In 1951 my friend and I swapped bikes for a short ride. He took my 500 cc Matchless single and I tried out the Black Shadow. It was the first time I had gone over 100 mph. It was amazing! The engine was probably turning about 4000 rpm. Hard to remember the revs after 65 years, but I have never forgotten that ride.
Hi Peter what a very pleasant surprise finding you on UT. We met a few years back, I visited you and had a great time admiring your wheels. Having had a series "D" from new for several years. You did invite me back, but due to the loss of my wife and "father time" catching me up, sadly that opportunity was lost. At 92 the Vincents still stir my blood. Finding your video is a very welcome break to the monotony of my life. I wish you well. And thanks for starting the Black just the sound brings back memories of many happy rides in the past .
THIS was the world's first Superbike, notnthe Honda CB750. Don't forget, the Vincent had to cope with petrol that was like used dishwater compared to what the Honda got fed & ran on oils that were slimey snot compared to the early 1970s stuff that allowed the Hondas to run harder.
@@dumptrump3788 you should not use your mouth to break wind! but with a name like dump trump it all makes sense. all you know is to talk shit! FUCK OFF!
A great classic motorcycle. Really love the ideas of a rear stand and front stand for maintenance on the wheels but especially love the idea of the hinged rear mudguard. Now modern street cruisers could learn a lesson from this magnificent bike.
No, they wouldn't. The manufacturers of any modern method of transportation don't give a rats ass about ease of maintenance. Plus, they want them back at the dealers, so they can make more money, too. Vincent & Irving were both riders, and probably not as rich financially as today's corporate CEO's. They knew what it took keep a bike on the road, and what it took to do repair work. Today's corporate CEO's. wouldn't even know a strobe light from a Miller Lite. I digress
What a treasure. A bit sentimental for me being born in 1952 and named Vincent. Songs have been written about it. As a biker I can appreciate it’s beauty and history.
To me being ancient the Shadow is the greatest motorcycle ever built in its day it was not just a bit quicker or handsome it was on a different The only game changer that came after it was the Honda 50
Ah! If only you had been about in the mid sixties when a friend rebuilt one of these. We were unable to start it on the kick so pushed it for half a mile on a long straight Norfolk road before achieving success. For those who have not pushed one of these to bump start think of Rugby training multiplied severally! Wonderful to be present at this masterly demonstration. G. Luff
30 years ago I owned a 52 Black Shadow I bought at a local swop meet. I owned it for two years never could start it. Sold it for twice what I paid for it . LOL now I could buy one for ten times what I sold mine for.
Today, what were once the necessities of life have become anti-theft devices! They were (and are yet) wonderful motorcycles - I've ridden one many times - a dear old friend owned one and talked me through the very same procedure, verbatim. That was long ago and far away, but I've never forgotten the feel of that Vincent. Motorcyclist since 1968, still the finest bike I've ever ridden.
Damn the British are so thoughtful about the rider having to service bus bike with no extra stands etc, etc, amazingly engineered machine, valve lifter carb chokes on bars
Talk about blasting into life! Love those old v twins For me new bikes don't do anything for me,they are all a copy of one another, but give me just about any old bike and I'm in heaven, love my 2002 buell thunderbolt😀
Yo tuve este motor cuando yo vivía en Cuba. En Primera alcanzaba 110 Km/h . La potencia y ligereza de este motor no la tenía ninguno otro. Yo lo disfruté mucho, aunque por correrlo tuve algunos pequeños accidentes sin consecuencias. El mejor motorcicleta del mundo sin duda.
A Pal has one, and he is hopeless. Takes him forever to get it going this will help and the link is being shared, thank you..I reccon he will learn a lot
Peter loved the video production. Don't profess to know much about Vincent bikes as I'm a velocette aficionado but loved this informative production. Keep these videos coming. Absolutely 💯 % loved it 🙂
Oh dear, what o music. Starting of this beast would turn quite a few heads around the cafes on this motor-centred island. Thank you dearly for showing, Peter. It'd even rock around one of the poor Mercs - that are more than twelve in a dozen here - parked behind...
