Vincent Black Shadow

[c.o.]

I've had these odd thoughts that are out of the norm for me lately.... I have to admit the Vincent has been on the edge of my radar for many years but recently I've had more of an interest. Anyway, while searching around to feed my abstract mental ramblings, I stumbled across this video. I got a kick out of it and thought others may too.

[ricmoran]

Owning one of these would be good fun. Then you'd need the shop bits and pieces to keep up with it too.

[AFJ]

Owning one of these would be good fun. Then you'd need the shop bits and pieces to keep up with it too.

Actually the Vincent Spares company - an offshoot of the vincent Owners Club - can supply virtually every part needed to rebuild most Vincent motorcycles. In fact a few years ago they built an new Vincent completely from new spare parts available through them.
It is too bad that the 1949 Vindian project of a Vincent Rapide engine in an Indian Chief chassis was not carried on with due to financing problems. Even with the touring Vincent Rapide engine in it a '49 Chief could go 20 mph faster than the stock Chief.
AFJ

[ricmoran]

Thanks for that advice about the Vincent Spares Company.

Interesting that one could build a bike from currently produced parts. I would believe by building a bike this way, there would be some type of difference in value between an original and something built by an individual. Is there anything out there that shows what one could expect if they were to build soemthign like this for a potential resale value versus an original bike?

TH epurpose of this exercise is not so much, hey, I cna build these for resale en-masse, but what one could expect when the time comes to sell the machine.

Of course we all start off saying "I'll never sell this" but in this instance, if an original came along versus a self built bike th edesire to own an original built bike is a big motivator to sell the bike built an duse th eproceeds for an original.

I am going to spend some time checkign the parts and prices out to see what ti would take to do somethign like this. I still have remorse over passing on a Black Shadow years ago, in the mid 70's for 7,000.00 U$. The bike was complete, running an din excellent condition.

Then, my first 39 knucklehead kept me happy and out of want for another bike. Ever since, I think about the Black Shadow and realize you only live once, so why not?

Ha dnot heard about the project mentioned above, but then again, I am not networked well enough into the Indian or Vincent scene.

[c.o.]

I don't think anyone is ever truly satisified with any one particular machine. There's gotta be something on the wish list! I don't know how realistic a Black Shadow is for me but then again I don't mind the Comet either. Best of luck in your search ricmoran! Have you found these guys yet? http://www.voc.uk.com/

[ricmoran]

Oh yes Cory, I have. A short time ago a Vincent was sold in Vegas on Ebay and I think it went for something like 55 k or so.

I've been watching for some time as I have thought about a JD, would prefer a JDH. But if a chance at a Vincent came up and the arrangements be made within a reasonable time I'd jump at the opportunity to purchase one, or perhaps in this case, at least study what it would cost to build one form these later produced reproduction parts.

Time will tell all.

[Sargehere]

... I still have remorse over passing on a Black Shadow years ago, in the mid 70's for $7,000.00 US. The bike was complete, running an din excellent condition.

Then, my first 39 knucklehead kept me happy and out of want for another bike. Ever since, I think about the Black Shadow and realize you only live once, so why not? ...

Passed on one at $7,000? That's nothin'. I passed on a complete HRD in 1969 for $500 !!! The clutch was in bits on the floor next to it, owner was frustrated, and spares were virtually unobtainable at the time. Would have taken my bikin' life in an entire different direction, also, tho. I soon stumbled (literally) over my first Old Harley, virtually "down the street" from the Vincent, so I'm glad things worked out as the did. Live and learn!

[exeric]

My friend Marsh is about 78 now. The 1950's were his time and he was wild. He was a lineman in West Virginia when that state was first getting electricity in it's remote locations. He was also a pilot, and aircraft mechanic. He had a '47 knucklehead that he massaged, but it also had to be reliable because it was his sole transportation. He has a story about a Vincent. A good motorcycle friend of his had recently bought one and thought he now owned the fastest motorcycle in that region, and relentlessly badgered Marsh to race him. They knew of a place near a reservoir that offered no interference and went at it. Marsh claimed his friend couldn't beat him after numerous matches. His friend was very disappointed and surrmised that he was the problem, so he told Marsh that he would buy him beer all night if they could swap bikes and Marsh could beat the Knuck with the Vincent. Again, they raced a number of times and Marsh finally beat his own bike but he claims it was because his pal was not as good a rider. After the racing, Marsh spent some time going over the Vincent to find something that could have been "off" and he claimed there was nothing profoundly wrong with it, and the Vincent was relatively new. Marsh felt the Vincent just didn't have the drag racing guts that the Knuck had.