Build it
Ride it
Break it
Fix it
& Repeat
We're a motorcycle garage in Northwest Arkansas devoted to giving new life to long-forgotten motorcycles. Vintage bikes hold a special place in our hearts—our founder, owner, and chief builder, Jan Sallings, was a young man before they were considered vintage. It was a time in which motorcycle ownership was a journey in itself and riders formed strong connections with their machines throughout it—maintaining them, riding them, and fixing them when they inevitably broke down. Motorcyclists became craftsmen out of necessity, and values such as dedication, patience, precision, reliability, and attention to detail were paramount. Jan applies these standards to all he does at JMS Customs today, culminating in one-of-a-kind, retro-inspired motorcycles that run as well as they look.
Our Story
JMS Customs was informally established in 2010 when Jan Sallings built his first motorcycle from the frame up, Purple Haze, in his free time after work as a mechanical technician. With the completion of that build, a spark was ignited and Jan soon began contemplating his next project, the café racer now known as JARVIS. While building that bike in 2014, JMS Customs became official when Jan’s son, Sean, designed and fabricated tank emblems with the garage’s first logo on them. From then on, his family’s involvement hasn’t stopped. Sean and two of Jan’s daughters-in-law have built motorcycles of their own with Jan, and more are yet to come.
Our Story
JMS Customs was informally established in 2010 when Jan Sallings built his first motorcycle from the frame up, Purple Haze, in his free time after work as a mechanical technician. With the completion of that build, a spark was ignited and Jan soon began contemplating his next project, the café racer now known as JARVIS. While building that bike in 2014, JMS Customs became official when Jan’s son, Sean, designed and fabricated tank emblems with the garage’s first logo on them. From then on, his family’s involvement hasn’t stopped. Sean and two of Jan’s daughters-in-law have built motorcycles of their own with Jan, and more are yet to come.
Who is JMS?
Jan Sallings
Jan [Michael] Sallings puts the JMS in JMS Customs. He is an expert builder, mechanic, fabricator, machinist, welder, and designer with more than 50 years of experience. Jan has been riding and wrenching on motorcycles practically his whole life. He still remembers the first time he rode a motorcycle at the age of 13. The thrill he felt when he twisted the throttle of that 1964 Honda 150 Dream and the engine roared back at him sticks with him to this day.
Co-builders
We are literally a family, and for us, love and motorcycles go hand in hand. Whether it's building them, fixing them, or riding them, motorcycles are at the heart of nearly everything that we do. Most of our custom-made machines are family affairs, and the love that goes into building them is always apparent in the finished product.
Jan's wife, Peggy, once vehemently forbade her children to own motorcycles, but she soon realized Jan's love of motorcycles was genetic. Sean, their youngest son, bought his first motorcycle--the CL350 which would one day become Murphy--in 2006, at the age of 20. Although he's found his calling as a graphic designer, wrenching on motorcycles remains a prominent part of his life.
Kat began dating Jan's son, Sean, in 2012. Upon first seeing his custom bike, Murphy, a deep infatuation for the machines was born. After a couple of rides as passenger, she knew she had to have her own. In 2013, Kat bought her first motorcycle--the CB175 that would become Moxxi--took it out to a field, and learned to ride in one day. While she has chosen graphic design and illustration for her career path, motorcycles remain paramount to her, and it shows in her work.
Dental hygienist and mom by day, motorcycle wrencher and rider by night. Jeanie began dating Jan's son, Max, in 2010 and married him in 2016. After riding on the back of Max's Ducati Monster for a couple of years, she sought to pilot her own motorcycle. When Jan presented Jeanie with a CB160 in 2013, she immediately seized the opportunity and began to build Luna. Her motorcycle has been her baby ever since--remaining a close second to her and Max's son, Beck.
Jenny began dating Jan's son, Jon, in 2015. By 2016, she had caught the motorcycle fever and began building the CB125 that would become Biff. Jenny and Jon have since realized they are better off as friends, however Jenny still remains a part of the family. Her affinity for motorcycles is apparent throughout her life, from her role as a mother to two strong daughters to her career as founder, owner, and stylist at her hair salon, Dr. Follicle's Hair Garage.
Press
