The Myth of Vincent Motorcycles' Black Lightning | Robb Report
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- The bikes created by British manufacturer Vincent Motorcycles are some of the most sought-after collector motorcycles in the world, and the Black Lightning occupies the top rung of this hierarchy. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that when it came out, it was the fastest production motorcycle in the world, even beating out the fastest production car of the day, the Jaguar XK120.
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The bike had several owners, but it was in the possession of Australian motorcycle shop proprietor and racer Jack Ehret for the longest period-47 years. During that time, it smashed the Australian Land Speed record, hitting an average of 141.5 mph, and participated in numerous races. One of the most compelling things about the bike is that it is an original, which is exceedingly rare because of the beating they usually take on the track-a legacy that is still evidenced by the wear and tear that is still visible on the bike.
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There is no "Myth" about the Vincent. Superior engineering, superior materials and superior performance, all combined for ease of maintenance and thousands of miles of trouble free riding. I worked for Sid Biberman of Vincent fame, in Norfolk Virginia for about 17 years . I just rode by our old shop today. Many memories were made there. I did work on them and a lot of other machines. Where could a young man work on Vincents, a 1932 Ariel Square 4 , build a Turbo Z-1, tune up Nortons, Triumphs, BSAs, then rebuild Honda 4s. Sid has passed on, but his son Matt has carried on the tradition in Louisville, Ky. At 68 I still do a 100 mile a day commute on a BMW all year around.
@M Bacon I would agree. I'm friends with the areas only former Velocette dealer, and he also owed a Vincent or 2 in his time. He received a nice letter from England, telling him it was over and thanks for all of his great work in the area. 71, or 72 I believe.
Clearly, YOU ARE AN IDIOT WHO DOESENT KNOW WHAT MYTHOLOGY IS ALL ABOUT, YOU HAVENT A CLUE WHAT A MYTH SO STFU..
Glad it stayed in Australia
@@darryllspalding9680 Check th' oil..
& keep th' dirty side down..
John Dickson,
Former owner of a 45 cu in. Indian Bonneville Sport Scout...
I’m a generation too young for a black lightning/shadow, but I did have the first Kawasaki Z1 in my state. Ahh to be young and fearless again!
A friend of mine had a bike accident and couldn't ride anymore but still had his Vincent Black Shadow. A few of us had classic bikes and he trusted us so we were asked by him occasionally to take the Vincent for a ride. It was truly an honour to ride such an incredible machine. I was 20 back then. Great that it came back to Australia.
Richard Thompson "That's a Vincent Black Lightning 1952"... One of my favorite songs of all times being a rider!
But check out Sean Rowe's version: /watch?v=CrGOs1a1lOk which bloody well sounds like a Black Lightning.
Please listen to The Del McCoury Band performing the song.
@@50srefugee
The Sean Rowe performance may change your DNA!
YeeHaw!
@@ulrichfriehe3459 I just did. It is worth a listen.
Said Red Molly to James, that’s a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
I'm glad that in the end it is returning to Australia. It's part of that nation's history and should be on display there.
I bought a 1952 Rapide in very good condition in 1962 as my wife was pregnant and I loved riding bikes and did not want another car so the Rapide was to fited to a sidecar to, a Swallow Flight, sports fibreglass single-seater. The purchase cost of the Vincent was Pds 100. I kept it 27 years and only stupidly sold it to finance my divorce in 1987. I did hundreds of thousands of miles a year on it and in those days of no speed limits in the U K, I regularly shocked even sports car (E-Types etc) drivers as they could not stay with me on the corners or even the short straights. Its checked top speed was 105 mph. When the third sprog came I was forced to buy another car and so put it back into solo bike mode. Now 82 years of age it is great to have the fond memories.
Loved the Vincent all my life and I cannot express the joy and emotion at the last when I found out it came back to Australia!
@Chris Heggie Any idea where in Australia it is? A decade or so ago, I visited a motorcycle museum in Tamworth, and it was basically one man’s collection, I believe.
Yeah! I'm not an Aussie, but I'm happy for the people of Australia! It's just right that the Vincent will be in the land that made such a machine/artwork come to life. I love finding out about this bike...
The closest I ever came to a Vincent was the song by a Brit folk singer Richard Thompson (I think his name was) called "Vincent Black Lightning". But the song was moving and imparted just enough of the mystique of these machines to always stick in my mind. Now I finally got the story. Thanks to all who made this vid, and thanks for sharing. Great vid. And Sophie, just be glad there's guys with money enough to get and preserve these pieces of History. I think you're judging folks you don't know a mite harshly. To the new Aussie owner, I prefer to say "Good on ya, mate! Take care of the old boy and keep 'im safe!"
@David Schmidt There’s also a bluegrass version of that Richard Thompson song, done by Del McCoury. You can find it on CZcams. The lyrics are changed slightly to move the story from England to the US-Boxhill becomes Knoxville, for example.
