The FASTEST Motorcycle from every decade

[@lauramildon-clews7850]

I restored a 1952 Vincent black shadow in the 70s.It had a few tweaks and mods and I did get 140 mph registered on it's original speedo. How accurate that is is another story. It didn't handle really well and I never repeated that speed again. I sold the bike soon after as my parents suggested that it was not the best bike for a young woman to ride. I should have kept it knowing what it is worth now though. Regards, Laurajane from New Zealand

[@justinturner4850]

Awesome. thanks for sharing. I live in Maui Hawaii so I don’t get to see bikes like this in real life.

[@ronjones-6977]

You should go hang out with Andy Mechanic. I'd love to hear you guys talk about some of the old bikes.

[@2Fast4You-636]

Goddamit what a pair of bollocks...that is a suicide machine, although the experience alone is worth now maybe even more ,as nobody will do it again, especially not young women...

[@lauramildon-clews7850]

@@2Fast4You-636 In my life my parents told me that I could not do a lot of things. I did anyway. That includes a masters degree in marine engineering, racing at speedway, racing moto cross and in later life top full drag racing. I have slowed down somewhat as I approach sixty-eight, but I still tarmac rally and tarmac hill climb. All this in little ol New Zealand 🇳🇿. My question being, what has my gender and age have to do with it?, regards from Laurajane in Taupo New Zealand

[@2Fast4You-636]

Nothing at all,as I was not referring to you particulary,but any young woman out there,or man for that instance,as there is very little chance that anyone young(or older) will ever approach 150 mph on a old Vincent.

[@Jooeffoh]

I remember reading the review of the Kawasaki GPZ900 back in the 80's. I think it was in BIKE magazine and as I read it the journalist gave a great impression of just how fast it was. He talked of it decimating sports cars and mashing other motorcycles on the road. It was a 155mph bike which seemed crazy at the time and the guy reviewing it heaped praise upon it. He was truly gobsmacked. Good memories!

[@troywesselman7392]

I got clocked at 155 on a Kawi 1981 LTD 1000 and i wasn't even trying

[@philipmarwood9327]

I've got a 20 year old Kawasaki zx9r which claims to be the first production bike to crack the quarter mile in under 9 seconds, roughly means 0 to 140 in 9 secs.Still touches 170 mph but not recently on account of points on my licence.

[@mustangmikep51]

the 9r is a GREAT bike!

[@nealbeard1]

That is a great bike. Motorcycles are shark like in their level of evolution. Propulsion is obviously next I like the bikes out of Tron

[@michaelm4063]

you mean under 10

[@marksample6230]

I bought one new in 98.

[@mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454]

If you’re going to get points, at least you are doing so with style. Remember, they expire after a short while, so start saving for a radar detector.

[@consolehacker54]

A couple of years ago I had a 1986 Kawasaki Concours (GTR) 1000 touring bike, based on the water cooled GPZ engines and making about 100-110HP it was already fast, but VERY heavy. I stripped it down into a street fighter removing the fairings, luggage, a little bit of rear subframe, the just plain absurdly large stock mufflers, etc. Acceleration went from fast to actually a little bit terrifying. Great bike that I wish I never sold

[@deevnn]

I owned a Kawasaki 900 Z1B in 1975. Did a little work which included a Jardin exhaust 4:2, Koni's, an oil cooler and rejetted the carbs. I took it to Ontario Speedway's public back road which was a straight line stretch just under two miles and top speed was a tad over 130 mph. These days doesn't sound like much but it was a blast.

[@ronjones-6977]

I miss the sound the carbs would make when you got on it. "Waaaaaaahhhhh!" The first time I rode a Z900rs 2 years ago, I put it in first gear and just started laughing with my son. He's like, "Yep, it's got that same Kawi clunk." Forty-five years later and the transmission sounds exactly the same.

[@mjwbulich]

130 mph on a motorcycle is ,was, and always will be,a blast.

[@MrWildwilly48]

Anything over 100 on a older Kawasaki is a scary experience

[@MarcoUchello02]

The legend that was Vincent. Thats what happens when a Australian and a Englishman have a beer together

[@andrewtucker7990]

The Vincent's are so beautiful. I had never heard of them until I watched another of your videos a few days ago.

[@johnkeyes272]

And ridiculously expensive you could buy 11 Tiger 110:for one Vincent to gain 15mph

[@peterg2yt]

@@johnkeyes272 ...which is why, of course they went bust! Doesn't mean that they are not fabulous bikes!

[@johnkeyes272]

@@peterg2yt Is that why? I had no idea,A whole load of British bikes disappeared and never thought of their fate, Except one I think it was Norton who were so arrogant that the bike they made were good enough,When Honda brought out the CB 750 a representative of Norton on the News on a Saturday I remember it clearly "you don't need four cylinders on a motorbike,I couldn't believe what I was hearing my father heard as he put my dinner on the table,You make the motorbikes that the customer wants not some old sh#t that is adequate

[@bderrick4944]

Fun fact- The Curtiss V-8 motorcycle was hitting speeds of over 136 miles per hour back in 1907, a record that went unsurpassed by any other motorcycle for 23 years.

[@Bianchiboy]

It’s more fun to get cancer

[@keithfanks2836]

If you ever get a chance stop at the Curtiss Museum Hammondsport NY. The man was a genius.

[@wymple09]

Certainly wasn't anywhere near a production bike.

[@andrewblake2254]

Good luck riding it.

[@KM-jp2wx]

@@keithfanks2836 If you haven't read "Unlocking the Sky: Glenn Hammond Curtiss and the Race to Invent the Airplane" by Seth Shulman, it is a story you will likely enjoy. The author spends time in the story documenting Curtiss' work with bicycles and motorcycles, as well as his aviation successes. I hope to someday visit that museum.

[@cb750k1974]

1973 Kawasaki Z1-900......got it up to 140 mph one time......at 140, the front wheel was bouncing all over the place. Once was enough for me. Great bike...lots of memories.

[@johnkeith2450]

72' Honda 750 here....120 and the same.

[@johnthonig8832]

74 Z1 135 Same wobble I survived 🙏☮️

[@wymple09]

I bought a new Suzuki GS1100EZ in 1982. Top speed was right at 142 by the tach in high gear. This was the big dog in drag racing circles at the time, with Vance & Hines leading the way. I never drag raced mine on a track, but I knew a couple guys who were dipping there modded street 1100's into the very low 10's riding to & from the track as daily riders. The 1325 big bore kit was very popular.

[@markmark2080]

For the 1960s, the 1969 Norton Commando 'S' was the first production motorcycle with quarter mile times in the 12's, as recorded in the motorcycle magazine road tests of the day, things happened very fast AFTER that as the 750 Honda 4 was ushering in the "modern motorcycle age". I still have Cycle and Cycle World magazines of that period with the road tests. The Nortons were geared a bit low with a 19 tooth counter sprocket but could pull 125 with a 21 "toother". It was an awesome time to be a young man in love with motorcycles (I was 23 in 1970). I feel that the Norton Commando was the greatest (over all performance wise) of the old school bikes, coming on the scene the same year as the 750 Honda 4 did, closing out one era while the Honda opened up the new one. The "performance wars" among the Big 4 in Japan for the next decade and a half were VERY SIMILAR to the "car wars" between the American Big 3 from 1955 on to the end of the 60s. It was a very cool time to be a young gear head.

[@richardthomas4001]

Heck yea! Born in 59 i loved it. Allmost bought a nirton 850 camaodo s but went for the kz900. Cheers

[@chhindz]

Norton could also out handle the others in the tight curves

[@rogercarmichael6653]

When I started riding late 50s in Germany, NORTON was winning most ALL races, a testement to handling, but I recall a pair of Triumph Bonnevilles were turning 11 sec quarter miles in early 69s

[@davidmacphee8348]

It impressed the heck out me! He disappeared in a poof like magic. Real low end torque. Gone in a grunt. I had the Orange H1-B. No take off like that for me man.

