1955 VINCENT BLACK KNIGHT

1955 VINCENT BLACK KNIGHT All Matching Numbers, 998cc ~ 50º V-Twin The Vincent as the ultimate sports touring motorcycle of her time and then some. She’s previously owned by UK member - Gil Gluck who spared no expense on her rebuild. 45+hp. One rare machine of post-war Vincent's. The Famed, Iconic, Unique, Vincent Black Knight is a British motorcycle manufactured between 1954 and 1955 by Vincent Motorcycles. A year before the factory closed in 1955, Vincent produced this fairing line from Black Knight as well as Black Prince. Known as the 'Series D', the Black Knight was an updated Vincent Rapide, which was fully enclosed to prevent rain and dirt on the pilot. In addition to allowing Vincent to reduce production costs, the case actually improved performance by directing more air to the rear cylinder. Phil Vincent described it as "a two-wheeled Bentley" and the closed Vincent's also received a lot of attention in the 1955 Earls Court Show. The factory ended up closing its doors on December 16, 1955. It had been Vincent's belief that weather protection, combined with enclosure of engine and gearbox, would make the Series D Vincents the ultimate 'Gentleman's Express,' and to reflect this change of emphasis the enclosed Rapide and Black Shadow were known as Black Knight and Black Prince, respectively. In actuality, delayed delivery of the fiberglass bodywork – plus continuing demand for traditionally styled models – resulted in over half the production leaving the Stevenage factory in unenclosed form. In September 1955 when it was revealed that production of the Stevenage-built machines would cease, the news stunned the motorcycling world. Approx. 388 Enclosed machines were built. They ain't making them anymore. There were less Knights built than Princes and we can take an educated guess, with less than 100 of either model inside the Northern Hemisphere. In place of the integral oil reservoir there was a separate tank beneath the seat. The user-friendly hand-operated center stand was a welcome addition, and there were many improvements to the familiar V-twin engine, including coil ignition for easier starting. Suzuki Clutch & Amal MkII . Other Series D innovations included a new frame and rear suspension: a steel tube replaced the original upper member/oil tank, while the previous paired spring boxes gave way to a single hydraulic rear shock. In place of the integral oil reservoir there was a separate tank beneath the seat. The user-friendly hand-operated center-stand was a welcome addition, and there were many improvements to the familiar V-twin engine, including coil ignition for easier starting and Amal Monobloc carburetors. A year before the factory closed in 1955, Vincent produced the enclosed range of Black Knight and Black Prince. Known as the 'Series D', the Black Knight is an upgraded Vincent Rapide which was fully enclosed to keep the rain and dirt from the rider. As well as allowing Vincent to reduce production costs, the enclosure actually improved performance by directing more air to the rear cylinder. Phil Vincent described it as a 'two-wheeled Bentley' and the enclosed Vincent's got a lot of attention at the 1955 Earls Court show. The factory closed on 16 December 1955. I've owned this machine since 1997. I traveled 4300 miles over the UK in 1999 during the 50th anniversary of the VOC. Including Scotland, Isle of Mann, Ireland & Wales. It has been set-aside in my shop storage since returning her from the UK. She sports an upgraded Alton Electrical system, dual front heads as stock e/w mk2 Amals, Mac Read Breather System. Engine work done by Trevor Southwell & Mac Read both long time UK members / machinists. She also sports an external Full Rack System attached to the rear framework and NOT the fiber-glas fairing. Craven Comet Panniers. UK registration. 47,600 mileage. $69,000.00. Sold as is. She’s sitting in my shop in Northern California , not run for years. She needs a home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aypfYOR5n4 https://www.alton-france.com https://www.alton-france.com/generators/ before we talk , compare mine to this AS SOLD - - - - - - - - - >> https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27433/lot/228/a-1947-vincent-series-b-rapide-project/?fbclid=IwAR3p6hD5iveCxWdrsvLRP7HqHqYgRIkwWuHlB9QVPXuW9pMHO2sdquf2OWU You may be asking your self....... WHY sell this bike? Because I live in a FIRE PRONE ZONE , heavy timber growth ... Everywhere. this is my yard . email seller in interested. We’ll talk