Art and Engineering: The World of Custom Motorcycle Builder Nakajima Shirō

The exhibition featured privately owned motorcycles that Nakajima built.

Nakajima’s workshop 46works sets in the shadows of the Yatsugatake range. A 1970 Alpha Romeo, one of Nakajima’s many other customizing projects, sets in the shop’s carport. (© Fuchi Takayuki)

Parts and tools carefully collected by Nakajima over years line the walls and other spaces of the workshop. (© Fuchi Takayuki)

Nakajima’s 1991 BMW R100RS Café Racer. (© Nakajima Shirō)

A custom based on the 1987 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000. (© Nakajima Shirō)

Nakajima’s “Clubman Racer” is beautiful in its simplicity. (© Takayanagi Ken/BMW Motorrad)

Nakajima rides a custom BMW of his own design in a vintage road race. (© Nakajima Shirō)

This BMW R80 Racer built by Nakajima in 2006 while at Ritmo-Sereno was a first in featuring modern components and set the customizing world abuzz with its beauty and speed. (© Nakajima Shirō)

Nakajima, surrounded by the trappings of his many interests, at his office at 46works. (© Fuchi Takayuki)

Motorcycles, parts, and machinery fill the main shop of 46works. A different wing is dedicated to four-wheel vehicles. (© Fuchi Takayuki)