What is a custom motorcycle? Is it a 300 rear tire, a big V-Twin with loads of chrome and paint as loud as the pipes or is it more than that, … or less? Ian Barry, of Falcon Motorcycles, builds one of a kind, redesigned British classics. Beginning with salvaged frames and engines, everything is rebuilt, redesigned and doesn’t fit into anyone’s preconceived idea, just high quality, hands on work with a British twist.
The bike shown here, the Triumph based and board track inspired Bullet Falcon, is the first of the “Concept Ten,” 10 machines, each unique and based on Norton, Velocette, Ariel, BSA, Matchless, Royal Enfield, Brough Superior and Vincent. The next bike, now in progress, the Kestrel, will be the last Triumph. The Bullet, was awarded Best Custom at the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours, (pretty cool because it was just on display and not entered in the competition) and was built for actor Jason Lee.
It’s nice to see a break from the V-Twin customs, of course the Vincent and Brough could be a nice variation on that idea as well. Very nice work! I’m looking forward to seeing the the rest of the series. Hmm …, a custom Brough Superior, a custom Vincent, this could be interesting.
Falcon Motorcycles press release:
A Slice of British History – Made in the USA
‘Throughout history, culture and myth, Falcons have symbolized, vision – elegance – speed and power’.
These fundamental qualities inspired Ian Barry of Falcon Motorcycles to pursue the creation of the ‘perfect motorcycle’. A post-war British motorcycle fanatic (Vincent/ Norton /Triumph/ Rudge/ BSA etc.), Barry makes history as he embarks on the ‘Only Ten’ project – to build 10 Falcon motorcycles from the most revered, sought-after historic British marques. Each Falcon will be unique, using derelict frames and engines from the pre and post-war era (circa 1930-1960).
Falcon ‘Concept 10’ series will include: (Bullet – already made for actor Jason Lee), The Kestrel (currently in process and will be the last Triumph made by Barry), Rudge, Ariel, BSA, Norton, AJS, Velocette, Royal Enfield and Vincent.
The essence of these classic bikes will be distilled and filtered through the inimitable Falcon aesthetic as abandoned skeletons; derelict engines and far-thrown parts will be reconstructed and fully resurrected. Falcon motorcycles are built entirely from the ground up over a 900 hour fabrication process – nearly every part, every element of frame and engine component is remade, refurbished, customized and/or altered to create a wholly new motorcycle. The original parts are sculpted and machined from raw blocks of reclaimed metal.
The first Falcon the ‘Bullet’ (a breed of falcon) was a board track racer-inspired Triumph motorcycle commissioned by and custom-made for actor, Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl, Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous). The unique balance of beauty and function both raised eyebrows and gained respect from esteemed motorcycle experts when it was named winner of the ‘Best Custom Motorcycle Award’ at The 2008 Legend Of The Motorcycle International Concours (The ‘Oscar’ of Motorcycle Awards). The award was presented by Jesse James, and chosen from a field of motorcycles built by the custom motorcycle elite. The astonishing thing was that the motorcycle won despite being only on display at the event, and not actually entered into the competition.
Paying homage to the British gentlemen of a more civilized era – a sophisticated classic culture exuding grace and charm, Falcon Motorcycles are in sharp contrast to the over-the-top ‘muscle’ bikes seen so often in today’s custom motorcycle culture. Barry’s artisan approach to the creation of his bikes, his integrity, combined with his philosophy of following a perfect form, balanced asymmetry and functionality, is what makes Falcon Motorcycles stand, some say, in a league all of their own.
From their humble beginnings, Falcon Motorcycles recently moved into a downtown LA workshop aptly named, ‘The Falconry’, a remarkable creative work space in which, once through the heavy doors you are transported back to a place where individuals were skilled craftsmen spending many long hours building things by hand and where bespoke motorcycles are brought back from the dead and taken into the future.
How can one own a Falcon? Interested clients can make an appointment to meet with Barry and discuss their idea and vision. To have a bike commissioned, the potential buyer must share the same values; Barry will only agree to build you a bike if you respect and admire similar aesthetic and heritage.
