A 21st Century Vincent

From the age of 18, Simon Leake dreamed of owning his very own Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle.
Now in his 60s, he’s had the opportunity to do just that. But this isn’t any old Vincent; using the now legendary motor as his base, he’s designed a bespoke custom creation to bring the old Bonneville legend up modern standards. And in doing so, he’s not only exploring the full potential of the original engine, but he’s also wrapped it in the best modern engineering money can buy.
Using the coach-building skills of Sydney's MotorRetro, combined with many decades of Vincent experience from local moto legend Terry Prince, this 21st Century Black Shadow could arguably be considered the mythical marque’s ultimate incarnation.
Read more about this bike here: silodrome.com/...
And here: www.returnofth...
Visit MotorRetro at motorretro.com.au to see more of their amazing work.
-------
For more info on this story visit www.storiesofbi...
Find on Facebook: / storiesbike
See us on Instagram: / storiesofbike (@StoriesOfBike)
Ride Safe.

[@storiesofbike]

Thanks or all your comments! This shoot was a little different from my usual episodes with a single day of filming and more technically focused. Keen to hear your thoughts if you'd like to see more of this style!

[@tleuven]

Would love to hear the bike some more.

[@storiesofbike]

@@tleuven We only had a limited amount of time with the bike and couldn't get a huge amount of riding done to get all the sounds we wanted. That said, we may to a follow up later on with the bike being put through it's paces.

[@buncho888]

Yes, this was a great short video. I’d be happy if you put out regular short videos like this covering many different bikes rather than a few longer videos per year 😄

[@dawidos117]

I like EP7 “Romance” the most, I think. That story is touching and softening my heart. I also love series “Roads We Ride”. Those short videos nowadays are just like many on KZbin, imho. Still really well made, but nothing special. Before your videos were astounding, touching, great cinematography, we could hear motorcycles’ engines well, your videos were real Stories of Bike. Now videos look unfinished or like teasers. But you must know, I’ve been a fan of your videos since the beginning, so maybe that’s why I’m disappointed. Keep the good work coming!

[@willhorsley2105]

It’s a good video, format is good, length (duration) is a nice little tea break filler

[@alancarter4525]

Nice but what these filmmakers don’t seem to understand is just how important it is to a bike lover to hear the engine, hear it start, tickerover, rev and go. Please. The engine is music enough. Not everything is enhanced by a groovy backtrack, at least not when the engine is singing.

[@storiesofbike]

We understand the importance of sound, unfortunately ran out of time to record it properly. Rest assured, we'll make a priority for the next one.

[@speedfinder1]

@@storiesofbike The background musical noise was the one bit of a disappointment for me too! Just the mechanical soundtrack would have been sufficient.

[@philhawley1219]

@@storiesofbike I couldn't possibly lend you a Ducati instead.? Only joking ,my next bike will be a Rapide.

[@michaelashby4036]

Yes

[@peterlarsen7779]

​@@storiesofbike - excuses are like sphincters.... Everybody has one...

[@Silodrome]

The most beautiful motorcycle I've seen in recent memory. Incredible work to all involved!

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

It looks like a motorcycle.

[@chrisheggie952]

Stunning bike, beautifully done! Small pick though, I believe Brough Superior was considered the Rolls Royce of motorcycles and apparently Rolls even allowed them to use the term. Vincent I would say was more the Bentley of the two wheeled world.

[@G58]

All true.

[@Ukmongoose3]

More like the Aston Martin, if you will 😉

[@royster3345]

All great names to be associated with 👍

[@keithgoodrick-meech3921]

Brough produced custom built bikes, Vincent were production factory bikes so in that respect, i believe Vincent is the true RR.

[@user-jn2kz9jg7l]

True.

[@allsearpw3829]

Heavens , A work of art , as these bikes get older and all the experienced people still go all out to make it better . Hats off to all engaged on this project and to the owner , who picked up the tab , Live your dream .

[@shauntaylor9251]

It's most likely a brand new engine in this . They are available as aftermarket parts still

[@speedfinder1]

I wasn't quite sure I was going to like this at the outset. I am not a close-minded historic obsessive living in 1928 but, a Modern Vincent? However, the whole ethos of the machine, the quality of the work and the finished article is in the true spirit of the original machines. This is a proper motorcycle!