I remember that great song...Haven't Heard lt on L.A. Radio ln Years...
Ryan Seacrest Ruined L.A. Radio... Prick!!!
Here's the song: czcams.com/video/j0kJdrfzjAg/video.html
Black lighning and red molly , heh heh good song
@@keithmills778 I think I came across that version recently and was compelled to let the singer know of his error. Best version I've heard (on You Tube) is bt an Irish singer called Miranda Russell and also Blue Grass
Fantastic history and provenance of this unique Vincent. Delighted it was bought by an Australian given it went there new, set an Australian land speed record, and lived most of its life there. Not to mention Australia’s Phil Irving was instrumental in its creation.
Way back in the 1980's when taking the Industrial bus from Centeral station to the Shire ,we on our journey would pass through the Sydney suburb of Redfern. Very close to the markets was an old motorbike spares /sales outlet run by a Gent who would do his deliveries on a Vincent with an old sidecar. Certanily was a sight to behold as the outfit powered off the sidewalk and away. Many years later I was waiting at the traffic lights to change in Albion st Surry Hills riding a Laverda Jota when from behind my attention was focused by the rumble of a V twin. The rider pulled up along side as he admired my ride I was astonished to witness a stripped down mean Vincent thumping impatiently almost as if it as out of tune. The lights changed to green I gestured to him to take the lead so I could hear the roar of the pipes. I followed the Vincent around Centennial park , out to Coogee bay at a skill level only a Laverda would allow me to ride at. Vincent rider was fearless and commanding , was an absoloute blast to follow and a midnight ride committed to memory.
Met a guy who had Vincent Black shadow that was his daily ride. He rebuilt the bike himself and acquired it from the tip :)
Way back in the 1980s. To me that was only yesterday. I think that you meant to say the 1940s
I wonder if that was Allparts Beltons in Regent Street. Very old business originally were located in 116 Goulburn Street where most of the motorcycle shops were.
actually found one of their old catalogues online nla.gov.au/nla.obj-92673146/view?searchTerm=allparts+beltons&partId=nla.obj-92676738#page/n0/mode/1up
Liam Murphy ...yes, I’m pretty sure it would have been. 99 Regent Street Chippendale, I believe. I was last there in 1981, perhaps a similar era to a Laverda Jota, which is why I think it was Allparts, as even by then all the old, famous dealers had moved. From memory the old German there was “Joe”. Great place. A time machine
As a Aussie I am proud that a fellow countryman was willing to part with that sort of coin to gain a piece of motorcycling history, money well spent......good onýa cobber
I am glad as well ! This bike was owned by a French before going to Bonhams' auction
Even though it was made by the British????
I don’t believe you’re Australian, an Aussie would never pay an Englishman a compliment, they’ve got way too much of an inferiority complex going on lol
@@claywebb8199 your ignorance is showing, built by the British, designed and ridden by Australians. Merry Christmas cobber
@@Dirt1st Merry chistmas to you too Mate! I'm glad it went back to Australia a piece of Ozzie history
Aussies? Totally full of shit.
I was into motorbikes in the 1950’s and the Vincent was a motorbike spoken with in awe. They looked so different and business like, like no other, but a close runner was the BSA Gold Star single. Magnificent!
The reason this bike exists in original condition is due to one man - Franco! Respect long overdue IMHO.
Thanks
Sure did enjoy this glimpse at history and this legendary Vincent
"Now I'm twenty-one years, I might make twenty-two
And I don't mind dying, but for the love of you
And if fate should break my stride
Then I'll give you my Vincent to ride"
@Karsyn Boden
Why would anyone Do that?
Great song
The Vincent Black Lightning was also in an episode of The Rockford Files.
Bit of artistic license with the words.... the song also refers to the "keys" to the bike, but Black Lightnings don't have an ignition key 🙂
@Steven,
Sean Rowe!
czcams.com/video/CrGOs1a1lOk/video.html
The Black Lightning held the title of the World's Fastest PRODUCTION Motorcycle for 35 years, at 150 miles per hour. It was only beaten in 1985 by the Honda VF1000R.
Years ago I heard a very unique exhaust sound of a motorcycle. Like many guys I instantly turned my head just in time to get a glimpse of a Vincent Black Shadow motoring by. My dad rode one for a few weeks in the 1950's. He was thinking of buying it from a friend, but didn't pull the trigger which is too bad.
“...red hair and black leather...my favorite color scheme...”
Mine too. And my wife's name is Molly.
Norton's and Indians and Greeves won't do...
Oh, they don’t have a soul like a Vincent ‘52.
@@MISANTHROPE1964 My hat's off to you.
