born in 1950 .... I started to love motorcycles 18 years later had some NSU Max .... but loved to look at the Vincent very much !!!!!!!! The superstar! thanks for your wonderful pictures and the sound of a dream !!!
In the mid 90's I stayed in a B&B on the outskirts of Dublin. When the owner realised I was a motorcycle enthusiast he not only showed me his HRD (earlier name for this motorcycle) but insisted I take it out for a spin. I spent a summer's morning riding the country roads of Wicklow. Lovely bike, very smooth. What a generous and trusting gent.
I'm not normally an envious person, but really! how can anyone with a heart and soul not covert such a piece of engineered beauty like this! A well presented and informative video and Sir, your Vincent is simply sublime!
I'm crazy about this guys reviews! Excellent! The Vincent was such a great bike and so ahead of its time! I wish they still made them exactly the way they were. That motorcycle was so ahead of its time and I think still a relevant motorcycle today.
@@MichaelOZimmermannJCDECS All the parts to make an exact reproduction Vincent twin are available, not necessarily all the time. However, the Vincent has been improved in a lot of details since the '50s, you can make it a lot better, nicer to ride.
my friends dad bought one brand new from Tom Cowies in Sunderland . he even had the reverse leather sheep skin petrol tank cover . he owned it till he died and it was still like the day he bought it . a wonderful wonderful machine . rip Ken Pile a real gentleman .
Such a stunning bike. The engine as a stressed member completely threw me. I had no idea this was done all those years ago. And the speed.... Almost unheard of. Every line of that bike is amazing. Such a shame Vincent did not continue on. Imagine what they would be making today!
Great to see this amazing, rare motorcycle on UA-cam. I have an Australian friend here in our hometown province who owns a similar bike (exactly the same in all color and specs to your featured one) in his stable of classic motorcycle collection.
Vincent.....THE motorcycle ,she is and always will be the bikers holy grail (if any biker out there dont agree with me ,then you aint a biker!!) She maybe not produced anymore, but she is the figurehead of british bikes long live the british bikes ,and long live the vincent!!!!🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
With the demise of the aging, geriatric Harley-Davidson generation, the Squids final realization of life's value, riding on the insanely fast Asian Liter Bikes, the gradual return to empowerment, of the classic British iron begins.
Great review. My late father owned Rapide reg number LGT 22 from new, and travelled 90,000 miles on it before exchanging for a family car. Does anyone know if LGT 22 still exists? I can provide the early history for this machine to the current owner, if requested.
Maybe the Duc Monster is the only thing that comes close to that. I'm thinking about the 1000 cc Monster, carburatores, like the CROMO,,, Not many have ever heard about the Cromo. HaVE YOU ?
I seen a Bi shock or twin boxes with spring inside....and not a mono shock. Beautiful bike. The B Series is the rare one and the good one. A series , only 78 produce , but B series are the one.
I live in a area of South Manchester called chorlton cum hardy and some person owns one of these machines , they are very rare , i have seen 3 times in the last 6 months and some body in Stock port also owned one back in the eighties , that came model came from Scotland and had 2 dials and not that standard single dial that they were famous for
The first Vincent Rapide went into production in 1936, not the 1950s. Magnificent as it was, I doubt the redesigned 1950s 'B' version, with 45 bhp, could have hit 125 as Don claims; even the speedo only runs to 120. The maker claimed 110.
The bike in the video is a Rapide, good for 110mph. The Black Shadow is only mildly tuned up from it (main difference is slightly bigger carburettors) and good for 120-125mph.
I owned a Black Shadow from 1957 to 1961. One day while riding a man pulled up and motioned me over to the shoulder I did so. He offered me a lot of money for it and I agreed. Biggest mistake of my life!
Has that alure of pre war top of the range cars like the Bentley or Bugatti just outstanding and so many features not on any of the so called modern bikes.
@fishface494: Somewhat correct in latest reactions, 'We', based on politically biased reports, can deny, but must include the contributions of the Israelites innate intelligence, additions to medical, chemistry, art, music, science, mathematics. By including all factors, the world became a much more intricate instrument of productive industrialization and economic balance. Totalitarian Dictators described in history, [including throughout Israeli history] have Never allowed individual initiative, nor Freedom to prosper... unless it was to follow 'Their' agenda..
