Inside the Monster Garage With Jesse James

Crafting mechanical works of art is bike builder Jesse James’s passion. See the process through the lens of photographer Nathaniel Welch.

By Chuck Tannert

Photographs by Nathaniel Welch

Published in the November 2007 issue.

« Previous Page 1 2 3 4 5

Buzz up!
this story

ALSO SEE...

Retrieving stories...

Section Archive

KEYWORDS

The Custom Fit. When all the parts have been fabricated, every bike is mocked up. “It’s the step where the imperfections are ironed out,” James says. Below, a specialist welds a piece for a custom frame. The artist’s vision takes shape in the mockup. James doesn’t consider himself an artist, though: “I’d need a beret and a palette for it to be art.” To him, a bike is just another machine. Something to ride, break, fix and then ride again. “I don’t have any paintings that you can do that with,” he says. “If the Mona Lisa breaks, you can’t reweld it, can you?”

« Previous Page 1 2 3 4 5

Reader Comments (--)

Retrieving comments...

Add Comment

Comment Title
Your Name
Email Address
Website	make public
Comment
Please enter the characters shown below:


	Make sure your comment is relevant to the topic discussed. Comments not relevant to the topic will be deleted. Neither you nor Popular Mechanics has the ability to make your e-mail address public. However, we ask that you submit your e-mail address to us just in case we need to contact you. Thank you for your understanding--The Editors.

Build Your Car

New
Build or find your car

- Find Certified Cars
- Compare Programs
- CPO Incentives

Used
Dealer and private-party ads

Make:
Model:
Price Range:
-
Search within:
miles of ZIP

Search used

- Advanced Search
- 1982 & Older
- Sell It Yourself

My Popular Mechanics

Join PM's User-Powered Motorcycle Community!

Rev up with myBike to upload rides from your garage, rate others, make biker buddies and chat on message boards! Join myBike Now!

2009 PM Car Makeover

Eco-Muscle
Almost everyone agrees that hybrid cars are the next big step on our way to an all-electric future. But what if we use two parallel powertrains, gas and electric, to drive a full size car? That way, we can offer the muscular V8 performance that buyers crave, yet still produce zero emissions around town.

Current Issue

Out Now: Crash Course

In December, PM tackles plane crashes. What happened to Air France Flight 447, and what new technologies can help prevent similar disasters? Also look for 20 Macgyver repair tips, and our annual holiday gift guide.

PM Ad Partner Links

• Leatherman® For The Expected and Unexpected.

• Find Pennzoil Near You

• For more information on Stanley Tools

• CleanStream Filter – Dust Has Met Its Match

Drive Green

Solving the Fuel Crunch

From plug-in hybrids to biofuels, MPG legislation to far-out test drives, check out all our coverage on the gas-saving cars of the future.