John Reed
2001, Industry
John Reed was born in England in 1944. At the age of 16 he began an apprenticeship with the Atomic Energy Authority and was a research and experimental toolmaker by the time he was 21. He then worked as a toolmaker for British Leyland for 13 years.
John started building custom bikes and parts and owned his own customizing business, Uncle Bunt’s Chop Shop, for many years. He’s won numerous awards with his personal bikes. His Supercharged Triumph, which he brought to the U.S. from the U.K. won Best Engineering at the ISCA Shows in Los Angeles and San Diego.
As his design business grew, John phased out his shop. He did many short-term design and trouble-shooting contracts in the U.K., the Far East, and in the U.S. Then, in the mid-80’s, John was hired by Custom Chrome to set up a research and development department. He moved to California when he signed a six-month contract with CCI. The contract was extended several times, and after two years John applied for permanent residency in the U.S.
John continues to live in California and is still with CCI where he designs and prototypes parts, working mostly from his home workshop. His designs have included a Concept Bike and a Virago Show Bike for Yamaha Europe, a customized road train engine for Rolls Royce, and a joint effort with Ed Burke prototyping the U. S. Virago for Yamaha U.S.A.
The Sturgis 50th Anniversary Bike, which is on display in the National Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, is another of the many custom bikes John has built. The beautiful white Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic features a 1986 engine and frame and 24-carat gold plating. John’s creations have won praise from his peers and the motorcycling public.
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