machinery and metals . Perhaps that ' s why , after studying entomology , Kimura decided to return to what felt most natural to him : tinkering in his workshop and building things from different metals .
Kimura , the father of the so-called " Zero Style " motorbike , began his career as a customizer in Japan at Zero Engineering , a company he founded in 1992 . He rose to international fame as early as the 1990s , when his custom Harley-Davidson " Samurai Chopper " was created . It followed his characteristic wabi-sabi influenced style .
In search of new inspiration , Kimura later moved to Azusa , California , where he founded his own independent company , Chabott Engineering , in 2006 . Today , the soughtafter customizer only makes a handful of motorcycles a year - exclusively for customers with whom he feels a mutual understanding and no time pressure . The great passion that drives him : " Passion for all the motorbikes that were born into this world ", as he says himself . While working on " The Wal " project , he discovered new things every day that stimulated and motivated him . Looking back , he says : " I greatly appreciate BMW Motorrad and all the people who supported me in this project . It was such a valuable and impactful experience for me ."
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