Three years ago when Dale Yamada unveiled this ’76 Shovelhead, he remarked, “I am lucky enough to be able to do what I love, make a living doing it, and be part of exhibitions like this year’s Naked Truth show.” Sure, but the skill and hard work Dale put into evolving the Mad Jap Kustoms shop into what it is today might have played a part in getting him there also…

Creating this build with the main goal of ending up with a raw, exposed motorcycle was extremely appealing to Dale. What made it even more appealing to him was that this motorcycle was one he built for himself; no clientele restrictions were used or abused in the creation of this custom scoot. Blank-slate projects like that are awesome opportunities to show off one’s craftsmanship and skills to one’s peers, while also allowing that person to express a different type of motorcycle creation than they would normally build otherwise.

“Working with raw materials such as stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum and having all these metals complement each other as this bike came together,” Dale says, “was a lot easier and more gratifying than just painting or chroming the components.” Dale Yamada also would like to thank the people who helped him with this build: Billy at Tech Cycle Products, EBC Brakes, Gary at Auto & Marine Upholstery, and, finally, Dale’s Lead Shop Hand/Mechanic, Levi Belland.