@@manxman350 Mariehamn, Aland, halfway between Stockholm and Abo (Turku), in the middle of the Baltic sea. The machine is really gorgeous. We have the wits of appreciating Vincents here :)
Nice bike, love the two matching gauges, plus the two front heads. I had a shadow once, no one showed me how to start it this way, I just pulled the compression release in, kicked it hard as I could and let the compression lever out while it was still spinning from the kick. I was able to start Vincents that would not start the "proper way" I believe because I got the motor, and therefore the MAGNETO rotating faster.
If you ever drove one do you remember the take off from zero? It had a single plate clutch that broke inertia to get the bike moving, then the centrifugal clutch took over. With a clunk if you gave it lots of throttle. Do you remember the way the seat went up under hard braking? They were all engine with front and rear suspension bolted on. Oh for the good old days!
I used to alarm people whilst demonstrating the tip-over onto the side stand and dragging the center stand into position, so that the bike was balanced at a 30 degree angle, on both the side stand and center stand which allowed removing the rear wheel from the skirted rear fender of my '48 Indian Chief. To remove the front wheel, I stood the bike up on the center stand raised the front end and put a an object under the engine with front wheel raised just enough to clear the front skirted fender during removal. Removing a wheel on the side of the road, and fixing a 5.00X16 flat with tire irons, blood sweat and cheers, was no small thing that thankfully didn't happen often. Could have used compression release but Indian didn't have one.
Twenty five years ago I found a 53’ Black Shadow at a local swop meet bought it for 15K USD ! Had it for two years sold it for 25K USD. Thought I scored ! Never could start it so never rode it.
Came here after hearing Carmela Soprano’s father mention in the episode I’m currently watching! He says something like “in my day there was a bike called the Vincent black shadow.. boy, did that thing take off!!” Ha pretty cool! Actually seems like a very highly regarded bike.
If you ever find yourself in Western Australia , there's a Lobster fisherman in Jurien Bay that has a collection of over 50 vintage motorcycles , 30 of them are Vincent across the history of the marque .
What a beaut! A great riders motorcycle. Always fancied a Vincent twin, but never had the money. Never mind, my old well used and well loved BMW GS is a great riders motorcycle too.
Moto Phoenix Saw a Vincent in the wild a few weeks ago. Could never afford one so I got inspired to swap my K75 for a 70s R75 w R100 conversion. Next best thing!
Dear friend, you remind me of magical moments with this bike! I flew for the first time in 1954 I was 14 years old, my father had bought one in 1952. Rapid type, then processed only engine and shock absorbers, 220 kmh! I drove this bike for 15 years, great bike! With all the flaws typical of that time but I have never betrayed. CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR MOTORCYCLE MAGNIFICENT! Surely hay greatly improved the ignition magnet, it was not easy to start, let alone so black fuel to make smoke! Congratulations!! Marcello. amico, tu mi fai ricordare momenti magici con questa moto! Ho pilotato per prima volta nel 1954 avevo 14 anni, mio padre ne aveva comprata una nel 1952. Rapid type, poi elaborata solo di motore e ammortizatori, 220 kmh! Ho guidato questa moto per 15 anni, grande moto! Con tutti i difetti tipici di quel tempo ma non mi a mai tradito. CONGRATULAZIONI PER LA TUA MAGNIFICA MOTO! Sicuramente hay migliorato notevolmente il magnete di accensione, non era facile da far partire, e tantomeno cosi rica di carburante da fare fumo nero😉 Tanti auguri! Marcello.
My friend had a Shadow that he had just finished rebuilding in his shed. I went over to see if he had finished it yet; he had and he asked me to start it as I had boots on and he was in slippers. I started to kick it over And without my noticing he fully advanced the timing! I was violently propelled upwards hitting my head against the shed roof and straddled the filler caps on landing. I took a long time to forgive him.
A Vincent v-twin has automatic magneto advance. The Black Lightning (the race version) got manual timing. It's unlikely your friend's bike has the VERY rare manual KVFTT magneto as fitted to the Lightning, so your story does not ring true.
@@pashakdescilly7517 perhaps this gentleman had a vincent twin similar to mine with a manual magneto retrospectively fitted, so I’m sure he’s not lying as your suggesting!!!
Very well done, it is a great pity that more people do not learn to start Vincents and Velocettes the correct way as you have done (after starting your Vincent for many years I am sure ), there are so many video's showing owners just kicking away hoping something will happen, I will not until they do it the right way, as you do. What paint finish do you have on your Vincent, is it Two Pack or Stove Enamel.
