Original Samurai Choppers : culture|garage

Original Samurai Choppers

February 22, 2008

Posted by Jim

Tags: arts|culture, motorcycles, simply bad a$$, special edition

The last time you heard “Japanese” and “bike” together, you probably thought about some sort of Kawasaki cafe racer or a Honda CBR-series motorcycle. Although Japanese bikes are more known for being all-out racers rather than cruisers, a small but VERY talented bike shop in Japan is keeping the traditional hog alive.

Looking more like something out of a Marlon Brando film, the bikes created by ZERO Engineering are an example of when form follows function. Traditional methods and construction techniques make these bikes real standouts in a market flooded with kandy paint, chrome and other techno-gagetry. In short, this ain’t your daddy’s Goldwing.

Each bike, much like the guy who creates them, is unique, adding to the homebuilt, “classic hot rod” ideal that these evoke. Shinya Kimura (pictured above), the founder of ZERO is inspired by classic designs, while melding them with other creative ideas to end up with some of the most unique bikes on the road. Most of Kimura’s bikes utilize old parts, but instead of restoration, Kimura uses them to further his own creations-sort of an “aesthetic recycling” process.

Each custom bike built by ZERO is covered in Kimura’s fingerprints, from the design to the fabrication and assembly, he does it all. These bikes are more than just the sum of their parts, however- they recall a time when bikes were less about “show,” and more about “go.” Each of the ZERO bikes are built to ride- Kimura himself makes sure of that.

If you are looking to own your own piece of the ZERO pie, fret not at the prospect of having to pay through the nose for a one-off. ZERO engineering offers a couple of production bikes for sale in the United States. Although not built by Kimura himself, the bikes were designed originally by him, and are distinctive enough that you won’t run into another one at your local bike meet. The one above is scheduled for release in the U.S. shortly, while two models are already out and another one is in the pipe. For more information, check out the ZERO Engineering site here. Oh, and as an aside, keep your wallet under lock and key while you browse- just in case.

via: Bikernet, Hot Bike Magazine, Mr. Bully, Fast Dates

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22 Responses to “Original Samurai Choppers”

b dash Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 am

not particularly my style, but still some good looking bikes. i’m surprised that they are using harleys though. I would think the japanese would know better (or at least rebuild them to their spec, i.e., not drip oil all over the place).

pretty neat looking bikes though
Chris Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 am

hot.
blix Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am

those bikes are awesome
bump909 Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 am

i dig it!
Ryan Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm

He has been featured numerous times on Biker Buildoff on the Discovery Channel. He is crazy talented, and he barely speaks english, so his assistant has to translate for everything when he talks about stuff on the show.
chris Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Definately my style. F**king badass. Way cooler than the stuff you see on TV most of the time. American Chopper’s stuff is soooo cheesy. This guy’s bikes reminds me of Billy Lane’s, one of my other favorite builders. Very cool.
chris Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm

They’re kind of SteamPunk lookin…
heywood Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 pm

That shit is ugly
Mc Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 pm

Looks like a bobber to me… pretty cool yet =D
johnpaint Says:
March 6th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

I really would like to try out a bike like this, just to see how it rides.
RonMenna Says:
March 10th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

I met this guy last summer at the Primer Nationals in Ventura.Amazing artist
tony Says:
March 10th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

niiiiiice
alexis Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 6:33 am

awesome bikes, i wish i had one!!!!
sheeptag
RM Merrill Says:
March 16th, 2008 at 11:00 pm

First of all, Harleys don’t just “leak oil all over the place.” Just for sayin’ stupid stuff like that goes to show you don’t know squat about bikes. Next, they ARE bobbers = no rear shocks, hardtail frames, sprung seats, chopped fenders (or lack thereof), and usually strokers. About that “ride”, you better have iron nuts, steel teeth, cast iron ass, rubber spine and a real short tail bone. As for “wishin’ I had one”…., well, let me say this…., WTF are you waitin’ for. They don’t give ‘em away ya know. Get a Harley, it comes with a life!
edmejia Says:
May 11th, 2008 at 9:34 am

man! you are super-talented. those bikes are beyond nice,i wish i can put my hans in one of them.gad bless you.
viet Says:
May 14th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

those bikes are raw, organic, hardcore homoginized fire breathing machines. with all the catalog billet parts and unpractical frame dimensions and over chromed pipes and trailor queen paint, its refreshing to see hand made parts for the things that the bike needs. the japenese chopper scene is way bad.
John Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 6:27 am

I’m interested in history of samurai sword.Emperor of Japan “Tennno” is the last royal prerogative supported by ancient myth in the world.
The Oldest japanese myth literature “Kojiki” says that Imperial treasure sword was got by the god Susanoo from eight head dragon in Izumo.
Raw steel of samurai sword is only made by Hitachi Metals at Yasugi Izumo Shimane prefecture.However Hitachi Metals is famous high-tech steel maker,raw material of formal japanese sword is made by ancient steel making method “Tatara”. Raw steel is called “Tamahagane”(Jewel like steel).
I hear that it is supreme one for sword making.I wanna get and forge it.
kanagata talker Says:
June 26th, 2008 at 9:11 am

In Japan,Hitachi Metals die steel”SLD MAGIC” becomes popular now.Hitachi won the BEST 10 New Prodacts Japan Brand. Prize of The Nikkan sinbunn in 2006 because of developed steel.Winning simultaneously was toyota Lexus LS460.
The toughness ,wear-resistance,anti-distortion at heat treatment,machinability,weldabily of this steel is superior to other conventional die steel like a AISI D2.Hitachi developed this steel by using ultra mlti system alloy design.
Motorcycle Attorney Says:
July 12th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

Dude your bike pics are . . . well Oyshi. Well done sensei.
Jim Says:
July 12th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

@Motorcycle Attorney: The pictures were not shot by me- please follow the links listed at the end of the article for the sources. Thank you for reading!
SupremeCrystal Says:
July 21st, 2008 at 10:47 am

I know a cutlery steel made byHitachi Metals.This steel that called ATS34 is one of the most famous steel for art knives in the world.
I have some wonderful knives made by famouse designer from this steel.
Bryan Says:
August 1st, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Very nice. Very talented. Not sure if he has been in IronWorks magazine or not, but he should be. I see he made it to the LA Bike Show. That’s always a good time!