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A DERBY business is starting to make a big noise in the world of custom-built motorbikes just a year after being founded.
Twisted Spine Motorcycles, which was started by Rob and Vikki Wood, is celebrating winning a glut of awards for its products, while also gaining national exposure in national custom bike magazines.
The firm specialises in building customised versions of classic British motorcycles. Its bespoke bikes are all built by hand in Mr Wood’s workshop at his Oakwood home using stainless steel frames, which he also makes from scratch. So far, the company’s portfolio features two bikes – the Francis Barnett 56 and the BSA Navigator.
The Francis Barnett 56 is an imaginative take on a model once produced by the Coventry-based motorcycle manufacturer, while the BSA Navigator is an interpretation of bikes once produced by the Birmingham-based bike firm.
Their work has already earned recognition from the by the custom bike fraternity, winning awards at shows and exhibitions. The Francis Barnett bike has been featured in 100% Biker magazine and now, the handiwork of Twisted Spine Motorcycles is appearing on the front cover of the latest edition of the national custom bike magazine Back Street Heroes. This month’s publication features the firm’s BSA Navigator bike, modelled by former Ex on the Beach and The Only Way is Essex star Jess Impiazzi.
Mrs Wood said: “For Rob, it really started out as a hobby. It took six months to build the first bike, the Francis Barnett 56. It then won best in show at an event held at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, called the Kickback National Custom Bike Show.
“He then started making the BSA Navigator, which took three months to build.”
One of the inspirations for the Woods to start building custom-built bikes was the American Chopper television series, which aired on the Discovery Channel. Mrs Wood said: “We both love bikes and decided to specialise in the customisation of British bikes. We’re absolutely delighted with the exposure that both bikes have attracted.”
For Mr Wood, who balances his work at Twisted Spine with running a scrap metal business, making the bikes is a pain-staking process, but a labour of love. As well as building the bike frames himself, Mr Wood has a team of engineers who produce bespoke parts for the machines, made from a range of materials – from brass to wood. He said: “You could say our attention to detail is obsessive. The processes we use may not be the quickest or the most cost-effective but the level of finish is unsurpassed. For me, it’s like making art.
“We mainly focus on the old school bikes, but give them our own twist. But we are always open to suggestions from customers and are happy to accommodate their ideas.”
