Vincent Black Lightning
Encyclopedia
The Black Lightning was a Vincent
motorcycle
designed and built in September 1948 at the Vincent works in Great North Road, Stevenage
, Hertfordshire
, UK, and produced from 1948 to 1952. At the time the Black Lightning was the fastest production motorcycle in the world.
when they launched the 1000 cc Black Lightning. This was a production version of the Black Lightning which held the world land speed record
, with a similar engine specification.
Available to order, a standard Black Lightning was supplied in racing trim with magnesium alloy
components, special racing tyres on alloy rims, rear-set foot controls, a solo seat and aluminium fenders. This reduced the Lightning's weight to 380 lb (172.4 kg). The 998 cc air-cooled
OHV pushrod V-twin
specifications were always based on standard parts but upgraded with higher performance racing equipment. The Black Lightning had higher strength connecting rod
s, larger inlet ports, polished rocker gear, steel idler gears, racing carburettors, a manual-advance magneto
and was available with compression ratios between 6.8:1 and 12.5:1. This resulted in 70 bhp and a top speed of 150 mph (241.4 km/h). Only 31 Black Lightnings were ever built before production ended due to Vincent's financial problems in 1952.
On 13 September 1948, Rollie Free
achieved the US national motorcycle speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah
riding the first Vincent Black Lightning. During test runs Free reached average speeds of 148.6 mph (66.4 m/s). To reduce drag, Free stripped to his swimming shorts for the final run, which he made lying flat with his legs stretched out and his head low, guiding the Vincent by following a black stripe painted on the salt bed. The stunt worked as Free covered the mile in 23.9 seconds, passing the 150 mph (67.1 m/s) barrier and on the return run he reached a record average speed of 150.313 mph (67.2 m/s). This led a famous photograph in motorcycle history, known as the "bathing suit bike". The American Motorcyclist Association
certified Free's record. Innovative features of the bike included the first-ever Vincent rear shock absorber, the first Mk II racing cam
s and horizontally mounted racing carburettors. In 1950, Rollie Free returned to the Bonneville Salt Flats and broke his own record, averaging speeds of 156.58 mph (251.99 km/h) on the Vincent despite a high-speed crash during those speed trials.
at 173.54 mph (77.6 m/s). Reg Dearden, a motorcycle dealer at Chorlton-cum-Hardy
in Manchester
fitted a supercharger
to a brand new Black Lightning and made extensive modifications including strengthening and lengthening the frame by about 6 inches (15.2 cm). Phil Vincent
personally supervised the work, which took months to complete. NSU
increased the World Record to 180.29 mph (290.15 km/h) in 1951, and in 1953 the 500 cc World Champion Les Graham was to make an attempt for the UK but was killed in a crash in the 1953 Senior Isle of Man TT
. The supercharged Vincent changed hands several times but never made a record attempt. In 1999 journalist Mick Duckworth had a test ride and wrote a feature article for Classic Bike
magazine. In October 2008, the supercharged Vincent Black Lightning was sold by Bonhams
for at the Stafford
Motorcycle Show, finally setting a record as the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction in the UK. There is a Supercharged 1949 Black Lightning at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
in Solvang, California
.
, and on several of his subsequent recordings. This song has been covered by a number of other bands. It appears on Bùrach's 1995 Album The Weird Set, Greg Brown's 1995 live album "The Live One", Dick Gaughan
's 1996 album Sail On, Mary Lou Lord
's 2000 album Live City Sounds, the Del McCoury Band
's 2001 album Del and the Boys, The Mammals
' 2002 album Evolver, Reckless Kelly
's 2006 live album Reckless Kelly Was Here, Joel Fafard's 2010 album "Cluck Old Hen" as well as Scott Wade and Melinda McPeek's The Pearl St. Sessions.
In William Gibson
's novel All Tomorrow's Parties
, a knife forged from the drive chain of a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning is bequeathed to one of the characters in Chapter 38; the chapter title is "Vincent Black Lightning".
Vincent Motorcycles
Vincent Motorcycles was a British manufacturer of motorcycles from 1928 to 1955. Their 1948 Black Shadow was at the time the world's fastest production motorcycle...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
designed and built in September 1948 at the Vincent works in Great North Road, Stevenage
Stevenage
Stevenage is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England. It is situated to the east of junctions 7 and 8 of the A1, and is between Letchworth Garden City to the north, and Welwyn Garden City to the south....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, UK, and produced from 1948 to 1952. At the time the Black Lightning was the fastest production motorcycle in the world.