[@bobgould99]

The 500cc H1 was faster over the quarter mile than the Honda four & the Norton Commando but it didn't have the handling or the brakes of the others. It did an 11.4 quarter mile.

[@davidharris5736]

My first ride on a motorcycle was a Black shadow as a youngster a pillion with my future BIL. Scared the crap out of me. I still ride to this day.

[@landedzentry]

We all wanted a Jota when were teenagers. I still do 50 years later. They’re £15k ish Oh well, I’ll have to get a Yamaha RD350 instead.

[@RachaelSA]

A few of my friends had the RD350's. I had (and still have) the TZR 250 3MA/SP and it was always much, much faster than the RD's even though it was 100cc less.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

I had , as my first new motorcycle, a brand new, shiny 1976 Yamaha RD400c.I was 20,and spent many a beautiful day in the bike seasons to go EVERYWHERE I could on 2 wheels. Best mountain curve handling bike I ever had… and 2nd was an ‘83 Honda CB900F SuperSport, fast , handling was great and got that sucker up over 230-235 kph or 135-140 mph. Fantastic cruiser with a 4 gallon tank, took it everywhere as well. Great memories. 👍🇨🇦

[@weldmachine]

Nothing wrong with a Good RD 350 LC My version had a Top Speed of 220 KMH with standard gearing. Not to bad for a 350 cc bike. Of course with a heavily modified motor 😁

[@56redjets]

Had plenty of RZ350's. USA model. If you like two strokes get a RG500. No comparison. One is fast, one is FASTER.........

[@jackhammer111]

@@RachaelSA I was Kawasaki H1 and H2 guy but the rd350 guys were the only ones that could almost hang with me on my H1 during bragging rights rides on winding roads. Their problem was of course every time though Road went straight I'd run away from them and have to slow up at the end of the straightaway to let him catch back on. But at least they made a challenge while the British bikes and Harleys handled terribly. They were a joke. I had a hard time riding slow enough to ride with them. The Honda 750 could hang pretty close too until the road straightened out. That's why when I hear people say Kawasaki H bikes handled terribly I say compared to what? I'm sure the H bikes would have handled just fine at the slower speeds of those other bikes.

[@PakdbyCellpak]

Loved the old bikes, not heard or seen anyone talk about a Vincent bikes in ages,.. bought back some memories.. During the late 70’s/80’ when I was a young kid, a guy my mum was dating was a vintage drag bike racer / builder / mechanic, our garden shed was always full of old Vincent bikes and parts and the smell of machined metal. He and his mates used Vincent engines with custom stretched frames etc. We spent many weekends at Santa Pod, where the main UK drag bike/car scene was blowing-up in the UK. There walking around the pits, I was surrounded by all these crazily fast vehicles, even a jet engined car that was so fast you couldn’t see it go past but boy you could hear it! But it was the Vincent based bikes for me, doing run after run on the drag strip, firey burnouts and fat blokes in race leathers swilling warm beers between runs. Even back then to a kid it seemed a wild place. Now in hindsight it’s some great memories and being around all that awesome mayhem basically instilled in me a healthy appreciation of all things mechanical 2 or 4 wheels!

[@allanbowes6952]

I had a 1979 KZ1300 6 cylinder 'A" model no faring (Canadian model) which would go over 150 MPH. A big boys bike (seat height at 32 inches). You could get it to 9000 RPM in 5th. A very special bike. Weight was around 750 lbs., 3 - 2 barrel Makunes, no emissions on the Canadian model. I'm well retired but in some ways still miss it. Have a great picture on the wall.

[@williamjonas4013]

THE VINCENT WAS THE BEST IN LOOKS AND POWER AND STILL IS .

[@allwinds3786]

Fear and loathing in Las Vegas

[@conorcoltman5756]

The Black Shadow is a beautiful machine. IMO the aesthetics were let down by the seat which looks like it had just been plonked there as an afterthought. They look much better with a single saddle.

[@m.b.82]

Amazing bike, but 70hp by today's standards, thats learner plate territory

[@ciaranbyrne62]

@@m.b.82 Hehehe 🙂

[@everettbranscom6536]

The Vincent Black Shadow is an amazing bike but only got that top speed run one time with a guy stripped down to his underwear laying on it in the prone position none of the other motorcycles were tested in that manner.

[@Lhenry-pf5zn]

In the 1970s I had a Kawasaki H2 Triple, 2 stroke, 750cc. I don't know what the top speed was but in a straight line I was never beaten by anything.

[@fakenews7266]

I built a go cart out of one of them in the late 1970s , it was insane

[@californiadreaming9216]

L. henry thank you for your comment. The h2750 was a really insane bike which unfortunately killed a few people because around 7,000 RPM the horsepower would double and if you weren't careful the front end would easily come off the ground. Many Riders not anticipating this wheelie died

[@DavidKing-jx3sg]

Sound incredible too

[@edwardgreenhalgh960]

I owned (and will restore my H2B) in the 70s and nothing was faster in a straight line. (speedo said 135 mph I read but it was probably in reality 125 mph ) The Z1 was only faster because Kawi detuned the later H2s to promote the sale of the Zs. Bottom line , I am alive today only due to the Grace of God. Cue the Flight of the Valkyries,"God , nothing smells better than castor oil in the morning "and FU Greta . BTW I am purchasing the NEW Z900 rs but will not try to kill myself.

[@joem1256]

@@californiadreaming9216 H model killed a factory rider at Daytona.

[@cannissolis]

@Bart 10:45 you state "the Triumph trident and BSA Rocket [3] which were basically the same bike" and show a Triumph T150, the engines and frames of the T150 and Rocket 3 were very different, it wasn't until the Triumph T160 Trident that they shared the majority of BSA engine components and the BSA frame.

[@DwightMS1]

I remember reading an article written by a staff writer on a motorcycle magazine, about how he finally got a chance to take a sport bike up to an incredible speed they were capable of. It was a racetrack in France with a straightway several miles long. He got the bike up to about 180. He found it terrifying, hated it, and promised himself he'd never do it again. He felt like he was taunting death. And "motorcycles" was what this guy did.

[@BigAl53750]

Yeah, I understand exactly what he means and how he felt. I took my 1969 Trident up to 130mph (according to the Tacho reading) against my friend’s Kawasaki 900, once in the mid 70’s. At 2:00am, very few cars were out, but at the speed we were doing, it seemed as if they were reversing towards us at 70mph, which is a little worrying, as they say. I have never, ever, wanted to go that fast on a Bike again and I’ve been on two wheels for the last 49 years. Indeed, I have spent quite long stretches where I haven’t even owned a car. There’s a point where it just gets too scary.

[@a-nus]

meanwhile Chad on the Hayabusa is ripping 150 on the onramp lmao

[@RamonInNZ]

Hmmmm, I did about 180kmph on a twin 125cc 2 stroke race bike - it was like low flying thrilling till you hit the hair pin at the end of the back straight of Pukekohe Racetrack in New Zealand.

[@chrisgraham5186]

I'm surprised that Scott didn't feature in the pre-1920 period as in the days when clubmen would ride their road bikes to meetings, race, then ride home, many race organisers banned riders on Scotts from competing because no one would race against them as the Scott watercooled 2 stroke twins were too fast and had an unfair advantage.

[@adingman9798]

Back in the early 70's my dad gave up riding to devote more time to his MG collection. For whatever reason he collected English bikes exclusively. In his collection were the usual bunch and a few off brands. He had a very low mileage, mint condition Vincent Black Shadow that he wanted me to have. I declined citing it was one ugly bike and I wouldn't be caught dead on it. He put the bike up for sale and sold it for $825.00 to a high school friend. I've been kicking myself in the ass ever since.

[@keithfanks2836]

Well don’t come to Pittsburgh because I’ll kick your ass. Lol

[@markmark2080]

I remember a Vincent for sale locally back in the early 70's for $2000, there were so many cool machines (especially cars) available back in those days, it was hard to choose...

