If any single human being can lay claim to being the living Godfather of the custom motorcycle scene, it is the Japanese-born, LA living, Shinya Kimura. For the best part of four decades, he’s been using his training as a mechanic and his undeniable artistic gift, to craft all manner of motorcycles. They’ve been featured in the biggest magazines, seen in Hollywood films, won trophies at the elite shows and helped to carve out a reputation that is one of deserved reverence. So, to go full circle, we dive back to the beginning where under the Zero Engineering banner, he built a fleet of production motorcycles in his famed ‘Zero Style’. A number of models were developed over the years and this 2012 Type 5-B is currently for sale in Australia, giving us a chance to take a look at what it’s like to live with a road-registered masterpiece.
Things kicked off in 1992 when Zero Engineering was established in Okazaki City, Japan as a division of PLOT Inc to build custom-made vintage-styled Harley-Davidsons. The bikes were an instant success, showing up at shows around the world and gaining Kimura-San a reputation as one of the World’s most talented builders. To test the waters a number of prototypes were built, that would gauge interest in a production style run and by 2002 the ready-to-ride “Road Hopper” models were being built at the company’s US facility in Vegas. The company started with their Type 1 and Type 2, with many more to follow.
Sales of the Type 5 began in 2004 and these were offered in Japanese, US and European specifications. This was crucial in ensuring that owners could actually road register their bikes, not always an easy task in certain countries. In addition to those offerings, the bike was also sold as a more sedate and less flashy Type 5, then for Japan and the US, there was the option to spec the “Open Primary” model, which came with a more vintage flavour, a full dry clutch conversion and naturally an open primary. Although a cover was fitted for legal reasons, which was then simply unbolted once you had your number plates.
Finally, there was the Type 5-B, standing for ‘Brilliant’, which was the flashest and most over-the-top example of its kind. This Type 5-B was built as a Euro model, before making its way to Australia. The fact it’s been on the roads Down Under for so many years is a testament to Zero Engineering’s research in ensuring that their bikes would pass the road laws of a place like Australia, where many custom bikes have been imported and failed to pass the test. So, what do you actually get with such a machine? Well, it all starts with Kimura-sans famous Gooseneck style of rigid frame.
“It is built to accommodate a number of engine and suspension options. With the goal of creating the perfect balance between rigidity and flexibility, engineers employed new building techniques, constructing a frame using many sizes and thicknesses of steel pipes to create something excellent. By staying true to Zero’s design philosophies, using top-grade steel, and employing exceptionally accurate construction techniques, Zero Engineering’s rigid frames are of a quality rarely seen,” according to the company themselves. The frame delivers that long and low vibe, with a seat height of 660mm, so anyone can get both feet on the ground.
To keep that theme flowing, the rake is set at 33.2° and for a vintage vibe, a springer front end was chosen. “Expertly crafted for each Zero Engineering bike, these springer forks are produced to take into account all of the machine’s specifications, such as the bike’s weight and engine output. Product quality is always the priority, as is evident by the Minebea brand bearings, the same that are trusted by top F1 teams, which are integrated into the springer forks.” The wire wheels complete the rolling chassis, and measuring 16 x 5 at both ends means the Avon rubber chosen to wrap them in is seriously meaty.
The power plant for the European model is a 1,340cc (82 cu in) EVO engine sourced directly from Harley-Davidson and running an S&S carb. Interestingly enough the Japanese market got fuel injection, while the Americans got a bigger 96ci engine, but ran the same carb as the Euro bike. To back it up, an HD five-speed gearbox, with an electric start and closed primary makes for a reliable package. The original exhaust was a high-rise as in the pictures, but featuring a pea-shooter style muffler, this example has been customised with a straight pipe with slash cut tip and marks a number of changes the owner has made.
The other modifications are those ape-style bars – which are a true love or hate item – with the Kimura-san designed bike having come with a set of flat, drag bars. The owner also switched things up with a more bobbed fender, brass accents and a custom seat with considerably more cushioning than the factory bobber item. Wisely, they have kept all of the standard parts and these are included in the sale, along with the full-service book and the factory owners manual. Finished in black, the ‘Zero-Style’ really shines through and with just 4,925km on the odometer, the chance to own such a pristine example of Kimura-sans great work, is an opportunity which rarely comes along.
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