Drive fast on empty streets
with nothing in mind
except falling in love and
not getting arrested.
- Hunter S. Thompson -
I once saw a bumper sticker on the side of a vintage ride, I think it was an early 1970’s Harley Sportster, a slim body, rumbling with a lot of power, and it read something along the lines, “An antique bike is like another man’s woman, you can look, but you can’t touch”. I was pulled up next to the bike in traffic, and for some reason, maybe it was the heat, I just wanted to mess with the dillhole who tainted such a stellar bike with such a silly bumper sticker.
However, I got a good look at the big boy perched on the Ironhead, the man was so mammoth he had butt cheeks the size of semi-truck flaps, and I realized he could destroy me as quick as he could wolf down a Happy Meal. I tucked my tail between my legs and wound up just chuckling to myself. However, after looking at Nomad’s cracking creations I suddenly remembered reading those words vibrating on the powder blue tank and thought, damn, even that big ol’ bruiser would let these guys work on his pride and joy.
Nomad’s work does a lot more than inspire an anecdote. They are artists who can draw people even closer to their bikes because they get the badass, poetic mystique bikes exude. They understand what it is to wander, to create an extension of yourself that makes you stronger. Strong enough to hop on a bike, and become a Nomad.
Pia and Sid, the mama and papa of Nomad Motorcycles, were kind enough to answer a series of questions on their influences, creations and future. So read on about these Pune customizers who are outfitting bikes that are so dang alluring it makes you drool.
When did your love of bikes start? How did that translate into customizing bikes as well as adding accessories to bikes?
Sid: My brother had picked up a Royal Enfield Machismo 500. Even though I already had a thing for motorcycles, this Enfield with its vintage styling and her black and chrome finish sparked something in me. I immediately wanted my own since he wouldn’t let anyone touch it. I went out hunting for a “good deal” on an older Enfield, and ended up with my Royal Enfield Lightning 535. From that day onwards I grew in experience and developed the ‘want’ to work on motorcycles myself. With a heavy inclination to adventure sports I spent time organizing motorcycle tours and rafting, all the while experiencing the Himalayas with the old cast iron.
Old Enfields are notorious for giving trouble to the impatient and overly eager. Even just kick starting it was a religious process, which if not followed, would leave you exasperated and exhausted on the side of the road with a flooded carb. Dealing with its regular oil leaks and the headache of not having competent mechanics on the highway forced me to get a workshop manual and try my hand at everything myself.
My relationship with my motorcycle grew over the years of touring. It became an extension of my personality, I wanted to express my taste and add character to my own motorcycle, which is what led me to working on the aesthetics.
One day, about five years ago, one of Pia’s classmates, Naveen, saw a picture of my motorcycle and wanted to meet and share his love for bikes. After having a look at my motorcycle he asked if I could help him do the same with his, and without any hesitation I said yes. On a shoestring budget we worked on the first Nomad Project, the ‘ War Chief’. Building this bike with him translated into a great friendship, after which, from pictures on the net and word of mouth, I acquired more projects. With the support of my family, friends and Pia, Nomad started growing into what it is today.
Pia: Since I met Sid, he’s been about his bike. He would go absolutely everywhere on it, even picking riding over taking the train across the country! So as a natural step in our relationship I learnt how to ride on his cast iron Lightning 535, while on holiday with him in Rishikesh, and since then the thrill of being able to ride stuck with me. Sid then gave me my own ‘82 Bullet 350, which I spent a couple of years on. Eventually I moved to a Yezdi Roadking and now I have a Thunderbird, which is my daily ride.
When Sid began to talk about customizing a bike, I realised that there were a lot of skills that I could bring to the table as well. With a background in craft and design, I began conceptualising designs for various bike accessories. It gave me a wonderful platform to create well-made, fully functional pieces that would add another dimension to Sid’s designs.
What types of custom bikes do you make? For example, scramblers, cafe racers and so on.
We do not discriminate, and work on all types of motorcycles. Till date Nomad has worked on almost a 100 projects ranging from Bajaj M80’s and scooters to Harleys and Honda’s. Our builds are based on the client’s needs and specifications, from which we decide whether it should be a Cafe, Scrambler , Bobber or just a good old restoration. The aesthetics, more often than not, play a secondary role in the build sheet.
Can you share the finished designs of your favorite creations, as Nomad? (Both bikes and accessories)
Wombat 350 - One of our first builds for Chris MccUtchen and further shipped to melbourne, based on an Enfield 350.
1972 - the motorcycle was turned into a scrambler, while maintaining the integrity of the stock frame so she could be switched back the vintage blood over night.