Two hundred miles per hour on a Vincent is rather fanciful. The Lightning, thd tuned version is good for around 140mph. A small number of bikes have been super-tuned, and achieved 200 mph with a VERY good fairing. Russell Wright almost got to that speed at Bonneville in 1956. I think his best speed was 196mph.
Excellent video, but slightly disingenuous. The bike illustrated is a Rapide whose top speed was 110 mph (which was still faster than anything else on the road at that time). Its higher tuned sister, the Black Shadow was capable of the 125 mph quoted, and top of the line was the awe inspiring Black Lightning with 150 mph up its sleeve. On its introduction in 1947, the Black Lightning was the fastest production motorcycle in the world - a position it held for 30 years until Kawasaki introduced their 900cc Z1 in the late '70s. Impressive, or what?
Said Molly to James, "That's a fine motorbike, any girl would feel special on any such like". Said James to Red Molly, "My hats off to you, it's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952" .... ;) Richard Thompson
Probably safer than most cars of the time as well. You have the privelege of landing on the road instead of getting compressed in the tin can joke that is old car safety.
Most of my Vincent friends don't have millions. They simply prioritize what they want. I'm happier with a 13 year old small Skoda and a Vincent. Nimble and a better touring bike than most produced today.
@@perfectfan2006 not upset, just missed the /s Lots of people in the US actually don't know that in other countries people drive on the left of the road.
@@pashakdescilly7517 define lots, I do not know one person who dont know the uk Australia and Hong Kong and a few other places do that that even my grand kids know that so by lots how many are you talking of I never met one even in Mississippi people know this we also know you can not get a 1/4 pounder at McDonalds in France its called a royal with cheese there give me a break k
@@pashakdescilly7517 you should come over for a visit someday you might be shocked at what everyday Americans know we got hunting fishing car races skiing horses white water rafting mountain biking skate boarding and a whole bunch of other fun stuff we do all the time sail boat races speed boat races truck and tractor pulls millions of ackers of wilderness to hike and camp in it takes almost 3 days to drive across Texas alone that is just one of our states Alaska is breathtaking moose bear elk deer buffalos whales seals wild mustang horses baseball football hockey basket ball music of every kind the beaches are just stunning the mountains are spectacular
Arguably the greatest motorcycle ever made however, it was also the most expensive by a long shot. Building the most expensive motorcycle in the world in post ww2 Britain was probably not the smartest thing to do. You could buy a house for the cost of a Black Lightning.
Vincent,Ariel,Norton,BSA, Royal Enfield these are called bikes but today bikes, they have short span and worthless you fellows (bike manufacturers ) better learn from these bikes, how to manufacture
so now its 200mph it goes up and up all the time ..good luck trying to buy one as it was not for sale .. tunes . striped .. the stock ones had 48 hp .that's what ws sold .. so all this lies is all b/s .. nice bike yes but in the proper context ..ask your self if it was so good then why did it go belly up .. a 1959 650 triumph would go 120 mph in street gear
born in 1950 .... I started to love motorcycles 18 years later
had some NSU Max ....
but loved to look at the Vincent very much !!!!!!!! The superstar!
thanks for your wonderful pictures and the sound of a dream !!!
Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Engineering marvel and an absolute work of art. Has always been, and will always be, my dream bike.
That old boy really knows how to ride that thing. Beautiful through the corners and smooth/ fast acceleration out of them.
You got that right!
@@hoxtonmoto In standard form, how many miles per gallon would this acheive ?
In the mid 90's I stayed in a B&B on the outskirts of Dublin. When the owner realised I was a motorcycle enthusiast he not only showed me his HRD (earlier name for this motorcycle) but insisted I take it out for a spin. I spent a summer's morning riding the country roads of Wicklow. Lovely bike, very smooth. What a generous and trusting gent.
Once in a lifetime experience, and that's only if you're really, really lucky to begin with!
I'm not normally an envious person, but really! how can anyone with a heart and soul not covert such a piece of engineered beauty like this!
