If you’ve bought the 2012 The Spoken Custom Bicycle Calendar, and you’re the type of person who flicks ahead so there’s no surprises, you’ll know Will Goodan’s Kinfolk is Miss September (and if you’re not, sorry for ruining the surprise). However, If I’d seen these photos he took of his girlfriend’s Venus street-track, it would have been tough to choose between the two.
Will is an art director and designer that has been immersed in the field for most of his life. He’s also a highly talented photographer, capturing his subject with a sense of depth and emotion rarely seen. He was lucky to capture his girlfriend’s chromed beauty — it was stolen three months prior from their home of Tokyo.
After distributing details of the theft of the bike online, it was discovered in nearby Kawasaki by “a friend of a friend of a friend”. It had been dismantled, the chrome thankfully kept as pristine as it was, and Will set about building it up as close as possible to it’s original state. The Sexon custom polished rear rim has now been laced to a Dura-Ace hub with dead stock Hoshi bladed spokes, and apparently the ride quality is like butter on pavement.
The NJS-approved Venus marque is relatively unknown outside of Japan — occasionally one will appear on Velospace — but during the 70s it was a highly sought-after frame. Look closely and you’ll see the head badge depicting the armless statue, Venus de Milo. Will’s girlfriend must be very relieved to be reunited with her beloved Venus. You can browse Will’s commercial portfolio on his website, The Prime, and enjoy more of his photography on his Flickr stream.
