1950 Vincent 499cc 'Grey Flash'

• Original Grey Flash engine
• Original oil tank and rear frame are included
• Featured in Original Vincent Motorcycle by Dr Jaqueline Bickerstaffe
• Racing motorcycle road-registered when new
• Present ownership since 1967
• Used for racing and sprints 1981 to 2013
• Displayed at many events, winning numerous awards (Stafford, NEC, VOC, etc)

This Grey Flash was first registered to King's Motors (Oxford) Ltd of Manchester on 20th June 1950 and first owned by one Ronald Tindall of Halifax. The original buff logbook confirms that the machine was road registered as a Grey Flash and lists the next owner as Maurice Chefneux of Droylsden; then from December 1951 two members of the same family in Milnrow, from whom the vendor purchased it on 14th April 1967. The Vincent also comes with the owner's personal logbook detailing works carried out and events attended for the period 1967 to March 2016, the last entry reporting that the machine had been transferred to the Lakeland Motor Museum (initially for a period of two years) where it has remained on display ever since.

The Grey Flash was in a dismantled and damaged state when acquired, having crashed and suffered front-end damage, and had not been run since 1953 (see owner's logbook page 1). The machine had been raced and came with various related components, although the headstock was missing. In the course of the rebuild the owner sourced a Comet upper frame (number 'RC/1/8145') which is in the machine today. The original rear frame ('5757') had been modified (the number prefix obscured by braze) and that too had to be replaced (the original oil tank and rear frame are included in the sale). The front brake plates are aluminium alloy, replacing the fragile magnesium originals, while the engine incorporates a BSA B50 piston and Carrillo con-rod.

It took several years to complete the rebuild, the first road test being undertaken on 6th May 1981. Following a second outing, the 'Flash was deemed ready to return to the racetrack, its first such venture being at Cadwell Park on 9th May 1981: "The weather was dreadful – rode very gingerly." Nevertheless, it was considered a successful debut.

This fascinating logbook records numerous other race meetings throughout the UK over the years, with sprints gradually supplanting circuit races. It also records attendance at countless classic motorcycle gatherings including at Montlhéry, The International Classic Bike Show, Festival of 1000 Bikes, and the VOC's Ramsey Sprint in the Isle of Man. The last outing recorded is a track day at Cadwell Park in September 2013. Offered with old V5/V5C documents.