History
Vincent Motorcycles, "the makers of the world's fastest motorcycles", began with the purchase of HRD Motorcycles, less the factory premises, by Phil Vincent in 1928.
HRD was founded by the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) pilot, Howard Raymond Davies, who was shot down and captured by the Germans in 1917. 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. It was not until 1924 that Davies entered into partnership with E J Massey, trading as HRD Motors. Various models were produced, generally powered by JAP (JA Prestwich Industries) engines.
Unfortunately, though HRD motorcycles won races, the company ran at a loss, and in January 1928 it went into voluntary liquidation. The company was initially bought by Ernest Humphries of OK-Supreme Motors for the factory space, and the HRD name, jigs, tools, patterns, and remaining components were subsequently offered for sale again.
Phil Vincent
Main article: Phil Vincent
Philip Vincent was advised to start production under an established name. He had built a motorcycle of his own in 1924, and in 1928 had registered a patent for a cantilever rear suspension of his own design. In 1928 Philip Vincent left Cambridge University with an engineering degree and, with the backing of his family wealth from cattle ranching in Argentina, acquired the trademark, goodwill and remaining components of HRD from Humphries for 450.
The company was promptly renamed Vincent HRD Co., Ltd and production moved to Stevenage. The new trademark had "Vincent" in very small letters above "HRD" written large. After World War 2 Britain had an export drive to repay its war debts, and the USA was the largest market for motorcycles, so in 1949 the HRD was dropped from the name to avoid any confusion with the "HD" of Harley Davidson, and the motorcycle became The Vincent.
In 1929 the first Vincent-HRD motorcycle used a JAP single-cylinder engine in a Vincent-designed cantilever frame. The earliest known example extant exists in Canberra, Australia. Some early bikes used Rudge-Python engines. But after a disastrous 1934 Isle of Man TT, with engine problems and all three entries failing to finish, Phil Vincent (with Phil Irving) decided to build their own engines.
Phil Vincent also experimented with three wheeled vehicles, amphibious vehicles, and automobiles. In 1932 the first 3-wheeler, "The Vincent Bantam" appeared, powered by a 293 cc SV JAP or 250 cc Villiers engine. It was a 2.5 cwt delivery van with a car seat and a steering wheel. The Bantam cost 57-10-0 and the windscreen and hood option cost 5-10-0. Production ceased in 1936.
Phil Irving
Main article: Phil Irving
In 1931 Phil Irving joined Vincent as chief engineer. His first engine design was an OHV 500 cc single-cylinder engine in 1934. The standard motor was known as the Meteor and the sports motor was the Vincent Comet; it was distinguished from earlier Vincent models of that name by the eries-A prefix. There was a TT replica & the Comet Special (basically a TTR with lights, horn etc), which used a bronze head. The Meteor motor produced 26 bhp (19 kW) @ 5300 rpm,
An unusual feature of the valve design for these motors was the double valve guides, and the attachment of the forked rocker arm to a shoulder between the guides, to eliminate side forces on the valve stem and ensure maximum valve life under racing conditions.
The Series-A Comet could do 90 mph (140 km/h), but Phil Vincent and his racing customers wanted more.
1936 Series A Rapide
Main article: Vincent Rapide
Legend has it that Irving accidentally put a side-view tracing of the Vincent 500 motor wrong way up on top of an equally sized drawing of the same view of the same motor, and saw, moving the tracing so the crankshafts and idler gears coincided, that the result looked like a possible design for a V-twin. This resulted in the 47.5 V twin which appeared in 1936. (The single leaned forward 23.75.)
With 6.8:1 compression, it produced 45 bhp (34 kW).
The Vincent V-twin motorcycle incorporated a number of new and innovative ideas, some of which were more successful than others.
The Vincent HRD Series A Rapide was introduced in October 1936. Its frame was of brazed lug construction, based on the Comet design but extended to accommodate the longer V twin engine. It continued the use of "cantilever" rear suspension, which was used on all Vincents produced from 1928 through 1955. Other innovations included a side stand.
Pneumatic forks were not to be a Vincent innovation, with both Phils believing girder forks were superior at the time. The Series-A had external oil lines and a separate gearbox.
The 998 cc Series A Rapide Vincent cost $600, produced 45 hp (34 kW), and was capable of 110 miles per hour (180 km/h).
The high power meant that the gearbox and clutch did not cope well.
Engine - 998 cc, 47.5 degree v-twin ohv four-stroke
Bore and Stroke - 84 x 90 mm
Compression Ratio - 6.8:1
Power - 45 bhp (34 kW) @ 5500 rpm
Produced - 1936-1939
Wheelbase - 58.5inch
Dry Weight - 430 lb (200 kg)
Carburettor - 1.0625inch Amal
Gearbox - Burman 4 speed, triplex chain primary, wet multiplate clutch
Frame - Brazed lug duplex tubular cradle. Cantilever rear springing
Front forks - Brampton girder forks
Top Speed - 110 mph (180 km/h)
World War II