Accompanied by 500 color and blackandwhite photographs, its a wild. We also sell original racing trophies, motorcycle magazines and. Motorcycles are descended from the safety bicycle, a bicycle with front and rear. Online shopping for history motorcycles from a great selection at books store. No other british motorcycle matches the style, performance or engineering ingenuity of the vincent. Nothing was faster, and the combination of irvings massive power plant, and vincents innovations in suspension were gamechanging for the company they would leave a legacy that can still be seen in todays motorcycles. The 1951 vincent hrd series b rapide motorcycle was in its day among the worlds fastest. The vincent motorcycle is one of the most sought after standardproduction bikes in todays market, inching closer and closer to the six figure mark at recent auctions like this rapide at bohnams. Australian engineer phil irving had designed the engine as a singlecylinder, highcamshaft, ohv, aircooled unit with an alloy head, and an alloy barrel fitted with a cast cylinder liner.
The triangulated swingarm compressed twin shocks mounted below the saddle. View our full range of vincent hrd motorcycles online at. Legend has it that it was while a prisoner of war that he conceived the idea of building his own motorcycle. Story by harper, roy and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. What we have here is a very special and rare motorbike indeed. List your vincent parts forsale or wanted right here for free. A brief history of the vincent black shadow the worlds. Bikers also love reading and learning about motorcycles. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Bickerstaff, james mann photographer, covers the models from 1946 to 1955 with large format photos and excellent reference material. Bsk speedworks new, custom built vincent engines to road or race spec bespoke custom built motorcycles and performance parts. Vincent motorcycles began with the purchase of hrd motors ltd, by phil vincent in 1928.
The vincent h r d story abebooks shop for books, art. At motorcycle classics, we have been tracking down the most interesting and rare classic motorcycles and collections for more than 15 years. From its creation in 1928 to its demise thirty years later, vincent produced motorcycles that were among the very best. Showcasing a prewwii motorcycle construction, the vintage motorcycle features. 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. Others also aimed at a similar market, like george brough of brough superior motorcycles. 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. The harris vincent gallery, located in round rock, texas, custom builds and restores original vincent hrd motorcycles. Hrd, was founded by the british raf pilot, howard raymond davies, who was shot down and captured by the germans in 1917. Unusual motorcycles pays tribute to these weird and wonderful bikes neglected by history. The story of this british motorcycle that actually managed to sow fear into the heart of hunter s.
Each of the 12 chapters of this remarkable 510 page book is devoted to a. The vincent hrd story in south australia by paul wilkins. The vincent hrd seriesa rapide once rescued from scrap. Vincent motorcycles by guyony, phillipe and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
With the introduction of the rapide, philip vincent delivered much more than an outstanding motorcycle. Very few motorcycles have carved a mark in history like the vincent vtwin, from its arrival in 1946 and up to the present day. From 1934, two new engines were developed in 500 cc and 1,000 cc capacities. 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. Vincent motorcycles crowood motoclassics wright, david on. This loverly old completely original machine with album holds very strong sentimental value to us and we just couldnt put it on here without having a reserve attached. This detailed history examines the company from its roots at the beginning of the twentieth century and. Author armand ensanian devoted five years to researching and photographing the history and. 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. Vincent motorcycle workshop manuals and parts books. Like the vincent motorcycle itself, philippe guyonys book vincent motorcycles. Vincenthrd seriesa rapide smashes auction record mcn.
Hrd motors ltd was a british motorcycle manufacturer in the 1920s. Hardcover, published 1997, 128 pages, over 200 colour photos. He had worked in motorcycling, and had raced with some success in the midtwenties, but often not finishing due to unreliability. However, when the jap racing engines fitted to all three vincenthrd entries in the 1934 isle of man tt expired, vincent decided it was time to make his own engine. Vincent motorcycles the untold story since 1946 please visit the dedicated microsite vincentmotorcycles. Vincenthrd vincent motorcycles, the makers of the worlds fastest motorcycles, began with the purchase of hrd, less the factory premises, by phil vincent in 1928. During his pow internment he dreamed up the idea of building his own motorcycle. Vincent motorcycles a very british story british motorcyclists.
The unique rear taillight featured a stop insignia. The book starts out telling you what motorcycles are and showing you how you might. The vincenthrd comet is an impressive motorcycle, even over 80 years since it was first released to the public. The 1951 vincent hrd series b rapide motorcycle, like all vincent hrds, was known for quality construction and a high price. Original vincent motorcycle the restorers guide to postwar singles and twins by j. The big vtwins breathed life into a bike that secured vincents place in the history books. Discovering the motorcycle is an extraordinary history of motorcycling from 1867 to the present. Our team of experts narrowed down the best motorcycle books on. Vincent is one of the most highly respected names in the world of motorcycling, hunter s. Vincent motorcycles, the makers of the worlds fastest motorcycles, began with the purchase of hrd motors ltd less the factory premises, by philip vincent in may 1928. The history of the motorcycle begins in the second half of the 19th century. So why then does the vincent name resonate so loudly in the motorcycle history books. This vincenthrd seriesa rapide is the most expensive bike ever sold at auction in the uk.
Harris vincent gallery vincent motorcycle, vincent hrd. Vincent motorcycles a sneak peek to the book the egli. David wright is the author of several motorcycle history books, including vincent published by crowood. I just received my first print by mail and i wanted to share my excitement with you.
A unique feature of this motorcycle is that the components were bolted to each other instead of the frame. The life and death of vincent motorcycles silodrome. After the first world war many motorcycle makers assembled th. Rare indianvincent factory prototype motorcycle to vegas. This inspired him to build a reliable performance motorcycle, using the advertising slogan built by a rider. So here is a sneak peek of 28 of the 400 pages and just 55 images of the 875 photos that this book contains. Vincent motorcycles, the makers of the worlds fastest motorcycles, began with the purchase of hrd motors ltd less the factory premises, by phil vincent in may, 1928. Hide all used hide unspecified hide acceptable hide good hide very good hide like new hide rentals hide digital hide variants hide backorders store languages. Motorcycle books recommended for motorcycle riders page 1. Vincent motorcycles was a british manufacturer of motorcycles from 1928 to 1955. See more ideas about vincent motorcycle, vintage motorcycles and motorcycle. 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.
Vincent hrd motorcycles for sale in australia bikesales. Booktopia buy motorcycles in general books online from australias leading online bookstore. When rollies leathers tore from early runs at 147 mph, he discarded them and made a final, heroic. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This book concentrates on the post1945 cc b, c and d rapides, the black shadow, black knight and black prince, and the 500cc meteor and comet singles. There are only around 65 seriesa vincent vtwins in existence, making the lot exceptionally rare. Story written by harper, roy published by vincent publishing company stock code. The penultimate prewar 1939 vincent hrd seriesa rapide motorcycle rescued from scrap. 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. Vincent black shadow the first superbike, and maybe the best.
Index new parts lists british spares autojumble motorcycle books orders and enquiries. Hrd was founded by the british royal flying corps rfc pilot, howard raymond davies, who was shot down and. Vincent motorcycles the untold story since 1946 the. Books that are not on hand can be put on a to be advised list and the customer will be contacted if the book or books again become available from us. Discover the best motorcycle history in best sellers. Hrd was founded by british royal flying corps pilot, howard raymond davies. We source original parts and manufacture new parts to exact specifications to maintain authenticity. He inspired generations of enthusiasts, racers, tuners and builders of specials, so the lineage of his. His deep interest in the tt goes back to his youth and this book is the culmination of years of research. A rare 1939 vincent hrd seriesa rapide motorcycle is set to be auctioned off at the upcoming bonhams stafford sale.