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Reason to Believe
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AFT Customs VTX 13PS Credere
David Morris
04/01/2007
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Photography by Mike Chase
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“Accomplishment is about believing in a concept and your
ability to follow it through,” says Jim Giuffra, founding partner of world
champion metric bike builders AFT Customs. “Credere”—its name purposely chosen
from the Italian verb “to believe”—affirms that philosophy. AFT’s rendition
of Honda’s respected VTX1300 cruiser embodies Giuffra’s sculptural vision and
celebration of the female form.
Clothed in its midnight-blue skin, Credere
is a panther about to spring. Keeping with Giuffra’s muse, its feline stance is
more Venus than Mars, in concept and execution. “The motorcycle’s sensuous
curves contain a powerful female quality,” he says. “Not only are beautiful
women a great inspiration, we also create motorcycles specifically for women,
and women are important members of our design and technical team.”
Giuffra
developed his skills as a Honda Trained Technician, honing his craft, and
eventually partnering with his best friend, master fabricator Ron Abel. Over the
last 20 years, AFT (based in Martell, Calif.) has been their crucible for
turning metric cruisers into rolling precious metal.
At the 2006 Honda Hoot
Metric Cruiser Show in Knoxville, Tenn., AFT’s VT750-based retro Aero Bagger
created tremors in the hearts of Hondaphiles. “We don’t want to follow trends,”
he declares. “We want to be visionaries.” AFT’s belief in its vision has earned
acclaim far and wide, including the October 2006 Grand National Bike Show,
where AFT collected first place in the Radical Metric class.
 With
Credere, AFT explores new dimensions. Its seductive midnight-blue lacquer
surfaces recall legendary coupés of the 1930s, such as the Bugatti Atlantique
and Delahaye 135MS Aerodynamique. “I love those classic cars,” Giuffra adds,
“and I wanted to apply that esthetic to a motorcycle.” Credere echoes the era’s
flow and flamboyance with its uninterrupted lines; details like the retro
Formotion diamond clock in the steering stem; the naked engine’s military-style,
flat gray finish; and voluptuous rear fender. (Click image to enlarge)
Giuffra credits his Italian
heritage for his confluence of sensuality and style. Credere evokes the legacy
of Figoni and Falaschi, the leading coachbuilders of their time, whose Talbot
Lagos and Delahayes stoke the flame of Giuffra’s forge. “Custom motorcycles
don’t have to be about being bad,” he asserts. “They can be a statement of
sophistication and refinement.”
The choice of the VTX1300 was simple; as
Giuffra puts it, “No one else has done it.” Stripping the original of its
chrome, AFT imparted its own glamour, starting with the black nickel finished
wheels by Weld, with anodized valve stems. “Black nickel has a classy, visual
richness,” Giuffra tells us, “so every bolt on the bike is black nickel.”
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