J Shia by Thunderpress
I first came across J Shia when I was nonchalantly scrolling through Instagram; my eye was caught by an amazing picture of a BSA A65, which had been stripped and rebuilt with a hand operated kick-start (a ‘pull-start’ I guess?) and a host of other unique, and unexpected features.
I’ve always loved the shape of the A65 - my father also has 1972 A65 and because it was the only bike of his that had a yellow, ergo ‘modern’ number plate as I was growing up in the 90s, I thought that all modern bikes looked like that particular retro ride (I was very sheltered…). And this A65 - called The Manipulated A65 - looked recognisably like that quintessential modern moto of my mind, albeit with some really key updates, and detours.
The stance was changed to suit J’s riding style, it had a seat cowl that looked a bit like a colander (actually a piece from a Boston drain), an incredible exhaust hand made from scrap parts and twin carbs and bellmouths, both mounted on the left side of the bike. This was to make room on the gear lever side (on the right for a BSA) for the hand operated ‘pull-start’ - made out of an antique bolt cutter arm.
It’s a ‘rat bike’ of sorts, but unlike most bikes of this type, it’s actually quite beautiful. More like a piece of art than a vehicle. And that’s something that defines all of J’s personal builds. She herself is a trained artist with a degree in photography, and this artistic eye influences how she approaches bike building. The inclusion of scrap and unusual materials in the BSA build is a theme also running through last year’s Royal Enfield/Indian build (to the right). J is someone that can look at everyday objects - such as an egg slicer, used on the Enfield build as a rear light, or the antique bolt cutter arms used on the BSA - and see how they can be used in functional, yet aesthetically pleasing ways.
Ok, so J’s builds aren’t the sort of thing you and I are going to be able to replicate - no way at all. But she didn’t start out doing this stuff. She started out fixing little things like punctures and changing in tyres in her front yard after her dad started to accumulate motorbikes when she was in her teens. At first, fixing a puncture or changing a tyre or oil would take hours, but eventually she got faster and more proficient. And her dad told her that if she could fix one of the bikes in the yard, and get it running, she could have it. So she did: though she’ll admit that she wisely chose a bike that was very nearly running for this first endeavour. . Soon people started paying her to do it - and before you know it, Madhouse Motors was born!
Ok maybe not quite. This is my super abridged version of a much longer story. But below, J goes into some of the inspirations behind her work, her family history (and future) and her hopes for a more utopian and inclusive motorcycling culture of the future. Check it out below, and make sure you follow J Shia and Madhouse on instagram.
Interview by @rozzle_dp
Where are you from and where are you based now?
My family is from Lebanon. I am from Cambridge, MA which is where I still live. My shop is located in the heart of Boston.
When did you first begin riding and who inspired you to do it?
Motorcycle riding has had a long history in my family; I don't even remember the first time I rode. My father and his family taught me and gave me the inspiration and work ethic to continue educating myself in the field and to continue on with the family trade of being metal workers.
Is there a history of riders in your family?
Yes; one of my favourite family photographs is an old black and white of my grandmother in Syria, on a motorcycle.
What was the first bike you ever rode?
The first bike I rode consistently was a POS (piece of shit) XR200 that was way too big for me (there is a funny photo of me when I’m 8 or 9 years old, riding it in my older brother's baggy clothes). My dad would have to kick start it for me and lean it up against a tree for me to get on. I rode that bike as much as I could.
When did you begin messing around with mechanics?
I probably started breaking things to fix them very early on; I specifically remember getting my first real toolbox at the age of 5. There was a dremel tool in it, and I carved my name into everything in sight.
Tell us more about your shop Madhouse Motors!
Madhouse Motors is a motorcycle shop which specialises in antique and rare restorations, as well as general maintenance, custom builds and fabrication. We have been in business for 11 years; much of that credit is due to the amazing community of riders here in Boston. This shop has a lot of characters and stories behind it; I'm very grateful to everyone who has supported this dream all along.
When you’re planning a build, what comes first: the creative aesthetic or the engineering concept?
I'd say a little bit of both. Some times, I find myself trying to challenge a preconceived notion of how motorcycles are "supposed" to be. Other times, I find myself daydreaming of a certain stance or demeanour that I think would be attractive and go from there. To be honest, a lot of my ideas come from very random moments in life, for example, the shape of an instrument, a book on my shelf, or a song I heard through my headphones while I’m zoning out; all those things can be the spark of an idea for a new project.
