So much so that he has painstakingly collected the most brilliant jewels in the Vincent crown; his motorcycles include examples from the earliest chapter of the company’s history—such as a 1932 Model Python Sport, the oldest Vincent in America—to the last-of-the-line Black Prince from 1955.
 |
The bikes on display are rotated and ridden on a regular basis. Period trophies and publications populate the display cases.
(Click image to enlarge) |
|
|
|
|
Though it operated for less than three decades, the small English firm left an indelible mark on the two-wheeled world, winning races and setting a standard for innovation, fit, finish, and overall performance that continues to resonate long after the marque’s demise.
That resonance can be heard—literally—in the gracious, wood-paneled gallery that adjoins the Harris home in a peaceful Austin neighborhood. The inviting space houses a rotating collection of machinery by Vincent and others that tells the story of the once-proud British motorcycle industry—a story that Harris is committed to preserving and articulating.
Vincent made its reputation with single-cylinder and V-twin motorcycles of 500cc and 1,000cc displacement, respectively. The production Singles—the most popular was the Comet—were essentially half of the mighty V-twin, which evolved from Series A through Series B, C, and D iterations. The basic V-twin was the Rapide, although souped-up versions called the Black Shadow were offered in the Series B, C, and D models. Speed demons could order the Black Lightning, nominally a 150 mph Series C that was marketed as "The World’s Fastest Standard Motorcycle."
What's in a name? HRD is a name recognized by British enthusiasts of the day.
:: Learn more about this ::
Back then, a new company could be founded with a single sheet. Philip Vincent caught motorcycle fever while he was still a college student at Cambridge.
:: Learn more about this ::
Harris’ collection of production bikes—which includes Vincent Series A, B, C, and D Rapides—is fleshed out by other marques, including Brough Superior, BSA, Matchless, Norton, and Triumph. Most occupy the adjacent garage, which is also home to more recent classics, such as an MV Agusta 850SS and a brace of bevel-drive Ducatis. An avid rider, Harris does not forsake modern motor-cycles; his collection also includes recent models from BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, and a Suzuki Hyabusa.
But the nuclei of the collection—and of far greater rarity—are those iconic Vincents that competed as road racers, drag- and land-speed record bikes. Harris has them all, and then some.
Hard work and serendipity enabled Harris to track down the very first Series B, or "modern" Vincent V-twin engine, the prototype known by its number, 1X/1. Designed by the legendary engineer Phil Irving and built in 1946, it was the motor that established the company after World War II. 1X/1 has a colorful history, having seen sidecar, boat, and even aircraft duty before being installed in a racing replica cycle prior to its acquisition in 2003.
|
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();){kind=link}