Since four years Fabio and two of his friends are working in a garage on old motorcycles. Four years ago, they traveled to Biarritz, France, and came up with the idea of their name: Makai. It means «go to the beach» in Hawaiian.
Normally, Fabio works as a marketing manager at The Rokker Company. «It’s my dream job» he said. But in his free time he build, sell and exchange motorcycles and parts. Fabio does not learn mechanics, but he’s always interested in motorcycles and learns everything by doing it or asking friends. The garage is quite big and smells of gas and diligence. On the wall hangs a lot of tools and of course a pinup calendar.
Most of the time they work on their motorcycles after full-time jobs in their free time. They started in a small garage and then needed more space. Currently there are around ten motorcycles in their garage. Fabio tells me a few stories and you can feel how he really like what he does.
He often buys broken motorcycles and disassembles everything. And then he rebuilds his own motorcycle with different parts from different motorcycle manufacturers. He shows me some details which are pretty cool – but unfortunately I do not understand everything because I’m hardly familiar with it.
Also bands have already played little concerts in their garage. They are planning a flea market with people who made stuff by themself (local artists) and also want to organize a party together with the tattoo artist Ralf Hungerbühler (Spider Fever Tattoo) or Ruedi Gamper (Süd Bar). All I can say is: stay tuned!
Some of their stuff you can buy at Jeanswerk, but they also have an online shop where you can buy a few shirts which they have screenprinted by themself.
Where to find?
Flurhofstr. 158 | makaivintagegarage.ch | Facebook | Instagram
