The first five custom builders have been selected to display their works at AIMExpo’s 2 Wheel Custom Showcase, where their latest showpieces will be seen by industry leaders, dealers, and the aftermarket community in Las Vegas, February 5-7, 2025.
“The custom world is thriving, with each generation of builders inspiring millions of potential riders through social media and on the streets,” said bike builder Kevin Dunworth, curator of the 2 Wheel Custom Showcase.
In 2024, AIMExpo showcased nine builders who had more than 320,000 Instagram followers combined. Their reach helped expose AIMExpo exhibitors to wider audiences and put AIMExpo in the digital conversation surrounding customization.
AIMExpo Launches 2 Wheel Custom Showcase For 2024
“Bringing the builders and motorcycles to a trade show allows for conversation and education on multiple platforms,” Dunworth added, “highlighting how the industry can support this massive part of motorcycle culture and serve the customers who are looking to individualize their bikes.”
Ten builders in total will be selected for the 2 Wheel Custom Showcase, with the final builders being announced in January.
“The showcase connects all the dots — showing how an end user might use products from our exhibitors to create a one-of-a-kind motorcycle that reflects their individualism,” said Andre Albert, director of marketing at the MIC. “Custom bikes touch every aspect of our industry, from manufacturers to aftermarket, dealer support, builders, and specialty services.”
Here’s a look at the first five builders selected to bring bikes to the show. More info at the AIMExpo website.
Cristian Sosa of Las Vegas, Nevada
Sosa, owner of Sosa Metal Works, has been creating innovative metalwork designs for more than 20 years. A former metal fabricator at Count’s Kustoms and featured on the Discovery Channel series Counting Cars, Cristian opened Sosa Metal Works with his brother, Roberto, in 2012. A master craftsman in fabrication and metal shaping, he specializes in one-of-a-kind motorcycles, suspension systems, and sheet-metal work.
Roy Martin of Denver, Colorado
Martin, a Denver native, is a self-taught welder and fabricator with more than 35 years of experience in the custom car scene and 30 years building custom motorcycles. After 21 years as a machinist and 22 years in law enforcement, Martin founded Roy’s Toys Customs in 1994, and his builds have been featured at the Harley-Davidson Museum Pro Invitational Custom Bike Show and the Progressive IMS show circuit. Roy and CEO daughter Nikki participated in the first-ever ROT Rally “Daughters of Custom Build-Off” and Motorcycle Missions’ Build 13.
David Chang of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Chang is founder of CROIG (CafeRacersOfInstagram), an Instagram page featuring custom builds and events. Chang’s latest projects include Build for Good, a campaign inviting motorcycle builders to craft a one-of-a-kind motorcycle that will be raffled off to fund clean-water projects. He is also organizing the Wango Tango Show, a custom Honda Gold Wing showcase set to debut at this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. When not traveling the world on two wheels, Chang is working on projects at the Moto Collective in northeast Minneapolis.
Oliver Jones of Long Beach, California
Jones works out of his shop in Long Beach, where he has been building motorcycles since 2008. A nine-time Born-Free invited builder, Jones has earned accolades such as Best in Show, Best Invited Builder, and three first-place awards at the FXR Show. He has collaborated with Harley-Davidson on custom builds and other projects and has been a featured builder at the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show by Mooneyes. For more on his builds, visit his YouTube channel, TheCutrate.
Mike Rabideau of Las Vegas, Nevada
Rabideau owns Majik Mike’s Designs and has been building custom motorcycles since 2003. Growing up in Wisconsin near H-D’s headquarters fostered his appreciation for custom builds and their possibilities. Now based in Las Vegas, his achievements include winning the first Hot Bike Tour in 2014 with a custom trike and earning Best Knucklehead at Born-Free 11. He recently won the Spirit of the Chip Award at AIMExpo 2024 with a red-and-gold 1979 Shovelhead. In October 2024, he was an invited builder for the High Seas Rally, where he gave away a custom build to a lucky winner.
