This matching numbers Black Knight was registered 11th Oct. 1955 to a Mr R Scully of Lower Kingswood, Surrey and has remained in South East England since. We have an old buff log book that dates from 1960 together with the current UK V5C that suggests that the bike has only had a total of four owners from new. The current owner, a VOC member for some 38 years acquired the bike in 2009 in poor condition and carried out a comprehensive restoration that included a complete engine rebuild with new big end and main bearings, pistons, rings, valves, guides and barrels. Converted to 12 volt electronics it has a Bosch dynamo, and the correct series D distributor. The bike was completely re painted and the wheels rebuilt. The bike has been fastidiously maintained ever since but has been in constant use, even though it has only covered 1,650 miles since the restoration. It won 1st place in the South East England Real Classic Show in autumn of last year.
It remains in first class condition and is in absolutely excellent running order. These innovative motorcycles were way ahead of their time, not just in engineering terms but the all enveloping bodywork of the Black Knight / Black Shadow set a design for the future, sadly the company was nearing bankruptcy when these series D bikes were produced between 1954 and ‘55 making them not only among the last Vincent motorcycles built but both rare and highly collectable.