[@monkeyintensity1]

That sounds like a lot of work....let us all help kick you in the ass.....😁

[@eb4452]

@@markmark2080 In 1975 I was a student in Boston. One day I happened to walk past (I think) Arlington Cycle on Mass Ave. I think Kevin Cameron wrenched there at the time. There inside was a pristine Seely Norton. Oh how I lusted for that bike but I was sooo poor. I still remember that moment...wonder what it would go for today.

[@LordHolley]

I couldn't agree more. The one to keep is definitely the Vincent Black Shadow. What a piece of motorcycle history! Love it.

[@donaldoehl7690]

I remember during/after the Gas Crisis of the 70s guys I knew in Detroit sold off their muscle cars and bought a clunker 4 wheeler and a Z1 Kaw. They could still race on Telegraph Rd and beat everything on 4 wheels while getting 40+ mpg around town. It was a no-brainer.

[@KozmykJ]

There was a motorcyle shop on my way to school (1969) with a Brough Superior on display in the corner window. I often stopped to look at it. Big old beast it was.

[@jimdavis6833]

I can personally verify that the 1977 KZ1000 (the successor to the 900 Z1) would surpass 145 MPH on a straightaway with over half a throttle left. I chickened out then and backed off. Yes, I know, that's only what my speedometer read and not professionally clocked. I can tell you with accuracy though, that my speedometer was correct at 100 MPH, as clocked by the cop who ticketed me later the same month.

[@stacybaldwin3346]

my 82 v45 magna shifted out of 3rd at 140, with 3 gears left. not sure how fast it was but the guy I bought it from said he was clocked at 188.

[@yourmomma2995]

yeah they were fast for the time, i had a 77 kz1000 as well.

[@bartbullock9742]

I hit 186mph back in 80s.. recently hit over 200 on a aprila.....I got sick skilz on wilz ....I'm 60 y.o. and that aprila tested my wavos !!!!!

[@marcellogenesi6390]

I first saw a Vincent motorcycle in 1955 as a young man working in a hotel in Pescara we had as guests a lovely couple from England. They were traveling on a motorcycle with side car, it was parked in the street next to the hotel, it was a Vincent, not quite sure which model, most likely a Black Shadow, fell in love with it strait away.... yes I now as an Italian i should love Moto Guzzi, Gilera, MV, Ducati, Morini and all the others, but one can't help with who, or what you fall in love with, sadly I could never been able to afford a VINCENT, best piece of masterpiece in the motorcycle industry.

[@rogerdodrill4733]

@@stacybaldwin3346 sure it wasn't v65?

[@wildbill5670]

I had a sandcast early Honda CB750. I got that bad boy up to just under 130 once. Still walking this earth. That was 50 years ago.

[@thearab59]

A 1951 Vincent Black Lightning took the land speed record (for a series production bike) with 141.5 mph in 1952. I don't think it ever achieved 150 on a 2 way timed stretch. For anybody that doesn't know the song, 1952 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson is brilliant.

[@brianlemasters3945]

To the arab59.great bike great player,great song writer , enjoy.brian lemasters me

[@karakoima]

What a disappointment, that song. A song about the fastest motor cycle ought to have a base drums, base and guitar like Rocker by ACDC or Down Down by Status, or more timely Hound dog. Thats the kind of songs I would have liked to have in my earphones going down the Autobahn at 130 mph in 1960...

[@deevnn]

Best it ever did was 148 mph...still very fast.

[@bobgould99]

A few people have covered that song but Richard Thompson's version is still the best.

[@peterg2yt]

September 13 1948 Rollie Free set official record of 150.313mph on Bonneville Salt Flats with the first (series B) Vincent Black Lightning.

[@refuge33]

at 62, I've owned 27 bikes. My favorites were, the 1969 Kawasaki 500 triple 2 stroke, it was supposed to be the quickest bike available With the shittiest brakes known to man, also nicknamed, "The Death Machine" until my next bike, the 1970 750 Kawasaki 2 stroke triple due to raising the 750's compression ratio, it would make your eyelids roll back into the sockets forcing you to slow down as you could no longer see. Next was a 1974 Suzuki 2 stroke triple, the "Water Buffalo, first water-cooled 2 strokes made., only weighed about 8,000 pounds! I live in Texas and remember when it would get really hot, I couldn't use the kickstand as it would embed itself into the asphalt, and then it would be stuck. The fastest I had was my 1976 Husquavarna CR 430 motocrosser, and last was my 1974 RD 350 with aftermarket Vance and Hines expansion chambers. It wheelied under power in every gear. Currently, ride a 1982 Kawasaki KZ 650/4 and at my age, all I can handle. Other favorites were my 1972 Hodaka Combat Wombat, my Honda Elsinore CR 500,, (see the "Death Machine") my 1974 Yz 125, and finally, my 1978 Suzuki RM 460 that doubled as a trench digger with all that torque. Back when bikes were Bikes! ( my Husquavarna came with 3 counter sprockets for different tracks, with the highest ratio it hit an honest to God 105mph and quickly at that!)

[@davidmacphee8348]

The Blue H2 750 was 1972

[@sicks6six]

I met someone who had a black lightening, but it was red, anyway I looked it over one day and something I noticed was the attention to detailing in the manufacture of it, considering how old it was it looked like a modern day reproduction of an old bike, the finish on simple things like nuts and bolts, elongated nuts with amazing smooth finishes, It was a work of art, mind, all good bikes are,

[@Oddman1980]

Can you imagine going 150 on that Vincent? You'd feel like you were going into orbit! Myself, I'm glad I didn't ever have the money to buy a really fast bike when I was younger. I'm not smart now but I was really dumb then and I'd have ended up in bits on a highway somewhere. I'm older now, and my DR650 moves plenty fast for me.

[@barrybooth7383]

Just have to love the DR's, great all around, go anywhere motorcycle!

[@pauliebots]

You plenty smart.

[@jackhammer111]

Only one person ever went 150 and that was on the Bonneville Salt Flats. they only Built 31 of them. It wasn't a production motorcycle and it's not relevant.

[@peterg2yt]

@@jackhammer111 I don’t see your logic as to why it isn’t relevant. It definitely WAS a production bike… even if so few were made. The reason that not many were sold was because it was primarily intended for competition or record breaking and at the time it was made (because it wasn’t long after WW2), very few people had a lot of cash to spend on ‘toys’. Not many people had enough cash to buy their road bikes either, which is why the company went bust.

[@jackhammer111]

@@peterg2yt What other motorcycle that was primarily intended for record-breaking or competition is called a production motorcycle? You're helping make my argument for not calling it a production bike. You don't know your motorcycle history very well nor do you know history very well. By 1950 Europe and the United States had booming economies. You can't blame Economic conditions for the failure of Vincent as a company. It's true, their motorcycles were overpriced but if they were worth it people would have bought them. They made those 30 bikes when there were motorcycles being mass-produced by companies like BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda's by the hundreds of thousands Moto Guzzi, Norton, Triumph oh, and Yamaha. Black lightnings were built in a shop one at a time. If I build a shop and build eight motorcycles a year are you going to call those motorcycles production motorcycles? The only reason they even sold 30 of them was because of that Bonneville Salt Flats publicity stunt. Nobody would have ever heard of them without that. Vincent doesn't belong here any more than the Norton Manx, which he mentions, does. I'm not even saying they're not worth mentioning in passing but to worship down the way this guy does is Ludacris

[@daviddavid5880]

I was in the bike biz back in the day. Can confirm, the turn of the century was legit bonkers. Everything just got huge. The ZX10, 1100xx were suddenly pase'. The Busa, the battleship-sized Valkyrie, the ZX12, the "now even bigger" Busa, the ZX14, the already ginormous Goldwing went to 1800, Kawasaki busted out a tank-like 2liter Vulcan (I could barely push that bastard)... It was completely nuts.

[@californiadreaming9216]

David David great comment thank you. Your comment about the Fat Bastard 2-liter Vulcan is hilarious and very accurate LOL

[@rhoderickjeffrey4622]

Then Triumph came out with the 2300 cc Rocket 3 and later the 2500cc version . No other manufacturer took up the challenge .Surprisingly I never read a critical comment about either its weight or its handling in any road test .

