We’ve received more than a couple of comments about who really did the work on some of the well publicized custom motorcycles seen on TV or in the magazines. They come from the big name shops but did the “Big Name” build the bike? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no or sometimes some of the parts.
It isn’t a conspiracy or super secret that once a business becomes successful the person who started the business cannot continue to do everything by himself or herself. This does not mean he can’t do it, just that there are many other things to do. I think the reason these comments are made is more focused on the fact that these unsung heroes often get little credit while the big name on the door gets the pat on the back.
Jesse James, who can absolutely build with the best of them, turned out the VTX Cafe Racer some time ago but a lot of the work was done by Mike Cook who has since gone on to start his own company, American Cafe Racers. (His website is gone, not sure about the business) Mike has a lot of skill and experience and some of it was gained while working with Jesse James so he did receive something for his work over and above the pay.
Arlen Ness, the King of Choppers, had a lot of design and paint work done by Carl Brouhard. Carl did the designs and/or paint for several of Arlen Ness’ well known bikes. Few people knew this and now Carl is focused on his own motorcycle business, Brouhard Designs. Arlen Ness can certainly still build bikes but what’s the point in becoming successful if you can’t relax a bit? Carl certainly benefits by being able to point to the great work he did for Arlen Ness. A win-win.
Jesse Rooke, has a lot of work done by Todd’s Cycle, in fact it was a comment last night about this builder that started me thinking along these lines.
Motorcycle building is a business like any other, once the company grows there is more work to do than one person can do. At that point, the key is keeping the quality up to the big name standards, no matter whose hands do the actual work.
Maybe in the future, some of these unsung builders and designers will get a little more credit to begin with, but whether they do or do not, they still gain skill, experience and contacts while doing the work and can choose to strike out on their own if they really want their own name on the door (and the headaches that go along with that).
Link: Todd’s Cycle
Link: Brouhard Designs
mark says
Funny you should mention Mike Cook… I just talked to him via email a day or two ago. I’m not sure what the plans are for ACR, but he mentioned he’s working on a couple of other projects, including building another bike. I’m sure more information will become available when he’s ready to release it.
F451 says
My wife and I eyed the VTX cafe racer for about an hour and half at a show, where they had it so that you were close enough to touch it. The bike is outstanding, and a thoroughly detailed piece. I don’t know whether some of it works, but it looks the part. Reportedly, Honda paid an outlandish sum to JJ for it. I never realized the Mike Cook was involved, and I have never been able to view the actual American Cafe Racer site, although I check to see whether it is up every week. I’m not a fan of the other bike builders mentioned…they do nice stuff, but some it is not my definition of a motorcycle—too stylized.
Mark Savory says
There is a LOT of the outsourcing / private building taking place. I’ve done enough small projects for “names” to personally attest to that fact — fabrication and a LOT of CAD design work itself.
One of the perks of being a “name” is you can do these high visibility builds and/or get the money for them. Unfortunately the negative is that you spend a lot more time making phonecalls and marketing/media than you do in building yourself.
Bryce says
Credit where credit is due seems to be a phrase we all like to think we are capable of living by, but few are. It seems that a lot of these successful custom builders have to be good at concept, delegation, and marketing/promotion in order to have a successful shop. Consequently, that doesn’t leave a lot of time for hands on fabrication. Fabricating things oneself is part of the machismo mystique of being a custom bike builder; you have little “cred” if you don’t actually DIY and get your own hands dirty.
hoyt says
I’m sure these builders have also taught the big names several things along the way, too.
any of you need someone to sweep the floors, drop me a line at:
http://customtorque.blogspot.com/
🙂
Cj says
As an owner of a SMALL shop, i can tell you that if a builder starts getting publicity (which we have recently) and having to get “face time” with media, his shop and builds suffer. Thus, the necessity of having guys you can depend on, such as what Todd’s is doing for Jesse. Unfortunately it’s a situation of “necessary evil” for survival. Just the way it is…..
http://www.guiltycustoms.com