2981950 Vincent 499cc CometRegistration no. LKH 108Frame no. RC/1/5967Engine no. F5AB/2A/5815 (see text)Unlike in pre-war days, when the first (Series-A) Vincent-HRD v-twinhad been created by - in effect - combining two of the existing singles,post-WW2 Vincent’s approach was reversed, with the Series-B twinappearing first, in 1946, and the single-cylinder version in 1948. Thelatter was offered in two forms initially: Series-B Meteor and Series-CComet. Apart from its Burman gearbox and ‘missing’ cylinder, theComet followed Series-C twin lines, featuring the newly introducedGirdraulic front fork and hydraulic dampers at front and rear, whilethe Meteor retained the old Brampton girders. The Meteor wassoon dropped but the Comet continued in production until 1954,offering the same degree of refinement as its bigger brother, albeitwith reduced performance. Even so, the Comet combined a 90mphpotential with excellent fuel economy, and was the ideal touring mountfor the discerning rider who placed civility of manners and quality ofconstruction above outright performance. An expensive machine toproduce, the Comet did not sell as well as its maker had hoped andwas dropped when the Series-D range was introduced.Originally fitted with engine number ‘4067’ (the current engine is areplacement), this Comet was purchased by the current vendor in July1974. In 1976 the engine was re-bored and fitted with a new pistonand main bearings, while circa 2005 a renovation of the cycle partswas carried out. This included stripping the machine to the frame;reassembling with new fastenings and bushes; re-enamelling thefuel tank; rebuilding the wheels with new stainless rims and spokes;replacing the tyres; fitting a new chain and clutch; up-rating theelectrics to 12-volt; and fitting a new battery. More recently (in 2011)the Vincent was serviced by Bill Bunn Motorcycles (bill on file). Themachine is offered with additional invoices; an old-style continuationlogbook (1966); a quantity of old tax discs and MoTs (most recentexpired 2013); SORN paperwork; fuel ration books (x2); current roadfund licence; V5C document and a copy of the Works Order Form(engine).£8,000 - 10,000€11,000 - 14,00084 | the spring stafford saleBidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.
2991955 ADLER MB250Registration no. XKO 43AFrame no. 309073Engine no. 309073One of Germany’s lesser known marques, Adler is best rememberedfor its advanced two-strokes of the 1950s. Although designed asa road-going power unit, Adler’s unit-construction air-cooled twinproved highly tuneable, enabling Adler-mounted privateers to achievesignificant results in national-level road races and even the occasionalinternational success. Interestingly, Yamaha is known to have studiedan Adler MB250 before embarking on the design of its own 250cctwin. Sadly, the Adler company was taken over by Grundig in 1958and its factory turned over to typewriter production. This MB250 wasin rough condition when it was purchased circa eight years ago bythe current vendor from a friend of his. Now fully restored, it boastsnew exhaust pipes and silencers, new piston rings and oil seals,12-volt electrics and new electronic ignition, and has been repaintedand re-plated throughout. We are advised that the engine has onlybeen started using a slave fuel tank; the restored tank has yet to seefuel. Described as in generally very good condition, this rare Germanmotorcycle is offered with an old-style continuation logbook (issued1974) and a V5 registration document.£4,500 - 5,500€6,300 - 7,7003001956 VICTORIA 350CC V35 BERGMEISTERRegistration no. 105 YUUFrame no. 35/1729Engine no. 35/1729Founded in Nürnberg, Germany in 1886, bicycle-maker Victoria addedmotorcycles to its portfolio towards the end of the 19th Century. AfterWW2, small-capacity two-strokes formed the mainstay of productionand then in 1951 Victoria announced its first four-stroke model ofthe post-war era: the V35 Bergmeister (Mountain Master). The V35was powered by a transversely mounted v-twin engine, and featuredshaft final drive and an unusual four-speed, chain-and-sprocketstransmission (there are no gears in the ‘gearbox’) an arrangement itsdesigner Richard Küchen had first used while employed by Zündappin the early 1930s. Modern for the times, the V35 boasted plungerrear suspension, a telescopic front fork and full-width alloy brakes.This example of a rarely encountered German marque was purchasedat auction in 2011 and treated to a full ‘last nut and bolt’ restorationincluding a re-bore and new pistons, generator, coils, bearings,brakes, cables, wheel rebuilding and re-plating of brightwork, etc.After completion this V35 won the ‘Best Continental Motorcycle’award at the 2013 Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show. Only a handfulof kilometres have been ‘clocked up’ since completion and themachine is described by the private vendor as in generally excellentcondition. Currently taxed, it comes with a VMCC dating certificate,V5C document and a photocopied instruction manual (in German).The machine is to factory specification apart from a solid-state voltagecontroller and conversion to 12-volt electrics.£5,200 - 6,000€7,300 - 8,400Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.motorcycles | 85
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