Falcon Motorcycles was formed by Ian Barry and Amaryllis Knight to fulfill a mutual dream: to build motorcycles without compromise and form a company that will mean something a hundred years from now.
Link: Falcon Motorcycles
Don says
That is one beauty of a bike. Incredible craftsmanship
The Ogre says
I’d absolutely love to have a bike made by these guys. But really, the amount of money I suspect they would (and should, for completely handbuilt/custom engineered bikes) charge will forever put one out of my reach.
But *samn* that’s a beautiful machine.
Markkit says
Great initiative, keeping the past alive and giving new life to old abandoned components, up-cycling is the way to go, best of luck to all the team.
Aaron says
Looks great, but don’t the pre-unit engines have some serious maintenance problems?
SteveD says
Awesome bike. I’d love to have a stylish, light thumper. I wodner what it will cost.
Sticker Boy says
Lovely. It’s the kind of bike you’d want to ride with brylcreemed hair and smoking a pipe. 😉
FREEMAN says
Gorgeous bike.
LN says
Stunning work.
Makes those opulent, day-glow v-twin customs seem like two-wheeled Hummer H2s…lame.
mreagan says
Best looking bike I’ve seen in a while.
nobody says
Not even remotely original, but still very pretty.
Unfortunately, the text doesn’t help make their site’s pictures more appealing. Their “Company” page text reminds me of some of Confederate’s manifesto a few years ago.
At what pricepoint do “customers” become “clients”? “Shared values”? Like “The buyer will wait a few years quietly – or else – ” and “Will the check clear”?
Pretty bike – shame about the marketing – nothing kills an “in” style like promoting the image that the buyers and sellers are conceited prisses.
rover215 says
just watch your knees when you’re riding- those velocity stacks will suck your patella’s off! sweeeet stuff, tho.
kneeslider says
nobody,
I agree, there is a bit of the Confederate sound to their description but I still think their build quality is pretty high and the bike looks good. And I’ve got a soft spot for someone who actually builds a high quality bike, no matter what the verbiage on the website says. If someone can take a pile of parts and pieces and turn out high quality work like the bike pictured here, they deserve some attention. He’s not saying someone else should do something, he’s actually welding and building and doing it, he’s a “doer.”
nobody says
Kneeslider,
The more I focus on the bike – and what you just said – well, the bike does speak volumes for its builders and the art. Their site copy, well, nevermind. I’m guessing that anyone pursuing the ownership of such a machine would already know what they are getting themselves into. I really do hope the builders are wildly successful and that they inspire tasteful high quality custom bikes from others.
Pete P. says
Whole lot of pomposity on that website.
Jim says
In a world of tiresome OCC and Jesse James clones some fresh thinking has come on the scene. The Mac, the Stellian Harrier and now the Falcon.
kneeslider says
Pete P.,
“Whole lot of pomposity on that website.”
please see my comment just above.
Nicolas says
Sweet looking !
while riding to work a few days ago, I’ve seen a similar looking bike in the back of a pickup truck, here in South Carolina … hmm … maybe there is a local guy who does the same type of great bike but not as fancy as the Falcons …. ? (South Kakalaki is not really fancy)
Someone knows sthg about that ?
laurent says
Personally and regardless and of the perceived pomposity of their site, I just love what they are doing.
how many pieces of art can you ride ?
check http://www.chicara.com/
Also one of my favorite, low key bikeshop style http://www.deus.com.au
These guys are doing something extremely important for any bike lover IMO
Best
marvin says
That is just delightful. It makes me want to cruise down a country lane when the leaves are just starting to change colour before taking a room at a country pub and spending the evening in the late summer sun sat outside with new friends playing dominoes, drinking local beer and smoking the pipe that sticker boy mentioned.
marvin says
laurent that deus motorcycle is very pretty, can you get CCM’s where you are as I think I know where you could get what you (all of us) really want, the right style and performance at a mass produced price.
http://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/ft35s/index.php
FREEMAN says
I agree with the comments about the website. They should just let their work speak for itself.
laurent says
Marvin,
Argh, This is torture, no I can’t get it. I was born in Belgium and spent most of my childhood and youth around dirt bikes (enduro, trial), moved to supermoto and cafe thumpers later on.
