Production grew from 1936, with the mostfamous models being developed. The story very few motorcycles have marked their own time like the vincent did from 1946 to 1955. Motors were sourced from ja prestwich industries ltd jap, close ratio gearboxes from burman, forks from druid or webb, chains from renolds, oil pumps from pilgrim, and carburettors from binks. Aug 09, 2019 vincent hrd has quite an interesting history because it all started when howard raymond davies, a british pilot, was captured by the german army and kept in prison for several years. Vincent motorcycles are known for being cool, fast, and very expensive. May 10, 2011 vincent is one of the most highly respected names in the world of motorcycling, hunter s. The mailing list is a great way to share info and experiences with others interested in the marque. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. A short basic explanation of the vincent motorcycle rise to fame told in text and pics along with an accompanying set of guitar backing tunes. Through those specials, derivatives, customs and wellpreserved originals, guyony explains how the vincent motorcycle continues to make history and influence the motorcycle industry all these decades later.
If you were a motorcycle fan or speed freak in the late 40s and early 50s, the vincent black shadow and black lightning motorcycles were some of the most desirable vehicles on the planet. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Although vincent were a relatively small company, their motorcycles were famous around the world, many were exported to usa, so its worth checking through the countries listed below, you never know what you might find. The harris vincent gallery, located in round rock, texas, custom builds and restores original vincent hrd motorcycles. Like the vincent motorcycle itself, philippe guyonys book vincent. When rollies leathers tore from early runs at 147 mph, he discarded them and made a final, heroic. The engine first appeared for sale in 1937 when vincent launched the vincent hrd series a rapide. Available exclusively from veloce publishing and their international distributors. This is a very comprehensive history of vincent motorcycles, covering the original hrd days right through to the end of production and subsequent developments by the likes of egli and godet to keep the marque alive. The big bike was capable of a whopping 110mph a lot for 1937. Vincent motorcycles was a british manufacturer of motorcycles from 1928 to 1955.
Thompson was a big fan, the most famous motorcycling photograph ever, rollie free at bonneville in his swimming trunks, featured a vincent black lightning and between 19481955 vincent produced the fastest production motorcycle in the world, the black shadow. Rapide, comet, black shadow, black lightning, grey flash. The book is sure to be a an essential read for any fan of this iconic bike, and preserves a key part of stevenages history. Oct 11, 2018 custom vincent motorcycle the big sid rodsmith special part 2. The 1948 black shadow broke every record in the book, including the most important. The bikes, velocette and vincenthrd vol 6 by steve wilson 16 mar 1992 3. Vincent motorcycles hrd logo british motor classic new tshirt s m l xl 2xl 3xl. Legend has it that it was while a prisoner of war that he conceived the idea of building his own motorcycle, and contemplated how he might achieve that. This bok, vol 2 is 220 pages and the text story of the famous maker of high quality, and very fast, motorcycles. From hrd to black lightning and rtv1200, ian boyd has amassed. Harris vincent gallery vincent motorcycle, vincent hrd. Vincent motorcycles a sneak peek to the book the eglivincent. This is the 2nd in the trilogy, the others being vincent hrd gallery and autobiography of phillip vincent. The bikes, velocette and vincent hrd vol 6 by steve wilson 16 mar 1992 3.
Showcasing a prewwii motorcycle construction, the vintage motorcycle features a fu. Beginning with philip vincent s purchase in 1928 of the remnants of howard davies failed hrd company, and culminating with the demolition of number two factory in 1980, this 88page history of a great motorcycle is indeed a good read, and full of rare photographs all blackandwhite. Selling any motorcycle was a tough job and hrd was a very small company. Vincent motorcycle history source wikipedia gumz custom. Check out all the great books we have about vincents. Custom vincent motorcycle the big sid rodsmith special. Valuable information on every aspect of your vincent, including front end, drive and clutch, gearbox, fuel system, ignition, racing specs, sidecars and accessories. Very few motorcycles have carved a mark in history like the vincent vtwin, from its arrival in 1946 and up to the present day. Vincent motorcycles phillipe guyony, tim parker bok. A practical guide covering all vincent and vincent h. Like the vincent motorcycle itself, philippe guyonys book vincent motorcycles.
Vincent motorcycles the untold story since 1946 vtwin book history. Hrd, was founded by the british raf pilot, howard raymond davies, who was shot down and captured by the germans in 1917. Thompson begins all the way back in 1928, when young motorcycle enthusiast philip conrad vincent began to fulfill his dream as he purchased an established motorcycle manufacturing company hrd, which itself had been set up by an ex first world war pilot named howard raymond davies. Established in 1928 as hrd motorcycles the company was founded by a man called howard raymond davies, davies had been a fighter pilot in wwi and was shot down and captured by the germans. The vincent hrd series a rapide was introduced in october 1936. The worlds fastest standard motorcycle, it is a fact not a slogan.
