SPEED METEOR
SPEED METEOR is a sculpture of a motorcycle designed to break speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, freely inspired by the outstanding work of one of the world’s best custom builders, Mr. Shinya Kimura.
A powerful two-cylinder, SPEED METEOR’s streamlined shape, devoid of any flourish or fancy painting, is born for straight lines and speed.
Photo credit: Pierre Jeanneret
One of the things I enjoy the most building these pieces is using salvaged items, often completely foreign to the world of mechanics originally, in new ways.
The starting point of SPEED METEOR is a 50s slide projector stand, that I’ve modified into a one-piece camber, from tank to hump brat. The frame and engine came afterwards – not very traditional, but functional all the same.
As I added the swingarm and back wheel, I thought: « This reminds me of someone… », and I kept working with the desire to build a « Shinya Kimura-like kind of bike ».
What happened next was a dream come true: Shinya Kimura approved the motorcycle, and named it « Speed Meteor ». It’s a little like he’s the bike’s symbolic godfather! He also agreed to be its « virtual rider », allowing me to build a jointed « mini Shinya ».
SPEED METEOR is my second motorcycle, FIRST RIDE’s little sister. My dream would be to build a full size version one of these days, and road test it on a long, very long flat surface…
