The 'godfather of lowrider bikes' has been building his creations for over 50 years — here's how he does it

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August 19, 2018 3:15 PM

Manny Silva has been making custom lowrider bikes by hand for over 50 years. Here's how he come's up with these elaborate bikes, and the process of bringing them to life.

Manny Silva has been making custom lowrider bikes by hand for over 50 years. Here's how he come's up with these elaborate bikes, and the process of bringing them to life. The following is a transcript of the video.

This is how lowrider bikes are made. Manny's Bike Shop Compton, CA. The customer describes what they want.

Manny Silva: We tell the customers to dream, and we make the dream come true.

The bike is drawn up with specifications. The frame is entirely built by hand.

Manny: We start with welding the sheet metal. We weld it, and then we grind it. Then when it's almost ready to be [painted] see how the shape – everything is by hand.

Depending on the design, wheels are bought and modified or custom-built. The bike is painted. And everything is assembled. Bikes start at $450. But they can cost upwards of $12,000.

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