Among these unique talents there are always a few that really stand out for being different, a step above the rest in creativity, the unique of the unique.

     Svenmeister of Svenmeister Hardcore Kustoms is just such a unique talent. He was born in Olten, Switzerland in 1971. Sven has been around motorcycles for most of his life, his father even had a Harley dealership. By the age of 13 he was cruising the streets of Switzerland on a customized moped that wasn't really street legal anymore. Never satisfied with anything "stock", he's customized everything from his hot wheels cars to his first bicycle. Practice for later life even if he didn't know it at the time.

     I first heard of Sven when he sent me the pictures you see in this article with the question "would you like to publish this?". I was of course intrigued because of the fact that it's based on a Sportster. Loyal readers know how much I love mine and am always looking to make it better, faster, cooler. This custom design by Sven is cool with a capital "C"! So after checking into more of his work, we decided to talk and do this story so you could "meet" the Svenmeister too!

WL: When did you first start riding motorcycles and what was your first thing that influenced you towards bikes? SVEN: "I do have a very shitty memory. My dad got me one of those kid's dirt bike-back in the 70's-when I was 5 years old. I always liked the power and the smell of oil and gas."

WL: When did you start building bikes? SVEN: "I started modifying mopeds by the age of 12. After a long break from motorcycles I built my first bike 6 years ago. It was a ground up 280 tire,120 inch Revtech powered stretched out chopper that other than a modified WCC tank and a Johnny Chop front end did not stand out enough for my taste. Thank God I had to sell the thing when it was 99% complete in order to pay my divorce lawyer!"

WL: What other builders and artists do you think influenced you (or your style)? SVEN:  I admit that Jesse James had big influence with the first Motorcycle Mania documentary. I do dig his style and don't blame him a bit for selling out to Wal-Mart and all the other shit you hear from people who have no idea. Who else? I wish that Johnny Chop was still with us. He'd come up with some killer shit... To this day I really like bikes from Sucker Punch and Nash. I think that the Detroit Bros. built about the closest bikes to what's in my mind as far as cool hardcore bikes. I sure don't try to copy other stuff. It's just like somebody else is always a step ahead...

WL:Why did you go with both American and Metric bikes as bases to build on rather than just one or the other like most other shops? SVEN:  I do like the variety. I would find it very boring to put the same V-twin in pretty much the same aftermarket frame all day long! To me it's more interesting to modify something existing rather than a aftermarket bolt on build.

WL: Which do you prefer to build and customize and why? SVEN: I do not have a favorite brand or anything. I just like to customize everything from a piece of rotten wood to a brand new Porsche. People knowing me that the Svenmeister don't like to ride, drive or even sit on anything stock.

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