1952 Vincent Rapide Series C "Black Lightning" Special

Rarest of the rare, this Vincent Rapide, customized by sculpturer Jeff Decker is “not just a showpiece,” but “built to run.” Chris Hunter at Bike EXIF covered the story behind this build.

“Jeff Decker’s ‘Black Lightning’ is a rare thing; a custom motorcycle built by an actual artist, with his hands and by his own design, as an homage to the machines which passed into legend through their racing and record-breaking success.”

More photos of 1952 Vincent Rapide Series C “Black Lightning” Special after the jump below…

Jeff Decker is equally outspoken regarding his ultra-famous customized motorcycle, a 1952 Vincent Rapide which he calls ‘The Black Lightning.’ Decker uses the term ‘Lightning’ to emphasize his machine’s full-race specification, and to puncture any inflated notions that the infamous Vincent Black Lightning – of which only 31 were built – was the greatest motorcycle ever. In truth, the men who made Vincent famous by setting numerous speed records and winning ‘drag races’ all across the Southwest – Marty Dickerson and Rollie Free – used race-tuned Rapide and Black Shadow models.

Offered by Bonhams:
US$ 100,000 – 125,000
£65,000 – 81,000
€75,000 – 94,000