Vincent Rapide to Black Lightning spec. Matching numbers.
Vincent Rapide to Black Lightning spec. Matching numbers.
This beautiful Black Lightning tribute was build from a complete and matching numbers Series C Rapide. The Black Lightning is road registered and will thunder past most modern traffic quicker than anyone can say ‘Black Lightning’.
The Vincent Black Lightning was introduced in 1948 as the ultimate development of Vincent’s 998 cc V-twin, derived from the Black Shadow and hand-built in extremely limited numbers with just 33 examples produced. Designed for racing and record attempts, it featured higher-compression pistons, larger carburetors, polished internals, 2inch straight through exhaust pipes, special Lucas racing magneto and extensive use of lightened magnesium and alloy components. Most examples were supplied without lights or road equipment, emphasizing its competition purpose.
With roughly 70 horsepower and significantly reduced weight compared to the Black Shadow, the Black Lightning was capable of speeds around 150 mph, making it the fastest motorcycle of its time. Rollie Free’s famous 1948 U.S. motorcycle landspeed record run at Bonneville Salt Flats, laying stretched out in minimal clothing to reduce aerodynamic drag, helped secure the legend of the Vincent V-Twin.
This late 1954 Vincent Rapide was delivered on the 26th of November 1954 and still carries its original UK registration number and log book.
Incidentally, this is the third last Series C Rapide produced before the Series D started production in 1955. The engine and RFM+UFM frame numbers are original and 1900 apart as they should be, ie. matching numbers. In many ways, the late Series C engine (and all Series D engines) are superior in quality, as the engine castings were die cast, making them much stronger than earlier sand cast engine blocks.
The original brown logbook is still with the Vincent to confirm a mere three owners from new. The last owner for 10+years and the second last owner for an astonishing 49 years.
In the 2010s the Vincent was restored and rebuild to Black Lightning specification with rare Smiths yellow dial rev counter specific to the Black Lightning, Lucas KVTT Racing Magneto, a racing magneto build exclusively for the Black Lightning model, Amal GP carburettors, massive 2inch exhaust pipes and other goodies. Lightened alloy footrest hanger plates, footrests and gear linkage mechanism and alloy mudguards, are again to Black Lightning specification.
The Black Lightning tribute is still in lovely condition with some patina from careful use over the years.
This beast of a motorcycle will turn heads wherever you go and has the potential to turn every ride into a Grand Prix experience.
The Vincent is road registered with current UK V5 and all EU import duties paid, making it straight forward to register in EU.
We ship anywhere in the world at competitive rates and have great experience shipping all over Europe, US, Japan and Australia.
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