Vincent Black Lightning…

I had only seen one ever…and then I heard this and was even more intrigued.

Richard Thompson–Vincent Black Lightening 1952

I had to find more, know more. Where did these beautiful sexy machines rise from. Who was responsible for this wondrous exciting piece of motorcycle history. I was off on a research journey.

Vincent Motorcycles began with the purchase of HRD Motorcycles in 1928.

HRD was founded by the British pilot, Howard Raymond Davies, who was shot down and captured by the Germans in 1917. Legend has it that it was while a prisoner of war that he conceived the idea of building his own motorcycle, and contemplated how he might achieve that. It was not until 1924 that Davies entered into partnership with E J Massey, trading as HRD Motors.

Unfortunately, though HRD motorcycles won races, the company ran at a loss, and in January 1928 it went into voluntary liquidation.

Philip Vincent was advised to start production under an established name. He had built a motorcycle of his own in 1924, and in 1928 had registered a patent for a cantilever rear suspension of his own design. In 1928 Philip Vincent left Cambridge University with an engineering degree and, with the backing of his family wealth from cattle ranching in Argentina, acquired the trademark, goodwill and remaining components of HRD from Humphries for £450.

The company was promptly renamed Vincent HRD Co., Ltd. The new trademark had “Vincent” in very small letters above “HRD” written large. After World War II Britain had an export drive to repay its war debts, and the USA was the largest market for motorcycles, so in 1949 the HRD was dropped from the name to avoid any confusion with the “HD” of Harley Davidson, and the motorcycle became The Vincent.

In 1931 Phil Irving joined Vincent as chief engineer and the motorbike began a series of incarnations. It wasn’t until 1948 that the Vincent became a semblance of what we recognize. The “Black Shadow”, capable of 125 mph, and easily recognized by its black engine and gearbox unit, and large 150 mph speedometer, was introduced.

The Vincent Black Lightning was a racing version of the Black Shadow, with every necessary steel part on it that could be, remade in aluminum, and anything not essential removed altogether, reducing the weight from 458 lb to 380 lb. Every bit the racer, it had a single racing seat and rear-set footrests.

Most Vincents were painted black. In 1949 a White Shadow was available, but only 15 were sold, and the option was dropped in 1952.

The Black Shadow became the Black Prince in 1954 and the last Vincent Motorcycle came off the production line and was promptly labeled “The Last” in the summer of 1955.

The Vincent Owners Club is the largest single-brand motorcycle club in the world. Vincents are among the most desirable of motorcycling classics. A Black Lightning, in immaculate condition, can bring $125,000.

I was fortunate enough to meet a group of Vincents traveling the US in 2006 in Sierraville, CA. From rough and ready to near perfect, each machine was well loved and cared for and had been ridden many a mile!