Vincent Black Shadow

[c.o.]

Howdy Cory,

Absolutely lovely machines, maneuvering around one now to get to my lift to work on one of the Chiefs. You can read about its resusitation after 30 years in a damp garage here. After having ridden all sorts of vintage machines one can only sum up a Vincent as the unfair advantage among their peers of the era. Their performance is essentially effortless, to be sitting bolt up right in the saddle with the roar of a 110mph wind hammering you with throttle still left in hand on a 60 year old machine is a defining difference when one considers they can plod around town slowly as evidenced by their use once as police bikes in Argentina. Vincents, especially the C series with girdraulic forks ride much "bigger" than their diminutive wheel base and spindly appearance would imply. They feel rock solid at the helm and the motors unbelievabley torquey requiring no rev's to peform. a 100 is achieved at only 4,200rpm on standard gearing.

Will say though, unless driven to have a Shadow, a Rapide is perfect and after all these years the performance difference minimal if at all. Shadows have gotten stupidly priced....like other machines we like. For a more unique ride I'd humbly suggest the sport configuration with 19/20 inch wheels and birmabrites over the touring configuration which relates handling wise to vintage American machines. The sports machines are more tossable though it may take a while for one to get comfortable with the concept of over the top riding on that small 3.00 x 20 section front tire barely larger than a Schwinn bicycles.

The repro machine built here several years ago was a C series Black Shadow and was auctioned off, I'm thinking, bringing about $50k, quite a bit less than it cost to build. Likely better to start with a powerplant (definitely need at least the cases), UFM and RFM, preferably matching. The rest essentially can be bought out of the VOC Spares and peripheral vendors.

And in an ironic twist, even with a couple of these, I still lust for an old knucklehead, so go figure, guess AMCA'rs eyes are always roving for the next love.

But in the meantime, here's my Vincent Playlist on youtube with 100 videos for your entertainment.

That was a great read on your Black Shadow Peter! Inspiring for sure.... now that I have the link, I will have to take a tour through your other bike articles as well!!! Yes, I too think that an AMCA'er is always looking for another bike to lust over! Here's hoping that Knucklehead rolls up your driveway sometime soon!

[ricmoran]

My friend sent images over of his Rapdie. I wish I could post them but have not gotten his okay to do so. During the week I'll ask him if it is okay to post a couple of pics. This bike is not set up for road use, and is stripped down and built for one purpose, to go fast.

[PRG]

Howdy Cory,

Well thank you sir, you can view my shameless whining for a Knuckle here...trinket encrusted most desirable, but more than willing to doll up something emerging from the barn not yet dressed up.

Though many have exploited Vincents in drag racing like Max Lambky here with his magnesium monster, from an athlete’s standpoint, I’ve always viewed them from a decathlete’s perspective: excellent all-arounders better suited to grinding their opposition down into submission. Most any Vin’s acceleration is nothing like that of say the crack of an XR1000, rather, they swell up like a freight train to maintain speeds, especially in trying conditions like very hot weather or elevation, that would have their contemporaries overheating and evidencing other signs of distress. You’ll rarely see oil temps surpass 180degrees F when many older HD’s will be pushing 220-230 and their top ends can routinely go 2 to 3 times as far as most OHV’s of the era. Most of us have read about Tony Rose’s famous 100k miles in one year on his Shadow dragging a chair for most of the way holding 90mph for long stretches. Max has an excellent site on the performance side of Vin’s here.

Ric, dare I mention the invest word but it would appear your cannot go wrong pursuing a Shadow these days. For the joy of merely owning/riding a Vin, a Rapide is just as good and for larger riders, a C series is probably advisable with its slightly longer wheelbase, shocks on both ends and stiffer forks. D’s are an acquired taste and even though a larger rider, I personal prefer to sit “in” my Vin – in the tradition of 101 Scouts - rather that perched “on” top with these machines.

To get a good feel for the mechanicals involved, you might want to check out Max’s restoration series at thevincent.com here and here is a list of interesting Vin links to gander at. Though they are hugely supported in reproduction pieces, when shopping at this level, to prevent it from becoming a very protracted project, I’d likely purchase the most complete matching number foundation one can locate with the fewest unalterable modifications possible. These machines are a magnet for the well intentioned garage engineer so be prepared to encounter a profusion of well intentioned (but often not needed) “improvements.” You can get a feel for how few are required by viewing some of the recommendations at my site in my sig below.

[c.o.]

Peter, thanks for that link to the Vincent Streamliner. I saw that bike run at Bonneville a few years back. It's quite the machine.

Ricmoran! Hopefully your buddy doesn't mind a viewing of his Rapide!

[ricmoran]

In the meantime here is something called "food for thought" http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/19/872...irst-Ride.aspx

[Tommo]

This is a genuine Black Lightning owned by ????? who is a good friend of mine.
It's a real yummy bike and goes as good as it looks.
I'm putting up some photos from the Leadfoot Festival that we were both lucky enough to be invited to and this is where this photo was taken

[PRG]

Howdy chaps,

Along the lines of Rollie Free in the U.S., when it comes to Lightnings in Oz and thereabouts, the first that comes to mind is Blue sitting on his new machine outside the dealer back in the day.

Vincents have a long (and hard) history in Australia commonly used for over the top speedway chair racing.

[Ross]

Cory if you ever make it out my way I'll let you take my Vincent for a ride. I like my 80 inch Chief also my HD 45 but for pure fun in the country, the little Comet puts a smile on yer face every time.For those of you lusting over a Vincent and keeping one eye on your bank account....take a look at the big singles. A comet will cruise at 75 miles an hour all day. Really how fast do you need, Don't get me wrong...a Shadow can stop my body from breathing but at over a 100K these days they're not for everyone.

[c.o.]

Ross!!!! That's awesome! I'm sure the Mrs. will want to do a trip to Ontario within the next year or two. I usually power through for the most part but a stop for a break in Manitoba is sounding pretty good! The only thing I'm worried about is I've been told that once you ride one, you have to have one!!! O.K. not worried but I know it'll fuel the fire! I've been pondering the idea of a Comet as Black Shadow prices are a little "rich" for me.

[ricmoran]

Yea, that 100K can take your breath away too. Keep on lookign though as you never know what one can turn up. There is a Rapide coming up for auction in UK on th e16th. Thought about it but the international shipping title transfers etc. make me take pause on that as well as the auction is high profile. I know there is no secrets anymore with these things.