Old Empire was established by Alec Sharp in 2010 just before the recent custom ‘resurgence.’ Based in Suffolk, England, the company had created around a dozen full builds (and many smaller builds also) by 2017.
The team comprises of Alec and Rafe, with Alec dealing with the building and designing of the motorcycles and Rafe creating the media to showcase them is the best possible way.
Old Empire Motorcycles has exhibited at luxury event spaces as Harrods and the Saatchi gallery, and have also managed to get a few trophies under their belt too—notably the Best in Show award at the coveted Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance. They also have been invited to shows internationally, appearing in Cologne’s Intermot and Verona’s MBE—where they showcased their biggest build to date, the Ducati based ‘Typhoon.’ In 2016 they worked with Triumph to produce a customized T120 that was featured in MCN magazine.
As the business has grown it has diversified. In 2016 Old Empire Trading Co. Ltd was formed to retail aftermarket parts and OEM merchandise. Another side project has been Old Empire Productions, promoting anything motorcycle-related and creating content.
In 2017, Old Empire Motorcycles were asked to help develop and relaunch the old British motorcycle brand OK Supreme.
The phones ran hot at Old Empire Motorcycles after they released their T120 collaboration with Triumph last year. So the English workshop decided to build a more useable and refined version, with similar aesthetics—and creature comforts like lights. Here it is, and very classy it looks too: a Bonneville that has signed up to the…
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There’s something quintessentially English about Old Empire Motorcycles. The quirky name is matched to an instantly recognizable signature style; you can spot an OEM build just like you can spot a Wrenchmonkees or Classified Moto bike, but the style is almost impossible to emulate. Alec Sharp and his crew are based in the old Norfolk…
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Not many custom builders have been invited to display their bikes in Harrods and the Saatchi Gallery. But then again, England’s magnificently named Old Empire Motorcycles is not your run-of-the-mill custom shop. They’ve only been operating for a couple of years, but Alec Sharp and his crew have quickly made a name for themselves with…
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England’s magnificently named Old Empire Motorcycles have crossed over to the dark side. Known for their classy Royal Enfield makeovers, they’ve just finished this vintage Honda CB250—complete with a plush ‘Chesterfield’-style buttoned leather seat. OEM describe the bike as a mix of cafe, brat and bobber styles. It’s nicknamed the Vulcan, after the Avro Vulcan…
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Old Empire Motorcycles, despite the magnificent name, is one of England’s newer custom builders. The Norfolk-based company, led by Alec Sharp, creates…
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