Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

General Discussion => Campfire Talk => Topic started by: woodboats on August 28, 2009, 11:41:06 pm

Title: 1948 Vincent
Post by: woodboats on August 28, 2009, 11:41:06 pm

Vincent Black Shadow.

Just reading a bit about this bike, most would have seen the photo of no ATGATT!
Some may not know how it came about.
I think the guys name was Rollie Free? He was the big cigar smoking character in the Fastest Indian movie.

Apparently reaching 150mph was the magic speed to try and get but his first run with leathers flapping only got him to 147mph.
He then stripped down to his togs and got to 151.3 mph.

Imagine laying prone in your speedos doing that speed! With your slippers on. 

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff73/woodboats/1948-Vincent-HRD-Black-Shadow-Sp-1.jpg)

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff73/woodboats/1948-vincent-hrd-black-shadow-speci.jpg)

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: r80rt on August 28, 2009, 11:52:25 pm

Yeah that's Rollie Free.

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: D.B.Owen on August 29, 2009, 02:13:17 am

 Speaking of Vincent's. The person who rappe this 51 Vincent in the link I posted should be taken out and shot in the head.....  lol

    http://big-diesel.blogspot.com/2009/04/vincent-choppers-part-i.html

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: Chasfield on August 29, 2009, 08:36:26 am

Yeah, don't mess up a Vincent. They were the most integrated motorcycle design ever and to chop them around is not just wrong but meaningless. Of course, if you come across an engine  for sale by itself then you can do what you want with it.

My pet hate is  Norvins. The Vincent engine is a structural element of the stock bike and forms part of the machine's frame. Putting that into a conventional duplex cradle frame is like wearing two hats. And why would you want to raise a motorcycle's centre of gravity anyway?

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: Ukuvox on August 31, 2009, 06:15:17 pm

Quote from: D.B.Owen on August 29, 2009, 02:13:17 am

Speaking of Vincent's. The person who rappe this 51 Vincent in the link I posted should be taken out and shot in the head.....  lol

    http://big-diesel.blogspot.com/2009/04/vincent-choppers-part-i.html

Hmmm... The article says "...designed by Redneck engineering..."
...I'm just sayin'... ;)

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: UncleErnie on August 31, 2009, 07:02:21 pm

It helps to have an historical perspective.  Someone also had plans to make an Inidan with a Vincent engine- a Vindian (oy).   But- back then this was all just old stuff.  No one was thinking about "collectible" or "rare".   I sold my MGA Coupe in really nice condition for $500!  (Paid $350 for it)  A good BMW R69S could be had for $800.   

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: LJRead on September 01, 2009, 02:38:36 am

Yeah, should have gone electric ;D

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: fenrirlupus on September 06, 2009, 05:44:25 am

Imagine how the story would have gone had he fallen off...

I'm glad he didn't die while setting that record.

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: Lahti35 on September 06, 2009, 03:00:52 pm

Was there a Rollie junior? Or would that be too optimistic considering where certain things are parked during riding.

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: REpozer on September 06, 2009, 05:17:28 pm

Wonder if he got cold?

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: bob bezin on September 07, 2009, 12:45:57 pm

RE have you ever been on the salt flats in summer?  sunburn would be the big danger.

Title: Re: 1948 Vincent
Post by: PhilJ on September 07, 2009, 01:47:04 pm

Poser knows nothing about temperatures above 50* F - 10* C.  :)