The paint is pack on the tank and powder coat on the frame. It is important to learn how to start a bike properly or you can get a very sore foot if it kicks back. Every bike has a different way to start.
I couldn't afford one when they were only 30 years old. I think of my 25 year old Harley as new. One day I'd still like to need to know how to start a Vincent.
Hard to believe in the sixties when I was fifteen I was offered one of these for £15 it was lying under our school boathouse under a tarpaulin. I lifted it and there was this dirty Vincent then the caretaker came round and said do you want to buy it. A bit of tinkering and he started it up, but I had to decline as I could only ride a 250cc when I became 16. I ended up flogging my 10 speed bicycle for £16 and bought a 250cc BSA for £8 and the other £8 went on insurance.
Growing up in the fifties and sixties, this was every boys dream of owning a Vincent. One important omission, where is the leather tank cover which made the bike stand out?
That has to be one of the scariest starts I've ever seen in my life. Absolutely beautiful.
Black Shadow had just the most beautiful instruments.
In 1951 my friend and I swapped bikes for a short ride. He took my 500 cc Matchless single and I tried out the Black Shadow. It was the first time I had gone over 100 mph. It was amazing! The engine was probably turning about 4000 rpm. Hard to remember the revs after 65 years, but I have never forgotten that ride.
They were well ahead of their time and not beaten in speed until Kawasaki brought out the Z1000 in 1971
@@manxman350 what would the miles per gallon be for that bike?
@@vincentl.9469 about 30 per UK gallon
I like the priming ritual and how the bike roared into life! That’s a man’s man motorcycle!
No other motorcycle grabs my attention like a Vincent.
Hi Peter what a very pleasant surprise finding you on UT. We met a few years back, I visited you and had a great time admiring your wheels. Having had a series "D" from new for several years. You did invite me back, but due to the loss of my wife and "father time" catching me up, sadly that opportunity was lost. At 92 the Vincents still stir my blood. Finding your video is a very welcome break to the monotony of my life. I wish you well. And thanks for starting the Black just the sound brings back memories of many happy rides in the past .
Hi Ken,
I'm sorry but my memory isn't as good as yours. Remind me and contact me at petersprot@gmail.com
Brilliant. The bike and gentleman both represent a quality from a bygone era. Keep up the good work sir.
Seeing that bike fire up was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Amazing bike.
Imagine doing a 100mph along the Great North Road on an English summer's evening in the 1950s when the bike was new.
sounds like such a smooth engine , idles perfectly , no rattles. nice dream
while on the way home from the Mistress' house
Not gonna lie that start up scared the hell outta me😂
This was THE superbike of its day. Its absolutely gorgeous.
THIS was the world's first Superbike, notnthe Honda CB750. Don't forget, the Vincent had to cope with petrol that was like used dishwater compared to what the Honda got fed & ran on oils that were slimey snot compared to the early 1970s stuff that allowed the Hondas to run harder.
@@dumptrump3788 you should not use your mouth to break wind! but with a name like dump trump it all makes sense. all you know is to talk shit! FUCK OFF!
Still was in the 1980s when the Vincent beat 1100 GS Susuki's elapsed time in 1/4 mile Cycle World magazine did it, if you want to check.
A great classic motorcycle. Really love the ideas of a rear stand and front stand for maintenance on the wheels but especially love the idea of the hinged rear mudguard. Now modern street cruisers could learn a lesson from this magnificent bike.
No, they wouldn't. The manufacturers of any modern method of transportation don't give a rats ass about ease of maintenance. Plus, they want them back at the dealers, so they can make more money, too. Vincent & Irving were both riders, and probably not as rich financially as today's corporate CEO's. They knew what it took keep a bike on the road, and what it took to do repair work. Today's corporate CEO's. wouldn't even know a strobe light from a Miller Lite. I digress
What a treasure. A bit sentimental for me being born in 1952 and named Vincent. Songs have been written about it. As a biker I can appreciate it’s beauty and history.
Thank you sir for that excellent tutorial. Magnificent bike.
Goddamnit, I'd trade my wife for this bike...
ID cut my balls off for this bike and forget about about sex ever
He did lol !
Biggest compliment anyone could make.
