vincent bike?

Question

i got an old bike left to me it's big black and british my grandfarther had it from new, thing is hi name was not vincent but it has that name on the tank and other parts,it also has been painted in what looks like greese everywhere do you think it is worth anything

it has a white speedo two cylinder's and hrd on the side ,whats the best way to get it started

Answer 1

Hi!
A quick history lesson.
Phil Vincent Bought HRD motorcycles from Howard R Davis in the 30's as he needed a known name to sell his desighn of motorcycles After WW2 the company was known as Vincent HRD, The HRD was dropped in 1949 as the poor old Yanks couldn't differentiate it from Harley Davidson, (in fact the poor dears still get confused) , and the company became known as Vincent engineering. If you have a genuine unrestored Vincent HRD then it is worth quite a lot of money. A rapide, idenitfied by a polished alluminium engine and good for about 110 MPH is worth upwards of 8,000 to over 20,000 depending on condition, a Black Shadow good for about 125 MPH is worth more (only the Black Lightning is good for about 150 MPH and most of those are accounted for). If you need any more information please contact Conway motors in Kent on [e-mail] or the Vincent HRD Owners Club.
If it is a Vincent HRD then it will have either Vinent or HRD at the bottom of the front cylinder on the L/H crankcase and a number starting F10A/B or similar, It may have Vincent in small raised letters on the Timing cover or HRD in larger raised letters, that is on the L/H side of the engine This is not always the case as some bikes produced in 1949 had a plain polished timing cover. I know as i have one., On the tank it should have a scroll with The Vincent on the left or right of the tank or HRD in large letters with Vincent in small letters in the same place,
However if you go to the Vincent owners club home page they have some pictures of the various models you could use for reference

Hope this helps

Vincent owner and rider for many years

Answer 2

No, Vincents are worthless, in fact if you pay me £20 I'll come and take it away for you!!

Joking aside, it could be worth a small fortune. Firstly is it a V twin? (2 cylinders in a 'V' shape) If it only has one cylinder, then it's probably a Vincent Comet, still worth money, but not as much as the 'V's.
The Black Shadow, (which was a V twin) is probably the most desirable, and a nice restored example can be worth tens of thousands of pounds!!
Do some research yourself before you get any dealers or experts involved, because they are so desirable, people will do anything to get their hands on one. You'll find the owners club on the net somewhere, and if you give them the engine and frame numbers, they'll be able to tell you exactly what you've got and what it's worth. You're probably in for a pleasant surprise!

Answer 3

do not try to start this bike, you could damage it. If the bike has been stored greased, the owner has probably put oil into the cylinders to protect them. An expert needs to clean the bike and check it before restarting.

if you are not joking, this HRD Vincent could be worth between 5000 and 12000 pounds sterling, depending upon how much restoration is needed. But I do really suspect that this is a wind-up!!

Answer 4

Do not take the p**S If you have a Vincent 1000 even in a state of disrepair it is worth thousands ..but what i will say is ...You don't joke about this type of bike because they are some peoples dream bikes and to say you have been given one ,you don't know what it is and then for you to acted all inocent ....poor..poor taste.If you are telling the truth then please accept my apologies .
Yes i know the spelling is off in places I am a bit wound up.

Answer 5

Do not try and start it if you do not know what you are doing.

Your Vincent could be worth well over £20,000 but depending on the model even more £30k plus!

Have a look at www.voc.uk.com or http://www.vincent-hrd.co.uk/

You have a very rare and valuable machine - make sure you get the best of it!

That is unless you are having a laugh?

Answer 6

None of the above. It's a cherry pre-war BMW, as used by Nazi motorcylce troops. He has the sidecar and has restored the authentic unit markings, but rarely uses it, preferring to race the bike unfettered. He cruises wearing full SS Regalia and Coal Scuttle Helmet. Darth does not do the Toys for Tots Parade.

Answer 7

mate ur sitting on a small fortune there. vincents are worth thousands literally. don`t try starting it. it will need a full service plus best have a professional look over it first. the grease all over it will be a protective layer. underneath the grease it will probably be immaculate. my brother had a vincent in the 70`s. i bet he`s gutted now! if it`s immaculate ur probably looking at about £20,000 worth. good luck

Answer 8

could be several models,Black Shadow,Rapide, Comet,etc , I can't remember the other models at the moment HRD is the name of the designer if you see those initials anywhere.Does ti have a very large speedometer? if it does it's a Black Shadow and it would do 130 mph in third ,it has 4 gears. . Check with Jay Leno. He would more than likely buy it

Answer 9

http://lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com/
ask this guy. He's 'the man' when it comes to classic and antique Brit bikes. He has several Vincents.

Answer 10

if its a true Vincent get off of here and get on Ebay, very rare, probably one of the rarest bikes out there