A well presented and informative video and Sir, your Vincent is simply sublime!
The Black Shadow is my favorite bike of all time. Vincent was so far ahead of their time.
Wonderful bike, brilliant commentary. Could listen to this chap all day talking about old bikes! Lovely!.
Couldn't agree more!
I'm crazy about this guys reviews! Excellent! The Vincent was such a great bike and so ahead of its time! I wish they still made them exactly the way they were. That motorcycle was so ahead of its time and I think still a relevant motorcycle today.
Why not make an exact replica of this Greatest ever"!?
@@MichaelOZimmermannJCDECS All the parts to make an exact reproduction Vincent twin are available, not necessarily all the time. However, the Vincent has been improved in a lot of details since the '50s, you can make it a lot better, nicer to ride.
Memories of my younger days, absolutely beautiful
my friends dad bought one brand new from Tom Cowies in Sunderland . he even had the reverse leather sheep skin petrol tank cover . he owned it till he died and it was still like the day he bought it . a wonderful wonderful machine . rip Ken Pile a real gentleman .
Such a stunning bike. The engine as a stressed member completely threw me. I had no idea this was done all those years ago. And the speed.... Almost unheard of. Every line of that bike is amazing. Such a shame Vincent did not continue on. Imagine what they would be making today!
My father had one of these. It was his pride and joy. RIP dad!
Love your beautiful reviews. Full of feeling for the machines, and what they were created for. Cheers.
Great to see this amazing, rare motorcycle on UA-cam. I have an Australian friend here in our hometown province who owns a similar bike (exactly the same in all color and specs to your featured one) in his stable of classic motorcycle collection.
Vincent.....THE motorcycle ,she is and always will be the bikers holy grail (if any biker out there dont agree with me ,then you aint a biker!!)
She maybe not produced anymore, but she is the figurehead of british bikes
long live the british bikes ,and long live the vincent!!!!🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
With the demise of the aging, geriatric Harley-Davidson generation, the Squids final realization of life's value, riding on the insanely fast Asian Liter Bikes, the gradual return to empowerment, of the classic British iron begins.
That bike sounds incredible!!
They just don't come any better. The bikes they ride in heaven!!!
Phil Irving did a great job designing these bikes. R.I.P.Phil.
Philip Vincent was just as much a designer of the bike
Great review. My late father owned Rapide reg number LGT 22 from new, and travelled 90,000 miles on it before exchanging for a family car. Does anyone know if LGT 22 still exists? I can provide the early history for this machine to the current owner, if requested.
Just now learning about the Vincent. Extremely impressive!
Of all motorcycles, period! THIS is THE best. It performs above all the others and it is truly beautiful!
I think Vincent is the coolest motorcycle in the world!
I want to ride one at least once!
Two other points : they were surprisingly economical on fuel, and David Prowse used to own one.
Very very very nicely explained sir in those days it was called a plumber by a cafe racers
So rare the last one I saw was 40 years ago!
Beautiful
I live in an area of South Manchester and there is somebody that owns one
That sound, as the bike goes by, reminds me of that other icon of British engineering: the Rolls Royce Merlin in a Spitfire.
Just a phenomenal machine..😎
Love your show your brilliant
back when motorcycles looked like motorcycles and not two-wheel plastic insects.
Vincent,Ariel, Norton,Matchless,BSA,
Triumph,Royal Enfield
The good old days... and with the proverbial oil-spot, of course... 😊
Rudge
4 brakes, cantitlever suspension, engine as a stressed member... Did the guy who designed this bike have a time machine?
Maybe the Duc Monster is the only thing that comes close to that. I'm thinking about the 1000 cc Monster, carburatores, like the CROMO,,, Not many have ever heard about the Cromo. HaVE YOU ?
lorenzo magazzeni yup I have a 1996 m900 not the cromo but its older brother and a super motorcycle. Bought it brand new still have it
YES, he must have had one! 😊
@@lorenzomagazzeni5425 You could also have a look at the Britten V 1000
But the seat is linked to the swingarm. How does that work?
Very enjoyable,just like watching and listening to a documentary from the early 1950s,not one Americanism(cool etc).
