Vincent Black Shadow Start up Tutorial.

[@navairman1]

In 1951 my friend and I swapped bikes for a short ride. He took my 500 cc Matchless single and I tried out the Black Shadow. It was the first time I had gone over 100 mph. It was amazing! The engine was probably turning about 4000 rpm. Hard to remember the revs after 65 years, but I have never forgotten that ride.

[@manxman350]

They were well ahead of their time and not beaten in speed until Kawasaki brought out the Z1000 in 1971

[@vincentl.9469]

@@manxman350 what would the miles per gallon be for that bike?

[@manxman350]

@@vincentl.9469 about 30 per UK gallon

[@yayagazab4449]

I like the priming ritual and how the bike roared into life! That’s a man’s man motorcycle!

[@aumkar2]

That has to be one of the scariest starts I've ever seen in my life. Absolutely beautiful. Black Shadow had just the most beautiful instruments.

[@earlludwig3614]

No other motorcycle grabs my attention like a Vincent.

[@kenyull9906]

Hi Peter what a very pleasant surprise finding you on UT. We met a few years back, I visited you and had a great time admiring your wheels. Having had a series "D" from new for several years. You did invite me back, but due to the loss of my wife and "father time" catching me up, sadly that opportunity was lost. At 92 the Vincents still stir my blood. Finding your video is a very welcome break to the monotony of my life. I wish you well. And thanks for starting the Black just the sound brings back memories of many happy rides in the past .

[@manxman350]

Hi Ken, I'm sorry but my memory isn't as good as yours. Remind me and contact me at [e-mail]

[@vivalarumrats3537]

Not gonna lie that start up scared the hell outta me😂

[@paachi17]

Brilliant. The bike and gentleman both represent a quality from a bygone era. Keep up the good work sir.

[@jorgeortega1709]

Seeing that bike fire up was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Amazing bike.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

This was THE superbike of its day. Its absolutely gorgeous.

[@dumptrump3788]

THIS was the world's first Superbike, notnthe Honda CB750. Don't forget, the Vincent had to cope with petrol that was like used dishwater compared to what the Honda got fed & ran on oils that were slimey snot compared to the early 1970s stuff that allowed the Hondas to run harder.

[@camgnilpe9300]

@@dumptrump3788 you should not use your mouth to break wind! but with a name like dump trump it all makes sense. all you know is to talk shit! FUCK OFF!

[@fireball1322]

Still was in the 1980s when the Vincent beat 1100 GS Susuki's elapsed time in 1/4 mile Cycle World magazine did it, if you want to check.

[@garyholt4445]

A great classic motorcycle. Really love the ideas of a rear stand and front stand for maintenance on the wheels but especially love the idea of the hinged rear mudguard. Now modern street cruisers could learn a lesson from this magnificent bike.

[@milojanis4901]

No, they wouldn't. The manufacturers of any modern method of transportation don't give a rats ass about ease of maintenance. Plus, they want them back at the dealers, so they can make more money, too. Vincent & Irving were both riders, and probably not as rich financially as today's corporate CEO's. They knew what it took keep a bike on the road, and what it took to do repair work. Today's corporate CEO's. wouldn't even know a strobe light from a Miller Lite. I digress

[@Eccentric5B]

Thank you sir for that excellent tutorial. Magnificent bike.

[@stewartmcmanus3991]

Imagine doing a 100mph along the Great North Road on an English summer's evening in the 1950s when the bike was new.

[@heartobefelt]

sounds like such a smooth engine , idles perfectly , no rattles. nice dream

[@scoldingwhisper]

while on the way home from the Mistress' house

[@holmes230536]

So far ahead of its time,

[@EnglishTurbines]

Love those big Smiths dials, what a great piece of engineering design.

[@vincents3334]

What a treasure. A bit sentimental for me being born in 1952 and named Vincent. Songs have been written about it. As a biker I can appreciate it’s beauty and history.

[@glynluff2595]

Ah! If only you had been about in the mid sixties when a friend rebuilt one of these. We were unable to start it on the kick so pushed it for half a mile on a long straight Norfolk road before achieving success. For those who have not pushed one of these to bump start think of Rugby training multiplied severally! Wonderful to be present at this masterly demonstration. G. Luff

[@manxman350]

Yes, they are a great bike even by today's standards they will keep up easily with modern traffic.

