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==Musical Tribute==
==Musical Tribute==
On his 1991 album [[Rumor_and_Sigh|Rumor and Sigh]], British singer and songwriter [[Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson]] performs the song "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," in which a London gangster named James courts "Red Molly," a beautiful redheaded woman, who admires his "fine motorbike."<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/album/rumor-and-sigh-mw0000263404</ref>
On his 1991 album [[Rumor_and_Sigh|Rumor and Sigh]], British singer and songwriter [[Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson]] performs the song "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," in which a London gangster named James courts "Red Molly," a beautiful redheaded woman, who admires his "fine motorbike."<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/album/rumor-and-sigh-mw0000263404</ref>
This song has also been sung by bluegrass artist [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_McCoury|Del McCoury]], [[Greg_Brown_(folk_musician)|Greg Brown]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Gaughan|Dick Gaughan]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Lou_Lord|Mary Lou Lord]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mammals|The Mammals]],The Frederico Brothers, and many others.<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/search/all/1952%20Vincent%20black%20lightning</ref>
This song has also been sung by bluegrass artist [[Del_McCoury|Del McCoury]], [[Greg_Brown_(folk_musician)|Greg Brown]], [[Dick_Gaughan|Dick Gaughan]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Lou_Lord|Mary Lou Lord]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mammals|The Mammals]],The Frederico Brothers, and many others.<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/search/all/1952%20Vincent%20black%20lightning</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 16:49, 1 May 2013

Vincent Black Lightning
ManufacturerVincent HRD
Production1948–1952
Engine998 cc (60.9 cu in) V-twin, pushrod OHV, air-cooled
Compression ratio6.8:1 to 12.5:1
Power70 bhp (52 kW)[citation needed]
Wheelbase55.5 in (1,410 mm)
Fuel capacity3.75 imperial gallons (17.0 L)
RelatedVincent 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]

Development

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]

Vincent Series C Black Lightning

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).[citation needed] 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 in 1952 because of Vincent's financial problems.[1]

World record

Rollie Free speed record attempt, Bonneville Salt Flats, 1948

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 to one of the most famous photographs 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[clarification needed] 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]

Supercharged Black Lightning

In 1949 The Motor Cycle magazine offered a trophy and £500 prize (£20,000 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 £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]

Musical Tribute

On his 1991 album Rumor and Sigh, British singer and songwriter Richard Thompson performs the song "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," in which a London gangster named James courts "Red Molly," a beautiful redheaded woman, who admires his "fine motorbike."[10] This song has also been sung by bluegrass artist Del McCoury, Greg Brown, Dick Gaughan, [Lou Lord], [Mammals],The Frederico Brothers, and many others.[11]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "The Fastest Production Bike In The World!". Retrieved 2009-02-07. [dead link]
  2. ^ a b "The Dearden Supercharged Vincent Black Lightning". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  3. ^ "Vincent Motorcycles". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  4. ^ a b "Rollie Free". Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  5. ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Carnell, Sarah. "Vincent Black Lightning sells for record price". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  7. ^ Backus, Richard (30 October 2008), "Supercharged Vincent brings record price but misses pre-sale estimates", Motorcycle Classics, retrieved 2011-03-27
  8. ^ Sale 16253 - Collectors’ Motorcycles and Related Memorabilia, Bonhams, 19 October 2008, retrieved 2011-03-27
  9. ^ 1949 Vincent Black Lightning - Supercharged, Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
  10. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/rumor-and-sigh-mw0000263404
  11. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/search/all/1952%20Vincent%20black%20lightning