American Metal Customs’ Josh Allison’s journey into custom motorcycle building and metal fabrication is deeply rooted in his artistic upbringing and passion for two-wheeled machines. Josh was born in Laramie, Wyoming. He grew up in a creative environment, spending time in his grandfather’s art studio. His love for motorcycles began early, drawing bikes as a child and learning to ride on a dirt bike at 8 years old. Throughout high school, life revolved around art and motorcycles. He excelled with art and a full-ride art scholarship at Mesa State College in Colorado followed. But after a short stint, Josh realized the traditional graphic design route wasn’t for him so he dropped out. 

Josh moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to dabble in tattoo artistry but struggled with its demanding apprenticeship system. On off-hours, this is where Josh discovered his talent for custom painting, starting with motocross helmets and expanding into custom motorcycle jobs. His first road bike, a 1980 CB 750, gifted by one of his clients, sparked his love for street riding and customization. Wanting to expand his skills beyond painting, Josh enrolled at Wyotech, where he learned metal shaping, welding, and advanced street rod techniques. This education, particularly learning how to shape metal, marked a pivotal moment in his career, allowing him to fully realize his custom bike-building ambitions. 

After honing his craft at prestigious shops such as 10 Element, Pinkies Rod Shop, and Nostalgia Custom Paint, Josh shifted his focus back to motorcycles. One of Josh’s pivotal projects, a 1969 BSA chopper, garnered attention from the custom bike world and opened the door to the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin. His work caught the eye of industry heavyweights, and it also started a great relationship with Baleigh Industrial.  

Josh’s career took another leap with his participation in the People’s Champ competition, followed by an opportunity as an Invited Builder for Born-Free. His 1951 Panhead project became a standout build, further establishing him as a serious contender in the custom motorcycle scene. After opening Cry Baby Cycles in Colorado, his work drew the attention of Orange County Choppers, leading to new opportunities in the bike and car customization world. 

In a pivotal career move, Josh co-founded American Metal Customs with Chris Bishop in Danbury, Connecticut. Their vision was to create a one-stop shop for custom metal shaping, car and bike building, and restoration. The facility, which boasts 270-car storage, custom fabrication capabilities, and a speakeasy bar, embodies their unique blend of craftsmanship and lifestyle. Alongside partners Brian Stevenson and Randy Carlson, they expanded the brand to include American Metal Whiskey, further intertwining their love of craftsmanship with, well, their love of fine whiskey. Today, Josh Allison continues to push the boundaries of custom motorcycles like the meticulous attention to detail shown in this elaborately built beauty dubbed Zidan.  

Zidan is more than just a custom chopper built for the prestigious Born-Free show. It’s a line in the sand; a representation of built versus bought. While it’s designed as a showpiece, Zidan is far from just a static work of art. It’s fully functional, embodying both elegance and toughness, a balance that defines Josh’s style. 

The inspiration behind Zidan came from an unexpected source you wouldn’t necessarily find in custom bike building—a delicate China teacup. Josh was inspired by the gold-trimmed teacup’s fragility and grace, and he set out to replicate those qualities in a motorcycle. “If I could make a bike feel like that teacup, it would be insane,” he recalls. That vision translated into Zidan’s sleek, elegant design, complete with intricate gold leafing and polished chrome elements, which give the chopper its “bougey” yet hard-edged appeal. 

One of Zidan’s most striking features is its motor—a rare 1938 Knucklehead. Finding this engine was a stroke of luck. Knuckles are difficult to come by. They’re not cheap either. Not content with leaving the engine in its original state, Josh modified it extensively, incorporating a Magneto, open rockers and a dual carb setup. Synchronizing these components proved to be one of the biggest challenges, but it was essential to ensure the bike’s rideability. 

Zidan’s craftsmanship is otherworldly. Nearly every element was handcrafted. The frame, originally a 1929 VL, was completely reworked—stretched by an inch and a half, modified with a 31-degree rake, and windowed at the neck. The result is a completely unique chassis that houses all of the custom features, from the handmade Springer frontend to the sleek sissy bar. 

Josh’s meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout. The fuel petcocks are hidden inside the tank to maintain Zidan’s clean aesthetic, though this decision made the installation process particularly grueling. Every piece of the bike, from the tanks to the handlebars, was hand-shaped, resulting in a bike that’s as much a rideable machine as it is a sculptural piece of art. 

Despite the difficulties and challenges, Zidan stands as a testament to Josh Allison’s skill and vision—a bike that merges old-world elegance with modern custom craftsmanship. It reflects the essence of what makes American Metal Customs’ creations stand out in the world of custom motorcycles: functional art with a soul. HB

WORDS: Jordan Mastagni PHOTOS: Grant Kettner