[@eddieg849]

That is a very beautiful bike you are such a lucky man to have it God bless you

[@Roby-Bees]

That motorbike is amazing. The sound is a perfect music... wowww

[@Lee-70ish]

To me being ancient the Shadow is the greatest motorcycle ever built in its day it was not just a bit quicker or handsome it was on a different The only game changer that came after it was the Honda 50

[@gaborkorthy8355]

30 years ago I owned a 52 Black Shadow I bought at a local swop meet. I owned it for two years never could start it. Sold it for twice what I paid for it . LOL now I could buy one for ten times what I sold mine for.

[@danmaltby3271]

Damn the British are so thoughtful about the rider having to service bus bike with no extra stands etc, etc, amazingly engineered machine, valve lifter carb chokes on bars

[@mauserwinchester]

I have wanted one of these since I was a kid, beautiful machine, I'm sure you enjoy every mile on it.

[@bwghall1]

yes and me. back in 1950s ++++++++++++

[@FGX318]

outstanding quality and craftmanship from fork to taillight ! what a motorcycle ! what a brand ! thank you !

[@plop961]

How many people have caught fire, whilst walking past you're bike on start up 😉😂😂😂😂 Nice 👍 .. just putting my eye's back in my head.

[@johnkelly5897]

You mean...''your'' bike.

[@ronanrogers4127]

That was a small atomic explosion when she fired up!

[@vector6977]

a bit too much petrol, lol

[@Ineedagoodscreenname]

it kind of scared me honestly.

[@jackking5567]

Almost messed myself.

[@Lumpappsofficial]

The dove from 4:30 died :)

[@plop961]

😂😂😂F####!!... was my reaction 😂 .. that's a lot of work to start a motorcycle. .. but great ! I thought it had caught fire for a second lol...

[@maniyan_wanagi]

Today, what were once the necessities of life have become anti-theft devices! They were (and are yet) wonderful motorcycles - I've ridden one many times - a dear old friend owned one and talked me through the very same procedure, verbatim. That was long ago and far away, but I've never forgotten the feel of that Vincent. Motorcyclist since 1968, still the finest bike I've ever ridden.

[@brianmays1731]

IT'S ALIVE! Amazing , makes modern bikes look and sound nondescript!

[@gregorydahlen2103]

Thank you Peter! A great step-by-step guide to starting one's Shadow. Five years ago, I bought one and am waiting for the right day to ride the beast.

[@manxman350]

You will love it. Where are you. Contact me on [e-mail]

[@johnniethepom7545]

What an absolute waste of a fine motorcycle , they should be ridden more than occasionally , weather permitting .

[@hni7458]

Oh dear, what o music. Starting of this beast would turn quite a few heads around the cafes on this motor-centred island. Thank you dearly for showing, Peter. It'd even rock around one of the poor Mercs - that are more than twelve in a dozen here - parked behind...

[@manxman350]

Where are you?

[@hni7458]

@@manxman350 Mariehamn, Aland, halfway between Stockholm and Abo (Turku), in the middle of the Baltic sea. The machine is really gorgeous. We have the wits of appreciating Vincents here :)

[@manxman350]

About ten years ago I rode around the Baltic sea on my Rapide.

[@hni7458]

@@manxman350 Great to hear Peter, you are welcome here again, and please bring the Vincent ha ha :) /Hakan

[@walterglaser242]

Fantastic, love the start procedure and what a sound when the beast started!

[@MegaCravings]

My father named me after this bike, I hope one day I can own one in his honor. Beautiful ride and you seem like a wonderful steward!

[@manxman350]

Yes it is a great bike. You should be thankful your father did not have a Kawasaki 😉

[@danielzunino7144]

la mejor vincent que llevo vista realmente una joya

[@manxman350]

Grazie amico mio, sei molto gentile a dire queste parole

[@hectorsalvador8246]

Yo tuve este motor cuando yo vivía en Cuba. En Primera alcanzaba 110 Km/h . La potencia y ligereza de este motor no la tenía ninguno otro. Yo lo disfruté mucho, aunque por correrlo tuve algunos pequeños accidentes sin consecuencias. El mejor motorcicleta del mundo sin duda.

