shinya-kimura - MotoMatter
Who is Shinya Kimura

shinya kimura jpeg

Functional Design + Speed + Bold Imaginations = Shinya Kimura

Shinya Kimura, formerly known as the founder of “ZERO” or the so-called “ZERO Style” motorcycles,has launched his own workshop called “chabott engineering” in the city of Azusa, California in 2006.

In his 25 year career in the motorcycle world, Kimura started his own small repair shop named Chabo in 1992, a year before he started ZERO in Japan. Chabo means “bantam rooster” in Japanese and, to Kimura, it means “back to basics”.

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.

shinya kimura 1

With the rebirth of Chabott engineering (with the fancy double t’s),Kimura will continue his exploration of metal and rubber…or whatever…in new and different ways — not merely building custom motorcycles– but creating functional art by infusing his philosophy and aesthetic values into his sculpturally unique and rolling designs.

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 …….. won.

Biker Build-off Joe Martin Vs Shinya Kimura
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.

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 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.

 

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