For most lovers and fans of classic motorcycles, desecrating the silhouette of a Vincent Black Shadow It is probably grounds for the death penalty. However, we have the intuition that more than one (and two) of these enthusiasts of the British model could change their minds upon learning about the elaborate and meticulous project of the well-known specialist. deBolex.
Vincent Black Shadow by deBolex in detail
With just 1,700 examples manufactured between 1948 and 1955, the Vincent Black Shadow is by right one of the most exclusive motorcycles in history. Among other things, because it took almost two decades after production ceased before another model, in this case the Kawasaki Z1, could take away the title of the “fastest production motorcycle in the world.” Perhaps that is why, nowadays, every time a copy goes on sale, it almost always fetches over six figures.
Apparently, the unit used by deBolex to bring this project to life was a donor motorcycle with little chance of being brought to its original state. Furthermore, its owner, an American collector who knew what he wanted from the first moment, gave Calum Pryce’s team complete freedom, knowing that they were in good hands.
With the motorcycle finished and before handing it over to the aforementioned owner, deBolex had the opportunity to show it at the Bike Shed London Motorcycle Show. In addition, they chatted at length with their MCN colleagues, to whom they meticulously detailed the most important parts of this completely redesigned Vincent Black Shadow.
Starting with the engine, whose displacement is now 1,300 cc and is associated with a new 5-speed gearbox. According to Pryce, founder of deBolex, “Godet Motorcycles, the company that makes Vincents, built the engine for us. They equipped it with the innovations they have developed over the years, such as the electric start and the air intake system”. It is from this element that the rest of the motorcycle’s design starts.
For example, the chassis, completely rebuilt and to which new reinforcement components have been added. Also the completely handmade custom bodywork. In relation to both processes Calum details: “From there, we built everything else: our own version of the oil tank frame so we could adjust the geometry and get it to behave the way we wanted.”
Continues: “And then our own subframe, swingarm, wheels, suspension – everything, until we were ready to hand shape the aluminum panels.”. Among the main elements that have been added we have a front fork with Maxton components along with a double front disc brake activated by AP Racing calipers. From here the team that makes up deBolex used ingenuity, talent and patience, using the CAD model and 3D printing in the process to build multiple parts of the motorcycle.
In this regard he comments: “Obviously it has a lot of hand-made parts, like the sand-bent exhaust pipe, the bodywork and so on, but thanks to the 3D printing and CNC machining we can do, we spent a lot of time designing and 3D modeling it before printing it in plastic to create a prototype.”
Continues: “We use a lot of modern techniques to create a fairly traditional look. I still use traditional techniques for assembly, but everything is done in-house: the upholstery, the paint, the bodywork. We love producing, we love developing new skills, and this is, in a way, the culmination of about 14 years of building bikes.”
This incredible preparation culminates with countless details that, together, not only offer you a truly unique imprint. It also helps maintain the original essence of the motorcycle. An example of what we discussed is the restored original speedometer with a minimalist appearance and an exquisite finish. Regarding its final performance, the visible head of deBolex explained:
“I haven’t started it yet! We finished at four in the morning yesterday, so we haven’t finalized the wiring yet, but it should work pretty well, maybe up to 90 HP or something.” Not so bad. Finally, he explains that although this Vincent Black Shadow was conceived as a unique project, the company is open to new orders on this same platform:
“It would be great to build another one, as we’ve done a lot of work on the chassis, geometry and everything else. We certainly wouldn’t build one with the same bodywork – it would look different, but we’re open to taking another order. However, it wasn’t designed with that in mind.”
Without a doubt, a true work of rolling art of which you can find out all the details on the manufacturer’s own social networks.