[@karunakarpradhan9555]

That's a Chaotic Motor, Hard Sound can feel lots of moving components, just loved the sound, i bet it feels better when it rides!

[@scottowen90]

Thank you for sharing! We are all caretakers of our iron steeds. Thank you for being such a good steward of the HRD Vincent Black Shadow!

[@dumptrump3788]

I remember when you could find these for sale for £150 in the Exchange & Mart along with £20 BSA & Triumphs.....I should have bought them all!!!!

[@iancraig6070]

Beautifully engineered bike and still looks good today,definitely a design icon.

[@old65rocker]

£50,000 if not more of pure British Engineering at it's best. When it started wow!!!. Lovely machine

[@aircooled2068]

Talk about blasting into life! Love those old v twins For me new bikes don't do anything for me,they are all a copy of one another, but give me just about any old bike and I'm in heaven, love my 2002 buell thunderbolt😀

[@bhansen3532]

What a beauty- looks great with two same size instruments

[@petercantremember253]

Bloody nice machine..you can tell your a proud owner ya lucky buggar..thats dedication..good job mate!!

[@Sandhoeflyerhome]

A Pal has one, and he is hopeless. Takes him forever to get it going this will help and the link is being shared, thank you..I reccon he will learn a lot

[@RHP-pw8xt]

Thank you for shaing the wonder that is Vincent!

[@rateoneturn]

What a beautiful machine!!

[@wigawaga1]

What a beast! Never seen a Harley do that.

[@adrian.debeauvais5911]

Peter loved the video production. Don't profess to know much about Vincent bikes as I'm a velocette aficionado but loved this informative production. Keep these videos coming. Absolutely 💯 % loved it 🙂

[@manxman350]

I also have Velocette. Contact me on [e-mail]

[@andershallberg3978]

Absolutely brilliant! A fantastic motorbike in a fantastic condition.

[@billmurray1199]

What a lovely bike, great sound. Obviously a lot of work gone into looking after this machine but it must be a pleasure to own. Enjoy.

[@unclequack5445]

A very nice looking bike none the less.

[@tonypearson4943]

Still one of the best looking bikes ever made

[@ottovonwallace830]

Beautiful machine from a lost age.

[@harryvanhoo7235]

Always a great but rare favourite.

[@AuH2O]

Goddamnit, I'd trade my wife for this bike...

[@freeserve1942]

He did lol !

[@laniusrayner8571]

Biggest compliment anyone could make. She must be worth her weight in gold.

[@shmac96]

It literally 'Fired up'! That was amazing!

[@roysmith4716]

Excellent video, loved it when she fired up.

[@alcameron6071]

BAD ASS! Those are the two words that come to my brain!

[@beyond1957]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

[@aeror115]

Congratulations this is a awesome piece of bike history

[@larrymckenna3503]

a most beautifully unique sound thank you !

[@geraldswain3259]

Absolutely wonderful, wonderful.

[@navairman1]

If you ever drove one do you remember the take off from zero? It had a single plate clutch that broke inertia to get the bike moving, then the centrifugal clutch took over. With a clunk if you gave it lots of throttle. Do you remember the way the seat went up under hard braking? They were all engine with front and rear suspension bolted on. Oh for the good old days!

[@RealBillyFanword]

*Obligatory Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971) Reference*

[@pcbondart]

Nice bike, love the two matching gauges, plus the two front heads. I had a shadow once, no one showed me how to start it this way, I just pulled the compression release in, kicked it hard as I could and let the compression lever out while it was still spinning from the kick. I was able to start Vincents that would not start the "proper way" I believe because I got the motor, and therefore the MAGNETO rotating faster.

[@neiljarvis8911]

What an amazing iconic machine -thankyou.

[@manxman350]

Thank you

[@withercat1801]

That was perfectly done, and that is a perfect bike. Thank you.

[@TheWizardOfTheFens]

Superb! My dream bike to own, my bucket list to ride........

