Having risen to prominence on the name of founder and legendary builder Shinya Kimura, Zero Engineering has soldiered on with a line of production bikes built at its Las Vegas plant.
For the past five years, Zero has been building its Samurai Choppers in Las Vegas and exporting them to Japan. To date the company has shipped more than 300 bikes.
Now the company is looking to start selling bikes in the United States. Zero's Hiro Sasaki admits it's not the best economic environment to introduce a new line of motorcycles, but was buoyed by the response the bikes received at the Expo.
"The response we got from the attendees was very positive. We were really encouraged to see the way people reacted to our bikes," says Sasaki. "We are in it for the long haul and are confident about our product."
The company has yet to sign any dealers, but Sasaki says they have some leads for potential outlets. Until a dealer network is established, Zero will offer its bikes consumer direct.
Easily one of the standout bikes of the show, Zero's newest addition, the Samurai Chopper Type 6, contains Kimura's hallmark style. Built in a limited edition of 24 bikes for 2008, the Type 6 is powered by an S&S 93 cu. in. shovelhead that's mated to a Baker six speed transmission with kick start.
The Type 5 is similar to the Type 6 in stature—long, low and lean— but holds an S&S 113 cu. in. motor and Harley five-speed tranny. Both bikes are built around Zero's gooseneck frame made by a company in Japan that builds parts for Toyota. The aluminum fuel tanks are made by a company that makes tanks for Suzuki. "We are trying to use the best parts from both companies to create a truly quality motorcycle," says Sasaki. "We are purchasing the springer forks from a company in Holland. Before we install them on our bikes, we completely disassemble and reassemble them using our own bushings and pivots."
Zero is backed by Plot Inc., a Japanese motorcycle aftermarket company that markets and sells the Samurai Choppers in Japan. The company also produces many of the parts used on the bikes.
For 2008 Zero hopes to produce between 40 and 50 Type 5 models for the U.S. market, and another 170 for Japan. The Type 6 will be limited to 24 units. The first units are expected to ship in late April.
Zero is also looking to release its Sportster motor-based Type 7 and Type 8 models in 2008, but due to emissions concerns may keep these as kit bikes only.
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Easily one of the standout bikes of the show, Zero's newest addition, the Samurai Chopper Type 6, contains Kimura's hallmark style. Built in a limited edition of 24 bikes for 2008, the Type 6 is powered by an S&S 93 cu. in. shovelhead that's mated to a Baker six speed transmission with kick start. 
Both bikes are built around Zero's gooseneck frame made by a company in Japan that builds parts for Toyota. The aluminum fuel tanks are made by a company that makes tanks for Suzuki. "We are trying to use the best parts from both companies to create a truly quality motorcycle," says Sasaki. "We are purchasing the springer forks from a company in Holland. Before we install them on our bikes, we completely disassemble and reassemble them using our own bushings and pivots." 