@@vespadavidson2315 I’m sure you’ve never another such like 👍🏻🇦🇺
In the '90s the Vincent owners clubs held a15/th rally at the old Montana Territorial Prison at Deer Lodge, Montana. There were lots of Vincents going all over town one hell of a sigh close to 75 I'd say.
There can be no doubt whatsoever that Vincent Motorcycles ( of any model, year or size) are in the very top echelon of classic vintage motorcycles. This is due to the design, the materials and the craftsmanship that went into building these remarkable machines.
The only other motorcycle that I can think of that would be in the same category, and sit in complimentary position to The Vincent would be The Brough Superior SS 100 for exactly the same reasons as the Vincent. Both bikes exude a particular quality that is unmatched.
The choice between a "Black Lightning" or an "Alpine Sports", for me, would be almost, if not, impossible regardless of any differences in price. Both exemplary examples of outstanding motorcycles. Both superb investments.
On a long straight road called Tram Road just on the Northern outskirts of Christchurch, New Zealand where I live, there is a memorial plaque to a man named Russell Wright. On Tram Road, he rode a 1000cc Vincent (doesn't say the model, possibly a Black Shadow) to a WORLD Land Speed Record in 1955. The speed?? 185 miles per hour!! And then they set a new World Record for a sidecar as well. The speed?? 162 miles per hour - IMAGINE being the guy on the sidecar at that speed!! Scared shitless would be the word!! My next door neighbor Terry Moyse here in Christchurch, who is in his 80's, said they then took the motor and gearbox out of that bike and put it into a speedway sidecar bike!! Terry was the swinger on the speedway sidecar in the late 1950's!! He still holds a competition race licence for cars - in his 80's!!
Terry must have been quite a tearaway in his younger years - I've heard a lot of stories about him, but not from him! He fought in the NZ Army in Malaysia, came back to NZ and joined the NZ Police, and ended up being one of the most respected detectives in Christchurch, and still had time to race and rally cars!! One of life's REAL characters that I'm pleased I got to know!!
@Martyn Watson No!! MILES PER HOUR, IDIOT! If you don't believe it, look here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_land-speed_record. Look at 1955, and see what it says - 184.83 mph, 297.640 kph.
Pretty sure the Burns and Wright Lightning used two identical cylinder heads, which made for a pretty strange intake horn. I was under the impression that this Lightning ended up in America. Later fitted with a streamline body Wright took it to Bonneville in 1956. He was not successful in getting the LSR and blew up the motor. It languished in a shop in Indiana for several years and later a young guy from Iowa drove over and bought it. After 30 years, he got it running and sold it. $25k seemed like a lot of money at the time. (My thought was that it's the one thing you never sell!) He was local to me. I never saw the bike together , but saw some parts he brought in to our shop. Apparently there is some question as to where it resides now.
@@alribee You are right, the New Zealand record bike is a Black Lightning. It got a pair of special cylinder heads sent out by the factory with larger valves and ports, for the record attempt on Tram Road, Swannanoa outside of Christchurch. The bike was bought by Russell Wright, imported with the intention of a speed record attempt. Bob Burns did the tuning work, and fitted to the machine a full fairing which he had previously made and fitted to his self-tuned Rapide (Burns achieved 145.9mph on that). When the Lightning got the works-spec heads,. the original heads from the Lightning went onto Burns' Rapide.
The record attempt was successful, with Wright setting a solo world record of 185mph. They then attached a minimal sidecar, for a pair of runs by Bob Burns who set a sidecar world speed record of 162mph.
The Lightning was capable of more speed, but they needed a smoother road, and greater safety than could be achieved on a narrow country road. A trip to Bonneville was needed, and the two went to Bonneville for Speed Week in 1956. At Bonneville, they achieved speeds around 195mph solo, but NSU had arrived with a fully faired supercharged 500 twin, and achieved more speed than they were able to make. Something like 210mph.
After the failure to set new speed records at Bonneville, the New Zealand pair were out of money, and had to sell the bikes. The two Vincents were sold to a collector in the USA. The machine disappeared for many years. It is believed that the fairing made by Bob Burns was lent to a motorcyclist with ambitions to make Bonneville runs, but the fairing was lost without trace so far. The bike does appear occasionally, sometimes at Vincent events, but it is around.
I discover that video where my friend Patrick (I miss him so )and David are into, great, what a rare machine , Wonderful !
Seeing Patrick mentioned brings a lump to the throat. I miss him a lot!
Seen a few over the years, and they always impress. But the first one was around 1971. Some mates were getting into bikes and we'd hang around the local mechanics, in Gannon St Tempe Australia. I think they called the guy Doc, and he had a good reputation, did a lot of twins. Anyway, one came in only running on one cylinder. I can remember his comment after the test ride, that if that's how it ran on one cylinder....... Guess it was probably his first as well.
