In 2003 Bernard Li, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who made his fortune with Eagle One car care products, and then cashed out by selling the brand to Valvoline in 1998, announced that he would use his wealth to resurrect the defunct Vincent Motors name.

After spending over US$2 million, Li managed to create a motorcycle with a street version of the Honda RC51 V-Twin. American Honda Motor Co. decided to sell their engines to Bernard Li in a strange move that many assumed was because Honda needed to cover their amortization costs for that particular engine.

The new Vincent Black Shadow’s chassis was designed by James Parker, who designed the unique RADD single-sided swingarm front end which Yamaha licence-produced for its unique GTS1000. Roush Engineering also contributed to the Vincent Black Shadow.

Specifications

Engine: Fuel-injected, 999cc, 90-degree V-Twin (Honda RC51)
Wheelbase: 62.5″
Rake/Trail: 25.0 degrees/97mm
Weight: 430 lbs, dry (est.)
Weight bias: 51%F/49%R
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gallons
Seat height: 31.0″
Front suspension: 43mm inverted Showa
Rear suspension: Single Fox Twin-Clicker
Front brakes: dual 320mm Brembo/4-piston calipers
Rear brake: 220mm Brembo/2-piston caliper
Front wheel/tire: Forged 3.5 x 17″/120/70-17
Rear wheel/tire: Forged 5.5 x 17″/190/50-17

Bernard Li has said that Vincent Motors has been unsure as to their immediate plans. In an effort to get the products to market with their own funding, Vincent Motors developed a very low volume oriented engineering and production plan, which resulted in an exorbitant unit cost (US$38,000+) that would make the bikes unmarketable. In addition, the engine supply agreement no longer provided a sufficient enough period of time for Vincent Motors to have any realistic hope of recouping their investment. They are seeking new avenues, but cannot be certain of the direction for the near future.

Vincent Motors, however, tried to embark on a new design project to update the Vincent’s prototype with a new V-twin engine for which there are reasonable prospects for long-term future availability. The completion of this project would have allowed Vincent Motors to update their market research and readdress what they believe will be a more receptive institutional financial marketplace. More specifically, they have a need for a private equity or institutional lead investor. Bernard Li would, of course, love to hear from any such sources that have an interest in Vincent Motors. However, to date there has sadly been no news or updates from Vincent Motors.

PICS: VINCENT MOTORS

The Goodwood Revival, the world’s most authentic historic motor race event, is set to encompass an exciting new dimension to its race programme for 2008. A fresh grid of motorcycles and legendary top riders are set to star in a ‘new look’ Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy for 1950s motorcycles.

In the Goodwood Motor Circuit’s racing heyday, between 1948 and 1966, there was only one dedicated motorcycle meeting – ‘Goodwood Saturday’, held in 1951. Taking inspiration from this 1951 event, the ‘new look’ Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy will be representative of this original meeting – including machines such as the Matchless G45 and Vincent Grey Flash. From 2008 onwards the motorcycle race at the Goodwood Revival will alternate annually between this newly-introduced 1950s race and the familiar competition for 1960s machines – such as the Manx Norton 500 and Matchless G50 – as is already the case for the popular St Mary’s Trophy for saloon cars of the 1950s or 1960s.

Goodwood will also introduce significant revisions to the overall race format. As before, there will be one race on Saturday and another on Sunday, with the result decided by aggregate timing. The difference in 2008 will be that each owner-rider will be paired up with a professional racer, and both will ride in each race, changing over in the pits around half distance. Plans are also afoot to introduce a Le Mans-style running start, which is certain to cause some drama and excitement for both spectators and competitors alike.

To meet the new eligibility criteria, motorcycles will have to be of a type that competed in the period 1951-1954, in the spirit of the original Goodwood race meeting. Owners of appropriate motorcycles or prospective competitors seeking further information should contact either Tom Hobbs in Goodwood’s Competitions Department thobbs@goodwood.co.uk or Gordon Russell at the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club CRMCelig@aol.com

The 2008 Goodwood Revival is set to take place at the Goodwood Motor Circuit near Chichester, West Sussex, on 19.20.21 September. Entry to the Goodwood Revival is strictly by advance ticket only.

To order advance tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055
Fax: +44 (0)1243 755058
Email: bookings@goodwood.co.uk;
Via the Online Ticket section of the Goodwood website: www.goodwood.co.uk

バイカーブードゥー

In 2003 Bernard Li, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who made his fortune with Eagle One car care products, and then cashed out by selling the brand to Valvoline in 1998, announced that he would use his wealth to resurrect the defunct Vincent Motors name.

