This motorcycle represents almost three years of nights and weekends in a barely heated garage in snowy Minnesota, and has lasted me through several jobs, a new baby, and a work accident that kept me down for half a year. I learned to ride when I was 15 on an old Honda Trail 90, but never owned my own. My wife protested, but I bought one anyway, a 1975 CB750 in sad shape.
I took this as an opportunity to improve myself and learn as much as possible-before starting I had never rebuilt an engine, painted a vehicle, worked in fiberglass, MIG or TIG welded, done any computer programming, etc. Everything except the powder coat, upholstery, and some of the tube bending I did myself in my garage with the bare minimum of required tools. I formed the Damascus logo as I considered the very distinct possibility of more builds and product ideas further down the road; it seemed fitting for someone who lives in Saint Paul, MN. For a first build it's tempting to keep it simple, but I wanted to jump in all the way and do it as damn close to my dream bike as I could.
It drives and sounds awesome; every time I take it out I get stares and comments. It's a bit understated at first glance, and that choice was deliberate. I was deliberate in my elimination of almost all color from the machine, which helps the numerous inlays of Paua abalone shell (a material often used in jewelry and musical instruments) to really stand out. I also kept certain parts of the bike stock, in particular the carburetor and air filter system, because I wanted to maximize rideability as well as beauty. A motorcycle is most beautiful and best experienced when it is ridden, and I always love custom builds that are able to balance form and function so well.
Now my wife wants one too.