Books about vincent motorcycles british cycle supply company. The vincent motorcycle factory at stevenage in the late. The american way chopper, bobber and prostreet styles. Its technical innovations, its high performance and its aggressive forms at the time, topped this model from a small factory in stevenage, england, in 1948, to the standard motorcycle caterpillar of the world. In 1955 the company discontinued motorcycle production after experiencing heavy financial losses. On the road, in club racing, in drag races, or competing for land speed records, it dominated the motorcycle world, leading to the famous catchphrase coined by the factory. The life and death of vincent motorcycles silodrome. The onboard camera successfully captures the sounds and exhiliration of motorcycle riding, especially when you are accompanied by another vincent. Vincent motorcycles a very british story british motorcyclists. It continued the use of cantilever rear suspension, which was used on all vincents produced from 1928 until 1955. Custom vincent motorcycle the big sid rodsmith special part 2. We source original parts and manufacture new parts to exact specifications to maintain authenticity.
From 1934, two new engines were developed in 500 cc and 1,000 cc capacities. A rare 1939 vincent hrd seriesa rapide motorcycle is set to be auctioned off at the upcoming bonhams stafford sale. Neither the lone star section nor the voc accept any. See each listing for international shipping options and costs.
Much of the book is devoted to the long list of vincent specials that have been built since the companys closure in 1955. Whether you own or once owned vincents or like me simply rode some of them way back when, youll really enjoy this book. But after a disastrous 1934 isle of man tt, with engine problems and all three entries failing to finish, philip vincent with phil irving decided to build their own engines. Vincent is one of the most highly respected names in the world of motorcycling, hunter s. From the prewwii series a to the latest series d, all models are covered in details. Feb 03, 2015 the vincent vtwin motorcycle incorporated a number of new and innovative ideas, some of which were more successful than others. We have a wide selection of books about vincent history, photo exposes, shop manuals. From his trips to the southern states in the late 1940s burning off allcomers on a newlyminted vincent hrd, to his record setting at bonneville, marty was an ambassador for vincents all his life and a great friend to. The bikes targeted the more affluent among the mechanically minded, with sporting performance and quality components. Working on a limited budget and needing desperately to sell what they had built, they definitely had some challenges.
For the uninitiated, the vincent motorcycle story is a british story but its one with a strong australian connection. The vincent hrd series c, more commonly known as black shadow and black lightening, became legend of its birth. This list is independent of the vincent owners club, which has an excellent forum as well disclaimer. Motorcycles were produced from 1924 to 1928, but the undercapitalised company, although having a reputation for performance, struggled to survive, and was ultimately sold to oksupreme, who then sold the name and goodwill to phil vincent, a motorcycle designer.
We also sell original racing trophies, motorcycle magazines and books, and other memorabilia. To give scale and context to expensive, this 1951 vincent series c black shadow at gooding and companys upcoming scottsdale auction has an. The vincent vtwin motorcycle incorporated a number of new and innovative ideas, some of which were more successful than others. The business was established by philip vincent who bought an existing. Its frame was of brazed lug construction, based on the comet design but extended to accommodate the longer v twin engine. Beginning with philip vincents purchase in 1928 of the remnants of howard davies failed hrd company, and culminating with the demolition of number two factory in 1980, this 88page history of a great motorcycle is indeed a good read, and full of rare photographs all blackandwhite. Then just after wwii and again with the help of phil irving, vincenthrd produced the fastest and some say the most legendary motorcycle ever built the vincent black shadow. Jul 20, 2019 the story of this british motorcycle that actually managed to sow fear into the heart of hunter s.
Phil irvings 4valve head design finally implemented. I wash my items so they are fresh, any defaults will be pointed out however, sometimes things may get missed. However, the engine and motorcycle performed well and they began to sell this new allvincent model. On the road, in club racing, in drag races, or land speed records, it dominated the world of motorcycles, leading to the famous catchphrase coined by the factory. Vincent motorcycles, the makers of the worlds fastest motorcycles, began with the purchase of hrd motors ltd by philip vincent in may 1928. This 1939 vincent hrd seriesa rapide motorcycle has. Vincent motorcycles, the makers of the worlds fastest motorcycles, began with the purchase of hrd, less the factory premises, by phil vincent in 1928. The rapide can trace its roots back to the mid1930s, when vincent hrd vincent would eventually remove the hrd label to prevent confusion with harleydavidson, already known for building large singles, introduced a prototype rapide with a 998 cc, 50 degree vtwin making 45 hp at the 1936 olympia motorcycle show.
