Gullwings, Speedsters, and the like are all holy grails when it comes to automotive barn finds, but one of the ultimate finds in the two-wheeled world is the Vincent. Vincents were fast and few were made, so when they do show up, people tend to get a little excited. This story is about one man’s discovery of one of these British bikes and it first appeared in the appropriately named book, The Vincent in the Barn.
Lanny Hyde had ridden old British bikes for years. He lived in Northern California, but he’d travel down to Southern California frequently to ride his BSA or Norton relics in all-British rides. “I’d leave my bikes at my parents’ house where I grew up,” said the retired salesman.
One day a neighbor, Warren, who lived across the street from his parents’ house, wandered over to talk to Hyde’s mother, who was working outside. “I see your son rides old British bikes,” said Warren. “My mother told him, ‘Yes, he lives up north, but he keeps them here in our garage,’” said Hyde. “‘Well, tell him I have an old Vincent stored in my garage across the street.’ My mother called me right away.” Continued on source website.