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 Vincent HRD - 500 Comet
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
3316

Capacity : 500
Model : Comet
Production : 1934 -
Category : (R) Street Bike

VINCENT-HRD

500 Comet ·1936

Heavenly body

The Vincent-HRD marque dates from 1928. Young Philip Vincent took over the renowned (but broke) HRD marque and began building hand-made bikes powered by ]AP, Rudge and Blackbume engines, notable for their double front brake drums.

Advanced Frame Designs

Phil Vincent's 1927 prototype had a pin-jointed triangulated frame, and was followed by a spine-framed 250. He soon realized that such advanced concepts were liable to frighten away the customers, so most of his prewar production models used conventional diamond frames.

The Great Decision

When a batch of allegedly special JAP engines let Vincent down in the 1934 Senior TT, he decided to make his own power units, designed by the brilliant Australian engineer Phil Irving. These 500cc engines had a high· set camshaft operating the valves through short pushrods set in splayed aluminum tunnels; double guides kept the valves in perfect alignment. This arrangement combined the simplicity of overhead valves with the high-speed capability of an overhead-camshaft. The Vincent-HRD single was made in three versions: Meteor (60 mph) and Comet (92 mph) road bikes, and the TT Replica racing version. These machines had a more conventional frame than Vincent's prototypes (and the postwar models with their ingenious spine frames), and they were renowned for their outstanding handling and superb braking. Eventually, Irving developed the immortal Vincent V-twin out of the 500.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 498cc (84x90mm) air-cooled single cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 4.98 (rated) hp

Valves: overhead, operated by high-set camshaft; hairpin valve springs

Fuel System: Amal carburetor

Transmission: Burman 4-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: twin drums (front); drum (rear)

Wheels: 26x3 inch (front); 26x3.25 inch (rear)

Weight: 36o lb

Maximum Speed: 92 mph

 

The Vincent-HRD Comet of 1936 was one of the finest sporting singles of its day. The little factory also offered a more highly tuned "Comet Special."






Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.