Arnie, are sure it was Vincent Black Lightning and not Vicent Black Shadow? The VBS does have a key, as I recall, (I've only seen one in real ridable state), and the song does indeed mention the giving of keys...

Also, working with a couple of Harley riders, loud pipes save lives. Ok, they are annoying, too, but having ridden for 20 years, I can testify my Triumph's rumble saved me from a couple of mindless drivers, by alerting them that I was there, somewhere.

The debate on loud pipes still rages in my office. Not that they shouldn't be loud, but how much is enough.