Words and photos by Phoenix Naman.
In a time where instant gratification is a commodity, we?re quickly forgetting the value of true craftsmanship. The craftsmanship that comes from repetition, and repetition, in today?s culture, is not that cool. We’re all suckers for the quick dopamine hit. Be it the newest iPhone, or swiping left or right. It seems that ‘Next, Next, Next’ is the mantra of the times. Being still is a rebellion. A rebellion that Shinya seems to have mastered.
Far removed from the influencers of Venice beach, there stands Chabott Engineering. A workshop that upon entering, looks like entering Nebuchadnezzar of the Matrix trilogy, while Shinya San likened to a current day Morpheus.

The day I visited Shinya was a balmy, quiet, California afternoon. It’s a short 45 minutes cruise on the opposite side of the road from where we were staying. Three-quarters of the way there, the road opened up to a vista of mountains. I parked my trusty rental, a Ford Futura Hybrid right next to Shinya’s ride a classic Dodge truck that was sticker bombed to the nines. The back of the Dodge was a pilgrimage for those who visited Shinya, and felt compelled to leave their mark on his truck.
Shinya is one of the most humble people I?ve met, and definitely not one to talk about himself, albeit having many noteworthy achievements. He generously showed me around his workshop and gallery upstairs. I was like a kid over Christmas, gawking at motorcycles, pa...