General Information

Serial #

R2871

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

STEEL FRAME/ METAL PARTS/ CRANKCASES CAST IN AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATION ALLOY DTD424/ ALUMINUM PARTS/ CHROMED HANDLE BARS & EXHAUST PIPE/ LEATHER SEAT/ GLASS HEADLIGHT LENS/ RUBBER TIRES, HAND GRIPS

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

218.0 cm

Width

65.0 cm

Height

102.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Motorcycle vehicles

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

VINCENT

Country

United Kingdom

State/Province

Unknown

City

Stevenage

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Vincent Motorcycles, "the makers of the world's fastest motorcycles", began with the purchase of HRD Motors Ltd less the factory premises, by Phil Vincent in May, 1928. HRD was founded by Howard Raymond Davies. It was not until 1924 that Davies entered into a partnership with E J Massey, trading as HRD Motors. Various models were produced, generally powered by J.A.P. engines. Unfortunately, although HRD motorcycles won races, the company ran at a loss. 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.

Function

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION

Technical

The Vincent Rapide was a motorcycle designed and built at the Vincent works in Great North Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire UK during the war and released to the press before end of hostilities. It was visibly different than Series A, as the Series B has internal oil pipes, and the gearbox was part of the engine casting. The angle between the cylinders is at 50degrees instead of 47.5degrees, which allowed the use of the engine as a stressed member of the frame. This design was considered sensational at the time. Brakes on the Series B are dual single-leading shoe, front and rear. The 55.5inch wheelbase is three inches shorter than the Series A. A more modern hydraulic shock absorber and spring assembly later replaced the old twin springs and friction damper. The rear seat is supported by a sub-frame down to the rear frame pivot point, which provides a semi-sprung seat with 6 inches of suspension. The Series B has a Feridax Dunlopillo Dualseat. It also incorporated an inline felt oil filter instead of the metal gauze of the Series A. Vincent used quickly detachable wheels, making wheel and tire changes easier. The rear wheel is reversible, and different size rear sprokets could be fitted for quick final-drive ratio changes. The brake and gear shift were adjustable for reach to suit individual feet. the rear mud guard was hinged to facilitate the removal of the rear wheel.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

STAMPED INTO LEFT SIDE OF HEADSTOCK IS: `R2871'/ STAMPED INTO LEFT SIDE OF CRANKCASE IS: `F10AB/ 1/ 8285' & IN CAST RAISED LETTERS ABOVE THIS IS: `MADE IN ENGLAND/ VINCENT'/ BLACK & WHITE ON GOLD SCROLL LIKE DECAL ON BOTH SIDES OF FUEL TANK READS: `THE/ VINCENT'/ DECAL ON FUEL TANK TOP HAS MERCURY [LOGO] & BELOW IT: `"HRD" CO. LTD/ STEVENAGE/ HERTS'/ `VINCENT' IN CAST REAISED LETTERS APPEARS ON SEVERAL ACCESS CAPS & ON CRANKCASE RIGHT SIDE/ GEAR CHANGE ACCESS CAP ON RIGHT HAS IN RAISED LETTERS: `THE VINCENT/ H.R.D'

Missing

N/A

Finish

FRAME, FUEL TANK ARE PAINTED BLACK/ CHROMED HANDLE BARS & EXHAUST PIPE/ ENGINE CASE, FRONT & REAR FENDER OF UNFINISHED METAL/ BLACK SEAT, TIRES,HAND GRIPS

Decoration

GOLD LEAF LINE ON FUEL TANK CURVES FROM STEERING HEAD LUG TO DUAL SEAT/ CHROMED WHEEL RIMS HAVE A BLACK CENTER WITH RED TRIM