After spending over US$2 million, Li managed to create a motorcycle with a street version of the Honda RC51 V-Twin. American Honda Motor Co. decided to sell their engines to Bernard Li in a strange move that many assumed was because Honda needed to cover their amortization costs for that particular engine.

The new Vincent Black Shadow’s chassis was designed by James Parker, who designed the unique RADD single-sided swingarm front end which Yamaha licence-produced for its unique GTS1000. Roush Engineering also contributed to the Vincent Black Shadow.

Specifications

Engine: Fuel-injected, 999cc, 90-degree V-Twin (Honda RC51)
Wheelbase: 62.5″
Rake/Trail: 25.0 degrees/97mm
Weight: 430 lbs, dry (est.)
Weight bias: 51%F/49%R
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gallons
Seat height: 31.0″
Front suspension: 43mm inverted Showa
Rear suspension: Single Fox Twin-Clicker
Front brakes: dual 320mm Brembo/4-piston calipers
Rear brake: 220mm Brembo/2-piston caliper
Front wheel/tire: Forged 3.5 x 17″/120/70-17
Rear wheel/tire: Forged 5.5 x 17″/190/50-17

Bernard Li has said that Vincent Motors has been unsure as to their immediate plans. In an effort to get the products to market with their own funding, Vincent Motors developed a very low volume oriented engineering and production plan, which resulted in an exorbitant unit cost (US$38,000+) that would make the bikes unmarketable. In addition, the engine supply agreement no longer provided a sufficient enough period of time for Vincent Motors to have any realistic hope of recouping their investment. They are seeking new avenues, but cannot be certain of the direction for the near future.

Vincent Motors, however, tried to embark on a new design project to update the Vincent’s prototype with a new V-twin engine for which there are reasonable prospects for long-term future availability. The completion of this project would have allowed Vincent Motors to update their market research and readdress what they believe will be a more receptive institutional financial marketplace. More specifically, they have a need for a private equity or institutional lead investor. Bernard Li would, of course, love to hear from any such sources that have an interest in Vincent Motors. However, to date there has sadly been no news or updates from Vincent Motors.

PICS: VINCENT MOTORS

The Goodwood Revival, the world’s most authentic historic motor race event, is set to encompass an exciting new dimension to its race programme for 2008. A fresh grid of motorcycles and legendary top riders are set to star in a ‘new look’ Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy for 1950s motorcycles.

In the Goodwood Motor Circuit’s racing heyday, between 1948 and 1966, there was only one dedicated motorcycle meeting – ‘Goodwood Saturday’, held in 1951. Taking inspiration from this 1951 event, the ‘new look’ Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy will be representative of this original meeting – including machines such as the Matchless G45 and Vincent Grey Flash. From 2008 onwards the motorcycle race at the Goodwood Revival will alternate annually between this newly-introduced 1950s race and the familiar competition for 1960s machines – such as the Manx Norton 500 and Matchless G50 – as is already the case for the popular St Mary’s Trophy for saloon cars of the 1950s or 1960s.

Goodwood will also introduce significant revisions to the overall race format. As before, there will be one race on Saturday and another on Sunday, with the result decided by aggregate timing. The difference in 2008 will be that each owner-rider will be paired up with a professional racer, and both will ride in each race, changing over in the pits around half distance. Plans are also afoot to introduce a Le Mans-style running start, which is certain to cause some drama and excitement for both spectators and competitors alike.

To meet the new eligibility criteria, motorcycles will have to be of a type that competed in the period 1951-1954, in the spirit of the original Goodwood race meeting. Owners of appropriate motorcycles or prospective competitors seeking further information should contact either Tom Hobbs in Goodwood’s Competitions Department thobbs@goodwood.co.uk or Gordon Russell at the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club CRMCelig@aol.com

The 2008 Goodwood Revival is set to take place at the Goodwood Motor Circuit near Chichester, West Sussex, on 19.20.21 September. Entry to the Goodwood Revival is strictly by advance ticket only.

To order advance tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055
Fax: +44 (0)1243 755058
Email: bookings@goodwood.co.uk;
Via the Online Ticket section of the Goodwood website: www.goodwood.co.uk

バイカーブードゥー