Rider Profile Alexander Vaz Mendonsa

British Customs: When did you start riding?

Alexander Vaz Mendonsa: I started riding about 2 years ago.

What was your first bike?   

I am still riding my first bike, the 2015 Triumph Bonneville T100.

What is your background/ interest in motorcycle customization? Family hobby, selftaught, trained pro, etc?  

I really don’t have that much background in motorcycle Customizing, but I have self-taught myself everything. I’m the type of person where stock is never an option. Whether it’s my Toyota Tacoma, or my Triumph, I’m always making it my own. Stock just always seems boring.

What is your inspiration when wrenching on or designing your bike?

My oldest brother rides a Triumph Thruxton. He’s the one that really inspired me to get on a motorcycle. He called me up when I was wanting to purchase my first bike and talked me into buying a Triumph. I was looking at older bikes because I liked the personality most of them had. After talking to my brother about Triumphs, he told me that the Triumphs have modern classics, so it’s the best of both worlds.

I find inspiration in a lot of different styles of bikes, so when I’m working on my bike, I am motivated to create something that is a mixture of all the styles, such as; café racer, brat, the classics, etc.

What things outside of motorcycling inspire you?

My brothers. Both of them are artists in their own way.  From photography to music, I find inspiration everywhere. I love to fly fish, which allows me to get outdoors. Being in nature always inspires me to get creative. Another creative outlet that allows me to express myself is through my vintage clothing shop. Everything I sell goes directly to motorcycles. From collecting vintage helmets to vintage jackets, anything with a history inspires me.

What are your goals in the coming year?

My goals for this coming year are to get my wife’s Honda CB 125s road ready so that she can ride with me.

I want to stay inspired to get more creative, travel, and ride more.

Photography courtesy of sonomaphotos.com (@sonomaphotos) and Thomas Mendonsa