| History | | | | Specifications |
| Vincent Motorcycles, "the makers of the world's | | | | Make: Vincent HRD |
| fastest motorcycles", began with the purchase of | | | | Model: 1948 Series C Black Shadow |
| HRD Motorcycles, less the factory premises, by Phil | | | | Engine: 998 cc (84 x 90 mm bore and stroke) 50 |
| Vincent in 1928. | | | | OHV V Twin, 7.3:1 CR, polished conrods |
| HRD was founded by the British Royal Flying Corps | | | | Carburetor: 2 x 1.125-inch (28.6 mm) type 29 Amals |
| (RFC) pilot, Howard Raymond Davies, who was shot | | | | Ignition: Lucas Magneto (1955 models: Kettering |
| down and captured by the Germans in 1917. Legend | | | | ignition) |
| has it that it was while a prisoner of war that he | | | | Electrics: 6v 45w dynamo |
| conceived the idea of building his own motorcycle, | | | | Lubrication: Dry sump, 3 US quarts |
| and contemplated how he might achieve that. It was | | | | Gearbox: Integral Vincent four speed, triplex chain |
| not until 1924 that Davies entered into partnership | | | | primary, dry servo - drum clutch |
| with E J Massey, trading as HRD Motors. Various | | | | Final Drive: 530 chain, 46/21 sprockets |
| models were produced, generally powered by JAP | | | | Tyres: 3 x 20 in front, 3.50 x 19 in rear |
| (JA Prestwich Industries) engines. | | | | Wheels: Front: 1.65 x 20 in.steel rim; Rear: 1.65 x 19 |
| Unfortunately, though HRD motorcycles won races, | | | | in.steel rim. |
| the company ran at a loss, and in January 1928 it | | | | Frame: "Diamond Frame".(Spine frame with engine as |
| went into voluntary liquidation. The company was | | | | stressed member) |
| initially bought by Ernest Humphries of OK-Supreme | | | | Rear Suspension: Cantilever rear springing |
| Motors for the factory space, and the HRD name, | | | | Front forks: Vincent Girdraulic forks, 3" travel |
| jigs, tools, patterns, and remaining components were | | | | Brakes: Twin drums, 7 in diameter in front and rear, |
| subsequently offered for sale again. | | | | single leading shoe 7/8" wide. |
| Phil Vincent | | | | Weight: 455 lb (206 kg) - 206 kg Wet - 500 lb |
| Main article: Phil Vincent | | | | (227 kg) |
| Philip Vincent was advised to start production under | | | | Wheelbase: 55.5 in. (1415 mm) |
| an established name. He had built a motorcycle of his | | | | Seat height: 32.5 in. (826 mm) |
| own in 1924, and in 1928 had registered a patent for | | | | Performance: 125 mph / 201 km/h - 55 bhp |
| a cantilever rear suspension of his own design. In | | | | (41 kW) at 5500 rpm |
| 1928 Philip Vincent left Cambridge University with an | | | | Fuel Capacity 3.5 gallons / 16 litres |
| engineering degree and, with the backing of his family | | | | Manufacturer: The Vincent-HRD Co. Ltd., Great North |
| wealth from cattle ranching in Argentina, acquired the | | | | Road, Stevenage, Herts |
| trademark, goodwill and remaining components of | | | | 1954 "Series D" Vincents |
| HRD from Humphries for 450. | | | | The term "Series D" was not used by the factory, |
| The company was promptly renamed Vincent HRD | | | | but was taken as a natural progression by the |
| Co., Ltd and production moved to Stevenage. The | | | | motorcycling world. With sales falling, Vincent tried |
| new trademark had "Vincent" in very small letters | | | | building two new high-speed touring models; the fully |
| above "HRD" written large. After World War 2 Britain | | | | enclosed Vincent Victor (an upgraded Comet), the |
| had an export drive to repay its war debts, and the | | | | Black Knight (an upgraded Rapide) and the Vincent |
| USA was the largest market for motorcycles, so in | | | | Black Prince (an upgraded Shadow). They were |
| 1949 the HRD was dropped from the name to avoid | | | | poorly received by the public. A short-lived unfaired |
| any confusion with the "HD" of Harley Davidson, and | | | | version of the Black Prince was then produced. There |
| the motorcycle became The Vincent. | | | | was still a Series D Comet. BTW. Russell Wright got |
| In 1929 the first Vincent-HRD motorcycle used a JAP | | | | the World Land Speed Record at Swannanoa with a |
| single-cylinder engine in a Vincent-designed cantilever | | | | Vincent HRD motorcycle in 1955 at 184.83 m.p.h. |
| frame. The earliest known example extant exists in | | | | Sales declined further after the post war |