A fellow in Winnipeg, Canada ordered one new (Lightening) in 1954-55 (and had letters to prove it). He rode it once or twice, we said he scared himself. It never had more than 100 miles on it before he passed away many years later. A friend of mine inherited it and it sat in his storage garage until he was persuaded to sell as he thought the money it was worth would send his daughter to university. It ended up going to a airline pilot in the US.... I think at the time it ended up being sold, it had less than 125 miles on it. It must be the most original in the world.
Lightening? How did he lighten it? What could you possibly be talking about?
@@kayhoww He didn't "lighten" anything, it was a Vincent Black Lightening, that is the name of the model!
@@RandolphMaunder oh really??? Please tell me more about the “ lightening”!!
@@kayhoww You have a problem I can't help with. I suggest you seek help elsewhere......
@@RandolphMaunder no I want to hear more from you because you are so smart! Please give me the gift of your knowledge on humor and motorcycles!
Had the opportunity to buy a Vincent 500[ one forward sloping single cylinder] for $36 in 1971, not as collectible as the V twin models, but still an exotic motorbike, a weird thing to ride as they seemed to hump up under acceleration,wish I'd bought that bike.
Absolutely love Vincent's. Always wanted one . Never got the chance. Once knew a guy that use to restore them. He told me the were fast handled like a bag of nails sponges for brakes lol but I still love them
Got the pleasure of doing some wrenching on a '51 black shadow. The Amal carbs have me scratching my head a bit. She runs good though. A little fussy to kick over on startup still. Fantastic look and sound.
A bit expensive to use for a speedway sidecar Where Vincents reigned for a long time until defeated by noise restrictions.
There is a clip on You Tube with 'Vincents at Broadford' with 4 of them running inc Len Bowes supercharged example.
Crank up the volume.!!
Though I grew up with seeing them run most Fri nights at Rowley Pk in the 60s and early 70s. And I will never forget the thunder. Replaced by ring a ding things.
My father had a couple of friends with them, they would turn up at our place on a Sat Morning. My father an experienced endurance trials rider never really liked them, they did not handle to his taste though were not lacking in power!
Now there's a blast from the past - Len Bowes and that beast of an outfit with a supercharged Vincent engine in it. I saw him race it at Claremont Speedway here in Perth and just watching him warm it up in the pits was impressive. In fact, I do believe that that particular outfit was a complete write-off after Len was involved in a track crash at Claremont and he never even tried to rebuild it. He went home and built an incredibly fast outfit with a three cylinder Suzuki 750cc engine in it and went on to even greater success.
@@TombstoneHeart
The Len Bowes Vincent is alive and living in Victoria. As is Neil Munros [A1 1973] and a few others as well.
The Bowes machine sat for a long time at the National Motor Museum coated in Rowley Pk dolomite as last raced.
The clips referred too are in the l;ast couple of years.
I was in England in 17 and the Haynes Museum as well as the Lakeland Museum have plenty of Vincents and a few at Baileu as well. One passed my on a motorway as well, and I was doing 75 mph!
I've actually heard it run at the Ross Vintage Bike Show Tasmania. It starts real easy ( unlike the alcohol fueled British singles also on display), AWESOME machine
There's good and bad in all countries, try not to single out the British, it makes you look silly.
@@alexanderjames6328 Vincent is british too
Great to hear they still start it. If it was mine I would probably blow it down the road twice a year.
Oh! Yes! Rollie Free got a mention and a shot of him on the bike. Great bikes and I agree there won't be another of it's ilk ever produced again. Would love to see another though...
Nice to see the black and white picturs of the workshops where they were made - I've been in them! Just after Vincent closed they became part of my school in Stevenage. Surprised there's no mention of George Brown in this video - he was a Stevenage motorcycle dealer who once held the world speed record on his fearsome streamlined Vincent 'Super Nero'.
Very good price, there will not be another like this to buy, nice it went to Australia, where hopefully it will be kept running and not be treated as an asset. Thanks for posting.
Even better would be the Burns+Wright Lightning. Russell Wright did 140 mph on it in standard trim in 1954. Further tuned, and fitted with works big-valve heads and Burns' home-made full fairing, they set New Zealand and world records of 185mph (solo) and 157mph (sidecar). At Bonneville the next year, they managed 198mph solo, but this was not a world record. These figures are a lot faster than Jack Ehret did.
The bike has almost never run since being sold after the '56 Bonneville effort. Apart from the loss of Burns' fairing, it is in VERY original condition.
I had the opportunity to ride a Black Shadow, 2 different Ariel square fours, and an Indian four, all of them were fantastic, but the Vincent was the coolest, mind blowing fast, the guy that had this collection also had a Brough Superior SS 100, but wouldn't let me ride it, I was 19 or 20 at the time, and still have the 1964 Harley-Davidson panhead I got for my 19th birthday, (I'm 61 now) I was fortunate to be where I was to have these opportunities, cherish the memories, db
Ben Walker - good to see he's still all things bikes at Bonhams and was instrumental in helping me get through the heartache of selling my 1954 Vincent Series C Black Shadow at auction in the UK some years ago. Which was very special, as the last series C Black Shadow ever to leave the factory - PYE 714 - where are you now?