She must be worth her weight in gold.
Love those big Smiths dials, what a great piece of engineering design.
To me being ancient the Shadow is the greatest motorcycle ever built in its day it was not just a bit quicker or handsome it was on a different
The only game changer that came after it was the Honda 50
Ah! If only you had been about in the mid sixties when a friend rebuilt one of these. We were unable to start it on the kick so pushed it for half a mile on a long straight Norfolk road before achieving success. For those who have not pushed one of these to bump start think of Rugby training multiplied severally! Wonderful to be present at this masterly demonstration. G. Luff
Yes, they are a great bike even by today's standards they will keep up easily with modern traffic.
30 years ago I owned a 52 Black Shadow I bought at a local swop meet. I owned it for two years never could start it. Sold it for twice what I paid for it . LOL now I could buy one for ten times what I sold mine for.
How many people have caught fire, whilst walking past you're bike on start up 😉😂😂😂😂
Nice 👍 .. just putting my eye's back in my head.
You mean...''your'' bike.
Today, what were once the necessities of life have become anti-theft devices! They were (and are yet) wonderful motorcycles - I've ridden one many times - a dear old friend owned one and talked me through the very same procedure, verbatim. That was long ago and far away, but I've never forgotten the feel of that Vincent. Motorcyclist since 1968, still the finest bike I've ever ridden.
Thank you for sharing!
We are all caretakers of our iron steeds.
Thank you for being such a good steward of the HRD Vincent Black Shadow!
Damn the British are so thoughtful about the rider having to service bus bike with no extra stands etc, etc, amazingly engineered machine, valve lifter carb chokes on bars
Thank you Peter! A great step-by-step guide to starting one's Shadow. Five years ago, I bought one and am waiting for the right day to ride the beast.
You will love it.
Where are you.
Contact me on petersprot@gmail.com
What an absolute waste of a fine motorcycle , they should be ridden more than occasionally , weather permitting .
That motorbike is amazing. The sound is a perfect music... wowww
IT'S ALIVE! Amazing , makes modern bikes look and sound nondescript!
So far ahead of its time,
£50,000 if not more of pure British Engineering at it's best. When it started wow!!!. Lovely machine
That is a very beautiful bike you are such a lucky man to have it God bless you
I remember when you could find these for sale for £150 in the Exchange & Mart along with £20 BSA & Triumphs.....I should have bought them all!!!!
I have wanted one of these since I was a kid, beautiful machine, I'm sure you enjoy every mile on it.
yes and me. back in 1950s ++++++++++++
outstanding quality and craftmanship from fork to taillight ! what a motorcycle ! what a brand ! thank you !
Talk about blasting into life!
Love those old v twins
For me new bikes don't do anything for me,they are all a copy of one another, but give me just about any old bike and I'm in heaven, love my 2002 buell thunderbolt😀
That was a small atomic explosion when she fired up!
a bit too much petrol, lol
it kind of scared me honestly.
Almost messed myself.
The dove from 4:30 died :)
😂😂😂F####!!...
was my reaction 😂 .. that's a lot of work to start a motorcycle. .. but great !
I thought it had caught fire for a second lol...
Yo tuve este motor cuando yo vivía en Cuba. En Primera alcanzaba 110 Km/h . La potencia y ligereza de este motor no la tenía ninguno otro. Yo lo disfruté mucho, aunque por correrlo tuve algunos pequeños accidentes sin consecuencias. El mejor motorcicleta del mundo sin duda.
Bloody nice machine..you can tell your a proud owner ya lucky buggar..thats dedication..good job mate!!
My father named me after this bike, I hope one day I can own one in his honor. Beautiful ride and you seem like a wonderful steward!
Yes it is a great bike.
You should be thankful your father did not have a Kawasaki 😉
Beautifully engineered bike and still looks good today,definitely a design icon.
That's a Chaotic Motor, Hard Sound can feel lots of moving components, just loved the sound, i bet it feels better when it rides!
A Pal has one, and he is hopeless. Takes him forever to get it going this will help and the link is being shared, thank you..I reccon he will learn a lot
Peter loved the video production. Don't profess to know much about Vincent bikes as I'm a velocette aficionado but loved this informative production. Keep these videos coming. Absolutely 💯 % loved it 🙂
I also have Velocette.
