Harris and I switched mounts and took off for another ride. The Black Prince was a bike ahead of its time, enclosed in full bodywork and looking like nothing so much as a 20th-century armored horse. Essentially a Series D Black Shadow ensconced in fiberglass, the bike was a dismal commercial failure; approximately 120 Black Prince and 100 Black Knight models were made. But it felt good; at only 460 pounds, the 55 hp twin made real power and was supremely comfortable to ride. Quiet and responsive, it belies its age, and it was easy to imagine that I was riding a motorcycle 25 years newer.
 | | The Series C is the Vincent of choice if you can have only one. Shown here, a 1951 Black Shadow. |
Of course, greater excitement was in store. In our absence, Temple had fueled up a pair of Series C Shadows. One of them was Harris’ favorite riding Vincent, a Lightningized Shadow named "The Beast" by its original owner, racer Mal Thompson. According to Harris, "It has this great history as a nitro drag bike; it’s the most famous Texas Vincent, and the thing runs so fast. It starts up and it’s got this thrilling straight exhaust, and it pulls and brakes so hard. ‘The Beast’ will actually lock the tires up with its drum brakes, and it’s a 135 mph motorcycle. Powerful. Sounds beautiful. Looks better than any other Vincent that I’ve got to ride, and so it has it all. It’s got legend and real-world performance."
I would soon learn that Harris wasn’t kidding. I settled onto the other Shadow, an original example that had me thinking "comfortable old Ducati" as we embarked on a longer ride at a much faster clip. The motor was strong and responsive, and the machine loped along nicely without a hint of stress. Intake roar, valve noise, and exhaust blended into a harmonious blanket of sound. If only Harley-Davidsons sounded so good. Braking and handling were better than my old XLCR. The fast sweepers and a stretch of interstate let the Vincent stretch its legs, and I would have gladly ridden for hours.
Except that it was time to ride "The Beast." What I got was everything Harris promised and more—a motorcycle so essential and "right" that it begs the question of why we pursue more modern machines. Its speed, handling, braking, and comfort are sufficient to satisfy any 21st-century rider for whom excitement is derived from engineering brilliance and a beautifully executed design. Such a motorcycle is the Vincent, and
I want one badly.
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