The Janus Halcyon Is Here To Make Your Vintage Dreams Come True

The Janus Halcyon 450 is a fresh and modern reinterpretation of a classic motorcycle

In case you haven't noticed, retro bikes are a major thing right now. Every company out there has some kind of café racer/scrambler in their line-up. Even electric motorcycle companies that are popping up left, right and center gave into this trend. But, there is a small motorcycle company from Indiana, called Janus Motorcycles that does things a bit differently. Their inspiration doesn't come from café racers or scramblers, but from real classic pre-war motorcycles. So if you always wanted a Vincent Black Shadow or an original Brough Superior, the Janus Halcyon 450 could just be the bike for you.

Related: This Czech Modern Classic Takes Us Back To The 1920s

Halcyon's engine is based on an old Honda design, and they get this from Italian manufacturer SWM. Now, SWM has been around since 1971, building affordable but reliable motorcycles and engines. If you are looking for a modernized version of a classic engine, look no further. Halcyon's SWM engine is a 445cc, air/oil-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder, with electronic fuel injection, and electronic ignition. That's right, this classic doesn't have a carburetor. It produces 30 horsepower at 7,500 rpm which gives this 345 lb motorcycle a top speed of around 90 mph.

The list of hand-built components on the Halcyon 450 is pretty long. Things like the frame, fenders, forks, 2-gallon fuel tank, swingarm, handlebars, exhaust… What wasn't made by the company from Indiana came from high-quality domestic and international suppliers.

The suspension comes from an Australian company called Ikon. Their 76 series is specifically made for vintage bikes, the rear suspension is similar to the one Vincent HRD had on its motorcycles from the 30s. The front suspension is a proprietary leading-link fork, also with dual shocks. To stop this ‘blast from the past,’ Brembo brakes are fitted. At the front is a 280 mm disc with a two-piston floating caliper, and at the rear is a 220 mm disc with a single-piston floating caliper. To keep things modern, Janus installed a retro electronic speedometer from an Austrian company called MMB.

Related: 10 Things You Need To Know About The Honda CL500 Scrambler

It will set you back $14,995. And that is before all the extra features the company offers. You will also have to wait seven to nine months, after you put down a deposit of around $3,000 for the bike to be built.

Is it worth the money? If you look at the competition, it is pricier. Moto Guzzi's V7 starts at $9,190, and the V9 Bobber, at $10,490. Triumph's Bonneville T100 costs $10,995, and the T120, $12,695. But, The Halcyon 450 is a simple, straightforward bike, hand-built, and incredibly unique. Janus's motorcycles have a different kind of feel, and their own style that puts them in a niche category.

After getting a degree in international politics and working with NGOs, decided to do something a bit different. Always had a strong affection towards sports cars, especially motorcycles. Prefers fast and sleek, dislikes big and chunky.