The last time I checked up on Matt Hotch, two time Biker Build Off champion, he had just built the V-Lux, a custom styled in the wide tire and chrome tradition that’s been popular with builders for some time. Checking up again shows he’s moved quite a distance away from the heavy chrome show bike style to this much, much more pleasing bike that looks like you could ride it all day.
The “Vinnie” is a Vincent powered custom that looks really nice. Proportions are right, the perimeter disc brakes keep the wheels open and it looks like he even used the old Vincent gauges. And how about the back tire? Can’t be more than a 200, if that. Nice. There’s no other info about the bike on his site but there are quite a few more detail photos.
Just one more indication that the 10 foot long chrome and billet street art is dying in favor of bikes you can actually ride. I like it.
Link: Matt Hotch Designs
Another photo below:
Gerhard says
Yeah, I actually watched that specific Biker Build Off episode on Discovery Channel. Apparently that Vincent motor cost something like $85,000.00, and it sounds absolutely glorious – different to HD engines, but similar to the Revolution, I think.
Richard says
This bike looks great, but I don’t think you can “ride it all day” unless you have a very long, straight road.
kneeslider says
Well it might be a little bit of a slow turner but it’s way ahead of the old way of building customs and remember it is a custom, after all, so he gets a lot more leeway than if he was building some sort of road or track bike. Getting back to a rational rear tire size is a huge step in the right direction all by itself if you plan to actually ride it.
guitargeek says
I like everything about it except for the fact that it’s a chopper. The geometry is all wrong, and there’s no rear suspension. I’d love to see something with this styling and level of workmanship in a package with sporting intentions.
Bryce says
It’s a beautiful bike. A particularly brilliant touch is how the exhaust pipes curve to match the beautiful curve of the frame.
I really like how most of the shiny bling is all in the engine. Keeping it central lets everything else on the bike look light, open, and verging on spindly.
In agreement with guitargeek, I’d love to see a rear suspension on it. It also would not hurt the lines of the machine one bit to have a significantly shorter wheelbase.
hoyt says
Guitargeek –
check around the Kneeslider’s site (scroll down on the right and browse around the “Motorcycle Design” & “Motorcycle Builders” categories)….there are builders doing just what you have described.
It’s coming around
Erik says
What a beautiful and sexy bike, the arcs and curves are very sweet. And I bet it cooks, in a straight line.
The front wheel seems awfully large to me though I really like the perimeter discs!
chris says
a little off topic here, does anyone know why the majority of sportbikes don’t come equipped with perimeter discs? my understanding is that they are far more effective, not to mention lighter. so, anybody know if there’s a reason or is it just the design preference of manufacturers?
Mayakovski says
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I want one.
hoyt says
Chris – good question, and there seems to be debate among engineers.
Buell engineers rightfully will tell you the single disc is lighter (I’ve test ridden a Firebolt and the brake is extremely powerful).
Japanese sportbikes seem to be moving towards smaller and smaller discs to reduce inertia & weight. I’ve also read the arguments for traditional discs focusing the weight closer to the axle vs. the perimeter discs pushing the weight to the rim. (both sides seem to claim each has an advantage).
I don’t know which is better, and, if one advantage would be at all noticeable by the average rider.
If I had the cash for a custom sportbike, it would have perimeter brakes for added style, while maintaining good function.
Although the Buell brakes are excellent, they (and Ghezzi-Brian) have been the only manufacturers that I know to use them.
Hugo says
You can buy sets from Braking with rim-mounted discs:
http://www.braking.com/bk/sito.asp?pag=3
what I would like to see is these rim-mounted discs with a wavy shape and radial calipers (just for style;)
Steve says
MUCH closer to reality than the vast majority of custom masacres, ER’, I mean MACHINES.
I’m with Bryce about rear suspension, and losing some of that excessive rake would shorten the wheelbase sufficiently.
And as Erik pointed out, the front wheel’s a bit lanky… with the sensible rear skin a front wheel/tire more in balance with it would be superior, IMHO.
I’m uncertain about the brake rotor issue, seems like 6 of one, 1/2 dz. the other.
Appearance wise it’s pretty sweet, although I’m no fan of anorexically thin dimensions.
If the bent-broomstick handlebars were replaced with more of a conservative beach-bar look I think it would meld right in with the rest of the curvaceous lines.
A good deal longer rear fender would be nicer, I think… with one up front of matching proportion, set nice and tight to the tire.
I’m sure some purists would shout “Sacrilege!” regardless of specifics, but it would seem less so to this quasi-traditionalist done up as stated.
Gordy says
Vincent engines are certainly not cheap, but they are not anywhere near $85k either. Paying $85k just makes the payer look a jerk, or someone who has issues and needs to feel ‘big’.
Perimiter brakes increase inertia and are less tolerant of surface distortion. Great for a custom look or as a bit of a sales gimmick, but don’t expect to see them on a truely high powered bike.
If you added a rear suspension, cut the wheelbase significantly, tweaked the rake and reduced the front wheel diameter it would not be a ‘visually delightful’ custom anymore. As it is it does the job it’s supposed to do just fine.
Blair says
I saw this episode too, pity the bike didn’t run so well, high speed wobbles apparently. The bike does have rear suspension too, there’s a slice through the lower swing arm brace but it’s butted up to the frame so that it looks like a hard tail. Couldn’t say how well it works but it is there.
Willie Schmitz says
Saw the show myself. Like the concept even if it is nothing more then a show bike. Wonder what Rollie Free would say if he were alive?
Doubt rim brakes will ever catch on. The tire makers would have to design a tire specific to this type of brake system. On a bike so equipted getting it to turn in is a real chore.
Old Will
Nardi says
With the perimiter brakes the rotating mass of the disk is farther away from the cetral axis of the wheel this creates a higher gyroscopic moment, resulting in a bike that is slower to turn, not a problem in this case but a big No-No on a race bike, ask Rossi.
The vincent engine is being re-manufactured by a guy in Austrailia, not sure how much they cost but would not be surprised by $80 odd. I hope he didnt use an original vincent, as nice as this bike is I’ll take a black shadow any day.
Willie Schmitz says
Here’s something that would make an interesting custom.
http://www.indianmotorbikes.com/features/vindian/index.htm
Old Will
Peter says
I’d just like to add that this bike does have a rear suspension. Rear swingarm was made as rigid component of frame, tnan cut, reinforced and fitted with proper bearings and axle. Hotch used real Vincent engine as far as i know.
I wonder what was price on this wonder…
Mike White says
Waste of a good motor ,
Vincent HRD,s Handle better and are faster stock !
Use Harley motors by all means , leave the Classics alone