“First Taste of Freedom”

My fascination with motorcycles began at 16. Growing up in a rural area with working parents and a large family, mornings and commutes were often hectic. Getting my motorcycle license wasn’t just about convenience—it was my first real taste of freedom, autonomy, and movement on my own terms.

“Learning Through Repair”

That early sense of liberation stayed with me, even as life moved in other directions. Over the years, I honed my skills in metal shaping through repair and restoration, always driven towards the deeper potential of the craft—not just to fix, but to create. 


“Motorcycles Re-emerge”

Though I never anticipated motorcycles becoming a central to my life again, they re-emerged as more than a means of transportation. They became that medium of creation—blending utility with expression.

“Present-Day Process”

Today, I approach motorcycle building not as a purely mechanical process, but as an artistic pursuit. I don’t begin with rigid blueprints; instead, each build evolves organically, led by instinct and the tactile feedback of the materials themselves. The same freedom I still feel while riding, I now find in the act of shaping metal—letting each line, curve, and detail guide the outcome.

“Vision for the Future”

Looking forward, I’m committed to deepening this practice—exploring new forms, pushing creative boundaries, and building machines that are not only beautiful but evocative. My goal is to continue crafting motorcycles that spark an emotional response—vehicles that are not only meant to be ridden, but felt, remembered, and experienced.

CV

2010/04 - Skills Canada, Auto-Body Repair Technician, National Bronze Medal

2011/04 - Skills Canada, Auto-Body Repair Technician, National Bronze Medal

2014/01 - Auto-Body Repair Technician Red Seal Certification

2017/08 - Motorcycles As Art, “Old Iron, Young Blood” Invitee Sturgis, SD

2017/10 - Bike EXIF Article “Master of Metal: Jay Donovans Amazing Yamaha XS650”

2018/02 - The One Moto Show Invitee “Manta” Portland, OR

2018/04 - The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show Invitee “Manta” Austin, TX

2019/ 01 - Haas Moto Museum Commission “Stingray”

2019/11 - Bike EXIF Article “Stingray: An Otherworldly Addition to the Haas Museum”

2020/05 - Haas Moto Museum Commission “Amadeus”

2020/04 - PipeBurn Interview

2020/04 - “Leaving Tracks” A Haas Moto Museum Documentary

2020/10 - Robb Report Feature “7 Stunning Hand-Built Motorcycles that Represent the New Counterculture of Creativity”

2021/06 - PipeBurn Article “Art of the Machine: Amadeus by Jay Donovan”

2021/07 - Built for Good Charity Bike Build & Raffle

2021/11 - BMW Motorrad Canada Commission “Winter Projects”

2023/08 - “The Motorcycle: The Definitive Collection of the Haas Moto Museum” Feature

2024/06 - Motocraft: Where Speed Meets Art, Invitee “Haas Series” Toronto, CA