Brilliant BULLI
The third annual Antique Motorcycle Club of America – Australia meet was held at the Bulli showground over the weekend of 24 and 25 August, 2019.
A bumper crowd of over 5,000 people attended the 2019 ‘Bulli Antique Motorcycle Weekend’, with the display of classic (35yo & older) motorcycles being just one of the many elements to enjoy.
For the third annual event, there were 300 bikes on display, including one that is a significant piece of Australian motorcycling history.
BLACK MAGNETISM
The 1951 Vincent ‘Black Lightning’ was undoubtedly the biggest attraction at Bulli 2019. Thanks to its Australian speed record and star performance at auction, this is the bike that pretty much every motorcyclist in the country is now familiar with, but everyone who attended the Antique Motorcycle Weekend still wanted to see it, photograph it and hear about it.
Formerly owned and campaigned by Australian hardcore racer Jack Ehret, the Black Lightning, chassis #7305, was presented at Bulli in its original race trim, including rear-set foot controls, alloy rims and many hard-to-get magnesium components. The bike still wears its competition battle scars, too - real patina!
When it was introduced in 1949, the Vincent Black Lightning was the fastest production motorcycle on the planet. Its 998cc v-twin featured different internals to the Black Shadow engine it was based on, while racing-spec rims and tyres, as well numerous lightweight components, shaved around 30kg off the running weight. Combined, these elements allowed the Black Lightning to make 70hp (52kW)
