Custom Biker Extraordinaire - Chicara Nagata

His name is Chicara Nagata and he's top dog when it comes to building customized bikes. Simply because his designs seem to be out of this world and he actually makes every part on his own bikes according to his specs, seems to have been the cause for success in his case.

One of these babies will set back the artist (it's safe to call Nagata an artist) some 7500 hours on any of these project bikes of his. As a testament, he's won many awards, but probably more importantly, his creations are featured at New York's Ippodo Galley and the Contemporary Asian Art Fair.

This is coming from a man that almost died in a motorcycle accident when he was 16. It was that very event turned his attention towards the motorcycle as he chose to honor those who died and those who saved him. His first custom was built in 1993 and it took him 7 years to built. But that's because he crafts by hand every piece on the bike, all except the drivetrain.

The engines usually come from old or very old bikes which have been restored to functionality. That's why his bikes have a distinct old feel to them and that's why he's built only 13 of these bikes so far. As you can imagine, they don't come cheap, being sold for $1 million each (at least the ones featured at Ippodo Gallery).

To get an idea, just check out some photos from his website, where the artist confesses about his motivation: “There are many ways a man can express himself, but there are not many things I can do. I have found something on which I will pour my life”.