And where do you go from there?
MATH! Lots of math, and lots of drawing and a lot of music.
What differentiates you from other bike builders?
I don’t think I’m substantially different from anyone else in any kind of special way. Maybe what's different is that I never wanted to be a bike builder (haha!). This just kinda took off by accident, and this wasn’t what I was planning for. But, for now, I’m just going with it.
Which of your builds are you most proud of?
I think my favourite builds are the ones yet to be finished. :)
Which was the build that made you realise that what you do is different from other builders?
I’m not quite sure if that build has happened yet!
Which has been the weirdest custom build you’ve worked on?
I actually think it would have to be the projects that I’m working on currently. I’m not only building a custom bike, but I’m also attempting to build an interactive display for it. It’s very different from anything I’ve ever attempted.
Have you ever been asked to build something that seemed impossible, but managed to pull it off anyway?
Definitely! But usually, it starts with me asking myself to test out some sort of stupid thing. This happens the most when I challenge myself to build something I haven’t seen before (for example, the pull start and the foot throttle bikes). Those are the projects that drive me mad, but also give me incredible motivation.
What has been your most memorable customer build?
That’s a really difficult question; I really love the story behind every customer’s build. I don’t think that I could pick a favourite one; they all hold a lot of memories behind them.
Can you recommend a good first bike to work on?
Whatever bike you have access to; the year, make and model doesn’t matter. As long as you have space to work on it and the desire to learn, go for it!
What easy-ish maintenance or mechanics do you recommend wannabe wrenchers start out with?
Changing fluids and tyres is a great place to start.
Some of J’s latest bike builds - “The Devil’s Advocate” 1957 Royal Enfield/Indian, “The Manipulated” 1971 BSA A65, 1950 Moto Morini
Which motorcycle brands are you into right now?
I’ve been really curious to see which of the electric bike brands take off and become more accessible to the public.
What’s your favourite kind of riding?
I like trail riding with my kiddo.
Do you ride much on the roads or do you prefer the trails?
I prefer the trails; I spend as much of my free time out in the woods as possible. It's just the place I feel the best.
You’ve been outspoken about your support for more diversity within the motorcycle world. What steps do you think could be taken to start to begin achieving this?
I think the most important thing is for other people to be outspoken as well. So often, we see people not publicly supporting diversity or inclusion in the motorcycle world because they’re worried about negative feedback or repercussions. Frankly, I feel like voicing your opinion in a way that isn’t too abrasive can educate others, and that's a vital part of change.
Through running VC London we’ve found that there are lots of queer and LGBTQ+ women interested in riding motorcycles who have felt excluded from mainstream motorcycling. Have you ever felt excluded and do you think things are improving?
I feel like the LGBTQ community and any other minority or marginalised groups are still on the outskirts of being fully welcomed. Unfortunately, I don’t necessarily think this only applies in the motorcycle world. But when it does come to the motorcycle world, I feel like it is the job of our current motorcycle community to make it more inclusive. There shouldn't be a pressure put on LGBTQ people or minority people to make the motorcycle world feel okay to be in; the wider motorcycle world should be making equal and ample effort to make everyone feel comfortable.
We’ve seen from your social media that you’re a mother to a young son. How do you balance running a business with being a mother?
My son and my time with him has always and will always be priority. I would rather fall behind on my projects and work than miss out on experiences with him.
Do you hope that your son will follow you in your footsteps and work in the motorcycle world?
I'd never want to force him into any hobby, regardless if it was following the family trade, but he does seem really interested in it. I guess we'll see! :)
What are your plans for the future of Madhouse?
My plan with Madhouse is to continue to create a place that can not only serve as an all-inclusive, 1-stop-shop for motorcycle riders, but also as a safe haven and destination spot for the community as a whole to come and hang out. I want to see people enjoying a cup of coffee and enjoying the motorcycle culture. My goal is to build a place that’s got one roof where it doesn’t matter if you have a dozen motorcycles, or never ridden a day in your life.
Wanna know more about J and the work of Madhouse Motors? Check out the videos and Harley - Davidson interview podcast below!