[@patmays7344]

Clever little helpful ideas, features. Stands to lift front wheel is great idea.

[@garygullikson6349]

I used to alarm people whilst demonstrating the tip-over onto the side stand and dragging the center stand into position, so that the bike was balanced at a 30 degree angle, on both the side stand and center stand which allowed removing the rear wheel from the skirted rear fender of my '48 Indian Chief. To remove the front wheel, I stood the bike up on the center stand raised the front end and put a an object under the engine with front wheel raised just enough to clear the front skirted fender during removal. Removing a wheel on the side of the road, and fixing a 5.00X16 flat with tire irons, blood sweat and cheers, was no small thing that thankfully didn't happen often. Could have used compression release but Indian didn't have one.

[@richard9444]

Lovely bike...starts like BOOM!!

[@davidharrison6615]

just wonderful .

[@neilmckelvie9339]

Enjoyable tutorial, cheers.

[@paxguns]

It was way ahead of its time.

[@thealfadawg3182]

Excellent. Very good commentary.

[@knievel8727]

Sounds so good!

[@gaborkorthy8355]

Twenty five years ago I found a 53’ Black Shadow at a local swop meet bought it for 15K USD ! Had it for two years sold it for 25K USD. Thought I scored ! Never could start it so never rode it.

[@leviwhatever6192]

Wonderful beast.

[@manxman350]

Thank you, the bike is also nice. 😊

[@threepot]

The King of bikes!

[@hotwheel6663]

Beautiful bike!

[@johnniethepom7545]

If you ever find yourself in Western Australia , there's a Lobster fisherman in Jurien Bay that has a collection of over 50 vintage motorcycles , 30 of them are Vincent across the history of the marque .

[@big500]

Love it...what a lovely bike

[@kimfielding8010]

A pivoting rear mudguard defines spannering yer own motorcycle, So practical

[@motophoenix5951]

What a beaut! A great riders motorcycle. Always fancied a Vincent twin, but never had the money. Never mind, my old well used and well loved BMW GS is a great riders motorcycle too.

[@pmjosh]

Moto Phoenix Saw a Vincent in the wild a few weeks ago. Could never afford one so I got inspired to swap my K75 for a 70s R75 w R100 conversion. Next best thing!

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Beautiful bike ! 👍

[@noonsight2010]

What a beauty!

[@SquillyMon]

I had no idea the complexity of this machine. The non cable driven tach was also very unexpected as well !

[@mcspikes1]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@dennismckeown5863]

Sounds real mean and it was a Great bike.

[@outtabubblegum7034]

it IS*

[@barriecooke4170]

That was excellent, thank you sir.

[@tradeka4206]

If I can ever afford one I will definitely buy a Vincent of any model one day

[@manxman350]

Tristan Radeka I wish you luck sir. they are a very good bike for the time.

[@georgeharrod7805]

My Rapide had twin 5 inch instruments when I bought it, I sold the tacho as it looked a bit Mickey mouse to me. 😄

[@jaked9191]

Came here after hearing Carmela Soprano’s father mention in the episode I’m currently watching! He says something like “in my day there was a bike called the Vincent black shadow.. boy, did that thing take off!!” Ha pretty cool! Actually seems like a very highly regarded bike.

[@ddimosthenes1]

WOW.. just, WOW!!

[@stoned66neves]

Muito bacana essa motocicleta, o que mais me chamou a atenção foi a beleza do painel de instrumentos...lindo demais....

[@Desmo900SS]

Excellent video.

[@karthik-manickavelu]

That was magnificent!

[@leighahmke]

That explosion... That was deliberate right?😉😉 Absolutely beautiful sir, thank you for the post.

[@Siddharthanviswakarm]

5:39 heart skipped a beat

[@arturasstatkus8613]

Thank You,Sir.

[@rickg.5171]

British engineering at it's finest.

[@9traktor]

Sounds like thunder... Great!

[@animesanta291]

とても綺麗なバイクですね整備も綺麗にされてて感動致しました。とても貴重なイギリスのヴィンセントをこの動画で見れて嬉しいです。ありがとうございました