Vincent The Complete Story

Author: David Wright, ISBN: 9781861265166, 174 pages, Hardback, 2013 Reprint of Original Published in 2002

Altought no longer in production, motorcycles carrying the name of Vincent continue to seize the attention of each new generation of motorcyclists. The reason is not hard to find, for models like the Black Shadow, Rapide and Black Lightning were the very best of their day and their outstanding deeds on both road and track earned them legendary status in motorcycle history.

The standard Vincent motorcycle was designed to supply high performance over long distances without requiring major mechanical attention, whilst providing good handling and cornering, superb braking and reasonable comfort. With many unique features designed-in to aid accessibility for maintenance and to contribute to the rider's enjoyment of his machine, the models available fulfilled the task of tourer and sports motorcycle in admirable fashion.

However, all these qualities were offered by a motorcycle fitted with a relatively unstressed woocc engine that, despite belonging to 'The World's Fastest Standard Motorcycle', was easily tuned to deliver considerably more power. This feature made them particularly attractive to road riders who fancied something even faster than the standard product, and it also made them much sought-after in competition. The result was that not only did Vincent-powered machines fully justify their reputation as the fastest road-going motorcycles, but they added greatly to that reputation with many world speed records, plus countless victories in racing, sprinting, speedway and other forms of competition on two, three and even four wheels.

David Wright's book looks in detail at the motorcycles, the personalities, the competition history and at some of the lesser-known activities of the Vincent HRD Company Ltd, from its creation in 1928 through to the end of Vincent motorcycle
production in 1955. To bring matters right up-to-date, it also tells the equally interesting post-production history of the marque, from 1955 to the present day.