An Art Deco Streamliner Crafted By Max Hazan

1hazan2hazan3hazan9hazan13hazanAdmit that you never saw a motorcycle like that before. And it’s the forte of motorcycle artist/builder Max Hazan. Creating machines that he never saw before, nor us… Max considers the motorcycle as an artistic medium to express his creativity, emphasizing beauty and elegance much more than rideability or performance. Designing and working like a painter or sculptor, not like a typical custom builder.

8hazan12hazan6hazan7hazanAn old motor, in this case a 1949 500cc BSA, and a sketch are always his starting points. Then the process is always about inventing, reinventing and styling as many parts as possible, from the way a rear wheel can be easily assembled and removed even when buried into a 180-degree rear fender, to the way a seat suspension should function, to the way to route gas and oil plumbing, etc… making sure that aesthetics and functionality work together without one compromising the other.

11hazan5hazanThe 1949 BSA motor has the reputation to be strong, is quite simple in its conception, and although a couple of parts were missing, using the oem manual, Max had no major issue rebuilding it. Of course, with no expectations of exceptional performance. One of the most interesting part of this project is of course the swooping rear fender reminiscent of those found on the most celebrated European cars of the 30’s and 40’s. Formed very narrow from sheets of aluminum, the big challenge was to fit all the wheel/brake/driveline components and to make assembly and disassembly of the rear wheel as easy as simply dropping it. So, Max designed a hub – made from seven pieces machined from billet aluminum and chromoly), a 3” diameter rear axle to slide through the fender, with the chain sprocket remaining outside on the left side. It implied a jackshaft to line up with the outboard sprocket. Result is visual simplicity on both sides and mechanical beauty on the lesf side.

4hazanAlthough less spectacular in appearance, front of the bike is also very special, a one-off front suspension hand-made at the shop from 2” x 1” steel bars. Admire all the custom linkages and custom shock and the purety of the bars featuring only the throttle grip. The bike rolls on an Excel 23” front and 19” rear, both dressed with Firestone tires. For lighting, the triangle custom headlight incorporates 6-volt vintage General Electric bulbs, and in the rear, the fender top features a flush-mounted strip of 6-volt LEDs. Although comfort is not a priority, the seat pan moves on a very intricate suspension system just beautiful to look at. And when the bike is running you can see the oil circulating inside the custom made and rubber-mounted Pyrex oil tank. Although light – about 325 lbs wet – the 500 cc will not give you strong sensations on the road, except those emotions of knowing that you ride a true piece of mechanical art. Hazan Motorworks. (photography @ Shaik Ridzwan)

29 Responses to “An Art Deco Streamliner Crafted By Max Hazan”


  1. 1 Geno Nov 21st, 2016 at 9:07 am

    A one word bike……’incredible’!

  2. 2 Jay Cain Nov 21st, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Wow!

  3. 3 Robby Nov 21st, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Ok, not for a daily ride, but the work is superb.

  4. 4 P. Hamilton Nov 21st, 2016 at 9:11 am

    The definition of art on wheels.

  5. 5 Cisco Nov 21st, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Difficult to make a living doing this. But I admire the art.

  6. 6 Prestaged Nov 21st, 2016 at 9:13 am

    I am not typically drawn to custom bikes, but have to admit that is sweet!

  7. 7 highrpm Nov 21st, 2016 at 10:16 am

    gorgeous.
    a jolt w/o a deco-minimalist front fender. (beauty in the eye of the beholder)

  8. 8 highrpm Nov 21st, 2016 at 10:18 am

    love the long bevelled exhaust pipe.

  9. 9 Chief Waldo Nov 21st, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Wow! Amazing! And than oil tank is really freakin’ cool!

  10. 10 seymour Nov 21st, 2016 at 10:57 am

    I am dog sitting an Italian greyhound. If it were a motorcycle, it would look like that.

  11. 11 nick Nov 21st, 2016 at 10:58 am

    A True work of art

  12. 12 RUB Nov 21st, 2016 at 10:58 am

    The only thing missing is the corporate logos , oh wait , that era is over . never mind …………

  13. 13 davide aresi Nov 21st, 2016 at 11:17 am

    wow! masterpiece!

  14. 14 matthew willoughby Nov 21st, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    Wow – Amazing – great craftsmanship and vision. It has been a long time since I have been blown away by anything in our industry.

  15. 15 Boots Nov 21st, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    Now that’s a motorcycle that is not Gawdy! It’s got style!
    Great job!!!!!

  16. 16 NoH2oh Nov 21st, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    Some builders seem to forget the motor is the focal point of a bike, not here. Awesome.

  17. 17 hacksaws garage Nov 21st, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    insane!

  18. 18 Blackmax Nov 21st, 2016 at 5:03 pm

    Agree with Robby & the rest ..
    No way this is a “rider” daily or otherwise !
    But is this one BEAUTIFUL piece of motor art ?
    Hell Yeah !!!!

  19. 19 rcupp Nov 21st, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    Yep, what they said and more…WOW!

  20. 20 Chris Nov 22nd, 2016 at 3:15 am

    Now that really is a work of automotive art!…Magnificent!

  21. 21 chopmonster66 Nov 22nd, 2016 at 9:44 am

    WOW !!!!

  22. 22 bigalyts Nov 22nd, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Incredible, Wow. built with the Definition of a Corporate Logo, in mind. I am thinking any Multi, multi million dollar corporation should have this or 1 of his creations in the main lobby up on a pedestal for all who enter to admire.He seems to be as talented as the German dude and the Japanese Dude, Sorry, I did not remember their name, folks. PS. i think his Web site looks like he had a Beginner design it!

  23. 23 Gym Nov 22nd, 2016 at 11:20 am

    If this bike were mine it would have leather grips. The concept of metal grips does not appeal to me on any level, but kudos nonetheless.

  24. 24 Drew Nov 22nd, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Nicely Done. 🙂

  25. 25 bobx Nov 22nd, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    bike looks incredible.

    moron comments..not so much.

  26. 26 Woody's Nov 23rd, 2016 at 9:21 am

    I imagine it’d take at least an hour to take in every little detail. Very, very nice!

  27. 27 Zenaldo Nov 24th, 2016 at 1:30 pm

    A creative & skilled guy for sure..

  28. 28 John Adams Nov 24th, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    His work is always off the scale and this has to be one of his best!

  29. 29 Jay Horton's Private Shop Nov 28th, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    Beautiful. Later Jay

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Cyril Huze