This 1952 Vincent Series C Touring Rapide is believed to be one of 32 bikes painted Chinese Red with black frames, an important distinction given most Touring Rapides wearing red paint were painted red on every surface. The listing notes that the handful of bikes to leave with black frames intact are known to Vincent collectors as the “Red/Black” Rapides, and such a small difference is a big deal for enthusiasts of this British V-twin motorcycle. This example listed here on Classic Avenue is wonderfully authentic, with the sort of patina you hope is preserved as its restored mechanically. The asking price is $89,000.
The design is wonderfully simple, bridging two era of motorcycle design that yields a bike that has some heft to it, but hasn’t become overloaded with saddle bags and fairings. The Rapide lineup was built in four phases, and early models were all painted the same color: black with gold pinstriping. Like so many other industries, Vincent realized that American consumers were accustomed to the concept of choice, and competition from Indian motorcycles led to the decision to finally offer a color alternative: Chinese Red. Therefore, the Series C Touring Rapide was given the iconic paint job, but as this one shows us, it was possible to customize the bike even further.
Prior to this era of the bike, the Rapide used the HRD monogram, referring to its engine model. For the Series C, this was dropped and the bike was simply referred to as “The Vincent.” It’s a bold move, referring to a bike model as a noun, and it’s hilarious to think of of Toyota or some other manufacturer adopting a similar approach: “The Camry”, or “The F150” has a totally different ring to it with that modifier in place. Regardless, the details are correct all the way through on this rare red/black Rapide, and although the seller offers no insights into its history, a previous owner somewhere clearly worked hard to preserve it.
The seller does note that the bike is known to Vincent owners clubs, and that it is exceedingly correct in all the right ways, from its paint job to its numbers-matching engine. The Rapide is a one-owner example with all of its paperwork in order, and looking at the photos, it’s safe to say this one has survived in incredibly authentic condition. No word on whether the mechanical bits have been tested or otherwise inspected, but given its highly original appearance with no major cosmetic flaws evident in pictures, it seems safe to say it was loved by its one owner for many years before being parked.
Without going any further, got geomechs written all over it,,,wait, $89g’s ( sound of tires screeching), maybe not. It sure is unusual. That shock absorbing seat must be like a rowboat, and levers and do-dads, IDK, it’s a neat machine, probably for it’s uniqueness, but $90 grand? To actually ride? Maybe, and it’s an old story, but I’m sure many others could find better ways to spend $90 grand. Then you have to restore it yet. An exhilarating bike for 1952, just not sure how much fun today.
With all due respect some would argue that the high value has to do with the fact that it hasn’t been restored and is indicated to be in original condition. You would really have to do your homework and have someone go over this with a fine tooth comb and determine what is original and what is not. As they say, they are only original once and if that is the case here commanding that price is not out of the question.
I suppose, but I buy a bike to ride, especially a Vincent, which I’ve always heard, was the cream of the crop. My question, is who today will even know, or be able to even start this thing, much less ride it? What is that 2nd lever on the left handlebar, a compression release? Not many even know what that is, and right foot shift will confuse even the most seasoned rider. I’ve been around bikes my whole life, and would love to take this for a spin, just for nostalgia, but probably not more than 50 miles, although, it could surprise me and be smooth as silk. I’m just saying, , for most, $90g’s buys a lot of life, ( like that new clutch knee you been a hankerin’ for) and to spend $100g’s on something like this is pure silliness.
NO. No. You do NOT restore it. A big part of the value is its original paint and original parts. You might renew some few parts to get it to run. Most would not drive it very much. (Jay Leno would!)
A sweet bike. A little tricky to start, but they were incredibly strong.
I remember reading about a guy that led European bike tours riding one. Had over 300k miles on it. Maybe 2nd or 3rd bottom end. This when a Triumph twin was 2nd best Brit bike and would only go a fraction of the miles between overhauls.
In my life time I have missed 3 Vincent twins for sale locally. Coulda, shoulda.
