Vincent Black Shadow

**Drunken Monkey** · 14th November 2005, 16:55

I don't know how many people have been following 'Automaniac' on the History channel, but the other day they featured what is quite definately the only 'classic' (i.e. old) motorcycle I've ever seen that I like: The Vincent Black Shadow. All hand made, and the limited run stopped after a few years when the company went under. "The fastest thing on rubber" - it did 125mph, 5mph more than the fastest car of the era, the Jaguar XJ120. Restored ones go for around the US$50K mark these days.
Anyone know much about these/been lucky enough to have any hands on experience with one?

**Jackrat** · 14th November 2005, 18:24

Good friend of mine races one in classics.
Had another mate from Taranaki that had one as an every day rider.
Real nice bikes but unreliable as hell.
There's a lest two companys remaking them today but with todays standards,much like the American Nortons.
I've seen pic's from the Aussie crowd that are making them.

**Ixion** · 14th November 2005, 18:28

I kickstarted one once. Closest I've ever got to riding one. Love to though.

**T.W.R** · 14th November 2005, 18:37

yep can say i've had the pleasure of riding a vincent ( not a black shadow ) but a 1954 rapide which is basically the same thing, rode it around the vintage car club grounds at Mcleans island also rode a rudge ulsterman, henderson straight 4 ( hand gear change), ariel square 4, and a triumph thunderbird that had spent all its life under ground at a coal mine on the westcoast transporting miners down the mine.

the Vincents came in a series of models; rapide, shadow, black shadow, black knight ( fully faired bodywork), black lightning ( 100hp race model), black prince, meteor ( 500 single ), grey flash ( 500 single race model).

the black lightning actually set a speed record of 156.71mph with a bloke roland Free riding it.

and then there is SUPER NERO the drag bike of the 60's early 70's that set most of the english drag records back then ( last i saw of that was at IOM yrs ago when SLIPPERY SAM did a display also in 1994).

back in the 50's and 60's the vincents were nicknamed the plumbers nightmare just coz of external oil galleries & the engine layout lols

**James Deuce** · 14th November 2005, 18:40

You forgot to mention that Rollie Free set that record in his underpants, and doing a Supercross styles Superman.

**T.W.R** · 14th November 2005, 18:47

Originally Posted by Jim2

You forgot to mention that Rollie Free set that record in his underpants, and doing a Supercross styles Superman.

he may have too ? coz the bike was running on alcohol at the time

**TLDV8** · 14th November 2005, 18:59

Originally Posted by Jim2

You forgot to mention that Rollie Free set that record in his underpants, and doing a Supercross styles Superman.

Only because they were trying to break 150mph..it got to around 148/149mph..so he went for the swimshorts only for less drag to get a speed of 150.3mph.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/15oct...entmotors.html

>
Vincent Black Lightning..current value around NZ$150000

**Ghost Lemur** · 14th November 2005, 19:02

The first time I ever heard of the bike was when Hunter S Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas".

I didn't even realize it was a real bike til much later. Sounded cool though. Got to be the sexiest bike name ever.

**Motu** · 14th November 2005, 19:04

There never has been,and maybe never will be (I hope) a bike to rival the Vincent in legendary statis...boy and man,girl and woman - you just knew this thing was something special,it screamed ''I am fast'',it was so far out of the box you couldn't make one complicated enough to put it in - the speedo said it all..150mph!

The two Phill's (Phill Vincent and Phill Irving) made a bike as perfect as the knowledge and materials they had,everywhere you looked on the bike there was something special,and if this thread goes on long enough I'm sure everyone will have something to say about bits and pieces.A very special exhaust note,more distinctive than a Harley,a sound as unique as the bike.

There is one that turns up at the Classic Festival every year,and I can remember the very first Classic meeting,it is VERY well used,filthy and used in every way,I don't know who owns it,but I bet it will be there this feburary.I've known a few people who've had them,and not known a few too.Ken McIntosh once owned the Egli Vincent,the fastest one I've seen,and it was stolen....

**SPman** · 14th November 2005, 19:06

If you think about it - the Britten is very much like a modern day Vincent.......

**T.W.R** · 14th November 2005, 19:10

if your lucky & have the coin, you could still get a brand new replica

this articles from the october issue of two wheels

**pritch** · 14th November 2005, 19:16

A guy I worked with had owned a 500, (a Comet?).

Met a guy in Wellington once who had just put a Vincent in a Norton frame and finally got it on the road, first day out he had written off a back tyre in about four hours of exuberance.
Understandable of course :-)

There were world records set near Christchurch on a Lightning by a couple of Kiwis, Burns and ? (It's a bugger getting old).

I'm sure if you checked the KB archives all will be revealed...

The Vincent engine was employed in all sorts or roles and if I remember correctly the actual "Nero" engine came from an anti-aircraft target drogue type 'plane. Possibly still got a magazine about that somewhere.

**avgas** · 14th November 2005, 19:26

Didnt they have a remake, concept thingie...one with a VTR motor in it.....a little while ago?

**T.W.R** · 14th November 2005, 19:31

Bob Burns used one to power the sidechair unit he set the old world record which TEAM KIWI broke earlier this year ( right at my back door too I may add hehehehe!!!!!!! saw it all first hand

)

Heres an article on Ken McIntosh for you Motu, shit i bet he was pissed when it was stolen!!!!!