My father and uncle both had Rapides which they bought from Conway Motors in Shepherd's Bush, London. Dad later worked for Searchlight Products who bought out Vincent and changed production to industrial lighting and other crap. It's a shame that Vincents, as with anything beautiful, become a rich man's plaything...auctioned, talked about and owned by men in grey suits and hipster scarves….
A couple of years ago there was an Egli Vincent on display in a Cafe at Leura in the Blue Mountains 80k's West of Sydney . You could go and sit and sip your coffee right next to it ! I doubt 90% of patrons realised it's significance . They also had an MV Augusta racing motorcycle there too .
The nearest I will ever get to a Vincent is a copy of Phil Irvine's book "Tuning for Speed" which I picked up in the 1960's!
Friend of mines father bought an HRD Black Shadow just after WW2 , heaven knows what he would have paid for it brand new. probably pales into insignificance as to what it would be worth today if he had kept it.
If they started making replicas of these bikes lot people would buoy them
Die Vincent gehört zu den schönsten Motorrädern aller Zeiten. Der Motor ist wunderschön; das ist wirklich noch Technik, die begeistert!! Mein Gott, was haben die Engländer damals für ein Zauberstück kreiert!!! Schade nur, daß man so eine Maschine nicht mehr kaufen/ bezahlen kann. Top Video!
I come from a family of motorcyclists . My dad of course started with with Indians and sas and triumphs and Nortons ariel Square 4s . But when he spoke of the Vincent's it was with such reverence and respect it is hard to describe . As a little boy I heard these stories of , at the time , unbelievable speed and I was in awe . I have had my share of bikes but I never felt I owned one for I never owned a Vincent . Truly the motorcycle of legend .
My friend Steve took his Vincent to 152.406mph on the flats at Bonneville in 2006. Not sure what the record is now, but it was still pretty damn cool. His is a 1952, I think.
You have some cool friends, eh? Had to be an incredible event just for his own lifetime if nothing else. Live life to the fullest.
WOW WOW WOW....
I guess running into one of these beauties laying on its side is about impossible!
About 10 years ago on the Western bypass in Edinbugh I seen one of the red Vincents riding down the road
Around 1969 my shop teacher Marty Dickerson brought a Lightning in to the shop to work on iy. At the time I think he was President of the Vincent club of America..
What an honor to have him for your instructor. Recently passed. Was still piloting record setting Vincents into his 80's. Was it his personal Vincent, the "BLUE BIKE?" If so, your story couldn't be more astonishing. Thanks for the telling.
The two Phillips Vincent and Irvine designed and built a masterpiece
That's Phil Irving and he had a lot to do with the development of the Repco-Brabham F1 engines as well. He also wrote a book, "Tuning for Speed", that was the Holy Bible for any motorcyclist who wanted a bit more ( a lot more? ) out of his bike than it was willing to give!
Sadly machines like this now fall into the domain of people who know the price of everything but understand the value of nothing. Squirrelled away into some air conditioned warehouse never to be used again for the purpose they were built for.
not all ways true at times collectors do know the history and at others its only seen like a panting and money makes the world go round at times.
But could dream or wonder what the world would be like if cars & bikes from the early years still took to the roads each day and how car or bike owners of those machines would polish ever nut and bold and would past down or sold to those wishing to own history and drive to work at the store or schools as teachers
Yes in the 1960's as they say people use to take pride in cars from the 1957 chev to Road Runners with there pop up hood scoop or the GTX 440 and 4 on the floor or an LTD with 4 on the floor as well , but times change and all ways will most of the cars of to day are no more that high tech computers and will see a short life span due to the high tech systems that control the spark, fuel, transmission and its computer along with all those sensors will some day die and it will go the way of the old computer that died and all most if not impossible to repair
But old cars with simple fuel and ignition systems will stand the test of time for as long as it has spark and a fuel it will run 100 years or 10,000 years some one can ride it across the lands and feel the wind in their face the rumble of the engine and its power ready to be release at the twist of a wrist and listen to the sound of a purebred its music to the ears
@@terriecotham1567 Sadly no motor vehicle is ever worth this much money. It's all about owning something rare. Very few of the collectors who can afford these machines really appreciate them for what they are, there true function.
Funnily enough, I have found that getting to ride and drive some of the bikes and cars I thought were icons has been completely underwhelming. The worst being a Lamborghini Countach LP500S. Horrible car, never meet your heroes.
