Oy! Absolutely stunning! A comment the other day on our Norton Motorcycles writeup mentioned the Irving Vincent, which, as it turns out, is quite a project. The Irving Vincent is being built in Australia by Ken Horner. Ken, who has his own industrial equipment company, thought he might like a Vincent for his own personal use but he wanted to combine current technology with vintage looks. (Sounds like the Norton Motorcycles idea, doesn’t it?) Ken, however, didn’t go outside for financing which means he’s on pretty solid footing.
The photo above shows what a fantastic piece of engineering he’s created. Pricing has not been set but he says it will be in somewhere in excess of $100,000 AUD, or $75,000 USD. Considering the price of other low volume, high quality motorcycles, it doesn’t sound out of line but will be for the fortunate few. On looks alone, I think he has a winner.
Links: Irving Vincent
Mayakovski says
That is a beautifful bike, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
EXCEPT for that pipe and the tail section support.
Toss the pipe and simplify the tail section supports, then… PERFECTION.
todd says
“tail section supports”? Oh, you mean the frame. That’s just about all there is to keep you stuck to the bike. Considering the amount of accelleration this thing probably has and the stiff rear suspension I’d say it looks about right.
the muffler, on the other hand, is a matter of style and preference. i doubt it does much to quiet the thing down so the options are pretty wide open. I’m sure if you plunk down US$75,000+ they’d be happy to fit an old vincent pea-shooter on it for you.
Yes, the thing is very nice looking.
-todd
Mayakovski says
Good points Todd;
I still think the rear could be done better. Catilever (SP?) the tail section from under the gas tank and reverse the 45 angle for the footrests again coming from under the gas tank. That would open up the space above the rear whell and draw the eye in a flowing manner from the fairing to the tank and then down towards the rear wheel.
Using the pipes from his classic racer # 1 would also help.
aaron says
It looks good from the tank+engind forward. the rest, I don’t know. also 1600cc seems to be wrong, don’t know why
hoyt says
Mr. Horner’s Vincent has got to be incredible standing next to it, especially with the openness behind the rear cylinder. You could practically get your head in there…love it.
the cases are organic looking like they were hand-beaten
brushed aluminum megaphones, black rims, chrome spokes
Mark Horner says
my mother used to swing passanger for G Atherton on a rapid powered sidecar back in the 80s at rowley park speedway and it breaks my heart to know I will probably never own one of these beautiful works of living art, well done on your concept I would go custom fat arse chopper myself.MHorner@tpg.com.au
John Feakes says
We recently had The Southern Classic historic race meeting at Broadford and had a veterans parade on the Sunday. Barry Smith rode one of these beautiful machines and I can tell you they are magnificent. My thanks to the Horner boys for making the bike available and to Barry for riding it for us.
Cheers, John