In 1948, Rollie Free (1900–1984) set one of the most iconic motorcycle speed records in history — and did it in a way that made for one of the most famous photographs in motorsport.
On the morning of September 13, 1948, Free raised the American motorcycle speed record by riding the very first Vincent HRD, owned by the California sportsman John Edgar and sponsored by Mobil Oil, to a speed of 150.313 mph (241.905 km/h). Special features included the first-ever Vincent use of a rear shock absorber, the first Mk II racing cams, and horizontally mounted racing carburetors. Free adopted a style used by other racers, such as Norman Teleford, of lying flat on the machine's seat, thereby minimizing wind resistance and moving its center of gravity rearward.
To protect himself and allow comfort when in such a position, Free had developed special protective clothing. However, when his leathers tore from early runs at 147 mph (237 km/h), he discarded them and made a final attempt without a jacket, pants, gloves, boots, or helmet. Free lay flat on the motorcycle wearing only a bathing suit, a shower cap, and a pair of borrowed sneakers – inspired by his friend Ed Kretz. This resulted not only in the record, but also produced one of the most famous photographs in motorcycling history, the “bathing suit bike.” The photo was taken from a car driven parallel to his run on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
It is debated whether the exact model of motorcycle was a Black Lightning or Black Shadow. Most believe that it was a custom ordered Black Lightning, as it was some 100 pounds lighter and 25 hp (19 kW) more powerful than a stock Black Shadow. In one of his books, Phil Irving (one of the designers) said that there were only about 16 of the model produced.
The Vincent used is sometimes mistaken for a Series B machine, having the stamp BB on its engine casing, but is actually a works-modified machine, and has been recognized as the first, or prototype of 30 Lightnings. The bike remained racing in the United States until the mid-1960s, and then resided virtually intact in the private collection of Herb Harris of Austin, Texas. The bike was sold from the Harris collection in November 2010 for a rumored $1.1 million, which would be one of the highest prices ever paid privately for a motorcycle.
Free later moved to California and, after his racing career faded, worked in the auto servicing industry. He died in 1984 and was posthumously inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
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