Not true at all with this one, the bloke that purchased this bike rolled up to the 2019 All British Rally in country Victoria, I couldn’t even tell you what he looked like because he looked like every other old biker there wearing a decades old jacket, boots and blue jeans. No unnecessary BS, no trailer or glass case to hide it away, he was out enjoying his bike just like everyone else was on the run.
After he had some help with getting it bump started he rode it on the Saturday morning run to the Maldon bakery just like everyone else, there was probably around 500 bikes on the ride and he just rode along with whoever, he didn’t hide it or stick it behind some glass for only himself to enjoy and I can’t explain how much I appreciate that attitude.
I’m 28 and have spent my life travelling around Aus with my family going to every classic British bike event that we could, I would have been around 10 years old when I first laid eyes on the Jack Ehret Vincent and I still remember just standing there staring at it in complete awe of what I was seeing, now as a 28 year old seeing that bike being bump started down the street by a few old Aussie bikers and hearing the note the straight out exhausts made bouncing off the walls of a quiet country town gave me that same feeling I had as a kid, complete dumbstruck amazement.
The memory I have of first seeing that bike and then first hearing it run will stay with me forever, you can’t put a price on that.
@@jamescommando Top comment!
I have no idea if it is still the case, but in the early 90's I went to a meeting in SF of Vincent riders. At least half the bikes there were "users"--some had ridden their Black Shadow or Rapide across the U.S. to come to the show. If I ever own one of these bikes, it will also be a "user", ridden regularly!
A price like that it's no longer a motorcycle, it's a work of art.
Investment asset 😞
@@PurityVendetta Apart from the fact that the present owner rides the bike.
A friend of mine had a Vincent back in the 70's which had been modified for drag racing (hardly any stock trim left) but it was a Vincent and indeed fast as lightning. Affectionately known as "The Beast"
Know as the Snarling Beast
@@dominiqueegli1716 You have a legendary Sirname Sir....
The Vincent V twins are arguably the world's second "Superbike" and a worthy successor to the first, Brough Superior.
No wonder Ogri's ride of choice was a Norvin.
This is the epitome of motorcycles. I heard one once. Straight pipes. It sounded like the end of the world. I have goosebumps now remembering it.
Well done, Bravo!
Loving the videos, put together well.
I admire Vincents (and a lot of other bikes). Yet only the word 'absurd' comes to my mind with these prices...
My, what a lovely scarf!
My Dad had 3 Vincents when i was a kid, 2 1000's and a 500, Used to have them running most Sundays. Gave 1 away and sold the others for 100 quid........
The Vincent......Two words, enough said.
only two things make that spine tingling sound as they approach you, vincents & spitfire merlin engines.
🏴☠️
3:00 you forgot to mention a couple of speed records set in New Zealand by Bob Burns and Russell Wright. Sidecar and solo world records, on a very straight but narrow bumpy country road. It was closed for the occasion, mind
They never talk about why it was so fast and why others didn't follow the design. This bike is on my list if I ever hit it big
Myth? Misnomer! They mean 'Mystique'.
Quite. That or legend.
its so amazing what people can and will do in history some fly across the Atlantic alone for the first time ever and others explore new lands and risk life and lim like protesters fighting for a better world for those to come and others give art to the world in painting . music or machines
Some build machines well before their time and make history for machines of this era able to reach those speeds time and time prove just how much work was put into them and is a true work of art for any one luck to own one in its prime and even more lucky to own one in todays world.
Thanks for posting and the history on the men and those amazing machines
There is no Myth.My dad had a Black Shadow and that thing was still whooping Harleys well into the 90’s.
Outstanding!
fell in love with this bike as a kid when i saw it on Batman Forever.
The Black Prince models were also used by the Thought Police in the movie "1984".
Helluva Cool Bike...Helluva Cool Story...Somewhere, Jack Ehret ls Smiling... ;-)
RIP
Little Horse
Forever In My Heart
This is not a myth, this is the real deal, and I think that is cooler than witch's behind trying to a water well in the Attic Circle!
anyone know the soundtrack to this? best vincent i saw and Heard! was back about 20 years ago one was drag raced on Brighton seafront, it had a turbo sticking out the side and I think it changed gear just once!
I'm rather privy to ride my mates Vincent red rapide 1000 on a couple of occasions.
He has a shed full of British bikes and others. He named his son Vincent.
I eternally regret turning one down in 1971 for $750.
You too, $1,100, in 74, but fenderless, and no electrics'
Vincent... quite probably. Vincent Black Lightning... very unlikely.
Phil Irving from Australia came along, identified the problems, drew up a new engine from scratch and made other radical design changes. Praise to Phil Vincent, he was big on quality, accepted new ideas and financed the project, but is often very over credited for his design contribution. These models really should be called an Irving Vincent.
Love the bike! It's always the same story though. The mechanic that restores the the bike truly truly loves it, but he's broke. The owner says how much he loves the bike until the gavel falls. $$$$$$$
Well done old Chap, well done indeed my fine sir!
