bikerMetric custom metric bobbers, choppers, and cafe racers by honda, yamaha, kawaski, and suzuki
When Fabricator Kevin agreed to send us his killer and meaty seat hinge for our FREEDOM OR DEATH MACHINE, I asked him if he’d like to do a short interview with me so I could introduce him to those bikerMetric readers who might have never heard of him.
This old school builder and custom parts fabricator has been around since strippers wore pasties and is well-known for his skills in creating clean and strong custom parts for American and metric choppers and bobbers. I’ve been a fan of his approach for over a decade and am pleased to offer this short and sweet interview with one of the best in the industry.
bM: You’ve been involved in the custom scene for as long as I remember. Please tell us about the history of you and your business. Who helped, how long ago did you start, your education or training, etc.
FK: My background is in Industrial Engineering and I worked for an industrial fabricator for over 26 years before I went full-time as my own boss.
bM: When you were a boy, what did you want to do when you grew up?
FK: I wanted to be an inventor!
bM: It’s 1985. What haircut were you sporting?
FK: Parted in the middle and feathered back, man!
bM: Oh man. I had that in ’84! Funny. By ’85 I had a spiky mohawk. Punk rock, motherf**ker! Who do you look to for inspiration?
FK: I like mechanical devices so I dig old machinery, airplanes, and WWII-era stuff.
bM: What events do you like to attend or participate in every year?
FK: Except for a few local events, I pretty much stay home. The Smoke Out is a can’t miss, and Daytona & Sturgis are always fun.
bM: What is your next project or product?
FK: I’m working on a new bike for myself. It’s an 80″ Evo with a Kraftech frame, Baker 5-speed, and a 43mm sportbike front end in some narrow trees.
bM: Sweet. It’s eight at night, and you’ve been working in the shop for ten or twelve hours. What beer is calling your name from the ‘fridge?
FK: Busch Light! Or, whatever someone has left in there for me. If it’s free, it’s for me.
bM: Exactly. Never complain about free beer. If you guys are hitting a Smoke Out this June, be sure to seek out FabKev and buy his stuff. Thanks, man.
Get the best of bikerMetric directly in your inbox, once a week, every week.
