Trends ebb and flow in the custom world. And with them, the fortunes of bike builders. It might be tough at the top, but it?s even harder to stay there over the years.
Japanese builder Hideya Togashi is a man with more staying power than most. He took his first Best Of Show award from Mooneyes in 2006, and he’s collected several more over the years. And if you look closely at his latest Harley ironhead build, it?s easy to see why he is so fêted.

Togashi-san runs Hide Motorcycle (pronounced ?Hee-day?) and this 1966 XLCH Sportster was one of the stars of the latest Yokohama show.
The refurbished engine is all that remains of the original bike, and it?s in original condition, right down to the Linkert DC-7 carb. The ?CH? designation refers to a slightly higher compression-ratio version of the XL engine?legend says that it stood for ?Competition Hot,? but we?ll take that with a pinch of salt.
It?s a beautiful V-twin, and capable of pushing a Sportster to 115 mph (185 kph), but the real action is elsewhere.
?To be honest, I didn?t have a concrete concept or theme before I made this bike,? says Togashi-san. ?As always, I cherish the balance, and maximize the beauty.?

When he exhibits at the Mooneyes Show, Togashi takes a very particular approach. After all, the bike needs to looks good in a custom show environment as well as on the road.
?I’ve combined the ?show off? elements that are required for the venue, with street elements that the owner can fully en...