[@michaelarchangel1163]

A late gent I knew had a Black Shadow. I have a Japanese watercooled 90 degree V twin which has 120 crank BHP but has quite a short stroke and is turning at just over 6,000 RPM at 100 MPH. What I like about a Vincent is that at that speed, it's only doing about 4,500 RPM and so seems a lot more long legged and relaxed for real world riding.

[@Ritalie]

You nailed it. I am so glad you mentioned the gear ratios. The old motorcycles were geared better 70 years ago than today's bikes with all the latest technology. Nothing is more irritating than knowing that the manufacturers are intentionally withholding overdrive on motorcycles. You should not need to use 6th gear in town, but 99% of motorcycles can ride in 6th gear at 35mph because they have close ratio race gearing, NOT street gearing.

[@kwakasakifi]

One of the greatest bikes ever made... And you've killed it.. Lay the sound on man, let it sing👍

[@KutWrite]

Great bike, well produced video... except... music was way too loud, especially when that engine is running.THAT is the music I wanted to hear. Still, glad to have watched it.

[@sleddersgaming7227]

How hard is it to just give us some of the bike's sound? I honestly can't understand it from these showcase style bike videos. -_-

[@storiesofbike]

It's in there. Just up the volume a bit. I didn't make it loud enough.

[@dawidos117]

Stories of Bike where? Sorry, I must have missed it too 😔

[@dashkadam3146]

At 3:58 is a startup sound and a couple of second before that are some shots of riding it.

[@pervertt]

In a world full of cruisers, this is a breath of fresh air.

[@greatkingrat]

I was watching a video that was titled “Best Cafe Racer” but I think they were wrong. This is it. Holy crap that is one hell of a beautiful bike. The only thing that I don’t like is I can’t go out tomorrow and buy this exact bike.

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Its a tough call to do a Vincent motor justice, you nailed it. Up in my top 3 of individualist and unique machines.

[@homeyleclerk4632]

Bringing the tradition forward, good on Simon for his vision, artistry and having the balls to see it thru-and at plainly considerable cost. Yes, but what price Art? #respect

[@keithbateman5360]

Thankyou to all at stories of bike, you do it so well and we all need these beautiful distractions in these weird times.

[@keithharrison1453]

OGRI's Bike! Of course I want one, of course!

[@Jesse-B]

Best restomod I've ever seen There's a bloke in Victoria still racing a thousand cc one in a sidecar.

[@joereedmusic9853]

Brilliant and innovative design wrapped around one of the best engineered engines in the world.

[@romandybala]

Most complicated engine in the world I would dare to say.

[@Marvin-fn7ks]

Absolutely gorgeous build ! Well done!

[@jahrap6733]

Nailed it, beautifull build!

[@russellhawkins5113]

Fantastic job. I was just thinking about the Vincent Black Shadow and how it would be awesome to do a modern version of it……. And here it is…. Wow…

[@darrenhill4022]

Beautiful lines.

[@davidmotoman4956]

always been a lover of the Big HRD. You have done magic to your design Build, finished product.

[@22triggy]

No words, thanks for sharing.

[@chrisnorman8628]

Stunning!! Whats it sound like???

[@suereed]

A harmonica.

[@bigtime474]

I was born in 1958. Fortunately I found a barrel of old motorcycle racing trophys in the attic at age 9 or so. Suddenly I was engulfed in motorcycle lore! I'm the eldest but when he saw the trophy in my hands, dad yelled over his shoulder, "Honey, it starts again "! I knew my life had Suddenly changed. For the better I'm happy to say!

[@bigtime474]

His friends couldn't be happier. They were all on a CB RADIO CLUB A SOCIALLY FOUNDED GROUPTHAT HOSTED ICE CREAM SOCIALS,AND WITH A TOUCH OF PRODDING 150 MILE ENDUROS AT THE CAMP GRUBER GAME RESERVE IN Oklahoma. I'll never forget flying down a fire break road on a 100cc 8 speed Suzuki and seeing dad and 4 or 5 of his old friends sailing into a banked curve,both feet on the pegs, in a full lock slide like they were on a TT TRACK !! Muscle memory? Perhaps. It still didn't amount for the amount of years just falling away.

