rear Frame no. RC/1/11172 Engine no. F5AB/2A/9272 Crankcase Mating no. 74JJ/74JJ

Sold for £21,275 inc. premium
Lot 695

1953 Vincent 499cc Series-C Comet
Registration no. BEC 692 Frame no. RC/1/11172 Rear Frame no. RC/1/11172 Engine no. F5AB/2A/9272 Crankcase Mating no. 74JJ/74JJ

1953 Vincent 499cc Series-C Comet
Registration no. BEC 692
Frame no. RC/1/11172 Rear Frame no. RC/1/11172
Engine no. F5AB/2A/9272 Crankcase Mating no. 74JJ/74JJ

• Owned intermittently since 1977
• Matching numbers example
• Superb restoration

There is an apocryphal tale of the Series A twins being conceived as a result of two single-cylinder drawings being overlapped; in the same way, it could be said that the post-war single cylinder engine was brought about by the use of a rubber – removing the rear cylinder of the existing twin-pot design. In other respects, the layout was almost identical, with the same 'frameless' cycle parts being employed for the single and the twin. On the singles the rear cylinder was replaced with a cast alloy beam, and the gearbox employed was the familiar Burman item. Announced in late 1948, a few single cylinder Meteors were produced before being joined soon after by the Comet in Series C form with Girdraulic forks, as opposed to the Brampton girders on the Meteor. The Comet was a little more expensive than the Meteor, and equipped with a higher compression ratio, front propstands, and Girdraulic forks.

'BEC 692' was sold new and registered on 28th July 1953 by dealers James Walker of Kendal. There were three owners before it was purchased by the present owner in 1977. Whilst he parted with the machine in 1979, selling it back to the previous owner, he then repurchased it 1999. In need of work by then, he undertook a full restoration of the machine with the assistance of talented local engineer Douglas Tyson of Keswick. Anything required in the restoration was done, and some improvements were incorporated, such as the electronic voltage regulator. Refurbishment was completed in 2000, and the owner used the machine every year thereafter, on various VOC rallies, in the Isle of Man, and on continental rallies, until it was put on SORN in 2013. Since then, 'BEC 692' has been turned over at regular intervals whilst on display at the Lakeland Motor Museum. It should only require light recommissioning before returning to road duties with a new owner.

Documentation comprises a current V5C, an old V5C, an old V5, the original VE60 buff logbook, a quantity of old MoT certificates, a large quantity of receipts/invoices for parts/work, and sundry papers.

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