1955 Vincent Black Shadow Series D Motorcycle
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Buy it Now Price: $$ SOLD $$ Price Range: $112,500 to $116,250 Inquire About this Motorcycle
Overview
Up for auction is a series “D” Vincent Black Shadow. This Vincent motorcycle is believed to be an un-restored bike! How many Un-restored, Survivor, Vincent Black Shadows Series B, C, or D are left? Only 144 Black Shadow motorcycles were produced in 1955.
From the seller’s notes, prior to purchase in 1999, Terry Prince of TPV in AU. was consulted since he had last tuned the bike. Terry stated, the price should be more than a restored “C” with a fresh motor rebuild since it was low miles and a good runner. However, it had [still has] an oil leak on the exhaust lifter cable. Hence the wrap on the cable.
This bike is a pleasure to ride and I really don’t want to sell it. If you look at it, it has all the proper “bits” on it, as my friend says, Unobtainium! If you look at the spares manual for a [D], it has the proper dip switch, bars, horn button and taillight. It has the dual choke lever for the carbs, the correct shifter lever and rubber, the open [D] headlight, even the felt at the bottom of the triple tree to keep dirt out. It does have the period “Elephant Trunk timed breather” as well as more modern Amal carbs, and the Koni shock all done for the sake of riding by previous owners. As I cleaned, it became more evident it was un-restored. Look at all the little chips that had been hidden beneath the grime. The little paint touch-ups where someone last century wanted to keep it from rusting.
As remembered, when the bike was purchased from Mr. Wilson, he was 63 and had to sell because he had an accident with it, the front fender and the right hand bar-end mirror were the casualties. (1999). I believe he had said at the time he had owned the bike since he was 41 years of age. So, in 1999 he had owned it for 22 years. That made it 1977 when he bought it from a “Mate of his” who had owned it for about 5 years. Since 1972, it is known NOT to have been restored.
The 1999 original bill of sale and Australian tax stamp from David Wilson will go with the bike.
Click on the following link to read about The Life and Death of Vincent Motorcycle
Mileage
7042 miles indicated on the working clock. 500 miles completed on the bike by the current owner in 16 years.
Paint
This appears to be factory paint, un-restored or repainted. There are some minor paint chips that have been spot filled by hand prior to 1970(?)
Sheet Metal
Sheet metal is all original. Repairs correctly provided to the front fender. There remains so a flaw on the front fender from the repair and there is a ding top of rear fender from riding double up.
Chrome
Chrome is bright and shiny after some recent TLC by the current owner which included a painstaking wash, cleaning and polishing over a 2 month period! This motorcycle was placed in the museum in an as found condition. Dirt and grime hid the motorcycle’s real beauty.
Mechanical
This motorcycle is in excellent mechanical condition. It was placed into a museum in Iowa for the past 20 years and was professionally tuned prior to that by a solid Vincent tuner/mechanic in AU. This motorcycle wil be tunded prior to delivery.
Wheels & Tires
Rims are original. Tires were replaced in 2000 prior to the museum duty. They are Avon Speedmaster 3.50 s 19 in the front and Avon 400 s 18 on the rear. The Tires have only seen museum duty and are in excellent shape but, as a rider, it may be time for a conversion.
Title
Clean Iowa Title and bill of sale.
Engine # F10AB/2B/10632
Frame # RD 12532B
A pure example of Vincent’s numbering system of an exact 1900 number difference.
Listed in the VOC data base as an authentic example
Valuation Resource Guide
This motorcycle would rate as a 1+ with a current suggested value of $104,135
Accessories
Some historical paperwork on the bike and previous owners. Documentation that it is in the vOC data base as a factory built machine and original delivery destination.