Global custom motorcycle demand fuelled by passion for ‘something different’
Hong Kong-based company among firms catering to worldwide enthusiasts lured by the time spent to lovingly create minimalistic revamped machines
Motorcycles have long been all about individuality and independence – from the cheap motor scooters packing the streets of Vietnam, the heavy highway cruisers of the United States, temperamental sexy beasts from Italy, transcontinental powerhouses of the Germans, to all of the above, and more, from the Japanese makes. Two wheels allowed freedom, and the demand fuelled growth. But over time, everything became mass-produced and ended up looking the same, rather than individually built.
Some of the most eye-pleasing, imagination-stirring motorbikes were designed and built decades ago, from Harleys to Ducatis. Some designs may not have been too pleasing to consumers back in the day, such as the Harley-Davidson XLCR, and was subsequently snubbed when it came to market. Today however, avid collectors would give an arm and a leg to own one of these relics.
Riders, buyers and collectors around the world have now begun to look for something unique. Although the ability to customise motorbikes – often in small, local garages – has always been sought after, demand for such services today has skyrocketed, leaving many of these one-man businesses swamped with global orders. New companies have sprung up in places with no real motorcycle production history, such as the Netherlands – and Hong Kong – which have become hotspots for the often painstakingly slow work.
“On average, building a custom [bike] takes 3 to 5 months depending on complexity of the project for the parts and paint,” say Hong Kong-based Parisian brothers Guillaume, or simply “G”, and Ben Barras, co-founders and owners of custom bike firm Angry Lane in Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen. As painting a frame and engine requires getting the engine out of the frame, hence the longer timing. “Most of the time, something that looks simple is more difficult to achieve,” they add.
The aim with these custom bikes for many customers is to have a machine that reflects one’s dream and individuality.
Ironwood Motorcycles, in Amsterdam, was set up in 2012 with the aim of producing “one-of-a-kind vintage machines”. Arjan van den Boom, co-founder of the business, first found custom-bike enthusiasts taking an interest in his company because of something he had made for himself, dubbed “The Mutant”, based on a 1985 BMW R80.