Thanks Shinya for your time and keep on kicking ass.
Shinya Kimura is a Japanese born custom bike builder and founder of Zero Engineering and Chabott Engineering. And its widely known to be the originator of the zero style in the custombike community.
Shinya founded Zero Engineering in Okazaki Japan in 1992. Initially his shop was named Chabott Engineering but the name was changed the following year to Zero Engineering. He soon gained a reputation for his minimalistic and vintage looking bikes that combines form and function. His name was soon synonomys with what people often refer to as Zero-style. A Zero-style bike is typically based around a ridgid gooseneck, a pre-1984 Harley Davidson engine, springer frontend, spokewheels and often includes parts of the bike to remain in bare metal. 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 and his crew were alson known for putting their work to the test by particapting in different vintage race series with their motorcycles.
In 2006 Shinya was granted a green card in USA, his application supposedly contained a letter of recommendation from actor Brad Pitt who ownes 3 Zero Engineering custom bikes. In July 2006 he set up his new shop under his original name Chabott Engineering to built both custom bikes as well as moving himself toward the world of art.
"Since setting up in America, I've moved from being just a custom-bike builder to slightly changing my direction a little more toward the world of art. I don't know whether success or failure is awaiting me in the future. Can custom bikes become art? Maybe we'll know in 10 years' time."
Even though the cost of a custom bike built by Chabott Engineering would cost you at least 40.000$ there is currently a 4 year waiting list for Shinyas creations. Customers include George Clooney and several other high profile customers.
Shinya Kimura is a Japanese born custom bike builder and founder of Zero Engineering and Chabott Engineering. And its widely known to be the originator of the zero style in the custombike community.Shinya founded Zero Engineering in Okazaki Japan in 1992. Initially his shop was named Chabott Engineering but the name was changed the following year to Zero Engineering. He soon gained a reputation for his minimalistic and vintage looking bikes that combines form and function. His name was soon synonomys with what people often refer to as Zero-style. A Zero-style bike is typically based around a ridgid gooseneck, a pre-1984 Harley Davidson engine, springer frontend, spokewheels and often includes parts of the bike to remain in bare metal. 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 and his crew were alson known for putting their work to the test by particapting in different vintage race series with their motorcycles.
In 2006 Shinya was granted a green card in USA, his application supposedly contained a letter of recommendation from actor Brad Pitt who ownes 3 Zero Engineering custom bikes. In July 2006 he set up his new shop under his original name Chabott Engineering to built both custom bikes as well as moving himself toward the world of art.
"Since setting up in America, I've moved from being just a custom-bike builder to slightly changing my direction a little more toward the world of art. I don't know whether success or failure is awaiting me in the future. Can custom bikes become art? Maybe we'll know in 10 years' time."Even though the cost of a custom bike built by Chabott Engineering would cost you at least 40.000$ there is currently a 4 year waiting list for Shinyas creations. Customers include George Clooney and several other high profile customers.
We met Shinya at the last Legend of the Motorcycles in Half Moon Bay last May 2008 and he were kind enough to give us an exclusive interview.
Hello Frank and Vincent,
It was pleasure to meet you both in Half Moon Bay.
Here are my answers to your questions.
Best Regards,
Shinya Kimura
Where are you from ?
どこにお住まいですか？
Originally, Tokyo, Japan. Now live in Azusa, California.
when did you start into the motorcycles business ?
オートバイビジネスを始めたのはいつですか？
I started into the motorcycle business in 1985. 23 years ago!
When and why did you come in L.A ?
ロスアンジェルスへはいつ、どんな理由で来ましたか？
I came here in 2006 because, first, I have more accessibility to more variety of motorcycles especially vintage motorcycle form all over the world in here than in Japan. Second, I thought it has more possibility here for my creations to be counted as "art" than just another custom motorcycle.
How do you explain the rise of the japanese influence on the motorcycle kustom ?
カスタムオートバイの上で日本の影響の上昇をどう解説できますか？
I don't feel the rise myself but if it's there, motorcycles built with austere elegance based on Japanese aesthetic were stood out among those Western main stream custom bikes.
What do you think of the motorcycles scene in California ?
カルフォル二アのオートバイ状況をどう思いますか？
Race Heaven!
What's the main inspiration of your work ?
貴方の仕事の重要なインスピレーションは何ですか？
Afflatus!! I'm not the type of think things from a theoretical standpoint.
Which are your favorite bikes ?
貴方のお気に入りのパイクはどれですか？
Road racers from 60's.
The James Lipton interview :
What is your favorite word?
IMPULSE!!
What is your least favorite word?
BUSINESS!
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Curiosity towards my own creation,
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
The dictates of others.
What sound or noise do you love?
cat's purr.
What sound or noise do you hate?
sound of alarm clock
What is your favorite curse word?
drat!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Fisherman
What profession would you not like to do?
City hall administrator.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Do whatever you like."
Here are my answers to your questions.
Best Regards,
Shinya Kimura
Where are you from ?
どこにお住まいですか？
Originally, Tokyo, Japan. Now live in Azusa, California.
when did you start into the motorcycles business ?
オートバイビジネスを始めたのはいつですか？
I started into the motorcycle business in 1985. 23 years ago!
When and why did you come in L.A ?
ロスアンジェルスへはいつ、どんな理由で来ましたか？
I came here in 2006 because, first, I have more accessibility to more variety of motorcycles especially vintage motorcycle form all over the world in here than in Japan. Second, I thought it has more possibility here for my creations to be counted as "art" than just another custom motorcycle.
How do you explain the rise of the japanese influence on the motorcycle kustom ?
カスタムオートバイの上で日本の影響の上昇をどう解説できますか？
I don't feel the rise myself but if it's there, motorcycles built with austere elegance based on Japanese aesthetic were stood out among those Western main stream custom bikes.
What do you think of the motorcycles scene in California ?
カルフォル二アのオートバイ状況をどう思いますか？
Race Heaven!
What's the main inspiration of your work ?
貴方の仕事の重要なインスピレーションは何ですか？
Afflatus!! I'm not the type of think things from a theoretical standpoint.
Which are your favorite bikes ?
貴方のお気に入りのパイクはどれですか？
Road racers from 60's.
The James Lipton interview :
What is your favorite word?
IMPULSE!!
What is your least favorite word?
BUSINESS!
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Curiosity towards my own creation,
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
The dictates of others.
What sound or noise do you love?
cat's purr.
What sound or noise do you hate?
sound of alarm clock
What is your favorite curse word?
drat!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Fisherman
What profession would you not like to do?
City hall administrator.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Do whatever you like."
0 comments:
Post a Comment