[@stevemitz4740]

Judging a bike by it's speed, is just as useful as judging your future wife by bra size! {Sometimes} Bigger/ Faster isn't always better! I learned that from the pizza commercial.

[@johnholmes6897]

I'm a huge fan of handling and stopping first. How fast can you go is meaningless if you can't turn or stop.

[@stevemitz4740]

@@johnholmes6897 Yes as in, Motorcycle trials, also known as observed trials, often called simply trial or trials, is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles. The sport is most popular in the United Kingdom and Spain, though there are participants around the globe. Wikipedia

[@johnholmes6897]

@@stevemitz4740 why don't I see pizza commercials like that? Thanks for sharing. Now I want pizza. Lol

[@ravinderyadav9147]

But bike manufacturers pursued top speed so it is sign of good engineering.

[@Splitscreen83]

That Vincent Black Lightning looks absolutely spectacular! 😳

[@wildcat67-b7n]

something else about the vincents were they were the first bike to experiment with the cantilever monoshock system something that didnt really catch on until the 80s.

[@DucatiKozak]

10:45 You're right, we haven't found the evasive Harley Davidson species conquer the local sport bike species! 😝

[@hondaxl250k0]

HD is pure junk.. what are the saddle bags on a HD for? Oil and spare parts. Why are there more HD on the road than any other? They didn’t make it home..

[@kingunicron3863]

The cyclone was one of my inspiration to my boardtrack racer bike design. Its look aestethic in design and the power. Its still competitive to challenge the new biker for racing.

[@m.g.540]

My father considered his Manx Norton about the fastest of it's era, he said the Vincent could get up and go but was out of it's element through the winding roads of Cumbria and the English Lake District, the Manx was a T.T. bike not a cruiser.

[@danwingo7512]

You overlooked the 79 Yamaha XS11. I had one back in the day and could do the quarter in low 11's every time @ 137mph. That was one wicked 2 wheel rocket.

[@brucelevering8789]

Had one also. Very quick. Quick enough for me. Lol

[@DFDuck55]

Would be interesting to see a similar comparison of the Quickest motorcycles 0 to 60 mph. In 1969 I had a Kawasaki Mach III H1 500cc 3 cylinder. It would do the 1/4 mile in the high 12 seconds. As far as I know that was the quickest production vehicle 2 or 4 wheels in '69.

[@FeldwebelWolfenstool]

...buddy piled his into the back of a city tranit bus..

[@DFDuck55]

@@FeldwebelWolfenstool: The 1969 model was the worst because the front forks were straight up and down. After that they put a bit of a rake (caster) on them and replaced the drum brakes with disc. A lot of people wrecked them and usually bent the front end and would sell them cheap. That's how I eventually ended up with 5 Kamakazi 500. My main one was a 1969 frame with a 1971 front end on it.

[@tanksoldier9770]

My 70 would throw you off the back end if you weren't carfull ,and I still have it stay safe

[@biffphuddle6581]

Neat video... that Black Lighting gets my vote ... classic looks and speed to boot !!!!

[@paratrooper7340]

I think a more realistic performance or speed to consider is how quickly a bike can get to 100 or whatever number you want to fill the blanks with and then how quickly the bike can get back to "0" again, Remember, a bike must be very close to stopped after going like hell for the driver/rider to get safely off the thing.

[@johncunningham4820]

The Vincent design was so good , that John Britten , a NZ based Engineer , built two (only) purpose built Race Motorcycles . Vincent design done in Carbon Fibre . The Hand Made Engines were the Main part of the Chassis as well . Carbon Brakes , Girder type front-end , cantilever rear-end . They were UNBEATABLE 1000cc Superbikes and Endurance Racers .

[@JamesCouch777]

I knew a guy who had a cousin who knew a guy who went 100 mph on a Honda 50, or something like that.

[@kramrollin69]

I knew that guy too, who also knew a guy.....yeah That Guy!!.

[@possumpopper89]

My brother had a stock 1978 KZ 1000 that ran 156mph. It was advertised as the fastest production motorcycle of its time.

[@BigAl53750]

Really? Interesting that the Kawasaki company claimed a top seed of only 132mph. I highly doubt that they UNDER-stated that figure, so I’m afraid I’m going take your tale as an idication of speedo-error. After half a century on two wheels, I’ve heard many such claims, but I never heard that the Kawasaki KZ1000 was the world’s fastest production motorcycle. Either back in 1978, or since. To be fair, there are several bikes that are put forward as the fastest production Bike in 1978, beginning with the Suzuki engined Bimota that was mentioned in the video. The Honda CBX1000 has also been nominated, so it’s hard to be sure which is which. Sadly, I don’t trust magazines for this kind of information (nor hardcover books either for that matter) as I have reason to doubt the impartiality of the writers.

[@possumpopper89]

@@BigAl53750 I doubt the speedo was off 22 MPH. Generally they were considered calibrated if they were within 5 MPH.

[@jeffpiatt3879]

150mph on 1940-1960 motorcycle tire technology is terrifying!!! Been riding for 43 years and continue to be impressed by how far tires have progressed- and keep progressing. The "race" tires of the 80's are awful by comparison to the touring tires you can buy, today.

[@xminusone1]

The rubber on these tyres looked hard as hell. Going over 80 on a cold, humid asphalt in the morning would surely be dangerous as hell.

[@eb4452]

Not to mention the brakes, suspension and frame back then!!!

[@NoSoup4U2]

In 1986 Honda made the fastest production bike with the V65 Magna. I owned one and one day I tried to open it right up, but without a windscreen, I simply couldn't. But I did have it's odometer flashing at 288kph and still had throttle left, but I was going so fast, it was pushing me off the back of the bike! Scared my backsides contents out of me! I only did that once... with that bike! In 1987 the Ninja came out and Kawasaki's Ninja only got faster in '88 and '89 as well. I still wonder how I ever managed to survive those crazy speed obsession years. But talk about FUN!! WOOHOO BABY!! :)))🤪

[@therealzilch]

Damn. I always thought the Vincent Black Lightning was one of the best looking motorcycles ever. I didn't know its legendary speed history. Haven't been on a bike in years, but I still remember the thrill. Subscribed. Cheers from sunny Vienna, Scott

[@Splitscreen83]

Absolutely agree. The Black Lightning looks absolutely spectacular 😳😎

[@therealzilch]

@@Splitscreen83 The stuff of dreams.

[@Splunkzop]

My step dad had a Laverda Jota back in the 70's. That thing had power for days . Left me and my triumph for dead.

[@josemercado8309]

Yes at 67 years old, my 1973 Norton Commando is actually quite fast at 150 + but too fast for my age now a days still sits inside my home.

[@abercass4683]

I guess that would be 150 Km.

[@alanhynd7886]

For further insight into the Vicent company's mindset, can I suggest Phil Irving's book Tuning For Speed. If you own an older motorcycle that you would like to see perform a little better, then the book is still relevant.

[@d00dEEE]

My 1971 Kawasaki H1 hit 127 mph more than once (a lot more 😁). It had clip-on bars, which probably helped with drag, and I also changed the gearing to be best for top speed (don't recall the tooth counts after all these decades, but do recall I put the HP peak right at 127-128 in top gear). My uncle had a 1972 Z1, first model year, with a set of headers and some carb work that would hit 135 (he never topped it out, but I was immortal back then, so opened it up at every opportunity).

[@lauramildon-clews7850]

Hi ,I have a H2R which is road legal here in New Zealand. I have had 160 mph out of it. I suspect that it may have gone faster. I chickened out. I am only sixty-eight years old now. I don't ride the old lady much now, the local police know me too well. Dems da breaks sweetheart, best wishes, Laurajane

[@millertas]

My father helped Phil Irving develop the HRD and in particular the clutch.

[@wendellbell6164]

In 1979 I bought a new stock Susuki GS 1000 L and still have it today. The top speed according to the guages was 133 mph. I ran it there alot.

