Reliability is buttoned up in this vintage package.
Holdover Machine
Godzilla might be the scourge of Tokyo, but ripping up the Suzuka mountains to the east prowls a beast of the two-wheeled variety. Looking like a holdover from the Summer of Love, this wiggly-flamed retro-ride is actually a recent creation from elite Japanese builders, Custom Works ZON. Time capsule or not, this monster machine definitely has all the chops.
Photos courtesy of Katzuo Matsumoto.
Slick Eclectic
Japan has long been part of the custom bike scene, forging new trends and reinforcing old ones with a keen eye on craft and history. Founded by high school friends, Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda in the early 2000s, Custom Works ZON is an award-winning shop recognized for building out-of-this-world BMWs and slick Harley-Davidsons that range from traditional to downright eclectic.
>>Join the conversation about this Chopper from Japan right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Creature Classic
The paint job on this throwback machine deserves a special mention. Hotrodders will recognize the style as 'Seaweed Flames.' The unique flowing treatment was first devised by legendary car customizer Larry Watson in 1954 as a way to fix up a so-so paint job. Coinciding with the film release of Creature from the Black Lagoon, the look became an instant classic.
>>Join the conversation about this Chopper from Japan right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Retro Promises
Despite the nostalgic treatment, the bike is a completely fresh build. This lagoon-lurking machine is powered by a S&S Cycle KN93. Considered as the de facto clone motor for retro-builders, the modern unit bears a close resemblance to a stock Harley-Davidson Knucklehead engine. Paired with a Super E carburetor, the 61 horsepower motor promises reliability buttoned up in a vintage package.
>>Join the conversation about this Chopper from Japan right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Extra Accent
Like mad scientists, Custom Works hatched this road-gobbling creature with their own hands. The frame and tins are built in-house from scratch. To get the stance right, a single downtube chassis was fabricated to exact measurements, while incorporating a touch of stretch. Built as a rider, extra gusseting was strategically added and finished in chrome, creating noticeable accents.
>>Join the conversation about this Chopper from Japan right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Town Brake
That same level of creative dedication was applied to the front end. Paying homage to genius bike builder Sugar Bear, the Custom Works lab set about to build a Springer frontend worthy of their inspiration. Narrowed and finished in chrome, the meticulous creation sports a Kustom Tech mini drum brake that suggests a hint of restraint while engaged in town crushing rampages.
>>Join the conversation about this Chopper from Japan right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Vintage Look
Spotted with surface rust from its last saltwater dip, the rear wheel is laced to a Kustom Tech hub and brake. Adding to the bike's already tall stance, the 18'' rear rim is wrapped in a re-popped vintage Michelin tire for a convincing 'back to the future look.' The front rolls on a 21'' wheel, covered in similar rubber.
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Japan Apple
Emulating the classic Tracy Body style, Custom Works smoothed-in a Frisco-mount narrow tank and molded the tins from front to back. Not overlooking creature comforts, the King Queen seat suggests that nighttime outings are not just a solo venture. Monster jokes aside, it is pretty cool that this American as apple pie chopper is actually a one-off creation from rural Japan.
>>Join the conversation about this Chopper from Japan right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
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