Motorcycles, cars and bicycles. Fresh or Vintage to Ride?
-Part 2: Vintage Rides

Have you ever heard the saying "Motorcycle makes a man"? It is an old saying in England that "a motorcycle makes a man. Mr. Shima's 1947 "Chief," which has a displacement of 1,200 cc, was born in the U.S. The sight of him riding freely in the busy Tokyo traffic on his 70-year-old motorcycle naturally brings this British saying to mind.

I got it more than 15 years ago, and the previous owner was from Fukuoka. At first I was driving a 1940 Chief, and then I wanted to drive a 1947 or 1948 Chief, so I searched for one myself (as there are not as many tools to search for them now). Goro Takahashi of goro's had a big influence on me. After I got it, I rode it as a stock bike, then changed it to a bobber, and recently I changed the handlebars and seat to my current style.

It was about 13 years ago that I formed TOKYO INDIANS MC® with my fellow Indian riders, starting with four windbreakers, and together we have been riding around Tokyo, going to the race circuit when our friends enter races, and often going on long runs to Kyushu and Hiroshima. We don't just own vintage Indians, we ride them and keep on driving them. The experiences he has had through the hardships and joys of his life are priceless, and are the very essence of the "motorcycle makes a man" way of life.

Unlike older models, since the bike is over 70 years old, the answer is no. Temperature and humidity must be taken into account, and the ingrained habits must be understood, like a dialogue between the rider and the bike.

I always start the engine at a place a short distance from my house, but it is uphill from the parking lot to that place, so I always check the electrical system before I start the engine. But one day I didn't check the electrical system, and when I did, it didn't start at all. I thought it was probably the battery, but I had already turned it up, so it took me about an hour of sweaty pushing, even though it was only 60 meters to the parking lot.

When I first started riding, there was far less information and far fewer stores that would look at my bikes, so it was a lot of trial and error. That is why the more he learned about Indian, the more he was fascinated by the meticulous attention to detail in its manufacturing, and as he says, "It's not cool to get off the bike just because it's hard, so I'm pretty determined to get this far.

There are many ways of thinking about it, but I think that because it is a vehicle, it has to be ridden. In those days, there were races, or rather, competitions to see who was faster (with other manufacturers), and this was reflected in the business. No matter how hard I tried, my bike was not a bike that could go 180km/h. But it was not the actual number, but the time when I was riding. But I think the important thing is not the actual number, but the speed you feel when you are riding it, the feeling you get."

Last fall, stylist Lambda Takahashi moved her home and studio from Komaba Todaimae to Fuchu. Although it would be more convenient for her to be based in the center of the city due to her profession, she chose to live in the suburbs because of the keyword "bicycle.

One reason was that I was getting tired of the noise in the city center and wanted to live a little more slowly. Another is that I wanted to live in a place where there are many flat roads that are easy to ride a bicycle on. The ups and downs over there (Komaba-Todaimae) are so steep that I don't feel like riding (laughs).

A peek into the garage of his home reveals a whopping 15 of his beloved cars. No wonder bicycles were a deciding factor in the move.

I find a nice bike on Yahoo! Auctions or Trefac, buy it, and repeat. It's the same with clothes, but I like to collect things. I like to look for buried pleasures.

He consults with a local bike store for maintenance and customization of his new bike. On the day of our interview, he was working on a Springer fork that had just arrived, and his eyes were shining. I can't wait to install it!

When we asked Mr. Lambda about one of his favorite bicycles, he told us, as a preface, that his taste in bicycles changed after living in Fuchu.

I like the LA culture, and I used to ride a lowrider bike a lot. I don't really fit in, and this is neither L.A. nor Miami (laughs). (Laughs) I know it's not like I'm supposed to go with the flow, but I like the city I live in, so I wanted to blend in, so I switched to a domestically made bicycle.

That domestic vehicle is a hauler made by the now-defunct manufacturer Kagamiwango-go, which is believed to date from the 1920s and 1930s. This uniquely Japanese bicycle was designed to carry heavy loads, and its heavy, old-fashioned details, such as the iron rod brakes and full-flat handlebars, are impressive. As its appearance suggests, the ride is not exactly light, but because it is a retro-classic one, it seems to harmonize with the slow air of the Fuchu streetscape.

In the past, I used to like fast, smooth-riding cars and bicycles because they gave me more time to do my work. But now, I think it's fine if I can just ride leisurely around town on a bike, and on the contrary, I feel more comfortable on a slower bike. This transporter is like a Japanese version of a beach cruiser for me. It is heavy and has its own quirks, but I can ride it as if I were going for a walk with it. I am often told by the grandparents in my neighborhood, "You ride a nice bike. I guess it must be nostalgic for people around that age.

After acquiring the "Kagaminego" transport vehicle, he switched his car from a Jaguar XJ to a Nissan one-box. What is the reason why he is so fascinated with made-in-Japan products?

It's the sophistication of the workmanship. For example, if this transporter is well maintained, the screws can be opened and closed very smoothly. It is amazing that something more than 100 years old is still in existence, and it is also amazing to be able to feel the high level of technology. If you say "a 100-year-old Japanese bicycle," I think foreigners would buy it even if it costs a million yen. Like vintage denim. I don't think anyone realizes the value of that yet (laughs).

The most popular old Volkswagen cars in Japan are the Golf and Beetle. The "Type 3" that Mr. Chujo drives was manufactured between 1961 and 1973, and is a rare model that is rarely seen on the streets.

When I was participating in a drag race in Sendai with Dodge's Challenger, I saw a Type 3 on the race track. When I gave up the Challenger to fund the opening of my store, I thought that next time I would like a car that I could drive at a leisurely pace. I looked for a car that met my requirements, such as a 1600cc car without headrests, and I decided on this genuine L633VW Blue color, so I bought this Type 3 three years ago at Tor International.

It is hard to believe that the car was manufactured more than 50 years ago, as it has been thoroughly restored down to the last detail with the meticulous work that is typical of "Tor International," a renowned air-cooled Volkswagen dealership. The "Type 3" owned by Mr. Chujo is a two-door wagon "Valiant" model, which was called a "squareback" in the United States, where it was exported. At first, he was thinking of lowering the ride height to give it a California look, but as he rode it, he was attracted by its genuine style. Incidentally, he is a true lover of blue, having owned two Harley-Davidsons and a previously owned "Challenger" that were also blue.

I have been driving it for three years and have had no problems except for a broken wiper. I drive it not only in Tokyo but also in Izu, Nagano, and Chiba. I don't ride during the daytime in the summer because I don't have air conditioning, so I ride only at night (laughs).

In summer in Japan, where extreme heat is becoming the norm rather than a heat wave, many people find it unthinkable to be without air conditioning. Taking this as a positive, and running at night to enjoy the night view and night breeze, it may mean that cars are not just a means to get from point A to point B, but that old cars are also a way to carry romance.

When we were allowed to take pictures of the car in action, the smooth lane changes and acceleration in a straight line were no problem at all, even in today's traffic conditions. Many people stopped to take pictures and talk to the driver while waiting at traffic lights and in front of the Kitchen Nankai, whether they are familiar with cars or not. The classic visuals of "good old-fashioned craftsmanship" are sure to stimulate the senses of not only the rider, but also those who see them.

I like the beauty of old cars and motorcycles and the feeling of driving and operating them. At a recent meeting in Maki, Japan, where Type 3s were gathered, there were people from Hokkaido and Kyushu, and I have many friends who have come to eat at Kitchen Nankai because they know each other from riding old vehicles. It's very gratifying."