Contact me on petersprot@gmail.com
Fantastic, love the start procedure and what a sound when the beast started!
What a beauty- looks great with two same size instruments
Oh dear, what o music. Starting of this beast would turn quite a few heads around the cafes on this motor-centred island. Thank you dearly for showing, Peter. It'd even rock around one of the poor Mercs - that are more than twelve in a dozen here - parked behind...
Where are you?
@@manxman350 Mariehamn, Aland, halfway between Stockholm and Abo (Turku), in the middle of the Baltic sea. The machine is really gorgeous. We have the wits of appreciating Vincents here :)
About ten years ago I rode around the Baltic sea on my Rapide.
@@manxman350 Great to hear Peter, you are welcome here again, and please bring the Vincent ha ha :) /Hakan
What a lovely bike, great sound. Obviously a lot of work gone into looking after this machine but it must be a pleasure to own. Enjoy.
la mejor vincent que llevo vista realmente una joya
Grazie amico mio, sei molto gentile a dire queste parole
It literally 'Fired up'! That was amazing!
Congratulations this is a awesome piece of bike history
Thank you for shaing the wonder that is Vincent!
Beautiful machine from a lost age.
Absolutely brilliant! A fantastic motorbike in a fantastic condition.
Still one of the best looking bikes ever made
BAD ASS! Those are the two words that come to my brain!
Excellent video, loved it when she fired up.
a most beautifully unique sound thank you !
What a beautiful machine!!
Nice bike, love the two matching gauges, plus the two front heads. I had a shadow once, no one showed me how to start it this way, I just pulled the compression release in, kicked it hard as I could and let the compression lever out while it was still spinning from the kick. I was able to start Vincents that would not start the "proper way" I believe because I got the motor, and therefore the MAGNETO rotating faster.
If you ever drove one do you remember the take off from zero? It had a single plate clutch that broke inertia to get the bike moving, then the centrifugal clutch took over. With a clunk if you gave it lots of throttle. Do you remember the way the seat went up under hard braking? They were all engine with front and rear suspension bolted on. Oh for the good old days!
*Obligatory Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971) Reference*
A very nice looking bike none the less.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Always a great but rare favourite.
That was perfectly done, and that is a perfect bike. Thank you.
I used to alarm people whilst demonstrating the tip-over onto the side stand and dragging the center stand into position, so that the bike was balanced at a 30 degree angle, on both the side stand and center stand which allowed removing the rear wheel from the skirted rear fender of my '48 Indian Chief. To remove the front wheel, I stood the bike up on the center stand raised the front end and put a an object under the engine with front wheel raised just enough to clear the front skirted fender during removal. Removing a wheel on the side of the road, and fixing a 5.00X16 flat with tire irons, blood sweat and cheers, was no small thing that thankfully didn't happen often. Could have used compression release but Indian didn't have one.
You make Sturges jealous , YES the whole FUCKING TOWN !
Superb! My dream bike to own, my bucket list to ride........
Twenty five years ago I found a 53’ Black Shadow at a local swop meet bought it for 15K USD ! Had it for two years sold it for 25K USD. Thought I scored ! Never could start it so never rode it.
Clever little helpful ideas, features. Stands to lift front wheel is great idea.
What an amazing iconic machine -thankyou.
Thank you
If I can ever afford one I will definitely buy a Vincent of any model one day
Tristan Radeka I wish you luck sir. they are a very good bike for the time.
Came here after hearing Carmela Soprano’s father mention in the episode I’m currently watching! He says something like “in my day there was a bike called the Vincent black shadow.. boy, did that thing take off!!” Ha pretty cool! Actually seems like a very highly regarded bike.
It was way ahead of its time.
A pivoting rear mudguard defines spannering yer own motorcycle,
So practical
If you ever find yourself in Western Australia , there's a Lobster fisherman in Jurien Bay that has a collection of over 50 vintage motorcycles , 30 of them are Vincent across the history of the marque .
Absolutely wonderful, wonderful.
I had no idea the complexity of this machine. The non cable driven tach was also very unexpected as well !
Lovely bike...starts like BOOM!!
What a beaut! A great riders motorcycle. Always fancied a Vincent twin, but never had the money. Never mind, my old well used and well loved BMW GS is a great riders motorcycle too.