I’ve been living in the US (Bay area) for the last 15 years and none of the bikes I want are available (Husky NOX wasn’t street legal, Usaberg’s aren’t, CCM not distributed etc)
That said there’s a lot of interesting fabrication around but it’s mostly with bicycles 😉 (passion n2)
Best
OMMAG says
I wonder how many hours went into that baby!
Kenny says
OMMAG, I don’t think a huge amount went into it, the most work was probably done on that tranny cover and refurbishing the engine. The rest of it seems to be nicked straight off of donor bikes.
In fact that front end looks like it was nicked straight of my old mans Triumph model P. I better go check if its still there =D!
But seriously, in my opinion, that is an abomination.
Would this count as a whole new bike or as a modded classic? Regardless I doubt that it will fetch the same price on the open market as a well restored original.
Jesse says
OMMAG – Over 1000 hours went into the bike – if you look at detailed photos in the site you can check em out. Kenny – I saw this bike in person at the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours, where it won best custom (with good reason imo), almost everything on it is handmade, including all the fasteners and washers!! If you got the skills to build a bike at that level, good luck on your new shop. You should not talk shit about something you obviously know nothing about. I know it is your opinion and this is of course just my opinion. Jesse
kneeslider says
Kenny, at first I removed your comment because it was out of line but I see you received a response, so I put it back. By the way, that’s Jesse James that responded.
nobody says
Yes folks, we illustrate the difference between a “doer” and a “doo-dooer”.
ScotDuke says
It’s a really good looking bike and a welcome break in appearance from the current crop of custom bikes, while I also like the idea of re-using old parts in this way. The pre-unit Triumph twins have their appeal: I used to own one. But looking at that front brake makes it very clear, this is a bike for show and not for riding. I think motorcycles have to be ridden to be enjoyed and I think you’d be taking your life in your hands taking a bike with an ineffective front brake like this on the road. It could’ve had a twin leading shoe drum brake that would’ve still retained a classic look and made it practical, but it doesn’t. It’s pretty, but it’s an ornament.
J Price says
You must’ve needed a better mechanic who knew how to adjust your brakes better….. Those single leading shoes work fine if you ask the thousands of guys back in the day who rode them every day, or me. Or tell that to Rollie Free who had no front brake when he broke the land speed record, that bike was no ornament. Ain’t nothing wrong with a Triumph preunit front brake. While a newer one [twin leading shoe] might be somewhat safer it’s ignorant to say that the stock brake like the one pictured here is just “ornamental”. I’ve Been riding a preunit Triumph for donkeys and I’ve yet to have a problem. Looks like that bike rides like a bat out of hell if you ask me and it’s a work of art to look at.
Kenny says
Okay, I’ve obviously hit some nerves with my last comment. Let me try to set it straight, I grew up helping restore these old bikes, seeing one chopped up to make a pretty penny and a show piece is sacrilege, hand built fastners or no.
ScotDuke says
Rollie Free was at Bonneville and didn’t have to contend with other traffic. Brakes have come a long way since those used on the old pre-unit designs and I don’t see a need to turn back the clock. A twin leading shoe brake would be a lot safer given that the new owner lives in Los Angeles which has some of the most congested roads in the US. The bike looks nice with its big twin carbs and 2:1 exhaust but how fast it goes will depend a great deal on the how hot the cam is and how big the valves are. The bike is the ornament, not the brake.
J Price says
ScotDuke — Turning back the clock? it’s a 1950 Triumph –the brakes are consistent with the motorcycle … Are you suggesting no-one should ride a vintage motorcycle or bike with period correct breaks in Los Angeles or in traffic? That’s ridiculous. Valve size and cams don’t mean anything unless the engine is balanced and properly blueprinted. Judging by the details on the bike and reading about the upgrades and performance on their site, Seems to me that the valves, cams and every other element and detail has been considered and “gone through with a fine tooth comb”. It sounds like you’ve got some kind of chip on your shoulder about this motorcycle that’s based on a large amount of negative assumption!
