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Alongside customising, another trend is quickly taking hold: vintage racing. Here too, Japan is well ahead of the rest of the world. All the more impressive considering that nothing is old in Japan, apart from a few temples and shrines. Everything is recycled as soon as it becomes obsolete. Daisuke Mukasa’s custom shop is a real treasure trove, filled from top to bottom with vintage bikes and old components. Joy is amazed by Daisuke’s collection of rare pieces. “The machines he creates from these old parts are absolutely fascinating, both technically and aesthetically”. The bikes are by no means just museum pieces. Daisuke rides them in the B.O.B.L. (Battle of Bottom Link) vintage race series, which he founded himself. “It’s a great feeling to race vintage bikes and bring the past to life”, says Daisuke. The series has made racing affordable again for hobbyists. It’s more about the rider’s skill than his gear. That’s Daisuke’s ideal. It’s also the reason why he runs his custom garage. He hoards parts and accessories in this tiny space. The false ceiling above the workshop is full of neatly stacked and labelled boxes full of screws, nuts and bearings. Space is scarce here. Like everywhere else in Tokyo.
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