There’s a certain kind of quiet confidence that runs through the best Japanese-built customs. They don’t shout for attention; they draw you in, and their builders often share a similar personality: humble and yet brilliant. Satomari Motorcycle’s Lindberg is very much cut from that cloth. Built by Yusaku Sato in the port town of Onomichi City, this long, lean V-twin debuted on the international stage at the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show in Yokohama, arguably the most important custom gathering on the planet. Among the colour, chrome and chaos, Lindberg stood as a statement of intent: purposeful, restrained, and engineered to go the distance, it’s no surprise it left with a big trophy.
The bike was commissioned as part of S&S Cycle’s Vintage Tour display, where three customs showcased different chapters of American V-twin evolution and the S&S products that make them possible. And at the heart of Lindberg is S&S’s off-the-shelf P93 engine, a modern interpretation of the classic Panhead. Displacing 93 cubic inches (1524cc), it features an S&S Super E carburettor, forged pistons, hydraulic valvetrain, and a Super Stock ignition system. Compression is set at a sensible 8.5:1, with an S&S 585 camshaft and roller rockers delivering reliable torque rather than fragile theatrics. It’s a motor designed to be ridden hard, and it’s backed by a two-year warranty that reinforces its long-haul credentials.
That sense of travel and endurance shaped the entire build. Sato-san envisioned Lindberg as a machine capable of circling the globe, both literally and culturally. Overseas custom shows were firmly in mind, but so was the open road between them. The foundation is a fully rebuilt 1969 Harley-Davidson–style frame, raked to 30 degrees and stretched two inches front and rear. A double-backbone layout anchors the design, while the oil tank is centrally mounted and the oil lines discreetly routed beneath the seat, keeping the silhouette clean and uninterrupted.
The frame itself didn’t escape refinement. The original motor mounts were replaced with a bespoke subframe setup, improving rigidity and packaging around the large-displacement S&S mill. A 1991 Harley-Davidson five-speed gearbox handles shifting duties, paired to a modified two-inch BDL primary drive. It’s a classic drivetrain combination, but one carefully chosen for reliability and serviceability, and then adds a little craziness with a foot clutch and stunning handshift setup that sits in the perfect place.
Visually, Lindberg strikes a rare balance between mass and elegance. Hammered aluminium front and rear cowlings introduce a subtle hand-made texture, while the steel fuel tank grounds the bike with traditional heft. Rolling stock is unapologetically bold: 23-inch wheels at both ends, tucked neatly into a custom-made fender at the rear. Up front, a 41mm narrow triple clamp setup keeps the profile slim, complemented by a custom internally braked hub and bespoke handlebars that place the rider low and committed.
Paintwork is where Sato-san allows a hint of playfulness to surface. The work was carried out by Freestyle Paint, and the vast bulk of the bike is finished in a drab olive, while the details are done with black and gold leaf for the pinstriping and logos. Tasteful, understated, and deeply rooted in hot rod tradition. It’s a finish that looks equally at home under the lights of Pacifico Yokohama or dulled by road grime after a thousand kilometres.
Details, as always, elevate the build. One-off foot pegs and a full-length handmade leather seat speak to Satomari Motorcycle’s dedication to craftsmanship. The hand turned fuel filler caps and uber neat exhaust, with perfect flowing lines, help to show off the master’s touch. Modern functionality is subtly integrated via Motogadget electronics and a compact speedometer, while lighting duties are handled by a PIAA headlight up front and a discreet Kijima taillight at the rear.
In a world where many customs exist solely for the camera lens, Lindberg feels refreshingly honest. It’s not chasing trends or nostalgia for its own sake. Instead, Yusaku Sato has created a motorcycle that respects history, embraces modern engineering, and, despite the show-level finish, is genuinely meant to be ridden, across borders, cultures, and continents. And if this is Satomari Motorcycle’s vision of global travel, we’d happily follow wherever that road leads.
[ Satomari Motorcycle | Photography by Kazuo Matsumoto ]