[@DayRider76]

My 81 GSl1000L will burry the speedo to. All stock, just tuned. It pulls right along side my buddies FTR until it tops out, then the FTR pulls away. But still very fast for an 81.

[@johnshields9110]

You lucky dog! I never got around to buying the GS1000, as a friend would loan me his KZ1000 whenever, while I zipped around town and easy country riding on my Suzuki 550. Test rode GS1000 and loved it.

[@wendellbell6164]

@@johnshields9110 I still have the GS 1000 L today but only let myself out on it a few time a year and it still tops out at 133. I have been trying to grow up all my life but haven't succeeded yet I guess. They handle very well on gravel rds to, above 100 mph , but don't stop well. I used to leave a jump at 118 mph and try to clear a big intersection but once in awhile the landing would throw me into a high speed whip. It kept boredom from setting in on life. But if I had a smaller bike maybe I wouldn't have lost so much skin.

[@johnshields9110]

@@wendellbell6164 Better grow up some more and forget those jumps! A dirt biker friend showed me how to jump rail road tracks, certain types of ultra dippy hills; my girl friends loved it till I hit one too fast and we had a ski jumping moment! I picked up a Wide Glide Diana to thump around for easy cruising. Keep your hips in shape, and safe riding for you!

[@nick4506]

ay the lower fork legs were flipped around in one of the jota clips. I'm not sure if it matters on this bike but it's an old racing trick to change the trail for more aggressive steering.

[@petermcmurray2807]

The 1939 Rudge Ulster was road tested at 106mph with a 500 cc 4 valve single. It was the first Rudge with fully enclosed valve gear. The one I bought for 20 pounds in 1960 still did 106 as claimed.

[@mikehoare6093]

I envy you !

[@ndotl]

1969 Yamaha 350 Scrambler went 99 mph, but I was 16 and weighed around 140 at the time. I was likely burning as much oil as gas, but it's the thought that counts.

[@martinrea8548]

Was that a lot of money back then? What would it be in today's money?

[@petermcmurray2807]

@@martinrea8548 Hi I was earning 2 pound 10 shillings a week as a clerk articled to an accountant. I quit and got a job driving a grocery van at 9 pound 10 shillings a week less 19/6 national insurance leaving me 8 pound ten shillings and sixpence gross. A pint of bear was around 1 shilling and sixpence a jazz club say Dutch Swing College was 2 shillings and sixpence. I understand that my 20 would be 500 today roughly $AU 1000

[@petermcmurray2807]

@@ndotl Did you ever see the CZ racer 14 to 1 petroil ratio

[@schzx14]

True gearheads don’t care about battery powered vehicles. Well, this gearhead doesn’t.

[@donaldgoodinson7550]

Excellent doc. Notice no Harley's mentioned .Not surprising since in spite of their large cc'ss one of the slowest (and crap) bikes ever made

[@rustynail7866]

Interesting you say that. I just went on a 2400 mile trip on my Harley with 14 other motorcycles. Three bikes broke down on the trip. Two Hondas and a Yamaha.

[@peterdurnien9084]

Harley's are comfortable not competitive, slow and upright on bends.

[@tomdavis3038]

It’s not always about speed

[@donaldgoodinson7550]

@@tomdavis3038 No,it's about workmanship which Harley sorely lacks.For the price check out Ducati,then comment on your crap Harleys.

[@Ari-pw6nu]

You can make most any twin scream. The history of American motorcycles pre-ww2 is amazing.

[@searcymasonry]

im a virago fan . my 85 1000 is now a 4 seater 1100 and theres nothing i would trade it for . i fixed the starter engage issue with a mechanical lever and the suck carbs with a single carb conversion . ive been driving it for 38 years .

[@searcymasonry]

4 seater " trike " .

[@CantingYETI]

For the 80’s I was definitely not expecting a bimota. Honda claimed the 1983 honda magna v65 had a top speed of 139mph. Many riders. Including myself, have taken them to 170, with the fastest completely stock speed trapped at 173mph. Making a muscle cruiser, faster then a 80’s super sport.. just throwing that out there.

[@harleye1235]

I agree. I was expecting the Magna. They are terrifying brilliant bikes. I think it held the record for a few years though so at least we have that

[@jaredmiller-ml5pi]

I recal the v65 sabre had a 170 top speed due to slightly larger carbs

[@rastus666]

I put over 100,000 miles on a ‘78 Kawasaki Z1-R. Manufacturer’s top speed was rated at 135, but I was over 140 more times than I could count, and saw 150 on the speedometer. Smooth as silk all the way past the 8500 rpm redline. Also rode over 69 miles with no hands on that bike. Smooth.

[@davidburne9477]

140mph on a Japanese speedo of the era in under 130mph genuine. In perfect trim they topped out at 135/136. Still slower than a Laverda Jota 1000. I’ve seen 250kmh on my 1250 Bandit but genuine speed is about 220(135mph).

[@Mr.FirebIadeDr.JiIIAIiceCooper]

@@davidburne9477 Exactly A lot of people say what they saw on a speedo and it's fun to read these comments. I can top out my R6 and see 180mph on speedo but in reality it will be closer to 155 which is a real top speed of that bike. Most don't seem to understand that, let them all live their legends and fairy tales Lmao

[@neoconshooter]

My stone stock Kwacker 900 CC, Z-1 one of the first two imported into Germany by the American PX, would go >142 MPH, at least according to the electric eye Speed Traps on the Hockenheim Ring. But it was not as quick as my H-2, 750 CC two stroke, triple which was faster/quicker out of the woods and the Z-1 did not handle or break as well! But the 900's 8-10 MPH advantage out to the Ost Curve and back meant that none of that mattered. As to the Laverda Jota and Norton Commando neither one stood a chance against either Kwacker!

[@ronjones-6977]

I had a Z1 in the 70s and I have NO idea how I survived my teenage years. I raced everything on the street that rolled and rarely lost. 125 mph scares me these days. That doesn't mean I don't go that fast, just that I'm scared when I do.

[@bobbys4327]

Yup, I had a h2 750.....very quick. When you grabbed a hand-full of throttle you had better be laying low and ready!

[@cliveomahoney4096]

What fun! Thank you. I'm sure you opened a hornets' nest with definitions, production bikes, yawn, yawn. I loved the 3 decade dominance of the Vincent. I went into a small shop in Norwich, there were 8 bikes on display there - all perfectly restored Japanese and British bikes. The owner invited me to look around his garage behind the shop. He had 7 Black Shadows in bits that he was restoring. As well as pristine Nortons and Truumphs (a Queen's silver jubilee special Bonnie, I remember). This was in 1980. The chap and the shop, I'm sure, are long gone. It was quite appropriate, the place was opposite Norwich School of Art. Which had, in its day a rather enviable reputation itself.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

If you never rode the first wave of Hayabusa when it came out......it was complete insanity. A slew of first time riders went out and got one.....and.....they're they sat lol.

[@safetyfirst5917]

I've seen a Brough superior run at a hill climb event, insanely cool bike. Made some really big advancements in motorcycle technology

[@John-ob7dh]

Yes Lawrence of Arabia may agree with you there .In fact his newest Brough was on verge of delivery to him when he died on his current one .That new one is on display at the imperial War museum London.

[@ivanz4043]

My Kawasaki 1973 Z1 900 (the very first model and the best looking) absolutely was so much quicker in all respects even top speed than the Laverda 1000 that a friend of mine owned proven on a race track many times.

[@tedecker3792]

I also had the privilege of owning a 73 Z1. I was working at a Honda shop at the time so the shop owner made me park it across the street!

[@johnkeyes272]

It was a toss up between them, Sadly Lavender are no more bought up by that ars#hole piggattio who dropped the range

[@davidmacphee8348]

My best friend had the Original Z1. When a jealous idiot put sugar in my orange H1-B tank so that I would "have" to ride with him on his Harley Electroglide for a planned vacation to the East coast a thousand miles away, I found it very comfortable on the beautiful Z1. I even fell asleep a few times and that must have bugged him with my dead weight so he goosed the throttle to wake me up. He passed many years ago. It was a very great Holiday, Two weeks! Nice being young back then.1972, long hair and all! Afterwards, it turned out that the sugar never got past the the reserve tap. How many selfish assholes do you know? There is always one in every bunch, don't waste your time with them. I'm not gay but I sure had great friends back then and just before I met my lifelong Wife

[@johndooley8837]

I too owned a Z1 900 in 1973 and loved that bike, rode it hard for many years. It was very reliable and loved to go to the red line, which it did pretty much every day that I drove it. I ride a Concours 1400 now, it sees the red line a lot too.

