Win a dashcam

The Series C Rapide was launched in 1948 with the most noticeable differences from the Series B of 1946 being the addition of a hydraulic damper fitted between the rear suspension spring boxes and hydraulic damping in place of the earlier friction damping on the ‘Girdraulic’ front forks. Its designers, Phil Vincent and Phil Irving, considered that the telescopic front forks that were coming into fashion at the time were prone to lateral flex, particular on sidecar combinations, and decided to persist with the girder design.

The Series B was considered a sensation at its launch with the engine and gearbox used as a stressed member of the frame hanging below a fabricated backbone that also served as the oil tank with the front and rear suspension attached at each end. The cantilever rear suspension design from the company’s early motorcycles was retained with the rear seat supported by a sub-frame mounted on the suspension. The wheels, which each carry two brake drums, are quickly detachable with the rear mudguard hinged to facilitate removal of the rear wheel which was reversible so that two different size sprockets could be fitted to enable quick final drive ratio changes. Because such a powerful motorcycle was ideal for sidecar use, four mounting points were provided for either left- or right-side fitting and combinations could be ordered from the factory with a sidecar already fitted.

This Series C Rapide has been set up for a sidecar, which was simply achieved by rotating the lower links on the front forks to alter the trail angle and increase the spring strength. This example with its rare, German-made Hollandia sidecar also features a left-hand side kick starter. It was acquired for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection via an auction in Daytona in March, 2009, and was supplied with copies of its original works order forms and a dating certificate from the Vincent-HRD Owners Club.