| Manufacturer | Vincent HRD |
|---|---|
| Production | 1948–1952 |
| Engine | 998 cc (60.9 cu in) V-twin, pushrod OHV, air-cooled |
| Compression ratio | 6.8:1 to 12.5:1 |
| Power | 70 bhp (52 kW) |
| Wheelbase | 55.5 in (1,410 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.75 imperial gallons (17.0 l) |
| Related | Vincent Black Shadow |
The Black Lightning was a Vincent motorcycle designed and built in September 1948 at the Vincent works in Great North Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK, and produced from 1948 to 1952. At the time the Black Lightning was the fastest production motorcycle in the world.[1]
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Vincent Motorcycles began motorcycle production in 1928 and were well established after World War II when they launched the 1,000 cc (61 cu in) Black Lightning. This was a production version of the Black Lightning which held the world land speed record, with a similar engine specification.[2]
Available to order, a standard Black Lightning was supplied in racing trim with magnesium alloy components, special racing tyres on alloy rims, rear-set foot controls, a solo seat and aluminium fenders. This reduced the Lightning's weight to 380 lb (170 kg). The 998 cc (60.9 cu in) air-cooled OHV pushrod V-twin specifications were always based on standard parts but upgraded with higher performance racing equipment. The Black Lightning had higher strength connecting rods, larger inlet ports, polished rocker gear, steel idler gears, racing carburettors, a manual-advance magneto and was available with compression ratios between 6.8:1 and 12.5:1.[3] This resulted in 70 bhp (52 kW) and a top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h). Only 31 Black Lightnings were ever built before production ended due to Vincent's financial problems in 1952.[1]
On 13 September 1948, Rollie Free achieved the US national motorcycle speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah riding the first Vincent Black Lightning. During test runs Free reached average speeds of 148.6 mph (239.1 km/h). To reduce drag, Free stripped to his swimming shorts for the final run, which he made lying flat with his legs stretched out and his head low, guiding the Vincent by following a black stripe painted on the salt bed. The stunt worked as Free covered the mile in 23.9 seconds, passing the 150 mph (240 km/h) barrier and on the return run he reached a record average speed of 150.313 mph (241.905 km/h).[4] This led a famous photograph in motorcycle history, known as the "bathing suit bike". The American Motorcyclist Association certified Free's record. Innovative features of the bike included the first-ever Vincent rear shock absorber, the first Mk II racing cams and horizontally mounted racing carburettors.[1] In 1950, Rollie Free returned to the Bonneville Salt Flats and broke his own record, averaging speeds of 156.58 mph (251.99 km/h) on the Vincent despite a high-speed crash during those speed trials.[4]
In 1949 The Motor Cycle magazine offered a trophy and £500 prize (£10 thousand today)[5] for the first successful all-British attempt on the World Speed Record, held since 1937 by BMW at 173.54 mph (279.29 km/h). Reg Dearden, a motorcycle dealer at Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester fitted a supercharger to a brand new Black Lightning and made extensive modifications including strengthening and lengthening the frame by about 6 inches (15 cm). Phil Vincent personally supervised the work, which took months to complete. NSU increased the World Record to 180.29 mph (290.15 km/h) in 1951, and in 1953 the 500 cc World Champion Les Graham was to make an attempt for the UK but was killed in a crash in the 1953 Senior Isle of Man TT. The supercharged Vincent changed hands several times but never made a record attempt. In 1999 journalist Mick Duckworth had a test ride and wrote a feature article for Classic Bike magazine.[2] In October 2008, the supercharged Vincent Black Lightning was sold by Bonhams for GB£221,500 at the Stafford Motorcycle Show, finally setting a record as the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction in the UK.[6][7][8] There is a Supercharged 1949 Black Lightning at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum in Solvang, California.[9]
The song "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" by Richard Thompson originally appeared on his 1991 album Rumor and Sigh, and on several of his subsequent recordings. This song has been covered by a number of other bands. It appears on Bùrach's 1995 Album The Weird Set, Greg Brown's 1995 live album "The Live One", Dick Gaughan's 1996 album Sail On, Mary Lou Lord's 2000 album Live City Sounds, the Del McCoury Band's 2001 album Del and the Boys, The Mammals' 2002 album Evolver, Reckless Kelly's 2006 live album Reckless Kelly Was Here, Joel Fafard's 2010 album "Cluck Old Hen" as well as Scott Wade and Melinda McPeek's The Pearl St. Sessions.
In William Gibson's novel All Tomorrow's Parties, a knife forged from the drive chain of a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning is bequeathed to one of the characters in Chapter 38; the chapter title is "Vincent Black Lightning".