Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes 1952 Vincent Black Lightening - Question

Ok, so ever since someone here posted Richard Thompson singing “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxKTzwaEa2o) I’ve been enthralled by the lyrics and musicality Richard Thompson lends in the song.

I do have a question: Where did “Red Molly” sit and where did she put her feet? I have yet to find a picture or a write-up concerning having someone on the back of a 1952 Lightning. It appears the “Vincent Shadow” had room for a second person, not the 1952 Lightning. So, if the 1952 wasn’t available with room or foot pegs, for a second person, it means, either: “Red Molly” squeezed in very close to “James” and had her feet dangling or; that James added additional seating and pegs, taking away from his “rebel” persona! Any thoughts?

Bottom line questions: Did the Lightning come in a “two-up” configuration? Could “Red Molly” have sat on the back with her feet dangling, for any length of time?

Having just been in the Lykens Valley, I know that yous had an unseasonably cool summer. I had no idea that cabin fever had already set in already though! Regarding your mid winterish question, Ed -oldroadie- would know offhand.

Dont know what year it is, but it has dual seat and foot rests, cool stand as well. Black lightning

Wow Matt!!! And here I thought I HAD all the time in the world nowdays in which to ponder the most pressing issues of the day such as this!!!

Nah...jus' kiddin'.

Actually, while I'm not a Vincent expert myself, I wish you would have asked this question a couple days ago, because just yesterday I just happened to be talkin' to a real gearhead who knows a whole lot about those beautiful ol' brit V-twins...Jay Leno.

Yep, I ran into him again at the Rock Store, a roadhouse in the mountains above Malibu. Over the years I've seen him ride up to the place on one of his many beautifully restored old Vincents in his collection, and have conversed with him about the legendary marque.

And not to hijack your thread "too much" here, but this past saturday I finally took a test ride on the new T-Bird, and so knowing Jay has one now, yesterday we compared notes on that bike.

(okay, and now....BACK TO this Vincent question here folks...and I have the feelin' Ed[oldroadie] or the other Ed[Greybeard] is gonna know the answer to this question here)

I guess I do have too much time on my hands! I know my wife would agree!

I must say, the Vincent’s a good lookin’ motocicle, but I guess I have to wait until one of the Eds takes a look at the post.

I wish I had this question a few weeks ago! I could have asked this gearhead friend of mine…Billy Joel. You see, I was out in East Hampton, Long Island, the other week and Bill brought out his bikes for a motorcycle show. My brother and he go way back, something about him (my brother) helping Bill with some legal matters. I must admit, I do need to remind myself that nobody likes a sycophant, but he is a good guy to hang with!

It sounds like Leno and Bill are cut from the same fabric…just average guys who struck it big!

She sits on the tank facing the driver with her heels on the back of the seat holding him for stability. Her head rest in the speedometer bezel and she reads the speed through osmosis. To speed up she yells faster, faster and to slow down, slower etc. Its done all the time. This position has the least adverse effect on center of gravity but for the newer riders it tends to be a distraction.

That is why they made the tank nearly on the same line as the driver seat so he could see over his passenger.

You just need to think through these things. sheesh! so simple.

Done! Ron put his cerebral back into it and figured it out.
Thanks for that Ron, else the rest of us go crazy trying
reason without logic. Where did Molly sit?... DUH! Why didn't
I think of that before I even posted the song.

You know, Ron, I never thought of that one! It explains everything! Now I have a better justification as to why I removed my pillion!

I’ll have to try this: “I’m sorry honey, I’d be glad to take you home, but…well…hmmmm…why don’t you sit up here!”

Sneaky, very sneaky! (Insert evil laugh here)

Quote:

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Was there a question that I missed? Man, go on tour for a couple of weeks and look at what you miss....

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Ed,
Thank you, you confirmed my thoughts. With some really great pictures!

I guess "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" is a good song; it's just not plausible. I'll chalk it up to "artistic license."

Of the 30 some Black Lightnings built, 2 or 3 were listed as being in "street configuration". That meant lights, battery and dynamo of course, and maybe they also put on a Black Shadow seat too. If I'd had one for street use, I'd have taken off that odd looking bench seat and replaced it with a sprung solo seat and a foam rubber P pad like I had on the '49 Triumph.

But I mean really... what a GREAT song!!!