[@donaldwayne4219]

Awesome job. One Great looking motorcycle 👍

[@kdsowen2882]

You and your team of craftsmen have created a magnificent piece of Art . It is truly stunning at every level, a fitting-Tribute to Vincent . A Vincent brought my Parents together, so I sort-of owe my existence to that machine . I have never owned one but always admired them , having had 51 motorcycles over my nearly 70-years and built a few custom cafe-bikes . I still ride (a Vincent-inspired TR1 ) must be in my blood . Dave NZ

[@ftby59mikeD]

What will the world do when these craftsman with the vast knowledge, skills, talents & passion move on?...will there be more like Motor Retro to carry the torch?...if there's a God, then yes!

[@motorretrocarsbikes2453]

Thanks

[@johncunningham4820]

I thought Vincent used the Engine as a Stressed Member originally , for Rigidity . Certainly the Frame you have is stiffer , but I don't think they were " Wobbly " in the first place . And the Girder front end had variable geometry that maintained Trail measurement under Brake Dive and Acceleration Rise . John Britten saw fit to use the concept for his Two World-beater endurance racers . The Brittens were basically Vincents built from Carbon Fibre . Not trying to be a Pain-In-Ass here . Your Bike is a Thing of Beauty . Wonderfully Engineered and Executed . Job done Superbly . Using a GENUINE Engine .

[@palomino73]

What a breath-taking beauty ! Kudos to the owner/builder !

[@michaelsorrentino9279]

Spectacular!!!

[@Robert-mn8gc]

This is a Project of ❤ . Awesome work. Gr8 that u were able 2 find all those folk 2 bring ur Dream Alive. Probably have a good case 2 put a business plan 2gether & builder quite a few l would have thought

[@mrbear143]

That bike looks incredible! Very cool.

[@russpaxman3660]

A beautiful motorised sculpture. Form and function..😊

[@jamesmcnaughton9575]

Absolutely stunning.....

[@garyb2392]

Wow! Amazing !After seeing a bunch of Egli-Vincent videos, I was thinking…how would I modernize a Vincent based motorcycle…and voila! I happened upon your video! Wow! I definitely would have Add the disc breaks (top of my list for sure) and then having the swing arm connected to a mono shock, like most modern bikes would have been my next change. I love that the looks of the bike are the way you want; your sensibility and style. That said, I would have kept it looking “stock”. Regardless, great job! Thanks for sharing! I hope you are having many happy rides!

[@aeror115]

Beautiful video! Motorcycle passion is just amazing

[@rickhope5653]

that is the sexiest looking bike ive seen in a long time, nothing but class

[@bigred8438]

It is absolutely gorgeous and looks better than the original I feel. The original always looked a bit spindly, almost as though it couldn't handle the engine (although it could obviously). This project reminds me a lot of the beautiful achievements of the Melbourne based people who produce the "Irving Vincent" race bikes popularized by Beau Beaton and others.

[@AkashKalita]

Gorgeous motorcycle 🔥 Loved the video 👍

[@exile730]

Great film and a very cool ride. Good on you, boys.

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

Excellent Video. I was sure I was not going to like this one; how wrong I was! Just fantastic

[@mnztr1]

Stunning bike. I would be TERRIFIED to ride such a work of art. lol

[@SkinPeeleR]

That is ff-ing beautiful! Wel done sir. I'd sell my soul for such a bike.

[@40watt_club]

What abeauty, Congrats , TY for sharing.

[@BrunoMendoza09]

This man enjoy their motorcycle and know very good about it. In my opinion it's amazing

[@luuk341]

That is one fine looking motorcycle!

[@OSOFLHP]

I’ve always thought that the Vincent was worthy of this kind of build, wish they would have given more details

[@fredleroux6920]

Simply incrediable

[@truthseeker8483]

Fuel injection is a game changer for any engine...nice work

[@jhensby1]

If Leanardo Davinci had been a motorcycle enthusiast this is the bike design he would have created.. and I think the word 'Created' is so appropriate.. because the bike is truly a 'creation' of breathtaking visual design expression. Actually a model design name of the ... 'Davinci Vincent' would pedigree the design perfectly.

[@rcpmac]

Lots of comments on the lack of sound samples of the Vincent. I would suggest that what we all really want is 100 episodes over 2 years from conception to drive away.

[@rolandrodriguez3854]

SO LETS HEAR IT AT FULL CLIP!!!

[@romandybala]

Draw a line between the two axles . 95% 0f the engine /box is above this line. Thats gotta be top heavy.

[@elmerfudd1086]

Brough superior was the rolls royce of motorcycles not Vincent. Vincents were fantastic motorbikes, possibly even better than the brough superior but they did come along AFTER the brough. Your version of a vincent is truly a beautiful machine, I wish you many years of happiness with it.

