This Vincent Comet has a very characterful history, which can be traced all the way back to 1949. The bike has been treasured by its current owner since 1965, and now presents itself in excellent condition, with no known mechanical or electrical faults.

If you’re looking for a classic motorcycle, with an incredible amount of supporting documentation and history, this is the perfect buy for you. You will certainly be hard-pressed to find a motorbike of this age, with this much known history. Treasured vehicles like this come along once in a blue moon.

The bike has an incredible amount of history, tracing all the way back to 1949. As the attached material published in MPH magazine reflects, this first production grey flash engine (no. F5AB/2C/1475) left the Stevenage factory to be fitted in the pictured Formula III 500 race car. 

Further support for this can be found in the current and previous V5C documents.Included within the paperwork is a photograph believed to show the very race car in question. This can also be supported by a letter from Ron Kemp referring to a conversation with Phil Vincent himself, along with letters from other well-known members of the owners’ club.

The engine was then paired with Rapide Cycle parts and registered as Comet, to form the beauty shown here today and was subsequently purchased in 1965 by its current owner.

The vehicle has been absolutely treasured over the years and maintained to a very high standard. 
The current owner has also made it his mission to compile a complete history of the bike, through correspondence from the Vincent owners club and historical figures.
 
As such, the vehicle comes with an incredible amount of paperwork which includes the engine specification sheet, a road test report, and invoices for parts and labour, along with the pictured hand-written letters confirming the vehicle’s past. Also included are issues 196 through to 881 of MPH, the Vincent Owners club journal, a staggering reminder of just how much the vehicle has meant to the current owner.
 
Also included within the paperwork is the 1960 rider’s handbook, Vincent Harper spare parts list, certificate of authenticity, further supporting documentation, previous MOTs and tax discs, and the current V5C document. Astonishingly, the paperwork also includes the original specification documents.
 
It simply cannot be overstated just how much recorded history this vehicle includes. 

This Vincent Comet is a truly handsome motorcycle which reflects years of caring ownership. The bike looks superb for its age, retains plenty of original components, and sports a sleek gloss black finish. The enamel paintwork does of course show signs of age, in the form of minor chips & scratches, most of which are only noticeable upon incredibly close inspection. Atop the glossy black paintwork sits a new set of Vincent decals, with a few spares included for the lucky new owner.

Both wheels have been rebuilt with stainless spokes and rechromed Dunlop rims but they do show signs of age and corrosion, although they don’t detract from the overall charm all that much. 

Original trim pieces follow suit, showing the expected signs of age you would come to expect with 50+-year-old metalwork. Amidst the original components are new items, like a shiny new exhaust, Lucas Altette horn, and an LED Lucas headlamp bulb.

As the vehicle packs such a characterful history, it is rather welcoming to see the vehicle shows its patina with pride. That being said, if the new buyer seeks a perfect finish, it certainly wouldn’t take much effort or cost at all to fully restore the bike to immaculate condition.

In addition to the above-mentioned electronic improvements, the bike also showcases a new exhaust system, plenty of well-maintained components and since the engine was partially rebuilt in 2014, it has only covered around 500 miles, receiving fresh oil last year.
 
The only known fault with the bike can be found with the odometer, which may require attention to return to full working order. Otherwise, the bike fires up and performs without a single known mechanical or electrical fault, ensuring many more enjoyable miles for years to come

This Vincent Comet is a spectacular example of a historic motorbike which boasts an incredible amount of traceable history, seldom seen with a vehicle of this vintage. The bike is in fantastic condition for its age, and performs brilliantly, benefiting from a host of new parts and a brilliant maintenance record.

If you’re looking for a classic rider’s bike with a likely unrivalled amount of history and traceable past to add to your collection, this is without a doubt the perfect bike for you