Vincent Black Shadow
1952 Vincent Black Shadow engine powers Falcon's third custom motorcycle.
via Wikipedia: Falcon Motorcycles · see source
The Vincent Black Shadow is a British motorcycle built around a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow engine. Falcon Motorcycles used this engine as the basis for their third motorcycle in The Falcon Ten series, titled 'The Black'. The engine powered a custom motorcycle designed, engineered, and fabricated by Ian Barry and his team in Los Angeles, California.
- field
- Motorcycle manufacturing
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Falcon Motorcycles' third machine, the 'Black', was built around a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow engine unit. The motorcycle was displayed for one year at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles in the 'Custom Revolution' exhibition in 2018. Ian Barry started each Falcon Ten motorcycle with a rare or iconic engine, creating an overall design, then engineering and fabricating each part with CNC machine tools and by hand. According to the Los Angeles Times, Barry's work reflects an 'ethos of extreme evolution and design', and each motorcycle is 'an engineering feat as much as it's a piece of art'.
Reader's Guide
The Vincent Black Shadow engine used in Falcon's 'Black' is a 1950 unit, one of the rare engines Barry selected for The Falcon Ten series. Barry has completed three motorcycles in the series as of the source: The Bullet (2008), The Kestrel (2010), and The Black (2011). The 'Black' was displayed at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles in the 'Custom Revolution' exhibition in 2018. Barry prefers to work on each part personally and currently employs only one CNC programmer. Since completing The Bullet in 2008, Barry has stopped customizing motorcycles and instead designs, engineers, and machines each entire motorcycle, with the exception of the engine, carburetor, rims, and tires.
Did You Know?
- The Vincent Black Shadow engine used in Falcon's 'Black' is a 1950 unit.
- Falcon's 'Black' was displayed for one year at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles in the 'Custom Revolution' exhibition in 2018.
- The Black is the third motorcycle in Falcon's The Falcon Ten series, completed in 2011.
- Ian Barry starts each Falcon Ten motorcycle with a rare or iconic engine, then fabricates all other parts by hand or with CNC machine tools.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
Some assume the Vincent Black Shadow engine used in Falcon Motorcycles' "The Black" is from a 1952 model, but the engine is actually a 1950 unit. Others might think "The Black" was built independently of a series, but it is the third motorcycle in Falcon's The Falcon Ten series.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
The Vincent Black Shadow, reimagined through Falcon Motorcycles’ "The Black," endures as a testament to the fusion of engineering and artistry. Each Falcon Ten build, starting with a rare engine and fabricating every other component by hand or CNC, elevates the motorcycle from a machine to a sculptural artifact—proving that vehicles can be both functional objects and enduring cultural works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vincent Black Shadow?
It is a high-performance British V-twin motorcycle produced by Vincent H·R·D at their works in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The model was first announced in February 1948 and became one of the most celebrated machines in motorcycle history.
What was the Vincent Black Shadow's top speed?
The Black Shadow was capable of reaching 125 mph (201 km/h), a figure that made it one of the fastest production motorcycles of its era and cemented the Vincent brand's reputation for raw speed.
How many Vincent Black Shadows were built in total?
Only 1,774 units were manufactured across the model's entire production run, spanning three distinct Series from 1948 until the company ceased all motorcycle production in 1955.
What made the Black Shadow visually distinctive?
Its most recognizable feature was the deep black enamel finish applied to the V-twin engine, which gave the bike its 'Black Shadow' nickname and set it apart from the chrome-heavy designs common at the time.
Why is the Vincent Black Shadow considered iconic among motorcycle fans?
It combined cutting-edge engineering, a 125 mph top speed, and a striking all-black aesthetic in a way few contemporary machines could match. Its limited production run and the abrupt end of the Vincent company in 1955 only added to its legendary status.
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