| Canberra, Australia. Some early bikes used | | | | motorcycling boom owing to the availability of |
| Rudge-Python engines. But after a disastrous 1934 | | | | cheaper motor cars, so not many "Series D" models |
| Isle of Man TT, with engine problems and all three | | | | were made. |
| entries failing to finish, Phil Vincent (with Phil Irving) | | | | Fireflies, Three Wheelers, and NSU |
| decided to build their own engines. | | | | The Firefly was a 45 cc "clip on" engined bicycle built |
| Phil Vincent also experimented with three wheeled | | | | from 1953 to 1955 under licence from Miller, who |
| vehicles, amphibious vehicles, and automobiles. In 1932 | | | | were suppliers of electrical components to Vincent. It |
| the first 3-wheeler, "The Vincent Bantam" appeared, | | | | was also known as the Vincent Power Cycle. The |
| powered by a 293 cc SV JAP or 250 cc Villiers | | | | Vincent Owners Club was predictably surprised by |
| engine. It was a 2.5 cwt delivery van with a car seat | | | | this new, cheap, entry-level Vincent. |
| and a steering wheel. The Bantam cost 57-10-0 and | | | | By 1954, Vincent Motorcycles was in an increasingly |
| the windscreen and hood option cost 5-10-0. | | | | difficult situation. In the quest for solvency, Vincent |
| Production ceased in 1936. | | | | looked for ways to improve their position. The trike |
| Phil Irving | | | | idea was revived. In 1932 the first 3-wheeler, "The |
| Main article: Phil Irving | | | | Vincent Bantam" was first introduced. Powered by a |
| In 1931 Phil Irving joined Vincent as chief engineer. His | | | | 293 cc SV JAP or 250 cc Villiers engine, it was a 2.5 |
| first engine design was an OHV 500 cc single-cylinder | | | | cwt delivery van which used a car seat and steering |
| engine in 1934. The standard motor was known as | | | | wheel rather than the standard motorcycle saddle |
| the Meteor and the sports motor was the Vincent | | | | and handlebars. The Bantam was priced at 57-10-0 |
| Comet; it was distinguished from earlier Vincent | | | | with a windscreen and hood available for an additional |
| models of that name by the eries-A prefix. There | | | | 5-10-0. It ceased production in 1936 the first year of |
| was a TT replica & the Comet Special (basically | | | | the Series A motorcycle. |
| a TTR with lights, horn etc), which used a bronze | | | | In 1954/1955, due to falling sales of motorcycles, a |
| head. The Meteor motor produced 26 bhp (19 kW) | | | | one-off prototype 3-wheeler powered by a Vincent |
| @ 5300 rpm, | | | | Rapide 998 cc engine was unofficially named |
| An unusual feature of the valve design for these | | | | "Polyphemus". To keep development and production |
| motors was the double valve guides, and the | | | | costs low, it used a parts bin-approach, including |
| attachment of the forked rocker arm to a shoulder | | | | pieces from Vincent motorcycles, as well as wheels |
| between the guides, to eliminate side forces on the | | | | which came from a Morris Minor and a body based |
| valve stem and ensure maximum valve life under | | | | on the materials used in the Black Knight/Prince. With |
| racing conditions. | | | | the standard Rapide engine the "Polyphemus" could |
| The Series-A Comet could do 90 mph (140 km/h), | | | | reach 90 mph (140 km/h), and one reached |
| but Phil Vincent and his racing customers wanted | | | | 117 mph (188 km/h) with a Black Lightning engine in |
| more. | | | | 1955. |
| 1936 Series A Rapide | | | | After several more prototypes the then-named |
| Main article: Vincent Rapide | | | | incent 3-wheeler was offered to the public in 1955 at |
| Legend has it that Irving accidentally put a side-view | | | | 500 a high price for any vehicle at the time (the BMC |
| tracing of the Vincent 500 motor wrong way up on | | | | Mini launched four years later for 497), especially for |
| top of an equally sized drawing of the same view of | | | | a vehicle with no reverse gear, self starter or hood. |
| the same motor, and saw, moving the tracing so the | | | | Vincent sold none. |
| crankshafts and idler gears coincided, that the result | | | | NSU-Vincent Fox |
| looked like a possible design for a V-twin. This | | | | Unfortunately Vincent motorcycles were hand-built |
| resulted in the 47.5 V twin which appeared in 1936. | | | | and expensive - only a total of 11,000 machines were |