@alan wilson lol you prefer your "assholes" on the rare side when you enjoy them, i presume?
Think I've got one in the shed... Just go and have a rummage
If you do, plz let me know, my Villiers might like company.
Always remember George Brown, with Nero and Super Nero.
Tim Colledge Saw him race Nero at Shelsley Walsh (and his Arial Arrow!). Wonderful stuff. Les
I knew George and went to school with his son. I also recognised the views of the works, because they later became part of my secondary school in Stevenage. I was once allowed to sit on Nero - briefly - in George's shop, so long as I didn't touch the polished fairing.
Tim Colledge I lived in Stevenage in the late sixties I remember George Browns motorbikes shop at the top end of the high street and his two Vincent in the shop window
Dam, my eyes are leaking....
Glad to hear She is going back down under! Just another reason for Me to go also!!!! Is it available to view? Great it's not restored!
Very cool.
After seeing this bike at the motorcycle exhibition at goma I get a bit of a giddy feeling watching this video, knowing what it took to get that bike back to Oz. Amazing.
I actually touched one at a concert in Terrytown, NY, USA In the Early 2000s. It looked beautiful but I wouldn't have wanted to ride it. Way too precious. I was happy with my 1989 Ninja 250.
Cool...Actually, lt's Tarrytown, NY...
Amazing machine
It’s so crazy where bikes are today. Land speed records at the time at 122 mph . That had to of felt terrifying on that bike 😂 now I can literally be at 122 mph by the end of an on ramp to a hgwy: pretty nuts
Came here to watch because of Richard Thomson's song "1952 Vincent Black Lightening".
An Australian Phil Irving was chief designer at Vincent?
Yes, he designed the Meteor a single cyl in 3months, 2 yrs later he produced the V twin by adding a cylinder. He also designed the Repco-Brabham Formula 1 race car in 1966, winning the F1 Driver and Manufactuers Championship in his first racing car.
@@peterk2455 Brilliant. I did not know about the car.
Phil Irving wrote the race mechanics bible, Tuning For Speed, of which I have two copies, a first edition x library edition, and a 1961 copy which my mother-in-law bought me when I first rebuilt my Inter, then used to rebuild my 1961 Manx. No workshop manuals for Manx Norton's.
Phil Irving, my person hero, and much under rated.
There is a rider in Holland with a very nice collection of Vincent's, who I know very well.
@@peterwiltshire4188 Yes I myself have a copy of Tuning For Speed. It helped me greatly with my Royal Enfield restoration.
@@peterwiltshire4188 Yes Phil Irving was the true genius behind a lot of facinating motors and a lot of no bullshit common sense. I'm sure you have his autobiography as well, most of his other books is long ago out of print, I have some like Motocycle enginering...
Interestingly Phil Irving's "Motorcycle Engineering" has a table that compares bikes on the basis of bhp per litre per 1000rpm. The Panther M120 650cc single, a dinosaur originating in the 1920s does better than the Vincent 1000 at 9.2 versus 8.2 for the Vincent Rapide. The MSS Velocette, a bike equal to or better than the Vincent Comet for handling does better than the Vincent Rapide at 9.5. The best is the 500cc twin cylinder Royal Enfield Meteor Minor at 9.6. But the Vincent goes faster.
There is no myth to Vincent Motorcycles. They were the most highly prized in their era. I once worked at an Indian dealer in Chicago that sold Vincent after Indian bit the dust. The owner was running a Vincent Black Shadow on a local 1/4 mile drag strrip. It regularly ran 135 mph in close to 10 seconds. Cycle magazine ran a Vincent Shadow test at 128 mph in 1951 or so. Vincents were special.
That bike deserve's to be in Australia or the UK!!!...............
Yeah, How Cool Is This! It IS The One That Every Guy Wants Who Rides Street Bikes. I Wonder If He Got The Idea From Crocker?
great bike but like all these old bike/cars if you don't ride it might as well be a pile of pop cans ride em don't hide em
Quite right, if it ain't ridden then it's not a bike but just a collection of parts masquerading as one......
Not if it's that rare. I'd agree if it was a mass produced bike, but there were only 33 of these made. There are more Stradivari violins in existence (quite a lot more).
@@laurieharper1526 Stradivari, like the bikes, are made to be used and not just looked at so your comment has no worth !
@@thakery5720 Bullshit. When something becomes that rare and valuable, you don't use it to drive to the shops or to play in pubs (in the case of a Strad). You might use them occasionally, but there aren't going to be any more, so you don't treat them as you would everyday, mass produced items.
Settle down precious,some things need to be preserved for historical purposes
Many a man I'm going to have to rob. Dig it dude.
