Custom Triumph motorcycle by Heiwa MC

There are literally hundreds of custom motorcycle builders in Japan. They flourish in a climate created by the stringent taxation of new motorcycles, plus the relentless desire of riders for customization and one-upmanship. Over the years, a small handful of shops have risen to the top of the premier league, and one of those outfits is Heiwa. The name means ‘peace’, and the company focuses on ‘old-school’ customs, reenacting the look of a bygone age—whether using vintage British iron as the base, or more modern machines such as the Honda FTR. The Hiroshima-based workshop traditionally pulls out all the stops...