BREAKING

Event Reports

Artistry In Iron Builder Profiles–Eastern Fabrications

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.

Eastern Fabrications is our Eleventh interview, but stay tuned for more as they come in.

 

014

banner_vegas

 

All I have ever been interested in is building things, ever since I was a kid. I literally spent my entire childhood in the workshop in my parents basement, building away. Over the years I have gone through many phases of interest, including bicycles, weapons, wooden boats, cars, painting, leathercraft, and abstract sculpture. The reason I dedicated myself solely to motorcycles 11 years ago, is because they contain such a large amount of media; welding, machining, leather, painting, sheetmetal, carving, casting, etc. All of these art forms in a machine that must function with swiss watch accuracy at 100mph!

      I went to high school in Fairfield CT, where I grew up. Next was a 3 year stint at Millbrook boarding school in upstate NY, where I focused on painting and theatrical set design. After graduating, I received a basic TIG welding certification at Lincoln Electric in Cleveland, OH. I attended Connecticut College in New London, where I continued with painting, casting, and metal sculpture. I graduated in 2003 with a BA in fine art.

     I moved into my first shop soon after, in Branford CT. This is where the first “Efab” bikes rolled out of, before I bought my current shop about 4 miles away, where I reside today. Each bike is built here, by hand, taking as long as 8 months to complete.

     I pride myself on making functional, progressive, concise motorcycles. I am constantly striving to not only re-invent myself creatively, but also improve the level of craftsmanship and precision with each build.

 

Eastern Fabrications

Lock Baker

Connecticut

 www.easternfabrications.com

mexican salt flats

 

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

My inspiration comes from so many different genres and people it is hard to pinpoint. Major influences, people wise, are Indian larry, Alex Lerner, Ken Tabata, and John Harmon. I also take influence from aircraft design/ aerospace, firearms, and cutlery.

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

My philosophy is simple: treat every part on my motorcycles as if my life depended on it. No one part is any more important than another, and everything must function as a system. the bike must be able to function as a motorcycle. In other words, it must be able to survive the tasks a bike is asked to do: ride in any weather, over any terrain, for long distances, and be able to be maintained with relative ease.

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

Must do for Vegas? finish the bike and get there!

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

Being invited means the world to me! All I want as an artist is for people to recognize my work, and being invited fulfills that.

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

I am very happy the voting is peer based, rather than public. The general public tends to vote for the bikes with the most “shock value”, not necessarily the most craft or functionality. When the other builders vote, I feel they hold the work to a higher standard.

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

The best feature of my bike, in my opinion, is the engine. It has been a long time in development, and i am very proud of it

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

I cant say what time the other builders have put into their bikes, but this one has taken me roughly 5 months from start to finish. At least 2 months are dedicated to planning, research, and calculations. The rest is the actual shop time fabricating

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 most prized possession in the shop is my sander, believe it or not! It is a “burr king knifemaker”, and it is an extremely versatile tool. I live on that thing

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?

As far as trends go, I see the “hipster” bikes fading away. I think they are a product of the poor economy, because they are relatively cheap to make. The next trend? I see a resurgence to the 1980’s and 90’s pro street style. medium tires, larger motors, and a slightly higher budget. They will be considered hip because, in 10 years, that period will seem antique.

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

In 10 years, I will be doing exactly the same thing! Doing what i love in my shop. Hopefully I will continue to get influence from new sources, and continue to further my fabrication and engine building skills

See Eastern Fabrications 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

 

cool shot

Related Posts

1 of 159