During your journey, what did you discover about the subculture
of customized motorcycles, café racers, cars and bikes?
One of the purposes of our trip was the [Yokohama] HRCS. This show
is the heaven for every bike builder, but for the first year the giant
parking lot – where more than 8000 custom bikes were used to park
– was prohibited because of noise complaints. It’s a pity as we did
not get to see the most interesting part the show. The HRCS is more
about chopper/bobber custom cars culture than café racers. And this
represents thousands of guys... As well in the street of Tokyo you will see
a lot of bikes everywhere in the streets. That culture is so strong and alive
there. Craftsmanship is the point, you can find a lot of small workshops,
where skilled guys are working with simple tools, unlike Western Europe
where the cost of work is so prohibitive that workshops
do not survive.
You spent time with ‘Ola [Stenegard] and the Viking lads visiting
some of the most iconic fellow bike preachers in the world.’ Who
are these Viking lads and bike preachers?
Ola Stenegard is the main designer at BMW Motorrad in Germany. Last
year, they started this Soulfuel custom project on the base of the R nineT
bike. The first part of the project was realised by European customizers
Urban Motors (Berlin), Blitz (Paris) and El Solitario (Rias Baixas). The Blitz
bike was unveiled during our event “Wheels and Waves” in June 2014.
Last September, BMW unveiled the second part, which was realised
by four of the top Japanese builders, Hidemo, BRATSTYLE, 46works and
Cheesy Company. Naturally we all wanted to visit their workshops, like
a pilgrimage... All these guys are incredibly skilled and humble. This is a
great experience. Thanks to our local friend Tadashi Kono who drove us
around the suburbs of Tokyo.
What did you get up to with Tadashi Kono San and Hiro San?
Tadashi San et Hiro San were really helpful during that short trip, they
help you avoid being lost in the middle of nowhere or simply to lose track
of time. Japanese people have a natural distance with foreigners, our
two friends are accustomed to Western customs and thanks to them
we had a totally relaxed vision. We realise that our Japanese friends
are not so different from us, perhaps more disciplined.
‘CRAFTSMANSHIP
IS THE POINT’