The Vincent Black Shadow was a hand-built motorcycle produced by Vincent HRD from 1948. The series “C” which was introduced in the early 1950s had a 998 cc 50 degree OHV V-twin engine running a 7.3:1 compression ratio.
The Black Shadow was a “Stressed Frame” design. The engine, instead of being cradled in a set of frame rails, was suspended from above becoming an integral part of the structure. The Black Shadow as well as the other post Second World War Vincents featured several new technological innovations such as a unique and original alternative to the primitive telescopic front forks of the day, a sprung rear sub-frame, the extensive use of aluminum alloy and a unit construction stressed engine.