Kendall Johnson – 1965 to 2026
Well-known and widely-respected custom bike builder Kendall Johnson died in a motorcycle accident on June 3, 2026.
One of the denizens of the TV showcased 'Second Golden Era' of American custom bike building (1990s and 2000s), his Kendall Johnson Customs business produced a series of award-winning and eye-catching custom projects, building a pioneering reputation for big inch high performance engines that “sounded and ran like they meant business”.
Customizing H-D Tourers long before the concept of the Performance Bagger became widespread, seen here is 'Blade', a modified S&S 124 incher with Baker 6-Speed, Jim Nasi swingarm and zeitgeist defining Metzler 240-section rear tire. Built for Simon Solomon by Kendall Johnson Customs at Winston Salem, NC., Kendall and Simon competed with it at the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building at Sturgis in 2006. Note the classic Stromberg performance carbs.
It is dripping with KJ original parts and handcrafted details such as the exhausts, oil and gas tanks, fenders, handlebars, electrics. Grips & pegs, Rocker boxes and much more. Paint was by Eddie Meeks.
We send our condolences to Kendall's family and friends – we are saddened by your loss, Kendall was “one of the good guys”.
