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Memorable Motorcycles: Vincent Black Knight Photo Gallery

Each wheel came with two drum brakes.

Our vintage expert showcases the bike that was designed to be the best motorcycle ever built and also one of the most expensive - the Vincent Black Knight. Check out the full story in Memorable Motorcycles: Vincent Black Knight.

Vincent Black Knight

With superb engineering skills Vincent had the valves engaged part way down their stems, putting greater distance from the heat generated by the cylinder head and allowing the bike to run quietly.

Armed with unmatched engineering talent Vincent spared no expense while constructing the 998cc V-Twin.

In addition to a V-Twin the company also made a single cylinder engine.

Philip Vincent and Phil Irving built the Vincent V-Twin to be the ultimate motorcycle constructed from the finest materials available.

A brand new Black Knight was capable of 120 mph rather effortlessly.

Because the Black Shadow required tremendous effort to run at high speeds, Vincent shrouded the bike in glass fiber - creating the Black Knight.

Adding to the bike's expenses were two drum brakes on each wheel, hydraulically damped girder forks and a self-servo clutch.

Originally selling for $600 in 1951, the Black Knight would cost approximately $38,000 after adjustment for inflation.

At a recent Bonhams auction the Black Knight sold for $59,000.

Despite having only four gears the Black Knight excelled in a variety of conditions.