The eglivincent in a sprinter outfit and raced by ray elger. Phil vincent and phil irving being the chief conspirators. Vincent motorcycles a sneak peek to the book the egli. A brief history of the vincent black shadow the worlds.
The vincent motorcycling video chasing shadows is a quiet, respectful documentary that has wonderful historic footage and informative commentary. The vincenthrd series c, more commonly known as black shadow and black lightening, became legend of its birth. So why then does the vincent name resonate so loudly in the motorcycle history books. Contentsshow history vincent motorcycles, the makers of the worlds fastest motorcycles, began with the purchase of hrd motors ltd. The 1948 black shadow broke every record in the book, including. The bikes targeted the more affluent among the mechanically minded, with sporting. Contentsshow history vincent motorcycles, the makers of the worlds fastest motorcycles, began with the. Book villiers everybodys engine british motorcycles ajs. The following is a list of the motorcycles, which liquid will be entertaining offers on. Vincent hrd has quite an interesting history because it all started when howard raymond davies, a british pilot, was captured by the german army and. This is a very comprehensive history of vincent motorcycles, covering the original hrd days right through to the end of production and subsequent developments.
Thompson begins all the way back in 1928, when young motorcycle enthusiast philip conrad vincent began to fulfill his dream as. The photos come from robin vincentday and were taken sometime between 1947 and 1948, before the production of the most famous vincent model, the black shadow. Number of bids and bid amounts may be slightly out of date. Had the black shadow never even existed, the rapide would still be a fondly remembered and highly respected design. Exclusive web the book that vincent enthusiasts waited for a long time is almost here. The shop is squeaky clean and there are no workers in site, so this was probably a staged shoot for. I just received my first print by mail and i wanted to share my excitement with you. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. In 1924, with e j massey, the first hrd motorcycles were built.
Vincent motorcycles the untold story since 1946 the. Vincent devotees can join the vincent owners mailing list by sending an email with subscribe in the body of the message. Thompson begins all the way back in 1928, when young motorcycle enthusiast philip conrad vincent began to fulfill his dream as he purchased an established motorcycle manufacturing company hrd, which itself had been set up by an ex first world war. Jan 10, 2019 vincent produced motorcycles from 193255, when it went bankrupt. See more ideas about vincent motorcycle, vintage and motorcycle. Thompson was a big fan, the most famous motorcycling photograph ever, rollie free at bonneville in his swimming trunks, featured a. The name was then incorporated into a new company, the vincent hrd company ltd. During his pow internment he dreamed up the idea of building his own motorcycle. Vincent is primarily known these days for one model the black shadow. This bok, vol 2 is 220 pages and the text story of the famous maker of. The business was established by philip vincent who bought an existing manufacturing name hrd, initially renaming it as vincent hrd, producing his own motorcycles as previously with boughtin engines. It includes exhaustively the eglivincent history from the early racing days until the time when the market of specials died, replaced by numerous japanese racing replicas. The book spends ten pages on the series a models to give some background to the books major subject, the postwar series b, c and d vincenthrd twins and. Their 1948 black shadow was at the time the worlds fastest production motorcycle.
So here is a sneak peek of 28 of the 400 pages and just 55 images of the 875 photos that this book contains. Craig rodsmith was somewhat an unknown until he exploded on the motorcycle scene in 2015. The business was established by philip vincent who bought an existing manufacturing name hrd, initially renaming it as vincent hrd, producing his own motorcycles as hrd did previously with engines purchased as complete assemblies from other companies. More big vtwins followed and, in 1948, the growing popularity of british bikes across the pond led indian motorcycles to approach vincent. Jul 02, 2019 the vincent motorcycling video chasing shadows is a quiet, respectful documentary that has wonderful historic footage and informative commentary. The first series a twin was introduced in october 1936. However, the engine and motorcycle performed well and they began to sell this new all vincent model. Vincent motorcycles by guyony, phillipe and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Very few motorcycles have carved a mark in history like the vincent vtwin. From hrd to black lightning and rtv1200, ian boyd has. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. The first vincents wore a badge that read vincenthrd, with the hrd prominent and the vincent understated.
Vincent hrd for sale in uk 52 secondhand vincent hrds. Plus details of a surprising number of other enterprises they were involved with. Vincent motorcycles the untold story since 1946 with the introduction of the rapide, philip vincent delivered much more than an outstanding. Books about vincent motorcycles books that are not on hand can be put on a to be. The story of this british motorcycle that actually managed to sow fear into the heart of hunter s. That legendary bike, however, was really just a reworked version of the rapide, which was an impressive performer in its own right. May 30, 2017 for the uninitiated, the vincent motorcycle story is a british story but its one with a strong australian connection. Vincent motorcycles manufactured their machines in the old town from.
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