[@johnpatrickcryan6182]

I was gonna say the Kawasaki LTD 1000, it was the fastest production bike of 76?

[@trishsarris6879]

Great video-I love the honest enthusiasm and commentary.

[@daviddiodato5550]

Nice video. Great looking olde bike!! Failing to mention the Kawasaki 750 turbo, 900 ninja, ZX10 and ZX11 is bit a crazy. These bikes hit the market like a sledgehammer. They sent every body back to the drawing boards for years!! There would be no Hayabusa without the ZX11 crushing everybody for 5 years!! I had the 84 900 ninja and I currently have a 92 ZX11.

[@philiphawley2915]

You’re right Gpz900 r Ninja was the first road production bike to exceed 150 mph I know,Ihad one

[@daviddiodato5550]

@@philiphawley2915 and the ZX10 was the first over 160... The ZX11 said sorry, and did 176

[@philiphawley2915]

@@daviddiodato5550 All great bikes. I have 1976 Ducati now, as I am much older now it only does 130

[@peterday3253]

@@philiphawley2915 Me too. Next bike was an '88 Tomcat. Even faster.

[@liambradley3997]

Honda made the blackbird with the intent of taking down the ZX-11 and did, only to get overshadowed by the Hayabusa

[@williamhurt8512]

@11:05, somebody wrote a song that could support the plot of such a movie, "1952 vincent black lightning" by richard thompson.......... sort of a fiction based brit bonnie & clyde misadventure........got to hear him perform it live @ variety playhouse in atl, ga. back in the early 2000's.......... i think the album is " rumors and sighs"....................awesome performance..!!.............

[@SweBeach2023]

The eighties brought some great bikes for those wishing to run really fast. Rev-happy V4 engines combined with stiff aluminium frames brought us bikes that not only went fast straight ahead but also in corners.

[@hotdogpopsicle]

You know what I keep hearing throughout this video in my head? James from Donut media screaming the shit out of his lungs about how flippin fast bikes are and asking why. I love it

[@stevenleek1254]

No Triumph Bonneville hit 120 unless it was the special built Thruxton which had not much reliabillity because of it's state of tune. The standard Bonneville would go between 112 and 115, sorry.

[@nigelwiseman2262]

The 120”mph” probably comes from its designation T120. Regards.

[@flyiniowan9623]

Shout out from Cedar Rapids:) Ive been to the Animosa Museum, if you like classic triumphs its the place to go. I was surprised at the amount of bikes they had in there. Very cool.

[@sharhune2735]

Had a 1974 Kawasaki Z-1. It relined at 9,000 rpm. While going down a Nevada freeway, at 8,000 rpm, I hit 140 mph with 1,000 rpm to go. Did not push it any faster as the suspension was getting shaky.

[@richardthomas4001]

My 76 kz900 went 129 9000 rpm 5th gear. That was it box stock

[@randyp3871]

You sure your speedo was correct? My Z-1's said 65 at actual 55.

[@sharhune2735]

@@randyp3871 Yes. Had a Nevada Highway Patrol officer use his radar gun. This was when the Nevada highways were like the German autobahn. You could go as fast as you thought safe.

[@alaincaspar2148]

@@randyp3871 Yeah most ot the speeds we can read here are way optimistic ! That's what they read on the speedo and it was not correct at all. I had a Z1 in 1976 and it was quite hard to go faster than 200 KPH (and I was only 55kg at the time). The bikes were heavy with no fairing and not that powerfull.

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Ive run a Honda CB750 K0 since 1978 it was owned by Honda UK at Power Road London and fitted with numerous tuning goodies as a consequence would exceed 125mph with ease. 5 years ago I purchased a low mileage 14,000 mile USA K0 from 1969 figuring Id like to see if they would do 125 straight out the box. Stripping and checking the motor to find it was perfect (needed all the rubber bits replacing) I clocked it at 127mph on a sat nav (nose between the clocks) but respectable and they will do this all day long (change that oil every 1000 miles with hard use). A day to day machine thats 53 years old, amazing (front brake needs anticipation, green pads and carpey floating disc) but still massive smiles per mile at sane road speeds.

[@peterday3253]

1988 Kawasaki ZX-10 Tomcat holds the Guinness Book of Records for top speed @ 168 mph.

[@michaeldeel7998]

MY Word the Vibrations on the first bike.... lololol.. i would love to ride it just to feel how bad it vibrates.....LOLOLO....and thats what she said hehe.....Great Video!!!!!

[@JL-qe5gl]

The Vincent Black Lightning was claimed to have 70 BHP, with a 4-speed OHV, air cooled engine and no fairing, they claimed a top speed of 150, but I don’t believe it. Still a cool bike for the time.

[@JL-qe5gl]

They did have a speedometer that went to 150 and that’s real cool for the 50s.

[@JL-qe5gl]

Rollie Free did do 150 MPH on a modified Vincent Black Lightning at Bonneville in swim trunks while laying prone on the seat. What a mad dog! 😮 I wonder what mods they made to make it go that fast.

[@JL-qe5gl]

Excellent KZbin video about the highest price ever at auction for a motorcycle, a Black Lightning! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3-nkmN9lsp-jLM

[@roycetimms5127]

@@JL-qe5gl The Vincent Owners Club financed the plaque to commemorate the records set on July 2, 1955, by Russell Wright (left) and Bob Burns. Burns set a world sidecar record of 162mph on the Tram Road with a Vincent Rapide. Wright raised the world solo record to 185mph.29/03/1975

[@johnkeyes272]

@@JL-qe5gl I had the Suzuki GT 550 Two stroke Triple and that had 150 mph on the clock absolute nonense 95mph with ease 110 mph with a lot of effort and never bothered, having no engine brake made the brakes by eneffective after 85mph

[@rhoderickjeffrey4622]

In 1948 , to do 150mph all you needed was Bonneville salt-flats , a modified Vincent Black Shadow , a pair of Bermuda shorts , sand-shoes and no other clothes , goggles and a helmet like they used in the 30's , oh , and a maniac called Rollie Free lying along the bike . Awesome . and that is a proper use of the word . No other make of bike can come close to these legendary machines for the cachet they have . During WW2 the Australian engineering genius Phil Irving designed a new high-performance engine . There is a story about single cylinder drawings resting upon each other at , what is it , 50 degrees? revealing a new V-twin layout .Voila ! A motorcycle which rewrote the performance book and in the end was without peer .They are still beautiful to gaze upon .The old engineering adage of " If it looks right ,it is right" . was born out in these magnificent machines .

[@isaacsloane7477]

The fastest production bike of the 60s was the 69 h1 kawasaki. It was the fastest production bike on the planet. 62hp and a top speed of 126 mph. Nothing even came close to the raw acceleration of an h1 it changed the motorcycle landscape and ushered in the super bike era. The cb750 four always gets that credit but the h1 would absolutely beat the backside off of the Honda in every category. It was no comparison. I don’t see how you can make a video about the fastest bikes of each decade and not even mention the h1….

[@johnkeyes272]

Then the Laverda Jota triple came along and beat the pants of it, Kawasaki increased the cc to 1000cc and "resolved" that issue

[@johnkeyes272]

H1 was the 500 slightly faster and less reliable than the Suzuki GT 550, Suzuki also had GT 750 quicker than your h1, Kawasaki had a 750 triple two stroke even quicker than the Suzuki,so Kawasaki brought out the Z1 a 900 cc four stroke four cylinder, and Laverda Jota triple four stroke so Kawasaki increased to 1000 cc,Lots of people died on these "nutter's bikes" I had the GT550 quicker than the kh400 but only marginally so,I know because I raced one resulting in a police chase for both of us who split my outcome I got away

[@johnkeyes272]

RE5 my dream bike,Wankel engine,I didn't miss out though my 550 mirrored it's performance, another one you forgot MV AUGUSTA 140mph 750four,benilli Si a 6 cylinder 750

[@johnkeyes272]

I googled H1 I'm familiar with kh series,The h series started in 68 until 80 (except the h1 mach iii ended in 75)and 750 was the fastest being be the biggest,Did you have the be H1?

