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In the News

Closer Inspection: Real steel

Jeff Yarrington has been building and outfitting bikes in Mount Airy the past two years. Here, he offers a glimpse at a bike he is remaking to his own specifications using found objects. — Kris Coronado

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Bought on Craigslist two years ago for $1,200, this 1972 Triumph T120 is named Tesla, in honor of inventor Nikola Tesla, “who was way ahead of his time,” Yarrington says. When it comes to making custom motorcycles, he has one rule: No Harleys. “I like niche markets,” the 47-year-old says of eschewing the legendary bike brand. “I like underdogs.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

He estimates the bike weighs about 380 pounds — 20 pounds more than the original — with his embellishments, which include a seat crafted from an antique carriage step and a flag pole cap.

He estimates the bike weighs about 380 pounds — 20 pounds more than the original — with his embellishments, which include a seat crafted from an antique carriage step and a flag pole cap.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Part of a brass door lock used for the ignition housing.

Part of a brass door lock used for the ignition housing.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The headlight is a vintage automobile fog light Yarrington acquired at a motorcycle swap meet in Germantown.

The headlight is a vintage automobile fog light Yarrington acquired at a motorcycle swap meet in Germantown.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Harrington welded metal sheets over the bike’s original frame. “I was going to paint it vintage racing green or black, but everybody who’s seen it says to leave the bare metal.”

Harrington welded metal sheets over the bike’s original frame. “I was going to paint it vintage racing green or black, but everybody who’s seen it says to leave the bare metal.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The bike also includes a working vintage compass.

The bike also includes a working vintage compass.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The gas cap was originally an electrical outlet cover on a boat. Such parts have a brass underside, so they never corrode, he says.

The gas cap was originally an electrical outlet cover on a boat. Such parts have a brass underside, so they never corrode, he says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Yarrington goes antiques hunting to find parts for his bike. Here, the handle of an old meat grinder becomes the lever on the chain tensioner. In addition to bikes, he also creates metal art from repurposed objects.

Yarrington goes antiques hunting to find parts for his bike. Here, the handle of an old meat grinder becomes the lever on the chain tensioner. In addition to bikes, he also creates metal art from repurposed objects.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The motorcycle’s key is made from a lipstick case and a guitar jack. Yarrington estimates he has put about 120 hours of work into the bike and needs 30 more to finish.

The motorcycle’s key is made from a lipstick case and a guitar jack. Yarrington estimates he has put about 120 hours of work into the bike and needs 30 more to finish.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

To start the engine, you don’t turn the ignition key; you just plug it in, he says.

To start the engine, you don’t turn the ignition key; you just plug it in, he says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A vintage brass shower drain frames the oil fill on the bike.

A vintage brass shower drain frames the oil fill on the bike.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The tail fin and exhaust pipes. Yarrington worked in area auto body and paint shops for 30 years before starting Saint Motor Co. in 2011. He had hoped to retrofit bikes to his own design then sell them, but he ended up building more custom rides for clients, which “just kills the creativity,” he says. He’ll go back to retrofitting bikes after finishing two remaining custom jobs.

The tail fin and exhaust pipes. Yarrington worked in area auto body and paint shops for 30 years before starting Saint Motor Co. in 2011. He had hoped to retrofit bikes to his own design then sell them, but he ended up building more custom rides for clients, which “just kills the creativity,” he says. He’ll go back to retrofitting bikes after finishing two remaining custom jobs.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Yarrington says he’s going for a “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” look with his bike. It even features a fin on the back. He’s unsure if he’ll sell it or how much he’ll ask for it if he does. “Most bikes I’ve done go from $8,000 to $11,000. This one I have no idea.”

Yarrington says he’s going for a “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” look with his bike. It even features a fin on the back. He’s unsure if he’ll sell it or how much he’ll ask for it if he does. “Most bikes I’ve done go from $8,000 to $11,000. This one I have no idea.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

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