The Black Falcon. Engineering Reinvented. Beauty Perfected.

In 2007, with the Bullet, Ian Barry imposed himself on the custom motorcycle scene in a category of work that one can tentatively describe but can’t really define in a couple of words. Quite a few custom builders can recondition old engines, re-machine and refit old parts to make them reliable again. But what makes Ian’s work quite different is the originality of his refreshed engineering and his exceptional visual acuity to imagine the most beautiful mechanical details.

The Black Falcon has a dual personality, street and race. I’s based on a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow engine already heavily modified for dry lake racing at El Mirage. After a full redo it is now cradled in a chassis imagined by Falcon Motorcycles founder Ian Barry. Common theme all over the bike is adjustability without any tools of the major components: of the 2 dual purpose one-off gas tanks, of the cosmetically improved Vincent Girdaulic forks, of the 3-position seat, of the 6-position handlebars, of the hand levers and foot controls, of the tensionner and mudguards.

Everywhere you look at it, you are amazed at the level of new or improved engineering and at all the functional intricacies featured on this Black Falcon. Unfortunately, images published here are far from enough to explain all the fine points of this built. But thanks to the video below, you can understand or at least guess how Ian modifies his machine without effort…and without any tool… Falcon Motorcycles.

14 Responses to “The Black Falcon. Engineering Reinvented. Beauty Perfected.”


  1. 1 Dom Aug 21st, 2017 at 7:34 am

    pure beauté !

  2. 2 Iron Horse Aug 21st, 2017 at 7:54 am

    The adjustability of all of the components on this machine is amazing.

    I have to admit to liking the ‘street’ version better than the ‘race’ version, but being able to change it easily to fit the intended purpose is pretty cool.

    Overall, nice bike!

  3. 3 52BlackLightning Aug 21st, 2017 at 8:30 am

    Beautiful to look at and a wonder to behold . Stunningly crafted and interesting features . In as far as ‘ engineering’ is concerned though the problem is it doesn’t run . Never has . And it probably never will. A case of too much aesthetic and creative considerations with little or no sound engineering and mechanics to back it up . Sadly

  4. 4 Gary Aug 21st, 2017 at 9:39 am

    Absolutely awesome!

  5. 5 Greeko Aug 21st, 2017 at 9:41 am

    2 years of work? Must be sold $250,000 minimum to a collector.

  6. 6 P.Hamilton Aug 21st, 2017 at 9:44 am

    Wish i could spend time looking at each detail. I guess a lot to discover.

  7. 7 Dany Hermosa Aug 21st, 2017 at 11:38 am

    Too good.

  8. 8 TJ Aug 21st, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    Just a beautiful thing.

  9. 9 Bigalyts Aug 21st, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    Truly amazing, craftsmanship from another World. When a Individual go to buy a Falcon, I can see waiting 5 Years to buy one. The Ownership would be a Commissioning. You would Commission one of these Motorcycles. I could see waiting for yours to finally get a “Build Number” and calling the Owner or coming to look at your Bike under construction and trying to input your ideas into your Build..Humm, the minute you leave check the Waste Basket and your input will be in there…This Guy make the Japanese Builder (name ?) a Pupil. And that Dude is a Genius…..Like I said you will have to have your Bike Commissioned like a Painting in the Cestine Chappel…

  10. 10 NoH2Oh Aug 21st, 2017 at 10:47 pm

    Awesome. Best looking engine in all of motorcycling? Most likely. Shovelhead a close 2nd….

    Anyway, if she is not started, and ridden, no better than the old Honda CB160 sitting idle in many garages. A bike, like a pretty girl, needs to be exercised. 😀

  11. 11 Jeff Duval Aug 22nd, 2017 at 7:07 am

    Simply sensational; even surreal 🙂 Speechless me is… Their website is even more tantalising….

  12. 12 hacksaw Aug 22nd, 2017 at 9:55 am

    to complicated. give me the original

  13. 13 nicker Aug 23rd, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Form follows function…… In this case… Elegant form follows elegant function….
    And so there is “the bar”… obviously set VERY high.

    -nicker-

  14. 14 B. D. Aug 29th, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Any Vincent Black Shadow gives me a woody, but this one is the tits!

    And BTW, NoH2Oh, That’s a CH160 in my garage. It’s only got one carb…

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Cyril Huze