[@johnkeyes272]

It would appear the Japanese dominated the American market way before coming to Britain first I heard of Honda was 69

[@stpstudios]

1984 Honda V65 Magna i would hit 165+mph several times,... but I'm a small dude!

[@Mr.Robert1]

The V-4 on that bike was killer. This guy is leaving a lot of great bikes out.

[@56redjets]

1986 Suzuki RG 500 Gamma. Four cylinder two stroke, rated at 95 HP and weighed 405 pounds stock. Very easy to drop the weight to 370 and up the power to 105. Best bike ever.

[@Spiderwebsider]

Yep. That’s why I’ve still got mine. Had it for 30+ years. A few bucks for a port job and it goes like sh1t off a shovel.

[@weldmachine]

Suzuki RG 500 ? I have a friend who fitted a Motor from an RG 500 into a RGV 250 Frame. He even went to the trouble to get the bike Engineered so it could be road registered. Not totally sure how much difference there was in the handling ?? But I am sure it was a lot lighter than a standard RG 500. Not totally sure of the year of the RGV ?? But it was the model with the Swallow shape front. You might know the model ??

[@56redjets]

@@weldmachine Sounds like youre from the UK? RGV250 not imported to states either so not familiar with weights. Cant discern what you mean by swallow shape front. All magazine tests of the day praised RG handling and all said bike was for the experienced only. I dont think more than 10 pound difference between rgv with a 500 engine and an RG with 500 engine. Both had aluminum frames. As you may know the RG had four separate expansion chambers and were good performers just extremely heavy for sound and heat reduction since top pair of pipes snaked thru frame and exited by tail light. Many steel brackets could be easily replaced with aluminium (see how I spelled that? lol) replacing stock exhaust could lose 35 pounds. Could pull wheelies at 80- 90 MPH. I have seen in magazines RGV500's. Absolute bike.

[@weldmachine]

@@56redjets Not totally sure how much difference their would be between the RGV 250 frame and the RG 500 frame. I am guessing it was a project that my friend always wanted to do ?? Not totally sure Why.🤔 Some people just like messing around with things i guess. Aluminium for us in 🇦🇺 😉👍 The RGV 250 might have been a 1986-87 model. Not totally sure on the year 😁 Seems a lot work for a small gain.

[@urgonnaluvit]

@@weldmachine better stiffer forks and brakes on the stiffer 250 chassis plus 17 inch wheels , much better tyre choices and about 25kg lighter overall

[@malcolmabram2957]

I am a pensioner and they used to build Vincents in a large shed at my school (Alleynes Stevenage). Test riders would take each one of the production line and ride flat out up and down the Great North Road. I knew one test rider, George Brown who ran a motorbike shop in town, He said if you ride a Vincent flat out for long enough you will die. It has to be said for the age these bikes were far far ahead of the game in production motorbikes. Superb sound with performance and handling that matches many a super bike of today.

[@clyneheretic]

I was at the same school 1959-67. Vincent/HRDs weren't built just in 'the large shed' (part of which later became our Computer Room) but in old buildings all down the yard beside it. At one point, the world land speed record was held by the same George Brown on his modified Black Shadow called "Super Nero." George also used to test ride them along the road from Stevenage to Hitchin; he would fly though the village of Little Wymondley at great speed early in the morning, when many villagers would regularly run outside to watch him. We were always going into George's shop to buy m/c parts or get advice. We once took a badly hooked drive sprocket from a BSA C15 to George for examination - his only reaction was "dentist next door."

[@malcolmabram2957]

@@clyneheretic As a kid I sat on the black shadow in George Brown show rooms. I now ride a BMW, I think George had something to do with my love for bikes.

[@clyneheretic]

@@malcolmabram2957 he let me sit on it, too! But I wasn't allowed to touch the polished fairing in case I left finger marks. Can't remember if it was 'Nero' or 'Super Nero.' George was a bit gruff but he had a big heart. I was at school with his son Tony.

[@malcolmabram2957]

@@clyneheretic Typical George reaction. I remember his son Tony well too. My mum was very friendly with Georges's wife though cant remember her name. Do these names ring a bell?: Mr Hogg (German), Dr Splett (French), Mr Jones (Headmaster), Mr Farrell (English), Mr Starkey (Chemistry).

[@clyneheretic]

@@malcolmabram2957 Ada Brown. I remember all those people to some extent - Fred Farrell was our housemaster for years - great guy. Starkey was always wanting "to see the sailing boys after assembly." Some other names for you: Les & Mrs Ransley (Geography), Roy Cross (English), Jock Pattie (Physics), George Partridge (English), Frank Cammaerts (Headmaster). to name but a few...

[@redbed1604]

The Vincent Black Lighting set the World Land Speed record for Motorcycles at Bonneville Salt Flats in 1954 at 154 mph.

[@JimiHendrix998]

Rollie Free in 1948 did 150 ish on a factory modified Rapide which later became known as the "Black Lightnng" I believe.

[@peterg2yt]

September 13, 1948, Rollie Free raised the American motorcycle speed record by riding the very first Vincent Black Lightning at 150.313 mph

[@dantaylor333]

that first bike is sooo cool. I bet its worth millions now. I have a yzf 1000, 1987 that does 190mph. It was voted the bike of the decade

[@terrygoyan]

I've own a number of bikes but my favorite was the Ducati 916. For looks speed and handling it was hard to beat! I got it up to about 160 mph once, fast enough for me. Scariest bike I ever rode was a GS1100 with an MTS kit in it. Once I whacked the throttle open in fourth gear. At 85mph the front end jumped into the air and I wasn't able to get it back down till an indicate 130mph. It didn't turn or brake well but it sure launched! Loved this video. The energy is contagious. Subscribed!

[@MegaSheila12]

Those were fast. With a bunch of torque too

[@californiadreaming9216]

Terry Goyan thank you for your comment. I had my first truly scary experience on a GS 1100 also. I was considering buying one and I took it for a ride. Launched it down a nice straight side-street wasn't even punching it hard and I looked at the speedometer... 78 mph. I nearly crapped myself. I got an adrenaline rush so bad and my gonads were aching LOL. I creeped the bike back to its owner and I said I will take it. I put a $200 deposit on the bike and I was going to pay the rest of the end of the month but unfortunately my insurance provider said no way we are going to ensure you on that bike. And neither would any other insurance company. So I lost my $200. Oh well. Now I have a 143 mph 1997 Suzuki Katana 750. Last year of the 100 horsepower engine. And so busy with my business no time to ride. Oh well.

[@2wrdr]

The engineering aspects on the Vincents are way cool when you take a close look.

[@joeblow5037]

'79 Honda CBX was the gold standard of the 70's quarter mile and top speed

[@californiadreaming9216]

joe blow I think the cbx was more of a Prestige bike than a speed bike.

[@joeblow5037]

@@californiadreaming9216 I owned one bought a '79 brand new in '84 (silver and puta 6 into one and all the goodies on it) I remember the magazines (late '78) it was the velvet hammer yea, the GSXR 1100 and others would steal the crown in 80 but in 1979, it was the pinnacle

[@californiadreaming9216]

@@joeblow5037 hi. Thanks for your comments. First year Gixxer 1100 was 1985 in US, 1986 in Canada I believe. With respect, magazine reviews are one thing, the pavement is another. Both CBX reviews and technical specifications alike indicated that CBX, while certainly a muscle bike, was more of a technological marvel and prestige bike than a rocket. Again, when rubber hits the road we see the facts; years ago my little stock Seca 550 would consistently smoke my modified CB750 0-60 mph. (Obviously the CB750 had more muscle from 60-100 mph.) Another example of inaccurate review: muscle car mags described the Buick Grand National (84-87) as a 275 hp 13-second quarter miler. Yet...ask anyone who has owned one and took it to the track: mid 11s, stock, on 91 octane pump gas. Not calling you or anyone else a liar. Just saying the proof is on the road and track, not in magazines...

