Words by Sasha and Photography by Elvis Castillo

To the average chopper fan, Dunlop Customs may seem like just another fab shop building custom choppers in a sea of fab shops doing the same thing. However, when I met with the owner, Brock Dunlop, and saw his fab work firsthand, I was blown away. For such a young company with limited resources, his work sports some pretty serious talent. His custom designs are clean, preserving the bike’s original look and style. When it comes to attention to detail Brock leaves no stone unturned. Line-of-sight and isolated focus areas are clear and direct, simply highlighting the aesthetic reminiscent of the bike’s original appeal. This guy is a real deal representation of the growing AZ scene. He supports local development at a grassroots level by hosting regular events through his shop, bringing two-wheeled friends together to talk bikes and share laughs.  

Every second Wednesday of the month Brock hosts his “Moto Hump” get together. Events range from Poker tournaments to cookouts to casual rides destined for local breweries and it’s always a fun time. “When the Creatures Roam to Jerome” is an annual 2-day campout he puts on each October to celebrate the shop’s anniversary. Everyone rides from his shop to the Gold King Mine; a historic ghost town with a sweet vintage machinery collection in Jerome, AZ. Between customers and events, Brock keeps busy with personal projects. In October he designed and fabbed the official Game Hammer donated to ASU’s football team. Currently he’s building a 1979 Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster for Born Free 6.

Dunlop Customs officially opened its doors in 2012. With 10+ years of welding and fabrication experience, Brock specializes in custom creations for choppers/bobbers and metal fabrication for off- road vehicles including custom bumpers and roll cages. The company also does commercial business for a number of local establishments. Regardless if the job is big or small, Brock always brings his talent, skill and passion for his craft. Dunlop Customs has thrived in its first 2 years of being open; no investors, no handed down money or bank loans, just good old fashion hard work and perseverance. Opening an official shop was necessary after Brock’s operation outgrew the 2-car garage/backyard/dining room of the house he was renting. Needless to say, the neighbors got tired of his creations coming to life in the front yard.

Thinking back, one particular day stands out in my mind… it was near 6pm, and Brock was getting ready to close his shop for the day. He turned to me and made one final comment, “Wow, how time flies when you’re having fun and chasing your dreams. I mean, after all, this WAS only a dream in the not so distant past. It feels like just yesterday I was graduating from the Design College at ASU, dead broke, wondering what the next 10 years of my life were going to be like. Well they have been freaking RAD so far!”

Give Brock a follow on Facebook and Instagram.