Description
1936 Vincent HRD Series A Comet 500cc
This is a rare opportunity to acquire this 1936 Vincent HRD Series A Comet which is an excellent example of an unmolested original all matching numbers bike.
See photos, also a VIDEO of the bike starting and running this week can be sent via Whatsapp (not permitted to be included in advert as I am not a trader and too large to email)
Originality
All body parts are original as it left the factory this includes frame sections, Speedwell mudguards, headlight, speedo (2009 was 20880 miles, now 26181 miles) , horn, oil tank and BD50 oil pump, engine, gearbox (XBAPH), TT handlebars and all handlebar levers (grips are rumoured to be WW2 gas mask piping), toolbox and battery cover and the petrol tank with the original transfers on the stainless steel sides (the tank has a small dent on right side which I have left as it is the character and history of the bike). It is fitted with a very comfortable Vincent dual seat (plywood base) but still has the original seat frame to enable a single seat fitted if preferred.
The copy of the original works order form states it was built by Ted Hampshire and road tested by George Brown ...”and the weather was fine..”.
The bike was authenticated by the legendary Bob Stafford and he mentioned the bike several times in the MPH (Vincent Owners Club Magazine) it also appeared on the front cover of MPH 766 November 2012. Bob was instrumental in helping me get the bike back on the road and it was an honour and pleasure to ride the bike to meet him at a Series A and sidecar rally at Caddington.
Mechanical and electrical restoration
I purchased the bike in 2009, prior to that it was hybernating in a garage for 53 years since 1956 (last tax disc) and did not turn a wheel until it was rolled out of the garage, on draining the engine oil (new from 1950s) had preserved the internals.
After a sympathetic mechanical and electrical restoration it was then ready for the road in 2010 for its first ever MOT! (MOTs 2010-2017 and tax discs from 1953-56 and from 2010 to 2015).
The restoration included having the front brake drums skimmed with new shoes and cables, with rear new shoes. Original wheel rims trued up, original Miller mag and dyno overhauled and rewired, the original cylinder head was overhauled by the legendary Tom Sawyer who also had some +20 piston rings for the Specialoid piston. The carburettor was overhauled but a few years later bought a new replica float chamber from Burlen. The clutch was overhauled, new front and rear sprockets, chain and tyres and some cables. The speedo was overhauled by Dave Woods retaining the original miles 20880 and now showing 26181 miles.
The petrol tank top needed to be colour match painted as some of it had lifted from the stainless steel tank. The gear change lever was missing so I was loaned a Burman type to replicate.
Travels in my custodianship
The bike started on 20880 miles, the 5301 miles have seen me ride it to various Vincent Owners Club (VOC) rallies., in the UK Caddington, Fordingbridge , Dorset and Hever (won best single), then in France St Marcel and Le Bec Hellouin. I have also ridden it to many other classic bike rallies, both in UK and France.
Summary
If you know about these machines you will know they do not come up very often, also how advanced they were for 1936 with dual brakes on both wheels, dual friction damping on the rear frame and oil feeds to the rockers.
I doubt you will find another example of this model for sale in such original condition that is completely roadworthy and a fantastic bike to ride, reliable and a good starter.
More information can be found in an eight-page feature was printed in Real Classic magazine in April 2023, issue 228. See full description above
