Vincent Black Shadow Start up Tutorial.

This is how I start my Vincent twin from cold.
If it is warm I just turn on the petrol, pull in the valve lifter, kick it over letting go of the valve lifter at the bottom of the stroke.
The bit about turning on the lights is specific to my bike as I've wired it so the battery is isolated from the alternator when the lights are off. It has magneto ignition.
I know I get distracted and start talking about the stands. However, I do get back to the plot eventually.

[navairman]

In 1951 my friend and I swapped bikes for a short ride. He took my 500 cc Matchless single and I tried out the Black Shadow. It was the first time I had gone over 100 mph. It was amazing! The engine was probably turning about 4000 rpm. Hard to remember the revs after 65 years, but I have never forgotten that ride.

[yayagazab]

I like the priming ritual and how the bike roared into life! That’s a man’s man motorcycle!

[aumkar]

That has to be one of the scariest starts I've ever seen in my life. Absolutely beautiful.
Black Shadow had just the most beautiful instruments.

[earlludwig]

No other motorcycle grabs my attention like a Vincent.

[paachi]

Brilliant. The bike and gentleman both represent a quality from a bygone era. Keep up the good work sir.

[stewartmcmanus]

Imagine doing a 100mph along the Great North Road on an English summer's evening in the 1950s when the bike was new.

[kenyull]

Hi Peter what a very pleasant surprise finding you on UT. We met a few years back, I visited you and had a great time admiring your wheels. Having had a series "D" from new for several years. You did invite me back, but due to the loss of my wife and "father time" catching me up, sadly that opportunity was lost. At 92 the Vincents still stir my blood. Finding your video is a very welcome break to the monotony of my life. I wish you well. And thanks for starting the Black just the sound brings back memories of many happy rides in the past .

[petyrkowalski]

This was THE superbike of its day. Its absolutely gorgeous.

[jorgeortega]

Seeing that bike fire up was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Amazing bike.

[Lee-ish]

To me being ancient the Shadow is the greatest motorcycle ever built in its day it was not just a bit quicker or handsome it was on a different
The only game changer that came after it was the Honda 50

[EccentricB]

Thank you sir for that excellent tutorial. Magnificent bike.

[garyholt]

A great classic motorcycle. Really love the ideas of a rear stand and front stand for maintenance on the wheels but especially love the idea of the hinged rear mudguard. Now modern street cruisers could learn a lesson from this magnificent bike.

[danmaltby]

Damn the British are so thoughtful about the rider having to service bus bike with no extra stands etc, etc, amazingly engineered machine, valve lifter carb chokes on bars

[gaborkorthy]

30 years ago I owned a 52 Black Shadow I bought at a local swop meet. I owned it for two years never could start it. Sold it for twice what I paid for it . LOL now I could buy one for ten times what I sold mine for.

[vincents]

What a treasure. A bit sentimental for me being born in 1952 and named Vincent. Songs have been written about it. As a biker I can appreciate it’s beauty and history.

[AuHO]

Goddamnit, I'd trade my wife for this bike...

[vivalarumrats]

Not gonna lie that start up scared the hell outta me😂

[glynluff]

Ah! If only you had been about in the mid sixties when a friend rebuilt one of these. We were unable to start it on the kick so pushed it for half a mile on a long straight Norfolk road before achieving success. For those who have not pushed one of these to bump start think of Rugby training multiplied severally! Wonderful to be present at this masterly demonstration. G. Luff

[EnglishTurbines]

Love those big Smiths dials, what a great piece of engineering design.

[eddieg]

That is a very beautiful bike you are such a lucky man to have it God bless you