[@davidyersz8668]

What an amazing stunning looking bike

[@conordorrian1652]

One of the most beautiful things in the world mechanic or organic is the side view of a Vincent engine.....

[@slytester5636]

Simply beautiful. When can I buy a production example?

[@ZincWingman]

so many cool stories i wish i could live there

[@karlrupert1800]

TRUE ART ON TWO WHEELS CONGRATS.

[@blackroot8484]

Simple beautyful Bike,Love IT, respect

[@paullacey2999]

Lovely bike,truly special👍

[@Jasonkenny-]

Great bike!

[@pwoolveridge1]

Such a beautiful bike

[@zsoltkohazy537]

Egy motor bemutatásánál nem a zenét akarom hallani, hanem a gép hangját ! ! ::O

[@rolfleoangst3888]

did own a "Egli Kawa" with Boneville tuning for a very short time!!

[@mattheworton5836]

another brilliant episode

[@markmark2080]

I'm going to have to concede, this bike is better than mine, BEAUTIFUL job, would have liked you to touch on the exhaust a bit, rather unusual layout.

[@tomthompson7400]

You may be confusing Vincent and Brough ,, certainly one of them is regarded as the pinnacle of bike building , but its not Vincent , that aside thats a fine machine you have built , well done.

[@christopherbradley5575]

And people ask me why I won't settle for an electric bike. That Vincent is totally awesome.

[@bjdaniel03]

Looking forward to Bajaj Vincent bikes in India

[@akkyheylz2398]

PURE soul 🤍❤️❤️

[@erwinballings9155]

Beautiful bike.

[@ShafiqShikin]

beautiful bike indeed..

[@davidorourke1123]

Stunning

[@altaylor3988]

Still retained the Vincent aura

[@alxx1378]

Beautiful bike👌

[@larrytownley2231]

Oh,HELL YEAH !!!

[@trevorrobinson735]

Nice bike .

[@keithsage1593]

Than you..this is long over due.

[@fzlsalim]

Beautiful

[@dogphlap6749]

So what was the final wet weight of this beautiful creation ?

[@stuartcoutts3898]

In love 😍

[@wiscgaloot]

I've dreamed of owning a Black Shadow since I was about 23. And while this bike is gorgeous, it is NOT a "21st century Vincent". If Phil Irving were alive today to design a new bike, it would look a lot like the Britten V1000, but toned down to be a gentleman's motorcycle.

[@brucesherborne408]

Reproduce these and everyone will buy one, this looks incredible 👍

[@sandrosandri1763]

Everyone will love one but not everyone will buy one 😉

[@bigred8438]

I thought the brough Superior was the rolls royce of Motorcycles. I thought the Vincent was the Woolsley Vandenplais.

[@highdownmartin]

Nice bike. Done it justice

[@johnadams3730]

I want to hear it and will it go into production and how much I doubt weather the ordinary man can afford it we only get to dream.

[@mothereartha7]

I’m a harmonica player, myself, but l would have loved to hear the bike,

[@randalmontgomery4595]

Superb. Are these for sale or its his bespoke one and only?

[@colinbatchford8007]

What a fantastic bike you should be well prowd of what you have created.

[@PeterKoperdan]

Gorgeous bike. Realistically, how fast can you regularly ride with an open face helmet? It seems to me like it's suited for sub 90km/h speeds. I've been riding a scooter as my beginner bike and let me tell you that I switched to a full face pretty quickly. Now it's a no-brainer choice for me, my open face helmet (with a face shield) is collecting dust. Are there no insects in Australia? Or do you just chew wasps and spit them out Crocodile Dundee style? :-D

[@romandybala]

Nah mate, its just that the bike will only ever be ridden to the cafe and back on a Sunday morning in a suburban setting.

[@davestuff624]

The magic of these old bikes is the sound they make. Too much talk in this video, not enough noise!

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

It’s a far cry from my 1951 Rapide.

[@kirkdavis3929]

What is the entry price your looking at?

[@larrymckenna3503]

elegance !

[@randalmontgomery4595]

Hard to choose between this offering and the French Godet Egli Vincent. What does everyone think?

[@user-uu8vz2jx2m]

カッコ良いなぁ...

[@jochenwagner5170]

Nearly perfect. I don’t like the near of the fairing in its back. Too close to the petrol tank. Best regards!