The shock absorbers under the seat are for the rear suspension. The Vincent, instead of a swing arm had the entire rear of the frame ” hinged ” – much like some of the early monoshock designs that appeared in the mid- late 70’s on various race bikes. At the time The Vincent was designed, many bikes had NO rear suspension, some, like Triumph had ” plunger ” rear suspension, where there was a spring working on each end of the rear axle . ( Imagine a common bicycle frame, with springs above the chain adjusters that would allow the axle to move up and down a couple of inches – might be a tad less hard on the tailbone, but it would also allow the rear wheel to move out of the vertical plane….not ideal for handling.
Many Brit bikes had plungers, but Triumph had something worse: Kind of a mini plunger inside the rear hub. Called a “Sprung Hub”. Handling was horrible. 1954 first year for Triumph swing arms.
Vincent’s rear suspension actually worked pretty good. the last series “D” from 1954-55 had a structure to hold the back of the seat, making it and the rider fully sprung.
Alas, even with the D series and the Black Prince and the Black Lightning, Vincent ended, December, 1955.
Hoard A are you and Will Fox the same?
Meh. If only it was $88,000, my loss I guess.
Folksinger Richard Thompson is no doubt holding out for the Black Shadow model of the 1952 Vincent. By the way, how can the frame be black when Vincents don’t have frames?
Love the Del McCoury Band cover of the song. That’s about as close as I’ll come to a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning !
Hi another Ken. What are the engine, front and rear suspension, gas and oil tanks affixed to if not a frame? As for the initials HRD, as mentioned in the write-up, they have nothing to do with the engine. They are the initials of the original manufacturer, Howard Raymond Davies who subsequently sold the company to Philip Vincent in May 1928.
@Howard. If you have never ridden a Vincent, you don’t know what you are missing. When operating a classic car/bike company in South Africa back in 2002, I took one in for sale on consignment and was told by the owner that nobody else was to ride it, including any proposed buyers, as I was the only person that my company insurance covered. Subsequently a buyer appeared and I stuck him on the pillion seat and off we went. At the time I owned a 1951 Ariel Square Four and figured that I owned the best of the best bikes available to a true collector. Well, after riding the Vincent (which was a Series D) my mind was changed forever. As for the passenger, he bought the bike on our return and sent it over here to the UK where I’m sure it is still enjoyed to the maximum.
I knew I liked this bike and then I saw the price, and ,I was sure I had good taste. just not allot of money. I hate to o this ,but Howard are you kidding me? “And then you have to restore it! Why? To make it deprectate! Howard, I don’t think you and I could agree on the time of day, at high noon.
Wow! That scooter is so far out of my budget that it’s beyond my wildest dreams. I’d have to align this with the possibilities of writing a blockbuster book. The bike itself would still look great at my place. I’ve always had a great fondness for a Vincent or a Brough Superior but there are a lot of worthy bikes out there that are closer to most of our budgets. At my age just being healthy enough to ride on two wheels is worth it on most bikes. If by some outside chance I can score something like this one, I’d be the first in line. It’s a great bike. But here’s a decent HRD I shot a pic of back six (already?) years ago at the Deerlodge Penn…
Excellent write up. Beautiful bike. And like Forest Gump says:that’s all I got to say about that!
They are easy to start if you know the drill. That’s why they have a compression release. I met the original owner of this bike. He rode it all over Europe in the 50’s.
Vincent was able to “push” his cantilevered design because it “looked” like a rigid frame. People thought a sprung rear end was “unsafe”!
In the case of the Triumph, it was !! I rode a ’47 Triumph once in the mid 70’s and it scared the crap out of me because it felt almost as unstable as a Vespa.
I had been riding for about 10 years when I rode the Triumph- everything from my ’62 Tiger Cub to rigid frame Harleys , Honda CB750K1, Norton Atlas, and lots of other bikes, both 2 and 4 stroke, so it wasn’t like I was a novice