The Japanese {custom} scene has its main lights; famous person builders with résumés that embrace coveted present trophies and high-profile OEM collaborations. However there are additionally extremely expert craftsmen who handle to fly underneath the radar—just like the builder of this fascinating Harley Electra Glide bobber, Shintaro Kido.
Kido-san runs his one-man store, Child Customized Manufacturing unit, out of Fukuoka—a port metropolis located on the northern shore of Kyushu Island. He began his profession at a manufacturing facility that constructed components automobiles in Suzuka, earlier than turning his consideration to {custom} bikes. He’s been working as Child Customized for 17 years already, however that is the primary time his work has crossed our desk.
“Shintaro’s machines are under no circumstances flashy,” says photographer Kazuo Matsumoto, who introduced us this story. “Nonetheless, if you happen to look intently at them, you possibly can see the intricate craftsmanship all through, like stunning artistic endeavors. In fact, he has a excessive degree of information and talent with engines, so these machines are additionally loads of enjoyable to trip.”
Shintaro is equally adept at customizing each trendy and classic machines, however this explicit challenge known as for a basic contact. The donor bike was a 1979 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide, and the inspiration got here instantly from the client. “Shintaro wished the machine to have a peaceful, mature vibe—not excessive—due to the proprietor’s gentlemanly appears,” Kaz explains.
To kick issues off, Shintaro stripped the bike right down to nothing however its body and Shovelhead engine. He targeted on the chassis first, changing it to a hardtail with a wheelbase that’s virtually an inch shorter than inventory (a small change that made an enormous distinction to the Harley’s stance). Nearer inspection reveals a number of finer particulars—just like the hollowed-out steering neck gusset.
The entrance forks are period-correct 35 mm Harley-Davidson FX items, however they’ve been modified extensively. Shintaro turned the fork lowers on a lathe to present them a smoother look, whereas additionally machining a {custom} high yoke out of a piece of aluminum. The concept was to create a classic European vibe for the entrance finish—as if the bike was working basic Ceriani gear.
Shintaro additionally shortened the forks by two inches to enrich the abbreviated rear part. The wheels are useless inventory aftermarket ‘Seven Star’ objects, initially manufactured by Asahi in Japan. They measure 19” on the entrance and 16” on the again, and are wrapped in Bates Baja tires.
A small, polished Harley-Davidson brake caliper grips a single entrance disc, with a Girling caliper slowing down the rear wheel.
All the previous Shovelhead’s bodywork is bespoke. Shintaro took cues from the enduring Sportster for the gasoline tank design, however put his personal spin on it. A recessed part on the high accommodates a leather-based panel, whereas bulged facet sections add a contact of additional type.
The tapered finish of the gasoline tank has a molded really feel, ‘wrapping’ across the body rail because it meets the seat. Different particulars embrace a custom-made gasoline cap, and wood tank badges that bear the Shovelhead’s nickname. “Shintaro wished the machine to have a refined look that will go well with an previous English city,” says Kaz, “so he determined to call the machine Chester, after a historic fortress city in England.”
A ribbed fender floats above the rear wheel, with flared sides that match the perimeters of the gasoline tank. It’s held in place by a pair of curved fender stays that testify to Shintaro’s obsessive consideration to element. Each bit is polished, with a recessed middle part that sports activities a tough end—a function that’s repeated on the rear caliper mount and the footpeg brackets.
A home made saddle straddles the area between the gasoline tank and the rear fender. Upholstered by Shintaro’s pal and go-to seat man, Ba Commonplace Leather-based, it wears a classy stamped sample.
There’s yet another piece of bodywork—an oval tank, mounted underneath the seat. Half of it holds oil, whereas the opposite half holds a battery, key wiring elements, the ignition barrel, and a few switches.
An open belt major sits slightly below it, with a low-mounted taillight and license plate holder positioned additional again. The entrance flip alerts sit low on the body, with the rear items hooked up to the inflexible rear triangle; each units are bolted to custom-made tabs.
Within the cockpit, narrowed handlebars are held in place by custom-made risers which are recessed deeply into the highest yoke. They put on Biltwell Inc. grips, handmade bar-ends, built-in switches, an inside throttle, and a Kustom Tech brake lever. A Motogadget Motoscope Tiny speedo sits between the tank and bars, with a tacho mounted additional again, simply above the engine on the right-hand facet.
The footpegs and brackets are handmade components and embrace a foot-operated clutch. Gear shifts are completed by hand, through a jockey shift that makes use of a {custom} linkage system. Shintaro wished the shift lever to seem like a standard wood knife deal with—so he studied knife-making methods, and used these to craft the piece.
Transferring to the paint job, Shintaro known as in one other common collaborator—Makoto at FFF. The proprietor had requested inexperienced (as a nod to his enterprise’ branding), so Makoto laid down a lush inexperienced metal-flake base, complemented by pin-stripes, brushed aluminum particulars, and only a trace of filigree.
Lastly, Shintaro drew on his expertise constructing race automobiles to manufacture a high-mounted exhaust system, giving the in any other case elegant Shovelhead a sporty edge. The carburetor is an S&S Cycle half, whereas the forged air cleaner cowl is from Fork Japan.
Skilfully mixing trendy and retro sensibilities, this Harley Electra Glide bobber is the mark of a craftsman on the high of his sport. Frankly, we’re a bit embarrassed that it took us so lengthy to find Child Customized Manufacturing unit.
Child Customized Manufacturing unit | Instagram | Pictures by, and with our sincerest because of, Kazuo Matsumoto
