Chewie,
If you can afford it, buy it. Oh, and another thought, if you can't afford it, buy it anyway.
Take Ian up on his offer and get him to come round, have a coffee and go over the bike with you giving you some pointers BEFORE YOU BUY. They can all look the same but some can be a real money pit if you buy the wrong thing, just like anything in life.
Ride it, use it as it was intended to.
Meet some of the folks in the club - you'll have a ball.
Listen to all the opinions and views you can - and then make up your own mind. Ask 10 VOC members for an opinion and you'll get at least 12 different ones - you have to make your own mind up and live with the consequences. You'll soon learn that not everyone's opinion in the VOC is equal and there are those you really should listen to.
I've got modern stuff too - but the Vincent comes out of the garage most - just an absolute joy to ride.
Have fun.
See you at some events - do introduce yourself.
Regards