I seen a Bi shock or twin boxes with spring inside....and not a mono shock. Beautiful bike. The B Series is the rare one and the good one. A series , only 78 produce , but B series are the one.
eines der schönsten motorräder,der motor+auspuff,just ein kunstwerk.
I want one for Christmas !
I just watched your SS100 video, so I can say the SS sounded better than the Vincent, but the latter remains my dream bike.
Настоящая икона мотостроения.
Love this bike
Wow! Just wow!
Thank You,Sir.♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
So nice of you
very fantastic motorcycle 👏👏👌🏍️
How can " Monoshock" rear suspension have 2 shocks?
That was before a shock could have built-in damping
@@frankbeesley5659 They worked each in opposite direction!
Those are 2 springs and one central damper. Monoshock!
The series D did. What you were looking at was a series C.
my granddads bike love them
Lovely film.. thank you.
WF
I live in a area of South Manchester called chorlton cum hardy and some person owns one of these machines , they are very rare , i have seen 3 times in the last 6 months and some body in Stock port also owned one back in the eighties , that came model came from Scotland and had 2 dials and not that standard single dial that they were famous for
If only more British motorcycle companies would come back into production .
Espectacular..❤❤
Awesome 🙏
Thanks 🤗
So it's B series???man tis a beautiful sight!!
So what's the quality difference between these super bikes and ww2-war bikes like zundapp, bmw.
The first Vincent Rapide went into production in 1936, not the 1950s. Magnificent as it was, I doubt the redesigned 1950s 'B' version, with 45 bhp, could have hit 125 as Don claims; even the speedo only runs to 120. The maker claimed 110.
The bike in the video is a Rapide, good for 110mph. The Black Shadow is only mildly tuned up from it (main difference is slightly bigger carburettors) and good for 120-125mph.
@@pashakdescilly7517 You're clearly a retro-petro-nerd every bit as much as myself, Pashak!
@@shanehnorman I suppose I am - I am restoring a Rapide, and have just been cleaning up some clutch parts
Excellent bike
I remember my grandfathers black shadow back in tn the 1960s
I owned a Black Shadow from 1957 to 1961. One day while riding a man pulled up and motioned me over to the shoulder I did so. He offered me a lot of money for it and I agreed. Biggest mistake of my life!
There’s something about the creative mind of the British when it comes to motorcycles and sports cars they just had it down
Has that alure of pre war top of the range cars like the Bentley or Bugatti just outstanding and so many features not on any of the so called modern bikes.
Love your bike Sir I’ve always been a fan of Vincent ‘s but a little out of my reach
Great motor cycle in world this is heritage motor cycle
Nice i have dkw rt 200 1951.
excellent 👌👌👌👌👌
Thanks a lot
royal enfiend motorcycles have massive low end torque as well,
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY VINCENT !!!😁g
You should come to america and do tv shows
I liked the bike I love you
What can you say but--"RULE, Britannia!"
@fishface494: Somewhat correct in latest reactions, 'We', based on politically biased reports, can deny, but must include the contributions of the Israelites innate intelligence, additions to medical, chemistry, art, music, science, mathematics. By including all factors, the world became a much more intricate instrument of productive industrialization and economic balance.
Totalitarian Dictators described in history, [including throughout Israeli history] have Never allowed individual initiative, nor Freedom to prosper... unless it was to follow 'Their' agenda..
200 mph in 1951? That's one hell of a machine.
Two hundred miles per hour on a Vincent is rather fanciful. The Lightning, thd tuned version is good for around 140mph. A small number of bikes have been super-tuned, and achieved 200 mph with a VERY good fairing. Russell Wright almost got to that speed at Bonneville in 1956. I think his best speed was 196mph.
Excellent video, but slightly disingenuous. The bike illustrated is a Rapide whose top speed was 110 mph (which was still faster than anything else on the road at that time). Its higher tuned sister, the Black Shadow was capable of the 125 mph quoted, and top of the line was the awe inspiring Black Lightning with 150 mph up its sleeve. On its introduction in 1947, the Black Lightning was the fastest production motorcycle in the world - a position it held for 30 years until Kawasaki introduced their 900cc Z1 in the late '70s. Impressive, or what?