| (The single leaned forward 23.75.) | | | | sold post-World War Two. A sales slump in 1954 |
| With 6.8:1 compression, it produced 45 bhp | | | | forced the company to manufacture NSU mopeds. |
| (34 kW). | | | | Only forty of the two stroke 1955 NSU-Vincent Fox |
| The Vincent V-twin motorcycle incorporated a | | | | 123 cc were built. There was also an OHV |
| number of new and innovative ideas, some of which | | | | four-stroke NSU-Vincent 98 cc, and Vincent also sold |
| were more successful than others. | | | | the "NSU Quickly" moped; too well it appears (selling |
| The Vincent HRD Series A Rapide was introduced in | | | | about 20,000 in one year a foot note to how the |
| October 1936. Its frame was of brazed lug | | | | market had changed again), as NSU took control of |
| construction, based on the Comet design but | | | | its own sales after a year. |
| extended to accommodate the longer V twin engine. | | | | The Last Vincent Motorcycle |
| It continued the use of "cantilever" rear suspension, | | | | At a Vincent Owners' Club dinner in the summer of |
| which was used on all Vincents produced from 1928 | | | | 1955, Phil Vincent announced that the company could |
| through 1955. Other innovations included a side stand. | | | | no longer continue in the face of heavy losses and |
| Pneumatic forks were not to be a Vincent innovation, | | | | that production of motorcycles would cease almost |
| with both Phils believing girder forks were superior at | | | | immediately. |
| the time. The Series-A had external oil lines and a | | | | In 1955, one week before Christmas, the last Vincent |
| separate gearbox. | | | | came off the production line and was promptly |
| The 998 cc Series A Rapide Vincent cost $600, | | | | labeled "The Last." |
| produced 45 hp (34 kW), and was capable of | | | | The factory then turned to general engineering, the |
| 110 miles per hour (180 km/h). | | | | manufacture of industrial engines, and there was the |
| The high power meant that the gearbox and clutch | | | | Amanda water scooter, possibly the first personal |
| did not cope well. | | | | watercraft. A Vincent engineer lost his life testing it, |
| Engine - 998 cc, 47.5 degree v-twin ohv four-stroke | | | | drowning at sea. |
| Bore and Stroke - 84 x 90 mm | | | | Vincent tried for a government contract supplying |
| Compression Ratio - 6.8:1 | | | | motors for the ML Aviation U120D target aircraft. |
| Power - 45 bhp (34 kW) @ 5500 rpm | | | | The motor had to be capable of passing prolonged |
| Produced - 1936-1939 | | | | full power operation tests. This was called the Picador |
| Wheelbase - 58.5inch | | | | project. The Vincent motor was upgraded with a |
| Dry Weight - 430 lb (200 kg) | | | | better crankshaft, Scintilla magneto, double speed oil |
| Carburettor - 1.0625inch Amal | | | | pump and fuel injection. They did not get a contract. |
| Gearbox - Burman 4 speed, triplex chain primary, wet | | | | (Russel Wright's record breaking bike was fitted with |
| multiplate clutch | | | | a Picador crank and oil pump, by Vincent, while in |
| Frame - Brazed lug duplex tubular cradle. Cantilever | | | | England for Earls Court, shortly after the 1955 record |
| rear springing | | | | attempt.) |
| Front forks - Brampton girder forks | | | | The company went into receivership in 1959. It has |
| Top Speed - 110 mph (180 km/h) | | | | since been bought and sold by other engineering |
| World War II | | | | firms. In 1955 Phil Vincent declared that Vincent parts |
| In 1937 Phil Irving went to work for Velocette but | | | | would always be available and indeed they are still |
| returned to Vincent Motorcycles in 1943. Vincent | | | | available, through the The Vincent H.R.D. Owners |
| primarily made munitions, but Vincent engines were | | | | Club, The VOC Spares Company Limited, Vin Parts |
| trialled in boats and portable pumps during the war, | | | | International and other sources. |
| and the end of hostilities saw Vincent ready to return | | | | Subsequent Developments |
| to motorcycle production. | | | | Egli Vincent |
| Vincent already looked to America for sales, and in | | | | The Vincent Owners Club is the largest single-brand |
| 1944 Eugene Aucott opened the first USA dealership | | | | motorcycle club in the world. Vincents are among the |
