• Part of two private motorcycle collections since 2012

 • Extremely low mileage suggests little use since restoration

 • Original buff logbook traces ownership back to 1959

 • Requires straightforward recommissioning

We all know that no Vincent could ever be called pedestrian but, even so, it seems to be the big twins—the Rapide and Black Shadow—which get most of the glory. Let us take a couple of minutes to champion the cause of the Comet, and remind anyone who had forgotten that it’s just as impressive and important as its bigger siblings.

Phil Vincent had been building motorcycles for seven years when he decided he produce a world-beating 500cc single in 1935. This new bike he named the Comet, and it was on that that Vincent’s reputation as one of the all-time greatest motorcycle builders as established. The 1000cc V-twin which powered the Rapide and Black Shadow was a straightforward development of the single, being—in oversimplified terms—effectively an extra cylinder built onto the existing Comet engine.

It’s fair to say that without the Comet, the twins wouldn’t have come into being, but nor could they have survived. Being more affordable than the twins, the Comet naturally sold in larger numbers and bolstered Vincent’s income while sales of the twins remained extremely low-volume. In short, the Comet is the bike we have to thank for the success and survival of the Vincent marque and, of course, it was an enormously fast and good-looking machine in its own right.

Having seemingly been restored not long before it joined a private collection in 2012, there cannot be many better Comets around. This one is in superb condition in every respect and is all ready to use or display. Having last been run in 2017, it should require only the most basic recommissioning, and then you’ll really be able to enjoy riding it.

 • Dated by the Vincent Owners’ Club to 5th June 1950 and originally despatched to Jack Surtees, the Vincent agent for south London and father of John Surtees, at his shop at 2-4 Sunderland Road, Forest Hill

 • Earliest entry in the logbook names Comerfords, the famous Thames Ditton motorcycle dealership, as the owners in July 1959

 • In August 1959, it sold to Mr. Ronald Lee of Bordon, Hampshire

 • It had five further owners between 1962 and 1978, all in Hampshire, as it migrated gradually from Bordon via Southampton to Portsmouth, and in 1978 passed to a new owner in Poole

 • In 2012, the Comet was bought by an Isle of Wight collector, and purchased from him by another Isle of Wight collector with over 50 motorcycles in 2017

 • The collector is now dispersing his collection to fund building work, but has saved his three Vincents until last

 • Paperwork includes the current V5, a Vincent-HRD Owners’ Club dating certificate, facsimiles of the original factory test sheets, a replacement buff logbook from 1959 and one invoice from the VOC Spares Co.

 • Beautifully restored with little subsequent use

 • Correct to original factory specification

 • Wheels, brightwork and seat in excellent condition

While we know little of the Comet’s past between 1978 and 2012, it has evidently been the recipient of a thorough restoration in quite recent years, since when it has spent most of its time in storage. Consequently, it is presented in truly superb condition, with very little to fault.

The paintwork and brightwork are both outstanding and, while not concours, in this condition it has the potential to win awards at shows. If we are to be extremely critical, we might comment that the paint finish on the fuel tank has some very, very slight imperfections—so slight that the light has to land at just the right angle for them to be visible—while the bare-metal parts have some extremely light patina in places, but the brightwork is let down only by a very small dent in the speedometer housing.

The seat has most likely been recovered, although it suffers from some very minor damage at the rear right-hand corner. The majority of this is just where some stitching has come undone, and it may easily be restitched, but there is also a very small tear in the material. Again, though, this is so small that it is not easily noticed.

All these criticisms are more or less trivial, and if you really want a concours bike it will be very easy to get it up to that standard. We’d be more inclined to ride it as it is, though, because nobody else but the most eagle-eyed scrutineer is likely to notice any faults and, as we have said, it is still more than good enough to impress judges at many rallies.

 • Believed to be all correct to the original specification

 • Last run in 2017

 • Requires recommissioning

From the photographs, it should be apparent that the Comet has been kept in good condition, so the same is most likely true of its engine. With only 927 miles covered since—we believe—it was restored or the engine was rebuilt, it is unlikely to have much wear at all. There is evidence that the previous owner renewed the clutch and brake cables and levers in 2012, but aside from that there are no invoices for work or parts.

When the vendor acquired the Comet in 2017, it was in running order and he did ride it himself briefly before placing it into storage in his collection. At present, the engine turns easily and, while we have not been able to see it start, the vendor believes it should only need some fresh fuel to get it firing up again.

If anything else is required, we very much doubt it is likely to need more than a general service, and we see no reason why this shouldn’t be back on the road very quickly. After six years out of use, we do, of course, advise that bidders satisfy themselves as to the bike’s roadworthiness before venturing onto the road, but we don’t envisage this bike giving any trouble.

If you’ve not had a Vincent before, there could scarcely be a better way into Vincent ownership than with a Comet. Although smaller than the twins, it is more affordable but still has the same dashing looks and enviable prestige. Plus, of course, its fuel bills are cheaper…

Now seeking light recommissioning after 10 years spent in two collections, this beautifully restored example looks eager to get back on the road again. It shouldn’t take more than a few afternoons of tinkering before it’s all ready to enjoy, and then you’ll get to know why Vincents really are the very best bikes, if you don’t already.