[@joeblow5037]

@@californiadreaming9216 my bad GS1100 wiki The Suzuki GS1100 is a Suzuki GS series motorcycle introduced in 1980.It was a direct descendant of the Suzuki GS750. The engine size increased from 1000 to 1100 cc. Upon its introduction it received accolades. The 1980 had a 1/4 mile time of 11.39 seconds at 118.42 mph (190.58 km/h) and a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds. my buddy (who also had a CBX) had one CBX was the king in '79 GS1100 took oner in 1980

[@californiadreaming9216]

@@joeblow5037 all good and true. And although the gixxer (GSXR) is a descendant of the GS1100, it is a different animal. GSXR was oil cooled, with radical high-lift cams, significantly higher power-to-weight ratio than anything Suzuki had previously built, with much more aggressive riding position and steering geometry. Both the 750 and the 1100 (which later became the 1000) were born of racing heritage and won many, many races. Joe Blow, you and I are around the same age. I know these bikes. I was there. Just saying that a GS1000/GS1100 are a very different animal from the gixxer, that's all. Incidentally, I had an 81 CB750. Wasn't a bad bike, but was flawed with Honda's stupid freaking camshaft connector chain. Honda royally screwed up with that one. Very fussy, unnecessarily complicated engine: when the time came to replace either timing chain (hy-vo endless chain), you had to disassemble the entire engine. Since the CBX was an enlarged version of the air-cooled twin-cam Honda fours with two additional cylinders, I can only guess that it used the same over complicated camshaft connector chain system. Am I right?

[@tcsmith8523]

"1952 Vincent Black Lightning" - one of the best, if not the best, motorcycle song ever. I like the Del McCoury Band cover of this song.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

I SUGGEST EVERYONE READ THE BOOK: "Big Sid's Vincatti". It's an amazing true story of a man who grew up building and racing Ducatis and Vincent's and then at around age 70 if I remember correct he built his dream: The Vincent Engine in a Ducati frame- perfection. It also has an underlying theme in it about broken/repaired family's. Couldn't recomend more ❤️🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿

[@johnkeyes272]

Same as that bloke in America who kept improving his Indian,friend lent me the film believing it was fiction got it to 200 mph on the salt lake without the safety regulations,it took so long to modify the rules had changed

[@keithmills778]

There were also “Norvin” bikes-Vincent engine in a Norton chassis. Apparently, the Norton suspension and handling were better, but the Vincent had a better engine. And “Triton” motorcycles that used a Triumph engine in the Norton chassis.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

@@keithmills778 That's what the book is about- building a Norvin and a Vincati❤️

[@johnkeyes272]

@@keithmills778 The "featherbed"

[@peterg2yt]

@@johnkeyes272 I THINK you are referring to the late great Burt Munroe from Invergargill in New Zealand. It was a 1920 model and the record still stands 183 mph average. Amazing movie starring starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. It was very far indeed from a standard bike, so it is debatable if the Indian should be included in the bikes in this video.

[@gartht6536]

Bart. My Grandfather always swore that the Scott Flying Squirrel was by far the fastest bike around in the late 30's early 40's. He claims they would out accelerate anything and had a 95mph speedometer and they would all go way past that point. Erm, yes, I do realise the speedo may have been 20 % out, but , hey!. Love your vids, keep em coming. BTW, I believe the limiting factor on the pre 50's bikes were tyres and brakes. I had a a BSA road rocket 'in the day' and rode one in the 2010's on modern tyres. It was a real eye opener. Also, I have only ever seen one jota in my life

[@johnhampton5320]

I'm happy the 1999 Hayabusa was mentioned. I still own an early, non-speed limited, 2000 Hayabusa that I purchased new. The fastest I've had it was 165 mph and it was still pulling hard. No way I would test its top speed. With a chip, Hayabusas have been known to go over 200 mph. At 150 mph the Hayabusa was so stable I felt like I was going about 80-90 mph.

[@davemeise2192]

I completely agree with you. I have a friend who bought a 99 Hayabusa. Beautiful bike, rock solid ride and scary fast. He was kind enough to let me ride it a few times. I really like that bike. I topped out at 260 kph even though the bike was more than willing to go faster.

[@andyb.1026]

I completely agree, has two of them, at slow speeds my old Granny could have ridden it,, but wind it up !!! cruised at 145 mph all day on a Euro trip ~ my fastest was about 180 & still pulling hard

[@postoffice146]

That was the last year of the 90's, but from 1990 onwards the Kawasaki ZX-11/ZZ-R 1100 was the fastest 1990's bike.

[@marksfarmcraft1888]

I'd really have question the 70's. The KZ900 had thousands of tests that had it going into the 130's. Then they upped it 100cc and dropped the heavy exhaust. I'm sure the 78/79 KZ1000 was close to 140. I had a 76 900, put a Kerker pipe and jets and dropped 50 lbs and added over 10hp. Easily over 140....probably not too safe 😊

[@marksfarmcraft1888]

@@andersd8956 Yes, it is. My old 76 900 with Kerker and a few other mods would still be fast today. I'm sure it had close to 100hp

[@carlbergstrom7333]

My cousin had a mostly restored 40's Black Shadow back in the 70's. Yes it was insanely fast, but the lack of a frame made it handle like it was double-jointed. Most stuff works better when new and I don't know how good the restoration was. Maybe fresh ones were ride-able. My experience was that the wisdom of the day was right about those things. They would and still will kill you.

[@petermcmurray2807]

Manual advance and retard plus manual adjust front wobble damper (note brakes were sort of an optional extra and tyres were narrow flat sided) made for interesting results

[@peterg2yt]

I have a couple of Vincent’s, both from 1952; a Rapide and a Black Lightning. Both handle quite well, but obviously not like modern bikes. My only criticism is that both have more power than braking ability., particularly the Lightning! You have to try to think ahead when riding them. Not much danger of locking the front wheel when braking hard!

[@karlfontanari2169]

Great vid well done, had a few monsters from the 90s onward, Black Bird, Hyabusa, now a ZH2, BTW we have a national motor cycle museum near Birmingham, West Midlands, UK, very large and diverse display as your video ;-)

[@Lightw81]

The Bimotas weren't "based on" any Japanese bike. They used the engine but the bikes were their own work.

[@doranmaxwell1755]

You missed the Crocker.

[@palashkale]

As an Indian it’s hard to imagine that twin cylinder engines predated suspension 😅 until RE 650 twins a multi cylinder motorcycle is the rarest thing an Indian would ever see

[@terryrichards8645]

The fastest bike for me in 1977 with a few modifications like a larger 17 two sprocket in the front velocity stacks fourth over jets in the carburetor and exhaust pipes cut off midway underneath the engine with chrome extensions breathing fire right on the ground was a 1977Z 900 165 mile an hour top speed. It was bad to the bone.😅 was estimated to have 120 hp to the back wheel.😊

[@CaliforniaCarpenter7]

Great video! I’m a speed freak in a car, I will drive as fast as the car will take me - I’ll jump out of an airplane and free fall at terminal velocity - but for whatever reason I just cannot do it on a motorcycle. I got a 1979 GS1000 and 75mph was more than enough. Part of me feels like I’m missing out, but the rest of me is stoked that I’m not dead. Either way, I salute all the speed demons on race bikes out there! And damn, that Vincent Black Lightning was ahead of its time!

[@Burbankplumber]

I watched a guy restore a very rare, 1947 Vincent Black Knight. He also built a Dunstall Norton 750. On which he added a roots type blower. The Vincent was fully enclosed in fiberglass, had a huge front fender. + a Mono shock frame.