| in the city of Philadelphia. Others followed. | | | | most desirable of motorcycling classics. A Black |
| 1946 Series B Rapide | | | | Lightning, in immaculate condition, can bring $125,000. |
| The Series B Rapide designed during the war and | | | | Vincent engines have been fitted to other frames. |
| released to the press before end of hostilities looked | | | | The most obvious is the Norvin, using a Norton |
| radically different from the A: now the oil pipes were | | | | Featherbed frame, with or without the lower frame |
| internal, and the gearbox was part of the engine | | | | tubes. The Norvin is made in the UK by Hailwood |
| casting (Unit Construction). The angle between the | | | | Motorcycle Restorations Specialist frame |
| cylinders was now 50 instead of the 47.5 of the | | | | manufacturers also made frames for the Vincent |
| Series A engine. This allowed the use of the engine | | | | engine. |
| as a stressed member of the frame, which consisted | | | | Fritz Egli, a specialist frame manufacturer based in |
| of an oil-tank spine with the engine hanging below, | | | | Switzerland, produced an Egli-Vincent, and around 100 |
| and the front and rear suspension attached at the | | | | were produced between 1967 and 1972. Egli-Vincents |
| ends. This was considered sensational at the time, | | | | are now being built under licence in France by Patrick |
| and the arrangement was not seen again till the late | | | | Godet. Non authorized copies (by Fritz Egli) are also |
| seventies. The cantilever rear became the most | | | | proposed in the UK by Hailwood Motorcycle |
| widely used form of rear suspension for motorcycles | | | | Restorations (HMR)and JMR. |
| after 1980, and the use of the engine-gearbox unit | | | | In 1996, a partnership was formed to launch the |
| as a stressed member became more usual. Brakes | | | | Australian RTV motorcycle. It used a slightly |
| were dual single-leading shoe (SLS), front and rear. | | | | modernised reproduction Vincent engine in an |
| The 55.5-inch (1,410 mm) wheelbase was three | | | | Egli-style frame in capacities of 1000 cc and 1200 cc. |
| inches (76 mm) shorter than the Series A, and its | | | | They had electric start. After four bikes were built, |
| dimensions were more like a 500 cc bike of the time. | | | | the company went into voluntary liquidation towards |
| A more modern hydraulic shock absorber and spring | | | | the end of 1998. |
| assembly later replaced the old twin springs and | | | | Vincent Motors USA founder and president, Bernard |
| friction damper. The rear seat was supported by a | | | | Li, acquired the Vincent trademarks in 1994, and |
| sub-frame down to the rear frame pivot point, | | | | formally launched Vincent Motors USA in 1998, |
| providing a semi-sprung seat with 6 inches | | | | spending about $2 million building prototypes that |
| (150 mm) of suspension. (Yamaha would rediscover | | | | resemble the original Vincent, but utilising modern |
| this suspension system nearly 40 years later.) | | | | components, like the Honda RC51 V-twin engine. |
| The Series B had a Feridax Dunlopillo Dualseat, and a | | | | Vincent Motors is based in San Diego. A resurrection |
| tool tray under the front. | | | | of the Vincent name now seems unlikely as the |
| The Series "B" incorporated an inline felt oil filter | | | | Honda engine now out of production, and Li was |
| instead of the metal gauze of the Series "A". | | | | killed in a motorcycle accident. |
| Vincent used quickly detachable wheels, making | | | | See also |
| wheel and tyre changes easier. The rear wheel was | | | | List of Vincent motorcycles |
| reversible, and different size rear sprockets could be | | | | HRD Motorcycles |
| fitted for quick final-drive ratio changes. The brake | | | | Vincent Black Shadow |
| & gear shift were adjustable for reach to suit | | | | References |
| individual feet. The rear mud guard was hinged to | | | | H.R.D. Motor Cycles. Produced by a Rider Auth: Geoff |
| facilitate the removal of the rear wheel. These are | | | | Preece; Publisher: J. Bickerstaff |
| things taken for granted on modern motorcycles | | | | Vincent Motorcycles: The Complete Story, David |
| whereas Vincent was a pioneer in their use. | | | | Wright Pub: Crowood Motoclassics, ISBN |
| From today's perspective, it seems incongruous that | | | | 1-86126-516-6 |