Development
Vincent Motorcycles began motorcycle production in 1928 and were well established after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when they launched the 1000 cc Black Lightning. This was a production version of the Black Lightning which held the world land speed record
Motorcycle land speed record
The motorcycle land speed record is the fastest speed achieved by a motorcycle on land. It is standardized as the speed over a course of fixed length, averaged over two runs in opposite directions. These are special or modified motorcycles, distinct from the fastest production motorcycles. The...
, with a similar engine specification.
Available to order, a standard Black Lightning was supplied in racing trim with magnesium alloy
Magnesium alloy
Magnesium alloys are mixtures of magnesium with other metals , often aluminium, zinc, manganese, silicon, copper, rare earths and zirconium. Magnesium is the lightest structural metal. Magnesium alloys have a hexagonal lattice structure, which affects the fundamental properties of these alloys...
components, special racing tyres on alloy rims, rear-set foot controls, a solo seat and aluminium fenders. This reduced the Lightning's weight to 380 lb (172.4 kg). The 998 cc air-cooled
Air-cooled engine
Air-cooled engines rely on the circulation of air directly over hot parts of the engine to cool them.-Introduction:Most modern internal combustion engines are cooled by a closed circuit carrying liquid coolant through channels in the engine block and cylinder head, where the coolant absorbs heat,...
OHV pushrod V-twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
specifications were always based on standard parts but upgraded with higher performance racing equipment. The Black Lightning had higher strength connecting rod
Connecting rod
In a reciprocating piston engine, the connecting rod or conrod connects the piston to the crank or crankshaft. Together with the crank, they form a simple mechanism that converts linear motion into rotating motion....
s, larger inlet ports, polished rocker gear, steel idler gears, racing carburettors, a manual-advance magneto
Magneto
A magneto is a type of electrical generator.Magneto may also refer to:* Magneto , permanent magnetic alternating current rotary generator* ignition magneto, magnetos on internal combustion engines...
and was available with compression ratios between 6.8:1 and 12.5:1. This resulted in 70 bhp and a top speed of 150 mph (241.4 km/h). Only 31 Black Lightnings were ever built before production ended due to Vincent's financial problems in 1952.
World record
Rollie Free
Roland "Rollie" Free was a motorcycle racer best known for breaking the American motorcycle land speed record in 1948 on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah...
achieved the US national motorcycle speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
riding the first Vincent Black Lightning. During test runs Free reached average speeds of 148.6 mph (66.4 m/s). To reduce drag, Free stripped to his swimming shorts for the final run, which he made lying flat with his legs stretched out and his head low, guiding the Vincent by following a black stripe painted on the salt bed. The stunt worked as Free covered the mile in 23.9 seconds, passing the 150 mph (67.1 m/s) barrier and on the return run he reached a record average speed of 150.313 mph (67.2 m/s). This led a famous photograph in motorcycle history, known as the "bathing suit bike". The American Motorcyclist Association
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
certified Free's record. Innovative features of the bike included the first-ever Vincent rear shock absorber, the first Mk II racing cam
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
s and horizontally mounted racing carburettors. In 1950, Rollie Free returned to the Bonneville Salt Flats and broke his own record, averaging speeds of 156.58 mph (251.99 km/h) on the Vincent despite a high-speed crash during those speed trials.
Supercharged Black Lightning
In 1949 The Motor Cycle magazine offered a trophy and £500 prize (£ today) for the first successful all-British attempt on the World Speed Record, held since 1937 by BMWBMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
at 173.54 mph (77.6 m/s). Reg Dearden, a motorcycle dealer at Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Chorlton-cum-Hardy is a suburban area of the city of Manchester, England. It is known locally as Chorlton. It is situated about four miles southwest of Manchester city centre. Pronunciation varies: and are both common....
