Post Listing Update: This Comet did not meet reserve despite 7 bids up to $16,700.
While both V-twin models of the Rapide and the Black Shadow were the real stars at Vincent, the company lasted as long as they did because of the singles. The Meteor and the Comet, both singles with a 500cc engine, were a real revolution in the British single cylinder market, offering a premium possibility to commuting riders that could only have cheap commuting bikes until then. These single cylinder bikes are at the origin of the Black Shadow and the Rapide, knowing that these two V-Twins are actually Comets with everything doubled.
The Comet’s life started before WWII. In 1934, the first Comet was released, offering the 499cc OHV single cylinder engine. The cylinder block and head were made of aluminum alloy with a cast iron cylinder liner. The engine was a stressed mumber of the frame, enabling Vincent to remove the front downtubes and engine cradle to save a good amount of weight. The Comet also featured their trademarked cantilever rear suspension and Girdraulic forks at the front. With a compression of 7.3:1, the Comet produced around 28hp and was able to reach 90mph, with an impressive dry weight of 390 lbs. Find more information about the Vincent Comet on Classic British Motorcycles.
The Comet (VIN: F5AB2A5746) presented here is from 1951, so it is a Series C. The bike is in great and original condition showing a little more than 40k miles. The seller has every original document and certification that the numbers are matching. The California title is clean and shows a year of 1953 despite the fact that the DMV recognizes it has been built in December 1951. The Vincent Owner’s Club certification also indicates it is a 1951 model.
Find this Comet in Hailey (that was close), Idaho at an unmet reserve bid of $15,000 and a direct price of $32,000