ScotDuke says
Nope, you’ve got me wrong. It looks nice. The period detail works. I’ve said so all along. But brake technology has moved on since the 1950s and while 1950s engines have their appeal, the brakes of the time don’t cut it in modern traffic. I’ve held that lever all the way to the bar as I approach an intersection, believe me. I don’t have any chips on my shoulder but I know about the limitations of 1950s brakes and if it was my bike I’d want something better. The twin leading shoe brakes on Triumphs and BSAs of the 60s and 70s were a lot better and they looked good too.
Those pre-unit twins can be tuned as highly as you like and there are four valve heads you can buy off the shelf – great for classic racing – but not so good for a bike to ride on the street. I’m sure the bike’s been finely built and there’s soemthing done about the gas pressure that builds up under the rocker covers so that it won’t popa gasket as is common with the pre-unit twins for instance, but the hotter the engine, the more likely it’ll go bang. Classic racers are one thing but tuning a 50 year old motor that’s made of 50 year old metals and expecting to ride it regularly on the street is asking for trouble. Except that this bike belongs to a Hollywood star and it’ll spend most of its time as an ornament, like I said before.
kneeslider says
ScotDuke, perhaps we could see an example of your work to show everyone how he should have done it? Might I also suggest my comments here?
FREEMAN says
I don’t think anybody will have to worry about the brakes. This is the kind of bike you ride slow… so everyone has the time to bust out their cameras and take a picture.
:p
FREEMAN says
Hey, ScotDuke, there’s plenty of Boeing aircraft in the sky right now made out of fifty year-old metal.
ScotDuke says
Point taken kneeslider but I think this sums up my point pretty well: “I don’t have any chips on my shoulder but I know about the limitations of 1950s brakes and if it was my bike I’d want something better.”
marvin says
I actually have some sympathy with Kenny and do like a nice restoration of bikes this old, unfortunately I can’t define an age after which a bike becomes uncutupable to coin a word. Unfortunately most bikes I have modified have been in the “just before classic” category, this is when the bikes a cheapest, parts are still available and tuning advise is plentiful. In my time I have modded old Brit stuff, Z’s and a katona 1000 among others . I think in about 60% of the time I did nothing more than destroy the resale value of the bike but it was my resale value to destroy, and I either got the bike I wanted or learned something. My latest project was making a SRX 600 even more cafe racer/flat tracker/steam punk, but I am sure that at 22 years old there will be people who think I have committed sacrilege on an “old gent of the road”. There is something that sits with me a little bit uncomfortably about chopping a Brough Superior or Vincent but as I said before there is no way everyone will agree on “the age above which only riding and restorations is possible”. Talking to friends of differing ages the rule seems to be … If your dad rode it it is precious and must be lovingly restored if it was your first big bike that is the age at which everything newer is fair game. with my group of friends this ranges from early Triumph Speed Twins to KR1Ss. I don’t think there is really any age at which a bike become sacrosanct but if some one is going to chop vintage bikes I am glad that it is done with the skill and sympathy shown by falcon
steve says
by last count I have 4 Triumphs and none will be restored. Did I ruin them? No, I had no complete bikes, only pieces rescued from salvage and brought back to life. This piece may well have started as pieces not a complete motorcycle so enjoy it as it is. Oh, and my distruction is on page 19 of the Jan. issue of Classic Bike. Long live the builders!
putra says
the old racing bike man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephen Pate says
Well… I gotta tell you… the internet is *apparently* for saying things that are so stupid or ignorant, that anyone sane would not say them anywhere else but thru anonymity of the web. This is apparently one of those places. No one knows how much they cost. 1000 hours… even 2000 hours is not an unusual of time on something like this. The market will not bear billing for all that time… so regardless, you know that people that do this make a lot less than what they should. If I billed straight actual time, most restorations would cost about $180,000 in labor alone… not to mention parts, etc. People don’t pay that.
Notice that you very rarely if ever see anyone actually capable of *doing* anything pipe up and say much about this stuff? It shocks me how people that call themselves ‘motorcyclists’ can be so grossly ignorant about anything involving the history of motorcycles…and then… openly show everyone how little they know ! I actually think Jesse said it best… “If you got the skills to build a bike at that level, good luck on your new shop”.
I wish you guys ‘good luck’… now just shut up and show us.