This guy must have been nuts. Wearing only a bathing suit, Roland "Rollie" Free rode "Gunga Din," a Vincent HRD V-Twin, the ninth in the new Black Shadow series, to a smouldering 150.313 mph in 1947, smashing the previous American speed record and establishing a new world record for unstreamlined and unsupercharged bikes. The bike was subsequently called Black Lightning and a similarly named series of race bikes was introduced. First owned by racing enthusiast John Edgar and now by Herb Harris of Austin, Texas, it had just two legal owners throughout its history.

Black Lightning will be among a select group of motorcycles, including Vincents, Brough Superiors, Nortons, BSAs, Velocettes, Triumphs, and Ariels, which will debut on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links as the 2009 concours opens its gates to vintage bikes. It is inviting motorcycles to appear on its show field for the first time so if you own a classic here's your chance to appear among the elite before the field becomes crowded. Hopefully owners will be invited to ride in the Tour as hearing and seeing old bikes on the road is part of the pleasure.