| Vincent could see the need for, and design, a | | | | Vincent and HRD Motorcycles - How They Were |
| cantilever rear suspension, as well as incorporate so | | | | Promoted and Sold', David Wright, Limited edition of |
| many other new ideas, yet use Brampton girder | | | | 998 copies |
| forks with friction dampers up front. The two Phils | | | | ^ Ward, Ian (in English). Great British Bikes. Macdonald |
| felt that the telescopic forks of the time were prone | | | | & Co. ISBN 0-7481-0020-2. |
| to lateral flex, so they persisted with girder forks, | | | | ^ a b 3Wheelers Vincent Three Wheelers (Retrieved |
| and did use hydraulic damping in the Series C | | | | 22 October 2006) |
| "Girdraulic" forks. Consider now the use of similar | | | | ^ VincentMotors History (Retrieved 22 October |
| forks on the famous Britten (from New Zealand), the | | | | 2006) |
| current BMW K1200 Series & the Honda Rune. | | | | ^ NTNOA Histories (Retrieved 22 October 2006) |
| Vincent had sold bikes through Indian Motorcycles | | | | ^ Dropbears Histories (Retrieved 22 October 2006) |
| dealers in the US and in 1948 an Indian Chief was | | | | ^ IanChadwick Vincent (Retrieved 22 October 2006) |
| sent to Stevenage to be fitted with a Vincent | | | | ^ TheVincent Models and Fittings (Retrieved 22 |
| Rapide engine. The resulting hybrid Vindian did not go | | | | October 2006) |
| into production. | | | | ^ Is-it-a-lemon Vincent review (Retrieved 22 October |
| 1948 Series C Vincents, "Black Shadow" and "Black | | | | 2006) |
| Lightning" | | | | ^ The Vincent Grey Flash Information (Retrieved 22 |
| Vincent Comet from 1950 at the Zweirad-Museum | | | | October 2006) |
| Neckarsulm | | | | ^ Vincent production figures |
| The 1948 Series C Rapide differed from the Series B | | | | ^ Globalnet Vincent Firefly (Retrieved 22 October |
| in having "Girdraulic" front forks which were girder | | | | 2006) |
| forks with hydraulic damping. | | | | ^ The History of Mini - MiniWorld |
| The lack Shadow, capable of 125 mph (201 km/h), | | | | ^ VincentMotors History Page3. (Retrieved 22 |
| and easily recognised by its black engine and gearbox | | | | October 2006) |
| unit, and large 150 mph (240 km/h) speedometer, | | | | ^ IanChadwick Vincent (Retrieved 22 October 2006) |
| was introduced. The engine produced 54 bhp | | | | ^ MindSpring 1953 Works Visit (Retrieved 22 October |
| (40 kW) @ 5700 rpm in Black Shadow trim. | | | | 2006) |
| The Vincent Black Lightning was a racing version of | | | | ^ The Vincent Picador Drone (Retrieved 22 October |
| the Black Shadow, with every necessary steel part | | | | 2006) |
| on it that could be, remade in aluminium, and anything | | | | ^ Hailwood Motorcycle Restorations HMR Norvin |
| not essential removed altogether, reducing the | | | | (Retrieved 3 July 2007) |
| weight from 458 lb (208 kg) to 380 lb (170 kg). | | | | ^ GodetMotorcycles Egli (Retrieved 22 October |
| Every bit the racer, it had a single racing seat and | | | | 2006) |
| rear-set footrests. | | | | ^ Hailwood Motorcycle Restorations HMR Egli-Vincent |
| The 500 cc Meteor and Comet singles were | | | | (Retrieved 22 October 2006) |
| introduced, along with a 500 cc racer, the Vincent | | | | ^ UnionJack RTV Vincent (Retrieved 22 October |
| Grey Flash. The Grey Flash racer used Albion gears, | | | | 2006) |
| for the greater choice of ratios available. The 500 cc | | | | ^ Vincent Motors San Diego (Retrieved 22 October |
| bikes used a wet multiplate clutch, while the 998 cc | | | | 2006) |
| V-twins used a dry, drum-type servo clutch. | | | | ^ Bernard Li, 1946-2008 (Retrieved 11 November |
| Most Vincents were painted black. In 1949 a White | | | | 2008) |
| Shadow (a machine to Black Shadow mechanical | | | | External links |
| specification, with the Rapide colour scheme) was | | | | Vincent Motors USA |
| available, but only 15 were sold, and the option was | | | | Hunter S Thompson article on the Vincent Black |
| dropped in 1952. In 1950 16 Red Comets were | | | | Shadow |
| shipped to the United States. There were also 31 of | | | | Listen to Richard Thompson's song Vincent Black |
| the 1948 Grey Flash built. | | | | Lightning 1952 |
| In 1949 HRD was dropped from the name, and the | | | | Vincent Motors history, Motorcycledaily. |
| logo now simply said "Vincent". | | | | |