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I never intended to design and build bikes on a full time basis, but I guess I was destined to,” says 43-year-old Bombay based Adil Dumasia whose motorbike designs have been winning accolades and awards in India and abroad.
At the recent AMD INTERMOT World Bike Building Championship in Germany his creation Albrassco was ranked 25th in the world amongst 106 motorcycles, he notes. His firm Transfigure Custom House won the "Best Custom Bike” by Royal Enfield at the Rider Mania in 2012, the year he started the business. "I was the runner-up at the Biker Build Off at the first India Bike Week. In 2015, I was invited to display my creations at the Big Boys Toys event in the United Arab Emirates. In 2017, I was invited to participate at the Custom Show, Emirates in Abu Dhabi,” he noted. He had earlier met the editor of AMD (American Motorcycle Design)  who admired his work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His favorite bike is Albrassco: "It’s very unique, there is no paint used on this creation — everything is just pure non-ferrous metal. AL — aluminum, BRA — brass, SS — stainless steel, CO — copper and so Albrassco got its name!”
A custom built Harley 1200cc, Troy, was awarded the "Best Custom Harley” at the India HOG Rally in Goa in February 2018. "Harley Davidson India (then) sponsored my trip to the Sturgis Bike Rally in South Dakota, USA. This is the Mecca of bikers.”
Any custom made bike could take "anything from one-and-a-half to six months to build depending on various factors such as design and detailing as well as the jobs that I have at hand at any given point,” stated Dumasia, who "started with just one mechanic” and now has a team of eight.  Designing one-off bikes for each client, Dumasia has to "understand his personality and taste to create a design.” The client’s budget determines what design innovations are feasible.
The only son of Dinshaw and Farida Dumasia, Adil did his schooling at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution, Boys’ Town Public School, as well as Madhavdas Amersey High School. "I passed HSC with science subjects as I then wanted to join the merchant navy.” He studied nautical science at the Mumbai Maritime Training Institute (MMTI). Married to Hilla (née Vazifdar), they have two sons, Ahren, 14, and Zidane, four.
"Initially my family wasn’t too sure, or rather even I wasn’t sure of what was in store for the future. But I knew that if I do anything with 120% dedication, then I can’t go wrong. I followed my heart. It was a difficult decision for me to quit a steady, well paying job at the highest post as I was a merchant navy captain. I decided to go with the flow as at that stage I had no clue as to how I would proceed. I had no knowledge in automotive designing nor was I an automobile engineer. I am self taught. I follow the basic principles and most importantly use my common sense. Plus, I guess I’m blessed with a good understanding of how things work.”
 "I feel blessed to be born a Zoroastrian, but I also think that our religion needs to progress with the times and be a little more liberal; only then will our numbers increase or else we are heading towards extinction.”
Though Dumasia works long hours and occasionally doesn’t "come home for three days due to time restrictions and delivery commitments,” he loves to spend time with his family. "The best way I unwind is by listening to good music and cooking for my family. I love reading informative stuff and watching television channels like Natonal Geographic, Discovery or History Channel,” and watching comedies and thrillers.
In the future Dumasia aims "to diversify deeper into all kinds of bikes. I will be enhancing my skills in setting better benchmarks for myself. Am also looking into the option of importing some exclusive bikes into India to create a niche market.”