• The recipient of a high-quality restoration in the recent past

 • A feature of two separate motorcycle collections since 2012

 • Requires straightforward recommissioning having last run in 2017

If there have been many great motorcycles, the Vincent Black Shadow is something else – it’s hallowed. Its chief claim to fame is that, on its launch, it was the world’s fastest production motorcycle with a top speed of 125mph (a substantial increase on the 110mph Vincent Rapide, which had previously claimed the top spot).

Such a speed was attainable not just because it had a large engine but because, as was characteristic of all Phil Vincent’s bikes, it was engineered to the very highest standard. The four-stroke, overhead-valve 998cc V-twin was essentially a development of the unit already used in the Rapide. It had many parts in common, but some were strengthened for tighter tolerances and the bending and polishing of the engine’s ports resulted in improved airflow. Thanks to an unconventional aluminium alloy frame in which the engine functioned as a stressed member, it was very light for a large bike, and dual seven-inch drum brakes front and rear made sure it had enough stopping power.

From an engineering perspective, it was one of the best motorcycles of its day, if not the best, but there’s so much more to love about it. Its looks are second to none, the entire bike appearing to have been designed around the prodigious engine, and even the name alone has a romantic allure. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suggest that the Black Shadow is the ultimate post-war British motorcycle, and when you come across one in such good condition as this, evidently the recipient of a very high-quality restoration in fairly recent years, how can you possible turn it down?

 • Frame dated by the Vincent Owners’ Club to 11th November 1949

 • Non-matching-numbers engine dated by the club to 31st May 1949

 • No history is known until 2012, when the Vincent was purchased by a collector on the Isle of Wight

 • In 2017, it was purchased by another Isle of Wight collector with over 50 motorcycles

 • The collector is now dispersing his collection to fund building work, but has saved his three Vincents until last

 • Paperwork includes the current V5, a Vincent-HRD Owners’ Club dating certificate, an MoT certificate from 2011, two invoices from the VOC Spares Co. and some registration papers from the DVLA

 • Beautifully restored with little subsequent use

 • Correct to original factory specification

 • Wheels, brightwork and seat in excellent condition

Any Black Shadow should always evoke a sense of glamour, and so this one does with its shining jet black paint, gold highlights and brilliant brightwork. While we don’t know much of its history, it is evident that has been the recipient of a careful and thorough restoration, probably very shortly before it was purchased by the first collector in 2012.

While not quite concours, the Shadow is nevertheless in an excellent cosmetic state and presents well enough that it could conceivably win prizes at shows. It is very difficult to fault, but the bare-metal parts display a very light patina, as we always expect them to, and there just a few very minor blemishes in the paint, in the form of a few small and pretty insignificant chips on the forks and the tank.

Most of the chrome is fantastic, although there are some small but deep scratches on a section of the headlamp bezel (again, this is not something anyone will notice except under very close scrutiny). The seat looks to have been recovered at the time of restoration and still looks fresh, while the wheels also give the impression of having been fitted as new items when the bike was restored.

Being a Black Shadow, the engine is, of course, painted as well. While this presents excellently for the most part, it also displays some very minor blemishes including some crazed paint on one part of the engine casing.

 • Believed to be all correct to the original specification

 • Last run in 2017

 • Requires recommissioning

From the photographs, it should be apparent that the Shadow has been kept in good condition, so the same is most likely true of its engine. With only 2130 miles covered since—we believe—it was restored or the engine was rebuilt, it is unlikely to have much wear at all.

Two invoices from the VOC Spares Co. suggest that the clutch and both carburettors were renewed when the previous owner bought the bike in 2012, although there is no evidence of any other new parts or work.

We are aware that the bike was running when the vendor purchased it in 2017 although, after five years on static display, we were not able to see the bike start for ourselves. We are assured, though, that the engine does turn and the vendor believes it will only take some fresh fuel to have Shadow running beautifully once again.

If anything else is required, we very much doubt it is likely to need more than a general service, and we see no reason why this shouldn’t be back on the road very quickly. After six years out of use, we do, of course, advise that bidders satisfy themselves as to the bike’s roadworthiness before venturing onto the road, but we don’t envisage this bike giving any trouble.

You’ve heard it from us before and you’ll hear it from lots of other enthusiasts, too, but we’ll say it again: the Vincent Black Shadow is one of the best motorcycles money can buy and, if you’re after one, this is a very promising example.

You can see for yourself the quality of its restoration and just what good overall condition it’s in. While it is going to need some very light recommissioning to get it back on the road, it’s not likely to need extensive work and we’d be surprised if it takes more than a couple of afternoons to get it roaring into life and into a fit state to start tearing up the highways.