Said Molly to James, "That's a fine motorbike, any girl would feel special on any such like". Said James to Red Molly, "My hats off to you, it's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952" .... ;) Richard Thompson
I think there's a bit of poetic license there . I doubt the Z1 was capable of much over 125 mph .
Probably safer than most cars of the time as well.
You have the privelege of landing on the road instead of getting compressed in the tin can joke that is old car safety.
I like this bike better than royal Enfield
this become a investiment for many millonaires, us, the riders, just can watch vids...
Most of my Vincent friends don't have millions. They simply prioritize what they want. I'm happier with a 13 year old small Skoda and a Vincent. Nimble and a better touring bike than most produced today.
@@Mike40M ok
that guy is going to get killed driving on the wrong side of the road like that,, lol
He is riding in the UK - like 1/3 of the world, people use the left of the road.
@@pashakdescilly7517 it was a joke ok ,,
I got it from the tv show top gear gee wiz calm down lol humor pashak de silly humor k
@@perfectfan2006 not upset, just missed the /s
Lots of people in the US actually don't know that in other countries people drive on the left of the road.
@@pashakdescilly7517 define lots,
I do not know one person who dont know the uk Australia and Hong Kong and a few other places do that that
even my grand kids know that so by lots how many are you talking of I never met one even in Mississippi people know this we also know you can not get a 1/4 pounder at McDonalds in France its called a royal with cheese there give me a break k
@@pashakdescilly7517 you should come over for a visit someday you might be shocked at what everyday Americans know we got hunting fishing car races skiing horses white water rafting mountain biking skate boarding and a whole bunch of other fun stuff we do all the time sail boat races speed boat races truck and tractor pulls millions of ackers of wilderness to hike and camp in it takes almost 3 days to drive across Texas alone that is just one of our states Alaska is breathtaking moose bear elk deer buffalos whales seals wild mustang horses baseball football hockey basket ball music of every kind the beaches are just stunning the mountains are spectacular
and more bike to add Matchless
Arguably the greatest motorcycle ever made however, it was also the most expensive by a long shot. Building the most expensive motorcycle in the world in post ww2 Britain was probably not the smartest thing to do. You could buy a house for the cost of a Black Lightning.
To Lovely.
200 mph 😯or kmph
200kmh achievable with a standard Black Shadow. 200mph would require a VERY highly tuned engine and a good fairing. It has been done.....
超爱
🤤
I'm looking for my friend Denis magri
Good luck
Ajs
200mph ??? Naaah can't believe that
@fishface494 OMG....I wouldn't make an emergency brake on this bike with 200mph and its drum brakes 🙈
Vincent,Ariel,Norton,BSA,
Royal Enfield these are called bikes
but today bikes, they have short span and worthless
you fellows (bike manufacturers ) better learn from these bikes, how to manufacture
Motorbikes with character.
why is history gone so wrong?
We're ruled by those who lie!
In Germany too all the motorbike producers are gone (Kreidler, Hercules, Zündapp, Maico etc. except BMW).
royal enfield is still alive and well in India.
COMPRÓ
So this is type A or Type B?? Looks like Type B but still wants to be sure!!heard Type A is plumber's nightmare!!
It was a Series C, Series B ended about 1949 and Girdraulic forks were introduced replacing Brampton girder forks. Series A was pre-Second World War
I owned that bike, OXX 417 from about 1966-1972!
@@leslong9489 then that makes A series something very special...I don't know I get in madly love with things having tags like ""Pre-War"".
@@ckryses3962 A series A twin will set you back around £200,000.
so now its 200mph it goes up and up all the time ..good luck trying to buy one as it was not for sale .. tunes . striped .. the stock ones had 48 hp .that's what ws sold .. so all this lies is all b/s .. nice bike yes but in the proper context ..ask your self if it was so good then why did it go belly up .. a 1959 650 triumph would go 120 mph in street gear
A Shadow can cruise all day long at 100 if roads permit. Try that on a Triumph.
It's not 1000cc it was a 998cc!
Eh, close enough! :)
Big Red: This one had a rebore and is 1001cc.
You worry about 2cc!! You need to get out more!!