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
fitted a supercharger
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
to a brand new Black Lightning and made extensive modifications including strengthening and lengthening the frame by about 6 inches (15.2 cm). Phil Vincent
Phil Vincent
Philip Conrad Vincent was a British motorcycle designer and manufacturer. Founder of Vincent Motorcycles, his designs influenced the development of motorcycles around the world.-Early life:...
personally supervised the work, which took months to complete. NSU
NSU Motorenwerke AG
NSU Motorenwerke AG, normally just NSU, was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles and pedal cycles, founded in 1873. It was acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1969...
increased the World Record to 180.29 mph (290.15 km/h) in 1951, and in 1953 the 500 cc World Champion Les Graham was to make an attempt for the UK but was killed in a crash in the 1953 Senior Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
. The supercharged Vincent changed hands several times but never made a record attempt. In 1999 journalist Mick Duckworth had a test ride and wrote a feature article for Classic Bike
Classic Bike
Classic Bike is a UK motorcycle magazine. Launched in 1978, it is noted for coverage of all makes of classic motorcycles, including US and Japanese models, and one-off specials. Editor Hugo Wilson, who began riding motorcycles at the age of 11, formerly edited Bike magazine and is the author of...
magazine. In October 2008, the supercharged Vincent Black Lightning was sold by Bonhams
Bonhams
Bonhams is a privately owned British auction house founded in 1793. It is the third largest auctioneer after Sotheby's and Christie's, and conducts around 700 auctions per year. It has 700 employees....
for at the Stafford
Stafford
Stafford is the county town of Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It lies approximately north of Wolverhampton and south of Stoke-on-Trent, adjacent to the M6 motorway Junction 13 to Junction 14...
Motorcycle Show, finally setting a record as the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction in the UK. There is a Supercharged 1949 Black Lightning at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum is a museum in Solvang, California. The collection includes a supercharged Vincent Black Lightning, and a rare Vincent Grey Flash one of four Isle of Man TT racing specials.-External links:*...
in Solvang, California
Solvang, California
Solvang is a city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley. The population was 5,245 at the 2010 census, down from 5,332 at the 2000 census...
.
Cultural references
The song "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" by Richard Thompson originally appeared on his 1991 album Rumor and SighRumor and Sigh
Rumor and Sigh is an album by Richard Thompson released in 1991.This album is one of the artistic high-points of Richard Thompson's career, and is his most commercially successful album to date...
, and on several of his subsequent recordings. This song has been covered by a number of other bands. It appears on Bùrach's 1995 Album The Weird Set, Greg Brown's 1995 live album "The Live One", Dick Gaughan
Dick Gaughan
Richard Peter Gaughan usually known as Dick Gaughan is a Scottish musician, singer, and songwriter, particularly of folk and social protest songs.-Early years:...
's 1996 album Sail On, Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord is an indie folk musician, busker and recording artist.-Biography:Mary Lou Lord first gained notice playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston's subway stations Lord became friends with...
's 2000 album Live City Sounds, the Del McCoury Band
Del McCoury Band
The Del McCoury Band is a bluegrass band. Originally Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals with Del on guitar and his brother Jerry on bass, the band went through a number of changes until the 1980s when the band solidified its line-up, adding McCoury's sons, Ronnie and Robbie on mandolin and banjo,...
's 2001 album Del and the Boys, The Mammals
The Mammals
The Mammals are a contemporary folk rock band based in the Hudson Valley, area of New York, in the United States.Current band members are Michael J. Merenda, Jr., Chris Merenda, Ruth Ungar, Jacob Silver and Tao Rodríguez-Seeger.- Band history :...
' 2002 album Evolver, Reckless Kelly
Reckless Kelly (band)
Reckless Kelly is an Austin, Texas based Americana/Texas Country band. The band was formed in Bend, Oregon, but moved to Austin in January 1997...
's 2006 live album Reckless Kelly Was Here, Joel Fafard's 2010 album "Cluck Old Hen" as well as Scott Wade and Melinda McPeek's The Pearl St. Sessions.
In William Gibson
William Gibson
William Gibson is an American-Canadian science fiction author.William Gibson may also refer to:-Association football:*Will Gibson , Scottish footballer...
's novel All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties
"All Tomorrow's Parties" is a song by The Velvet UndergroundAll Tomorrow's Parties may also refer to:* All Tomorrow's Parties , an annual festival in England...
, a knife forged from the drive chain of a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning is bequeathed to one of the characters in Chapter 38; the chapter title is "Vincent Black Lightning".