Shinya Kimura is a Japanese born custom bike builder, famous for founding the 'zero-style' movement. In 1992 Kimura set up Zero Engineering in Japan, but now runs Chabott Engineering out of Azusa California, which has quickly become one of the most famous garages on the scene.
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| Shinya Kimura ride on his 'Spike' that built based on 1946 Harley Davidson motorcycle. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZsKQ2) |
Like Chicara Nagata, Kimura is treating the motorcycle as art, and the approach is paying off. A zero-style bike is typically based around a rigid gooseneck, a pre-1984 HD engine, springer front end, spoked wheels and often includes parts of the bike remaining in bare metal.
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| This bike is called ‘Hoon’ and it was created by Shinya Kimura in 2006 based on 1960 Honda C100. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZsG7B) |
The inspiration came from ‘wabi sabi’ (austere refinement) and the beauty of the raw materials and incorporating the essence of ‘wa’ (harmony) into his designs (Shinya doesn’t draw by the way, it’s all in his head!). Everything is reflected in every motorcycle is done by him. He is truly an expert to build a motorcycle as an artwork.
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| This 'Needle' bike built by Shinya Kimura in 2005 based on 1957 Triumph. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZsLNI) |
For example, 'Hoon' was one of the best of 'Zero-Style' motorcycles built by Kimura in 2006, This bike built based on 1960 Honda C100 and came with minimal interpretations of vintage motorcycles, with low-key paintjobs and Harley-Davidson springer front ends. There’s a Jules Verne, steampunk tinge to Hoon that we love.
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| The 'Edge' built by Shinya Kimura in 2010 based on the Italian motorcycle of Ducati 999R. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZsL1D) |
Beside Hoon, there are many motorcycles that have been built by Kimura throughout his career in the motorcycle world. Call it, the Needle that built in 2005, Spike in 2007, Edge in 2010, etc. All of which can be seen at the Chabott Engineering site. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CHABOTT ENGINEERING | BIKEEXIF]
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