"Where can we get hold of a Vincent Black Shadow?"
"What's that?"
"A fantastic bike," I said. "The new model is something like two thousand cubic inches, developing two hundred brake-horsepower at four thousand revolutions per minute on a magnesium frame with two styrofoam seats and a total curb weight of exactly two hundred pounds."
"That sounds about right for this gig," he said.
"It is," I assured him. "The fucker's not much for turning, but it's pure hell on the straightaway. It'll outrun the F-111 until takeoff."
"Takeoff?" he said. "Can we handle that much torque?"
"Absolutely," I said. "I'll call New York for some cash."
–Hunter S, Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
1951 Vincent Series C Black Shadow
This 1951 Vincent Black Shadow is a Series C model that left the factory on February 2, 1951 and was sold new by Indian Sales of San Francisco, California. Power is provided by a 998cc V-twin, which features an integrated 4-speed gearbox and is paired with its matching upper frame member. A cosmetic refurbishment was performed by Mike White shortly before the seller’s father-in-law purchased the bike in 2001. A 2019 service performed by Vincent Club organizer Dave Molloy included reinstalling the stock suspension and a general tune-up. This Black Shadow is now being offered with a Vincent HRD Owner’s Club Certificate of Authenticity, the factory rims, Thornton suspension kit, a history file, tools and spares, and a clear California title in the seller’s name.
