deus harley davidson 'bel air 1200' custom motorcycle

this custom motorcycle was built by deus-ex machina’s michael woolaway for a customer who requested a bike similar to one of the first creations to roll out his workshop in venice beach, california. on this occassion, mr. woolaway was also inspired by another american icon: ‘I thought about what I loved about american design, and it hit me. the 1957 chevy bel air!’, he explains, having restored a few before at his auto body shop in hood river, oregon.

all images © deus ex-machina 

the 1950’s styling is evident in the fins in the seat cowl, handshaped by deus ex-machina’s ‘woolie’ from aluminum. the tank is also a one-off piece bent by hand with the help of an english wheel, a power hammer, and woolie’s vast experience in metal shaping. the paint finish perfectly recaptures the essence of 50’s america, creating the impression that the classic chevrolet ‘bel air’ served as inspiration.he visited painting and fabrication specialist, anaheim rod and custom, with a vague idea in mind and worked side-by-side its team until they concocted the perfect blend for the golden-era.

the chromoly frame features an internal dual oil feed system and accommodates an asymmetrical race tech monoshock. thanks to this, the ‘bel air 1200’ has a much firmer ride with road-racing geometry, for high-speed straight-line stability, and superior handling in the corners.

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