1951 Vincent Black Shadow Series C

This 1951 Vincent Black Shadow spent time with its first owner in France and later resided in Great Britain for 53 years before being acquired by a Dutch collector in 2020 and by the selling dealer in January 2024. Powered by a 998cc OHV V-twin, the bike is finished in black with gold accents and features polished aluminum fenders, a hinged rear fender, a stepped two-up seat, a Girdraulic fork, triple drum brakes, a four-speed transmission, a chrome two-into-one exhaust system, dual side stands, and both center and rear-wheel stands. The electrical system was converted to 12 volts under previous ownership, and a Francois Grosset electronic ignition module and dual Mikuni carburetors have been added. This Series C Black Shadow is now offered in the Netherlands with removed parts, a Craven Equipment pannier rack and luggage, a valuation report, a Vincent H.R.D. Owners Club Machine Dating Certificate, and Dutch registration. The fuel tank was refinished in black with gold pinstripes and graphics under previous ownership. Features include a stepped two-up seat and polished aluminum fenders, the rear of which is hinged, as well as folding passenger foot pegs and four props consisting of dual side stands, a center stand, and a rear-wheel stand. Center-striped chrome rims measuring 19″ up front and 18″ at the rear are laced to dual drum-brake and single drum-brake hubs, respectively, and are mounted with Dunlop Roadmaster TT100 tires showing 2018 date codes. Suspension consists of a Girdraulic fork and a triangulated swingarm, both of which are fitted with replacement hydraulic dampers. A black-finished flat handlebar equipped with a bar-end mirror and Brevettato Gran Turismo grips is clamped ahead of the adjustment knob for a friction-plate damper in the steering stem. Instrumentation consists of a Smiths Chronometric 150-mph speedometer and a Miller ammeter recessed atop the headlight bucket. The five-digit odometer shows 61k miles, a handful of which have been ridden by the selling dealer. The 998cc OHV V-twin breathes through a pair of Mikuni VM-series round-slide carburetors with pod air filters as well as a chrome two-into-one exhaust system with down-turned headpipes flowing into a low-mounted Burgess-style muffler. A 12-volt conversion kit was added under previous ownership along with a Francois Grosset electronic ignition module. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel by way of a four-speed gearbox and a drive chain. Shifting occurs on the right with a one-up, three-down shift pattern. The Rear Frame Member (RFM) number RC6375B stamped on the left side near the wheel spindle matches the Upper Frame Member (UFM) number stamped on the steering neck, a photo of which can be viewed in the gallery. The HRD Owner’s Club Official Machine Dating Certificate lists frame and engine numbers which correspond to production in August of 1950. The bike is accompanied by removed parts and a Craven Equipment rack and luggage set which includes a top box and a pair of top-opening hard-sided panniers. The bike does not have a title, as it is being sold in a country that does not issue titles for road vehicles. It is being offered with its Dutch registration.