Moto Phoenix Saw a Vincent in the wild a few weeks ago. Could never afford one so I got inspired to swap my K75 for a 70s R75 w R100 conversion. Next best thing!
That explosion... That was deliberate right?😉😉 Absolutely beautiful sir, thank you for the post.
British engineering at it's finest.
Dear friend, you remind me of magical moments with this bike! I flew for the first time in 1954 I was 14 years old, my father had bought one in 1952. Rapid type, then processed only engine and shock absorbers, 220 kmh! I drove this bike for 15 years, great bike! With all the flaws typical of that time but I have never betrayed. CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR MOTORCYCLE MAGNIFICENT! Surely hay greatly improved the ignition magnet, it was not easy to start, let alone so black fuel to make smoke! Congratulations!!
Marcello.
amico, tu mi fai ricordare momenti magici con questa moto! Ho pilotato per prima volta nel 1954 avevo 14 anni, mio padre ne aveva comprata una nel 1952. Rapid type, poi elaborata solo di motore e ammortizatori, 220 kmh! Ho guidato questa moto per 15 anni, grande moto! Con tutti i difetti tipici di quel tempo ma non mi a mai tradito. CONGRATULAZIONI PER LA TUA MAGNIFICA MOTO! Sicuramente hay migliorato notevolmente il magnete di accensione, non era facile da far partire, e tantomeno cosi rica di carburante da fare fumo nero😉 Tanti auguri!
Marcello.
Excellent. Very good commentary.
Enjoyable tutorial, cheers.
My friend had a Shadow that he had just finished rebuilding in his shed. I went over to see if he had finished it yet; he had and he asked me to start it as I had boots on and he was in slippers. I started to kick it over And without my noticing he fully advanced the timing! I was violently propelled upwards hitting my head against the shed roof and straddled the filler caps on landing. I took a long time to forgive him.
A Vincent v-twin has automatic magneto advance. The Black Lightning (the race version) got manual timing. It's unlikely your friend's bike has the VERY rare manual KVFTT magneto as fitted to the Lightning, so your story does not ring true.
@@pashakdescilly7517 perhaps this gentleman had a vincent twin similar to mine with a manual magneto retrospectively fitted, so I’m sure he’s not lying as your suggesting!!!
Very well done, it is a great pity that more people do not learn to start Vincents and Velocettes the correct way as you have done (after starting your Vincent for many years I am sure ), there are so many video's showing owners just kicking away hoping something will happen, I will not until they do it the right way, as you do. What paint finish do you have on your Vincent, is it Two Pack or Stove Enamel.
The paint is pack on the tank and powder coat on the frame. It is important to learn how to start a bike properly or you can get a very sore foot if it kicks back. Every bike has a different way to start.
I miss my Velo and my super rocket
The King of bikes!
My Rapide had twin 5 inch instruments when I bought it, I sold the tacho as it looked a bit Mickey mouse to me. 😄
Oohh! better buy a lottery ticket, only chance I've got of getting one
Thanks and good luck with the lottery
Sounds so good!
I couldn't afford one when they were only 30 years old.
I think of my 25 year old Harley as new.
One day I'd still like to need to know how to start a Vincent.
You’re not going to make a quick getaway on this beauty.
Beautiful bike ! 👍
Love it...what a lovely bike
Steve you got a sweet bike..Canada..What is the reaction from the drivers..I would get hit the first day.
5:37 That startup might be the sexiest thing I had ever laid my eyes on!!
Hard to believe in the sixties when I was fifteen I was offered one of these for £15 it was lying under our school boathouse under a tarpaulin. I lifted it and there was this dirty Vincent then the caretaker came round and said do you want to buy it. A bit of tinkering and he started it up, but I had to decline as I could only ride a 250cc when I became 16. I ended up flogging my 10 speed bicycle for £16 and bought a 250cc BSA for £8 and the other £8 went on insurance.
Sounds like thunder... Great!
Wonderful beast.
Thank you, the bike is also nice. 😊
Growing up in the fifties and sixties, this was every boys dream of owning a Vincent. One important omission, where is the leather tank cover which made the bike stand out?
I've got one but I thought it makes the bike look ugly.
That was excellent, thank you sir.
That was magnificent!
Sounds real mean and it was a Great bike.
it IS*