When one buys a motorcycle, they buy into a way of life and a whole assortment of accouterments that come with it. While many companies have offered their take on these essentials, these often fall short and feel more like a piecemeal solution than the lifestyle consumers deserve. But thanks to the collaboration between sunglass label Dom Vetro and Chad Hodge in the creation of Cardinal Motors, cyclists can now find a fully designed experience; with a helmet and leather goods tailored made for a custom built BMW R-100/7. Hodge, a Brooklyn-based motorcycle builder, has embedded within his sleek design a sense of style to match the contours of Dom Vetro sunglasses. The bike features a dedicated pocket for Dom Vetro eyewear, wonderfully integrated into a leather strip that runs from the fuel tank down to match the plush seat. The bike itself is wonderfully built and minimal, with a café racer aesthetic in mind. But besides the stunning bike, the helmet is what truly shows off Hodge’s sense of taste, akin to his earlier design of the Bell Bullitt helmet, which won him much acclaim. The helmet’s white and dark red color scheme works seamlessly with the bike, matching the contrast of the white and leather beautifully. When worn while riding the R-100/7, the pairing gives you a sense of the completion you’re meant to feel on a motorcycle. This sense is further amplified by the other leather goods of the Cardinal Motors brand, and overall proves the importance of bringing a cohesive narrative to every element of a design product. Images courtesy of Chad Hodge.

    string(16) "Nathaniel Barlam"
Avatar photo

Nathaniel

Amid the unrest of earning his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from RISD, Nathaniel manages to find the time to read, write, hang out with friends, play drums, and listen to music. Nathaniel has learned a lot about architecture firsthand thanks to opportunities to live and work in Rome and Brooklyn during the past year. Coming from a family with strong roots in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Nathaniel has always maintained a strong love for NYC especially, and after his studies finish up in Providence he may move there for a while. He hasn't decided yet. You can connect with him via Linkedin or by visiting his Portfolio page.

Tags: , , ,
loader