1948 Vincent

A lad I work with, has this, a Vincent 1948 Series C Rapide,  under his house. Along with a Honda 4, a Honda CBX, and a, I think, 1978 Gold Wing.

The Vincent is a work of art. When you get up close, and look at the way it was engineered and hand made.

He`s got a bung knee, and can`t kick start the thing anymore, which is a shame, as I wanted to hear it run.

He bought it 4yrs ago, totally restored, and didn`t get much change out of $50 000.

Its a beautiful bike!!!!

Its a beautiful bike!!!!

You're right there.

It's a pity he couldn't start it for you.

A friend down here has an Ariel Square Four and he started it for us and it was a magic sound. Funnily enough I thought it sounded a lot like the v four Hondas.

What a magnificent machine / collection . He was lucky to score that one .....................I wonder what they are like to ride  ?

Thats why I am keeping my Bandit. I am waiting for it's value to flatten and then start increasing to something similair like the Vincent.
I like the looks of these old bikes but I reckon, even considering the engineeering and the age of the bikes, I would be dissapointed if I ever rode one . . . or maybe not.

paul wrote:...................I wonder what they are like to ride  ?

most of those old bikes are a nightmare to ride, even with all of the discomforts I still wouldn't be able to wipe the smile from my face though

There is a Vincent Black Knight in the motorcycle museum at Nabiac, North of Newcastle.  
Even my dad, who's not into bikes, knew of the Black Knight as the worlds fastest bike of it's time. 
They were clad in aerodynamic body work and could do the imperial ton.
They were used by the Plod in England.  
Years ahead of their time.

A little about the model ............
 
http://www.mcnews.com.au/1948-vincent-hrd-rapide-1000-factory-race-special/

http://www.mcnews.com.au/?s=vincent