Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
3rd July, 2024 13:00
1950 Vincent Black Shadow
Fitted with an electric starter
Estimate
£32, 500 - £37, 500
Registration No: LKH 374
Frame No: Upper RC4233 Rear 8742B
MOT: Exempt
Black Shadow engine number F10AB/ 1B/ 4272
12v Electrics, Electric Start, Alton Dynamo
Centre stand, BTH Magneto and a V5C
Vincent Motorcycles, "the makers of the world's fastest motorcycles", was established in 1928 when Phil Vincent bought the rights to HRD Motors Ltd after the company went into voluntary liquidation. With the backing of his family, wealthy from cattle ranching in Argentina, Vincent acquired the trademark, goodwill and remaining components for £450, renaming the new company Vincent HRD. Initially, motorcycles were sold under the HRD brand name, using their own chassis with propiatory engines but in 1934 two new engines were developed, a 500cc single and a 1, 000 cc vee twin. Always the innovator, Vincent now had full control over his products and began introducing many design features that proved to be way ahead of their time such as cantilever rear suspension. In 1949 in order to stop any confusion with Harley Davidson (HD) in the USA, they began to use simply the 'Vincent' name on their products. The 1000cc V-Twin was the fastest motorcycle in the world at the time and with some astute marketing become the bike everyone aspired to own, the Rapides and the Black Shadows have become some of the most desirable and iconic bikes of the era.
This good looking Series C Black Shadow has been part of a private collection for the last 23 years and has been ridden and enjoyed by the vendor, including a trip around Europe. The bike has some desirable modifications including 12v electrics powering an all important electric starter, BTH Magneto, Alton Dynamo and even some neat little indicators. The chassis features an easier to use centre stand and interestingly the front brake plates and cooling fins are Lightning specification aluminium as well as the iconic 5" 150mph speedo. A lot of Vincents have become static display pieces over the years but this Shadow has been set up to be ridden and not just looked at. The fitting of an electric starter kit, together with the other subtle modifications, makes the bike a lot easier and more practical to use in modern day road conditions. The bike started and ran on the button when being photographed and comes supplied with some old MOTs and current V5C.
