Shinya kimura
Encyclopedia
Shinya Kimura is a Japanese born custom bike builder and founder of Zero Engineering and Chabott Engineering, he originated the "zero style" custom bike.
In 2002 Kimura expanded his business by opening an office in Las Vegas, Nevada
,
where he in 2005 built his entry the Biker Build-Off
against Joe Martin from the Martin Brothers. other bikes were built in 10 days in front of a film crew, the riders then met up in Las Vegas and rode to Palm Springs, California
where a popular vote was held which Joe Martin won.
Currently Kimura has left Zero Engineering and launched his own studio called Chabott Engineering in Azusa, California
. Zero Engineering is still in Japan and in Las Vegas which have to this date created more the 200 custom bikes, including the new line of production bikes built in their facility in Las Vegas. At this time it includes to models based on Harley Davidson's Shovelhead and Evolution engine with two models based on the Sportster being released in the future. Recently two of the company's bikes were used in the 2008 film Iron Man
.
Kimura said, "Since setting up in America, I've moved from being just a custom-bike builder to slightly changing my direction a little more toward the world of art. I don't know whether success or failure is awaiting me in the future. Can custom bikes become art? Maybe we'll know in 10 years' time."
Along with fellow bike builders Jesse James, Ian Barry
and Billy Lane
, Kimura was among the first custom bike builders to receive an invitation to the Legend Of The Motorcycle
- Concours d'Elegance exhibition.
In 2010, Kimura and Chabott Engineering were the subject of a documentary short by film maker Henrik Hansen, which was one of five documentaries to be nominated for a 2010 Vimeo
documentary
award.
Zero Engineering
Kimura founded Zero Engineering in Okazaki Japan in 1992. Initially his shop was named Repair Shop Chabo but the name was changed the following year to Zero Engineering. He soon gained a reputation for his minimalistic and vintage looking bikes that combine form and function. His name was soon synonymous with what people often refer to as Zero-style. A Zero-style bike is typically based around a rigid gooseneck, a pre-1984 Harley Davidson engine, springer front end, spoked wheels and often includes parts of the bike remaining in bare metal. The inspiration came from wabi sabi (austere refinement) and the beauty of the raw materials and incorporating the essence of wa (harmony) into his designs. Kimura and his crew were also known for putting their work to the test by participating in different vintage race series with their motorcycles.In 2002 Kimura expanded his business by opening an office in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
,
where he in 2005 built his entry the Biker Build-Off
Biker Build-Off
Biker Build-Off is a reality television series for the Discovery Channel. Created and narrated by Thom Beers, the series was originally conceived as a single special called The Great Biker Build-Off...
against Joe Martin from the Martin Brothers. other bikes were built in 10 days in front of a film crew, the riders then met up in Las Vegas and rode to Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
where a popular vote was held which Joe Martin won.
Currently Kimura has left Zero Engineering and launched his own studio called Chabott Engineering in Azusa, California
Azusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
. Zero Engineering is still in Japan and in Las Vegas which have to this date created more the 200 custom bikes, including the new line of production bikes built in their facility in Las Vegas. At this time it includes to models based on Harley Davidson's Shovelhead and Evolution engine with two models based on the Sportster being released in the future. Recently two of the company's bikes were used in the 2008 film Iron Man
Iron Man (film)
Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark, an industrialist and master engineer who builds a powered exoskeleton and becomes the technologically advanced superhero, Iron...
.
Chabott Engineering
In 2006 Kimura set up his own shop and named Chabott Engineering to build both custom bikes as well as moving himself toward the world of art.Kimura said, "Since setting up in America, I've moved from being just a custom-bike builder to slightly changing my direction a little more toward the world of art. I don't know whether success or failure is awaiting me in the future. Can custom bikes become art? Maybe we'll know in 10 years' time."
Along with fellow bike builders Jesse James, Ian Barry
Ian Barry
Ian Barry is an award-winning industrial designer, and co-owner of Falcon Motorcycles, with Amaryllis Knight. He plays guitar in the progressive metal band Black Math Horseman.- Career :...
and Billy Lane
Billy Lane
For other people of the same name see Billy Lane and Billy Lane William David Lane is widely known as a builder of custom motorcycles, owner of Choppers Inc. in Melbourne, Florida — and for his 2009 conviction following a drunk-driving incident in 2006, where Lane's driving resulted in the...
, Kimura was among the first custom bike builders to receive an invitation to the Legend Of The Motorcycle
Legend Of The Motorcycle
The annual Legend of the Motorcycle International Concours d’Elegance is a competitive event held on a 44-mile scenic loop that begins at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay, California and follows the coast down, along, and back up the mountain ridge-top that overlooks the Pacific Ocean...
- Concours d'Elegance exhibition.
In 2010, Kimura and Chabott Engineering were the subject of a documentary short by film maker Henrik Hansen, which was one of five documentaries to be nominated for a 2010 Vimeo
Vimeo
Vimeo is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. It was founded by Zach Klein and Jake Lodwick in November 2004...
documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
award.
Awards
- Third place at Easy-Rider Show in Pomona, California 2004
- Best of Show at the L.A. Calendar Show 2004
Books
- Art of the Chopper by Tom Zimberoff
- Zero Chopper Spirit - Samurai Bikes from the East
Other
- The Motorcycle as Art, Retro/Revolutionary: 1990-2004 chapter organized by New York's Guggenheim Museum.
- Tokyo Hipsters Club - art and motorcycle exhibition.
- Biker Build-Off - Joe Martin vs. Shinya Kimura.