Motoshop Tonouchi

Motoshop Tonouchi

There’s a definite Japanese ‘look’ when it comes to Harley customs, but this one’s a little different. The XL-engined machine is a new release from Motoshop Tonouchi, and reminds me of pre-War BMWs such as the R7—with monochromatic, swooping bodywork and subtle pinstriping. To say it’s clean would be an understatement; there’s no front brake, the bars are devoid of controls and cabling, and the exhaust system is nothing more than beautifully curved pipework. Tonouchi specializes in Harley and Kawasaki 650 customs, and you can see more of their builds here. An interesting aside: the company is based in the landlocked Gunma prefecture of Japan, an area famed for its ‘melody road’. Over 2,500 grooves are cut into a 175-meter stretch of asphalt, and when driven over at 50 kph, the grooves reproduce the tune of a popular song. Isn’t that amazing?