1949 HRD Series C Comet

By Corey Levenson
Published on April 10, 2014
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1949 HRD Series C Comet
1949 HRD Series C Comet
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The box section backbone under the gas tank serves as the oil tank.
The box section backbone under the gas tank serves as the oil tank.
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1949 HRD Series C Comet
1949 HRD Series C Comet
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The 499cc single puts out 28 horsepower at 5,800rpm.
The 499cc single puts out 28 horsepower at 5,800rpm.
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1949 HRD Series C Comet
1949 HRD Series C Comet
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This Series C Comet is one of about 500 made before the company dropped the HRD name.
This Series C Comet is one of about 500 made before the company dropped the HRD name.
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This Series C Comet is one of about 500 made before the company dropped the HRD name.
This Series C Comet is one of about 500 made before the company dropped the HRD name.
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1949 HRD Series C Comet
1949 HRD Series C Comet
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Owner Vincenzo Murphy has put 30,000 miles on his Comet since acquiring it in 2006.
Owner Vincenzo Murphy has put 30,000 miles on his Comet since acquiring it in 2006.
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Vincenzo enjoys showing his Comet at events and riding it regularly so others can enjoy seeing it and perhaps be bitten by the Vincent bug.
Vincenzo enjoys showing his Comet at events and riding it regularly so others can enjoy seeing it and perhaps be bitten by the Vincent bug.
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1949 HRD Series C Comet
1949 HRD Series C Comet

1949 HRD Series C Comet
Top Speed: 90 mph (claimed)
Engine: 499cc air-cooled OHV single, 84mm x 90mm bore and stroke, 7.3:1 compression ratio, 28hp @5,800 rpm
Weight (dry): 390lb (177kg)
Fuel Capacity/MPG: 4gal U.S./ 80mpg (est.)
Price then/now: £273 (approx. $1,007)/$20,000-$30,000

If it looks like a Vincent and sounds like a Vincent, it’s probably a Vincent, right?

Maybe yes, maybe no. Sometimes it’s an HRD. Most enthusiasts are familiar with the iconic V-twin Rapides, Black Shadows and Black Lightnings made by Vincent. Their recent meteoric rise in value has only added to their legendary status. The single-cylinder machines are less well-known, especially those sold under the HRD name.

HRD, Vincent and singles

Philip Conrad Vincent developed an interest in motorcycles at an early age. As a teenager, he designed and later patented a novel cantilevered rear suspension system. He built his first “Vincent Special” motorcycle in 1927 while studying engineering at the University of Cambridge in England and later convinced his father to help him establish his own motorcycle company. Philip’s father felt his son would be more successful bringing a machine to market with a recognized brand name rather than launching a new machine under his own name, which brings us to HRD.

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