When the story of Falcon Motorcycles’ restoration of The Black, based on a Vincent Black Shadow, emerged, there wasn’t a motorcycle blog that didn’t publish it. We took our cue from Bike Exif, being gurus in the vintage, custom sector - but they weren’t the only ones waxing lyrical about what a beautiful bike it is.

Chris Hunter made an important point when writing about The Black, saying it is the typical example from Falcon Motorcycles that “blurs the boundaries between motorcycling, industrial design and sculpture”. Since then, debates have been sparked over whether this motorcycle will ever be ridden, and whether it is more about art than a functional riding experience.

Some comments on Bike Exif say:

• I don’t know what to think about Falcons. The standard of craft on show is so mind-warping it makes carping about the bike’s functional aspects (let’s start with the position of that monoshock) seem churlish. Still, no one’s actually going to ride it are they? Or are they?
• I think “form” was a clear priority here. Function…? Well, at least this one has some form of suspension. That said, why must everything be functional? If so, we would all be riding Honda Deuvilles. Isn’t it enough that it’s absolutely, gobsmackingly gorgeous?
• Ridden? Not with the present rear suspension set-up … Other than that awesome build quality, work of art.

More after the jump.

Continue reading: The Black Falcon: art or a "real" motorcycle?

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