Description
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Idling:
Riding:
Additional photos of this Vincent Black Shadow are available here for your perusal.
The Black Shadow might just be the most famous motorcycle ever built, with an iconic history thanks to moments like Rollie Free’s bathing suit speed run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Black Shadows were handmade, and less than 1,700 were built in total. In the words of Hunter S. Thompson, “If you rode the Black Shadow at top speed for any length of time, you would almost certainly die.“
In a time when cars were putting around at 45 miles per hour, a Black Shadow could comfortably cruise at twice that or hit a top speed of over 120 miles per hour thanks to the 55 horsepower 998cc V-Twin engine. The name was a reference to the black enamel finish on the motor, which stood out when other bikes typically featured polished or chrome finishing.
The Black Shadow was officially introduced at the 1948 Earl’s Court Motorcycle Show and came out to rave reviews. Motor Cycle magazine reviewed it and scored it a 99 out of 100 only because “nothing, it is said, is perfect.” The model gained international acclaim due to a record-breaking 150.3 mph speed run by Rollie Free at the Bonneville Salt Flats on September 13th, 1948. As Cycle world later put it in their retrospective, “The Black Shadow was the most powerful standard motorcycle of its time. In an age when the magical “ton” (100 mph) still quickened pulses, the 125-mph top speed of the normal version of Free’s bike was astounding.”
This example is VIN (Upper Frame): RC6177B, Lower Frame #: RC6177B, Engine #: F10AB/1B/4277. Per the seller, the bike was first sold at Welwyn Motors in Mitcham, Surrey, UK. It was later imported to Canada in 1972. Our partners at DreamCycle are consigning the bike on behalf of the current owner’s estate. He first acquired the bike in 1981.
During his ownership, the seller covered approximately 2,100 miles. The odometer shows 10,918 miles. The seller states that “the bike has been kept in storage for the last 15 years. I believe that the mileage shown is original.”
Maintenance:
The seller reports that there is maintenance documentation dating back to 1983. He notes that “the primary chain was replaced and the top end was redone in 1987 and the paint on the tank was redone some years ago. Additionally, the oil and spark plugs were just replaced. The battery needs replacing because the charging system is not working. There is a book binder showing all the work that has been done in detail. It looks like it was all done around 8,600 miles.”
Modifications:
Amal carbs.
Borrani rims.
Not pictured: 12V upgrade.
The sale includes an extensive selection of owner’s manuals, maintenance manuals, spare parts, and other Vincent-related materials.
It is riding on Continental tires that have aged out.
Cosmetic Blemishes
“Scratches on headlight bezel.”
“Chips on some paint.”
Currently located in Sorrento, British Columbia, Canada, this Vincent is offered on a clean Canadian title. Have any Black Shadow stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