Said Red Molly to James "that's a fine motorbike"
czcams.com/video/MOCZwKmjR6E/video.html
Just done only 23, according record of the VOC, and not 33,one of those was in Argentina ,in posession by the race speed South American champion Angiono, carbs are 32 mm,TT.Gears are diferent, Clutch are strong and wide.Manifold was only made for The Lightning in thick alu. Magneto also are special. I search a legend and i found in South America, and i got it. Regards from Berlin , Germany.
I had the honor of pushing around and sitting on the Rollie Free bike. I did not stretch out on it like Mr. Free.
I found a Vincent Black lightning at the motorcycle motorcycle junkyard if I had $500 on me with the road at home that was a beautiful motorcycle
A bike should be ridden; a car should be driven; a steam loco should be taken down the tracks. I detest shelf queens.
I own several steam models that have never been fired ... *yet!*
In a day or several, when I'm feeling better, they'll be taken out into my workshop and run for all to see on my channel.
"Said James, "In my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Beats a '52 Vincent and a Redheaded girl.
Now Nortons and Indians and Greavses won't do.
Oh, they don't have a Soul like a Vincent '52."
And if fate should ever break my stride, I give you my vincent to riiiiddeee
Grew up on tales of people telling stories of Vincents. Insane speeds, unbelievable madness. It was always the Shadow, never heard of the Lightning until now. Maybe in the Pacific Northwest the Lighting didn't get sold here.idk
The very first of 33 Black Lightnings was sold in the US. It was based mostly parts from a Series B Black Shadow. Used the unique Lucas KVFTT racing magneto specially made for the bike.
In 1970 in Redwood Estates in the Santa Cruz mtns hung a large poster of this bike with him in his underwear.
That Be Rollie Free At Bonneville You're Referring To... ;-)
“Myth” and LEGEND are not necessarily interchangeable. You mean LEGEND.
Unusual use of the word myth. I was expecting negative opinions.
You & Me Both....
When I lived in the UK I owned two Vincent’s, a Rapide and a Comet before the motorcycle media and auction houses turned the sport into a money concern. The big twin was fast and a great tourer, the Comet was a different but good motorcycle. Over the last 50 years I have owned many different motorcycles for competition and road work. I have ridden better and perhaps more charismatic motorcycles than either Vincent. The myth was built and fostered by those who could afford a Vincent but there are others that can equal the Vincent. The Brough SS I once had was another superb motorcycles garnished in myth.
I guess both of these motorcycles give auctioneers a good living while genuine club level enthusiasts just drool?
Got to say the truth here, from what old guys tell me the Vincent was great in a straight line but did not handle worth a shit. There was a story in Cycle World in the 70s about a man whose son died on a Vincent Black Shadow and he was convinced the price for unsafe and to protect anyone else's son from dying on one he bought everyone he could find in the area and then he bricked-up the door of the building he put them in. When he died they broke open the building and was amazed that he had 44 Vincent Rapides and black Shadows in the building. They showed guys Wheeling out bikes that they bought with a big smile on their face. There was a British Bike Shop in the Triumph Owners Club newsletter who back in the 70s recondition 10 Vincent and charged $1,000 each for them and everyone was amazed $1,000 for a 20 year old British bike who are you kidding hahaha. I bet the people who bought those motorcycles for $1,000 each and I bet they were very happy with their purchase one guy said he was amazed that the bike he bought in 1965 for $500 with not worth more than a house in his neighborhood. The servo clutch would not hold up under American hands and you have to split the cases to fix it if I remember right. By the 1950s you could get a Triumph or Pasa with twin carb that had almost the same horsepower and was almost as fast without all of the weird complication that engineer is trying to design into the motorcycles they make. A Vincent Rapides was the same price as an Indian twin, a black shadow was $100 more Jen and Indian dresser, a black lightning was the same price as an Indian delivery van or a Harley servi car. They weren't that expensive in the scheme of things. A Vincent repeat was the same price as the GMC pickup truck. Vincent had hundreds of front end frame sections that were thrilled at the wrong angle for the steering for but because Vincent was a small company they had to use the ones they got instead of ordering the correct one with the correct rake and Trail. They should have been bought out by BSA and then they would have the economy of buying parts 100 instead of here and there and having unit economy price wise. In England there was gasoline rationing for 10 years after World War II. Expensive Road burning motorcycles were not on the agenda for most people they wanted something that was cheap reliable economical on fuel and could hold a sidecar because people could not afford a car.
Egli vincents were fine handling machines
As an owner and rider of Egli-Vincent, Rapide and Black Lightning I can confirm that the Egli handles and stops fantastically. Both the original Vincents handle fine too if all the bearings/swinging arm pivots are in good order but the brakes on the original Vincents are not equivalent to the power of the engines when ridden hard! The magnesium brake-plates on the Lightning look fantastic but they don't work much better than the standard Rapide brakes!
British black magic!