Gentleman's Daily: A 1979 Harley Electra Glide Bobber from Japan

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 below the radar—just like the builder of this charming 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 unit that constructed formulation vehicles 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 on no account flashy,” says photographer Kazuo Matsumoto, who introduced us this story. “Nonetheless, for those who look carefully at them, you’ll be able to see the intricate craftsmanship all through, like stunning artistic endeavors. After all, he has a excessive degree of data and ability with engines, so these machines are additionally loads of enjoyable to experience.”

Shintaro is equally adept at customizing each fashionable and classic machines, however this specific venture referred to 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 relaxed, mature vibe—not excessive—due to the proprietor’s gentlemanly appears,” Kaz explains.

To kick issues off, Shintaro stripped the bike all the way 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 a giant 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 provide them a smoother look, whereas additionally machining a {custom} high yoke out of a piece of aluminum. The thought was to create a classic European vibe for the entrance finish—as if the bike was operating basic Ceriani gear.

Shintaro additionally shortened the forks by two inches to enhance the abbreviated rear part. The wheels are useless inventory aftermarket ‘Seven Star’ gadgets, 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.

The entire outdated Shovelhead’s bodywork is bespoke. Shintaro took cues from the enduring Sportster for the gas tank design, however put his personal spin on it. A recessed part on the high accommodates a leather-based panel, whereas bulged aspect sections add a contact of additional model.

The tapered finish of the gas tank has a molded really feel, ‘wrapping’ across the body rail because it meets the seat. Different particulars embrace a custom-made gas cap, and wood tank badges that bear the Shovelhead’s nickname. “Shintaro wished the machine to have a refined look that might swimsuit an outdated English city,” says Kaz, “so he determined to call the machine Chester, after a historic citadel city in England.”

A ribbed fender floats above the rear wheel, with flared sides that match the perimeters of the gas tank. It’s held in place by a pair of curved fender stays that testify to Shintaro’s obsessive consideration to element. Every bit is polished, with a recessed heart part that sports activities a tough end—a characteristic that’s repeated on the rear caliper mount and the footpeg brackets.

A home made saddle straddles the house between the gas tank and the rear fender. Upholstered by Shintaro’s pal and go-to seat man, Ba Customary Leather-based, it wears a complicated stamped sample.

There’s yet another piece of bodywork—an oval tank, mounted below 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 might be recessed deeply into the highest yoke. They put on Biltwell Inc. grips, handmade bar-ends, built-in switches, an inner 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 aspect.

The footpegs and brackets are handmade elements and embrace a foot-operated clutch. Gear shifts are finished by hand, by way of a jockey shift that makes use of a {custom} linkage system. Shintaro wished the shift lever to seem like a conventional wood knife deal with—so he studied knife-making methods, and used these to craft the piece.

Shifting to the paint job, Shintaro referred to 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 vehicles 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 fashionable and retro sensibilities, this Harley Electra Glide bobber is the mark of a craftsman on the high of his recreation. Frankly, we’re slightly embarrassed that it took us so lengthy to find Child Customized Manufacturing unit.