Yambam - Another one of our earlier builds based on a Yamaha rx100 she may not have a big cylinder, but it’s very hard to beat the charm of a light scrambler with two stroke power. She was given all the newest tech with disk brakes on the front and back, an upgraded suspension, expansion chamber and some two stroke tuning. Pia had a massive part to play with the awesome execution on the paint job, which was a desi themed camouflage, incorporating Pune, Maharashtra and India through maps to give a truly unique paint scheme.
Night Train - Being Sid’s bike, and the shop sweet heart, she has gone through tons of different avatars. The newest of which was done in a matter of two weeks of free time. Almost everything on this motorcycle is custom-made, apart from the stock frame and engine. It features a stunning buffalo leather, hand-tooled seat, which till date is one of Nomad leather works’ best jobs!
Can you take us through the conception process of customising bikes? For example, what does the brainstorming process entail, and so on.
It depends on the type of person we are building the motorcycle for, as it is an extension of their personality, all our brainstorming is through their outlook and their requirements. My first question to anyone we are going to build a bike for is, “What do you intend on using the motorcycle for?”.
Based on this question we decide on what type of build will suit his/her needs. We then go ahead and work on a 3D model of our concept in foam, and after the owner has given us the thumbs up we go ahead with all the fabrication work. Brainstorming is a team process and we take inputs from the owner, team and even observers. Very often the client is an engineer or a designer, and these are generally the times a motorcycle owner know exactly what they want and when they do, it makes our jobs easier in one way, more challenging in others and adds to our experience. Inspiration for builds are taken from random ideas, themes, mood-boards and even animals.
How long does a bike typically spend in the shop?
Projects vary from one month to eight months, depending on the complexity of the build.
How does leather play into the creation of a custom bike?
Leather was the original choice for motorcycle seat covers, right from the start. As textiles improved, manufacturers began using rexine as a cheap and easy to maintain alternative. However, the luxurious feel that genuine leather provides is still unmatched. The material itself is very interesting; there are several grades available which allow a vast variety of effects. I practice techniques, like, engraving, tooling, different stitches and weaves, all of which require leathers that have been through different finishing processes. Leather is a durable and attractive material, which requires the same maintenance as a pair of good shoes. It, also, compliments metal very well.
Leather doesn’t fit with all types of builds, for example, scramblers and dirt bikes are exposed to lots of water and mud, so rexine would be a smarter material to use on those bikes, as it is easier to replace, but those looking to keep their bikes looking good prefer real leather.
In your opinion what’s the best way to use leather on a custom bike? For example, leather straps on the exhaust, seat designs, saddle bags...Or does it simply come down to what the rider wants?
The best way to use leather is on seats, bags and cases. Other quirky places to use leather are on handlebar grips, exhaust pipes, badges, tank straps and even just ornamentally.
Where do you see Nomad heading in the next two to five years?
Our vision for Nomad is to be an integral part of the motorcycle community in India and develop the industry standard for custom motorcycles. We want to have a set range of custom parts that we can provide shed builders with, hand tailored leather products and continue building custom bikes- breaking design, machining and engineering barriers as we go.
What do you think about the future of custom bikes in India?
The market is healthy and there are loads of awesome builders all over the country! A lot of them are shed builds and are built under serious constraints. A ton of bike fests have been happening in Goa, and in major cities, which is giving custom bike builders a platform to present our work. We can see the potential in India for a healthy environment for custom motorcycles, and with the improved standard we hope the RTO regulations can be re-thought to approve well built motorcycles with strict inspections of quality, so these hand built beauties can become street legal.
Worldwide, which are your favourite bike customizers and what do you like about each of them.
We have some favourites, and we have our idols.
Max Hazan’s engineering and designs are top notch.
Aniket Vardhan for the musket and taking that barrier down!
They definitely are the idols.
Shinya Kimura for his engineering jobs.
India has a bunch of awesome bike builders, although, Rag & Bone is our favourite for there old school builds and metal work.
Quick Round:
1. Your ultimate road trip: India | Abroad ?
Sid: I’ve drooled over the concept of cross continental rides and of the feasibility of them happening in this lifetime. But so far my ultimate road trip was my first extensive ride, when I set out with my Enfield for Rishikesh for the first time. I set out at 5:00 am in the morning and turned up there at 1:00 am at night, completely exhausted but with my mind blown!
Pia: I’ve always wanted to go on a leisure ride around the outline of the country, camping and indulging in regional food while absorbing the scenery. Till date, the best trip I’ve had was between Pune and Goa.
2. Dirt or Tarmac?
Sid: Dirt!
Pia: Tarmac.
3. Your dream bike?
Sid: Kawasaki H2 Mach5 it is the base for my dream build!
Pia: A big and beautiful Indian Chief.
4. If you could switch your profession, what would you take up?
Sid: I would give more time to my music!
Pia: I’d design artisanal furniture.
All Images Courtesy Of Navin Devnani. Check out his other work here.