Shinya Kimura. The Sounds And Images Of Custom Bike Building.

A superb video directed by Henrik Hansen to explain in a few words and images why and how Shinya Kimura build custom bikes in his small shop of Azusa, California. Never before have I seen a short movie where editing and sounds express so well the art of custom building motorcycles (including visual references to “The World’s Fastest Indian” movie)

26 Responses to “Shinya Kimura. The Sounds And Images Of Custom Bike Building.”


  1. 1 morriscustom Jun 26th, 2010 at 7:19 am

    got the be one of the best soul touching things I have ever seen,this is what its about,this guy is at peace with his self,reminds me of POPS Yoshimura,his ACTIONS speak louder than his words!!!It gives me chills to watch it,of course I am A TRUE GEARHEAD

  2. 2 morriscustom Jun 26th, 2010 at 7:25 am

    I cant quit watching it!!!you guys think that old knuckle really cranks first kick like that!!!

  3. 3 John Curtis Jun 26th, 2010 at 7:29 am

    Thanks Cyril. This video is a masterpiece, like all Shinya’s bikes.

  4. 4 parthos Jun 26th, 2010 at 7:39 am

    best video of custom biking ever seen
    u rock \m/

  5. 5 A 1 CYCLES Jun 26th, 2010 at 7:45 am

    quality video and editing..very moving..and the builder is awesome also

  6. 6 Troy Menzer Jun 26th, 2010 at 7:53 am

    The pseudo videographers of the motorcycle industry just learned how bad they are. I agree, this video is the best I have ever seen about motorcycles. And for a very low budget.

  7. 7 Joe Mielke Jun 26th, 2010 at 9:32 am

    Bitchin, Any artist would be honored to have their life’s passion displayed in such a way.
    Peace
    Joe

  8. 8 TodT Jun 26th, 2010 at 11:12 am

    Wow, that’s simply what it’s all about right there in a nutshell…..

  9. 9 Kirk Perry Jun 26th, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    ” ……….. there are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there’s master card.”

    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    Great composition and execution – using a minimal of equipment and money.

  10. 10 Darin Maltsberger- Instructor@MTI Jun 26th, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    Great stuff. Sure to be inspiring to young people everywhere who want to build. He has a gift that most of us long for…………..self satisfaction. He doesn’t need anyone else to approve of his work. Would love to meet him someday.
    -Darin

  11. 11 Mike Jun 26th, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    Way to rev that brand new motor with no air flow!

  12. 12 Jeff Nicklus Jun 26th, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    I have to say, I am not someone who is easily impressed, however, I have watched this video three (3) times now and I believe this may be the best “Bike Builder” video I have ever seen. Wow!

    Naturally, being me, I feel compelled to give some smart ass remark, so here goes: The first few seconds of the video I thought: “Oh hell, it’s Tora, Tora, Tora, all over again?”

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  13. 13 fuji Jun 26th, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    Honto ni suki desu. ほんとに好きです。

  14. 14 David Jun 27th, 2010 at 1:03 am

    Jeff ……I’m kind of with you…..it’s a good video but who was it meant for the Asian market…..I’m getting so tired of the other language Crap….If you want to live here in America and benifit from American ways(or suffer as many are doing now) learn and speak the Language fluently and make your ways the American way. We are here for a reason and VERY Special Men and Women for Hundreds of years and of all creeds, colors and influences have given their Lives to insure the American ways are up held!!!
    Now anyone wanting to live their lives and not adhear to the ways of the Good Old USA (that means speaking English and not making America your country ) we know this is possible because all the parts bins are labeled in english….Can Pack up and move to their more familiar homes and surroundings(where ever you come from Legal and especially Illegal).
    That means anyone even Fence Climbers and Desert Lizzards.
    You want to live here I think thats great just learn OUR customs and leave yours behind. We may be a great melting pot but at least most of us can express ourshelves were others can understand each other…….GET IT !!!

