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“Loaned” by Ralph Krogh Although it’s half a century since this Vincent was built, it’s still a machine capable of prolonged cruising at highway or motorway speeds. Legend has it that ace motorcycle designer Phil Irving conceived the 1000cc Vincent twin by superimposing two drawings of a 500cc Vincent Comet single engine at 50 degrees in the mid thirties. The resulting “snarling beast” that resulted was known as The World’s Fastest Standard Motorcycle, a title acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records to the early ’70s. Vincents are normally finished in Black. Frank’s bike is one of the rare export models finished in Chinese red, which makes it very striking. The Red Vincents were shipped to California, and Canada. Vincents were never particularly common on the road when they were new, and growing up in Ontario Canada where I did, the first three Vincents I saw were red ones, and the fourth “Egyptian Blue”, an even rarer color. Apparently only a couple of the blue ones were produced. Note that there is not a normal frame on the Vincent. The unit engine and gearbox are a stressed member, with the two cylinders suspended from a spine, which doubles as the oil tank. The rear section pivots at the back of the gearbox, controlled by a double spring box and hydraulic shock under the seat. Weight of the machine approx. 450 pounds. Starting a Vincent twin can be a bit tricky, but one you have the knack its no big deal. They all seem to be a little different, though. After turning on the fuel taps, and “tickling” the two carburetors, and/or closing the choke slides, a long swing on the kick-starter using the decompressor should have it running. The clutch lever is light, shifting is positive, but not to be hurried, and the brakes are excellent for the era if well set up. The engine is smooth as silk, and pulls like a freight train. After riding one, its easy to see how with a bit of tuning on a Rapide like this, Rollie Free did 150 mph at Bonneville.
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