Artistry In Iron Builder Profiles–Blacksmith Motoring Company

As part of our sponsorship with Las Vegas Bikefest’s Artistry In Iron, we wanted to take a closer look at the builders who have been invited to this years event.

So one at a time we are going to ask each of the builders the same ten questions and let our readers get to know them all a little more.

Blacksmith Motoring Company is our Ninth interview, but stay tuned for more as they come in.

Motorcycle designer and professional Master builder H. Gio Giovanni is an architect of many sought after Japanese (Metric) customized motorcycles ever crafted. His creative vision often extend throughout OEM manufactures models lines such as Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki. Giovanni talents have also been know to revitalize American V twins motorcycles.His development of turn key conversion kits have brought new life to many previously ignored Japanese motorcycle models. Giovanni’s work has appeared in top Motorcycle shows such as Artistry in Irons and the AMD world championship. Those fortunate to own a H. Gio Giovanni designed Blacksmith Motoring original or conversion platform, instantly are placed into an exclusive group of motorcyclist. Giovanni’s dedication and innovative vision has earned him recognition as one of the world’s top motorcycle designers. His true artistry in motion has been acknowledged by V Twin magazine Top metric cruisers for 2012, and features in multiple magazines. Giovanni customs have also been showcased in the International Motorcycle tour, Ultimate Builder series, and one of the only builder permitted to unveil his Retroliner Conversion Platform at the V twin Expo. Stay tuned for senior designer H. Gio GIovanni’s latest projects as he changes the industry of custom bike building by becoming the King of Metrics.

H.Giovanni
CEO/Senior Designer
BlackSmith Motoring Company

www.blacksmithmotoring.com

1. What people places or things do you get your inspiration from for bike building?

I mostly get my inspiration from the thing that I saw and I loved when I was a kid Schwinn bikes, old mini bikes, family remembers classics. I remember always playing the game "that’s my car" on the bus going to school. People always said I had an old timers vibe because the classic are what I’m drawn to so I just update them in my mind to what they would look like in the present moment guess we call it "Retro".

2. What is your personal philosophy on custom bike building?

The pursuit of Innovation, Performance, Reliability, and Exclusiveness. No matter how cool it looks it need to perform well, and that means better than Stock. I take my time and don’t rush the concept of a build , and I’m a motorcyclist so I’m on a bike all the time it keep my vibe  grounded to the pavement

3. What is on your “Must Do” list while you are in Vegas for Bikefest?

We always have to do a few top speed runs out in  Pahrump of one of our new projects. The rest of the time catch up with my West-coast builder friends and party

4. What does being invited to build a bike for Artistry In Iron mean to you?

Its like the Grammy of bike building for me. The Master of golf if your lucky enough to have one of the jackets. Seriously, it lets me know all the hard work I put in someone is taking notice and would like me to showcase it. I have a lot of respect for the builder in that inner circle and I’m just fortunate to be included in Artistry in Iron circle.

5. How do you feel about the judging at Artistry In Iron being peer based?

What better people to look at your work than those who build. Another builder has a better judgment of time and difficulty in making thing work when you don’t have a blue print.

6. What is the best or worst feature of your Artistry In Iron build?

The best feature is the turbo, the worst feature it get me a lot of tickets

7. What kind of time goes into a build that’s at the level of an Artistry In Iron bike?

If I counted the hours I would probably kill myself. 6-12 month on a pace or 4 month with 16 hours days…I have done them both.

8. What is your most prized possession in your shop? Example: a tool or machine that was handed down from a family member etc.

My grandfathers tape measure… measure 4 times cut once he always said…

9. If you had the ability to look into a crystal ball and see trends in the future, what would you expect to see coming for the custom motorcycle scene?

The Metric scene will explode in all area baggers, cafe, street cruisers. A lot of the sport bike crowd is getting older but still want the reliability and speed so a metric motorcycle is the next step for them.

10. What do you see yourself doing ten years from now?

Figuring out what the next trend for us to start as I’m sure our Metric cruiser and Bagger trends will need a new innovative jump start.

See the Blacksmith Motoring Company entry and the other Artistry And Iron Bikes during Las Vegas Bikefest October 3-6 or to find more info go to www.lasvegasbikefest.com