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Mid-century Portland garage workshop lit up at night with vintage motorcycles inside the open door

When Gregor transitioned from a larger New York City motorcycle shop to a 485-square-foot garage in Portland, Oregon, the task was to condense a comprehensive operation. Seven motorcycles, a mill, a lathe, a welding station, and the tools from a warehouse needed to fit.

A Compact Vision Realized

To accommodate the demands of a high-performance workshop, Gregor installed 144 electrical outlets. Floating torsion-box benches were constructed, maximizing floor space and providing robust work surfaces. The entire home, a Saul Zaik mid-century modern structure, informed the garage's design. Every inch of the compact footprint serves a purpose, reflecting a deliberate approach to design and utility.

Custom motorcycle parked in front of the closed garage door of a mid-century Portland home
Street view of the Saul Zaik mid-century modern house and its attached garage workshop in Portland
Empty 485-square-foot garage before its conversion into a motorcycle workshop
Bare garage interior with the door open before the workshop build began

Precision in Every Dimension

Gregor's background includes a rapid ascent in motorcycle racing, achieving podium finishes at a national level. His work extends to stunt coordination for BMW and custom builds recognized for their design and performance. Today, he operates Saku-Moto in Portland, a venture combining motorcycle craftsmanship with guided adventure tours.

Vintage motorcycle up on the bench mid-project in the Portland garage workshop

The Ethos of Saku-Moto

“Saku is Japanese for blossom,” Gregor explains. This name encapsulates his approach: creating objects of beauty that are also built for rigorous use. His builds are not meant to remain pristine; the experience of their use is paramount. This garage embodies that philosophy, functioning as both a precise workshop and a reflection of a life dedicated to motorcycles.

Prepping and painting the garage walls during the workshop conversion
Laying interlocking tile across the garage workshop floor
Sketchbook of cabinet drawings and drafting tools used to plan the garage storage
Cutting plywood for the floating torsion-box workbenches in the garage workshop
Floating torsion-box workbench and parts drawers under construction in the garage
Wood cabinet doors installed above the garage workbench with task lighting
Welding at the bench inside the Portland motorcycle workshop
Hand-drawn motorcycle design sketches on the workshop desk
Learning to weld at the workshop bench in a helmet and gloves
Disassembled vintage motorcycle engine parts laid out on the workbench
Sandblasting motorcycle parts in the garage workshop
Working on a vintage motorcycle in the driveway outside the garage workshop
Motorcycle project underway at night in the open Portland garage workshop
Watch movement and precision tools laid out on a bench mat in the workshop
Wide view of the 485-square-foot motorcycle workshop with tools, lathe, and bikes
Working on a motorcycle build inside the compact Portland garage workshop
Overhead wood beam storage and coiled hose above the workshop stairs
Wall-mounted wood shelf holding riding jackets and boots in the garage workshop
Fork tubes, wrenches, and punches arranged on the motorcycle workshop bench
Ceiling-mounted lift and track lighting above the garage workshop floor
Finished wood shelf displaying vintage motorcycle helmets along the workshop wall
Organized tool wall with labeled parts bins above the workshop bench
Framing squares and a level stored on a wood panel wall in the garage workshop
Red bar clamps mounted in a custom wood rack on the workshop wall
Bandsaw and vintage motorcycle sharing the compact garage workshop floor
Vintage motorcycle rolled out of the garage workshop for work in daylight
Vintage motorcycle displayed on the wood floor inside the mid-century modern house
Mid-century modern living room with lounge chair, bookshelves, and wood paneling
Completed motorcycle workshop with machines, benches, and pendant lighting in place

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