    SSDD; David

  15. 15 krugger Jun 27th, 2010 at 2:32 am

    the best video of custom bike building! Atmosphere and soul!!

  16. 16 krugger Jun 27th, 2010 at 2:35 am

    And by the way , “World’s fastest Indian” is my favourite movie….

  17. 17 baddad Jun 27th, 2010 at 3:09 am

    @ David Jun 27th, 2010 at 1:03 am
    Speak Native Indian American!

    BTW
    Great video about great artist

  18. 18 Bigal Jun 27th, 2010 at 7:10 am

    What a NaturalTalent, and thank god he won’t be selling his parts in a Drag or Custom Chrome, Book!

  19. 19 cooldaddy51 Jun 27th, 2010 at 7:25 am

    Nice piece.Shows what its all about.Wish the guy could speak english.Would be more impressed if he did. But with these new styles showing up in the european custom market cannot understand the practicality of the style.Meaning , they are small and are built for small riders. At six three my 51′ feels small and these are even smaller than that! Kinda reminds me of the late seventies, eighties street digger era. Same stance and yeah my customers wanted them and we built them but any time I went out for a ride on one felt like a monkey effin a football. Stood next to one of these style bikes a little while ago and my knee was the same height as the gas tank. Americans are big people! this style will be popular for the one off craftsmanship but cannot see it as a developing trend in this country.

  20. 20 Larry R Jun 27th, 2010 at 11:07 am

    Great video.

  21. 21 A. Kraus Jun 27th, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    That’s what it’s all about…

  22. 22 Kirk Perry Jun 27th, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    This fellow has chosen to think in English and speak in Japanese. That’s part of the whole package.
    He’s like an un-restored antique. Do you want to remove the patina of old paint? Some do, some don’t.
    Could he “think” in any other shop set-up. Probably not. Tooling his bicycle in a tight circle might be his “sorting hat”. The cat looks at home. The VW van seat is appropriate. The shops fung-schway is complete.
    The labels on the parts drawers show a picture was drawn along-side of a screw. We could presume the artist used word/pic association here – since later he offers that he can’t draw. (that’s the photog’s linear-step script weaving there!).
    How about the back doors of the van squeaking open – in the cool morning desert? Classic.
    Or, the retarded-timing fire that blows from the carbs. That’s motorcycling (not intended to be a daily driver).
    So, he does all of this for self-satisfaction.

    [To enhance the viewers afterglow, the producer is not claiming any credit for his work.] That’s art.

    Back for first gear indicates a ’39- E76 jockey lid on this bike.

  23. 23 Jeff Nicklus Jun 27th, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    Hey David,

    Actually, while I agree with your comments, I must say that, at least this time, my comments were not directed toward the illegal alien or legal immigrant issue. I actually did mean that the opening of the video reminded me of the movie Tora, Tora, Tora ….. in the movie when the Jap’s were bombing Pearl Harbor and the camera would do a close up of the pilots and gunners …. they had the same goggles and leather helmet on and had the same general appearance.

    baddad,

    If the Indians had whipped our ass instead of the other way around we would be speaking some dialect of American Indian I am sure.

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  24. 24 Sturgis biker Jun 27th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    One of the best bike building videos I have see, ever. The contrast with the Japanese speech just adds to the strength of this masterpiece. Carry on the great work Shinya , you are an awesome builder.

  25. 25 ger Jun 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    that was brilliant.
    watched it a few times
    a few minutes of video says it all
    totaly agree with kirk and bigal.
    nice one cyril..

  26. 26 David Jun 27th, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    baddad…. I am 1/8 Sioux Indian and although I have attempted to learn the language it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. How about this ” Hoka Hey”(look elsewhere on this blog for definiton).
    Custer was right to get his ass whooped by being a arrogant dip by tring to defeat and overwhelming force that was up for the fight!!!

    SSDD;David

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Cyril Huze