Guy Willison The Mastermind Turning Motorcycles Into Timeless Art
He turned his passion into steel, stories, and timeless two-wheeled art. That’s Guy Willison, popularly known as Skid.
If you’ve ever fallen for the roar of a bespoke motorbike, I mean, times when the design, power, and good engineering, and creative styles all merge into one masterpiece makes your head turn, then there’s a good chance you’ve already felt the influence of Guy Willison. But maybe you don’t know the full story yet. Let’s walk you through his journey from his passion for motorcycles to bringing it to life.
Born to Ride
A young guy growing up in 1960s London, a world humming with Beatles, scooters, British rockers, and an unapologetic love for machines. That was Guy Willison, and even as a kid, he didn’t just admire bikes. He felt them.
And true to that instinct, he got his hands dirty early. By age 11, he was tinkering with small engines, pulling them apart, modifying them, learning through touch and curiosity rather than textbooks. That’s the kind of spark you just can’t fake.
He eventually studied motorcycle engineering at college, but the real classroom was life itself. Early on, he worked as a London dispatch rider inside rain, fog, tight streets, and heavy loads. It wasn’t glamorous, but he learned a lot of lessons.
His call sign back then? “5Four.” That number would become way more than a nickname later.
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From Workshop to Wider World
Guy wasn’t some overnight sensation, but he quietly built a reputation. Word of mouth. Small workshops. Riders telling riders, “This guy knows his stuff…”
And it wasn’t long before the right people noticed, including television producer and motorcycle enthusiast Henry Cole. He was his lifelong friend, and Guy’s deep mechanical knowledge combined with Henry’s engaging storytelling brought motorcycle life into living rooms across the U.K.
Shows like:
- The Motorbike Show
- Shed and Buried
- Find It, Fix It, Flog It
These shows helped him become not just a builder but a personality. People didn’t just watch him build bikes; they admired him, and he was able to gain recognition in the world of motorcycles in no time. He also did freelancing in the music industry, working with big bands in the industry. Even throughout this period, he never stopped chasing his dreams, building motorcycles.
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Gladstone Motorcycles
Before 5Four took center stage, Guy and Henry teamed up on another project that turned heads: Gladstone Motorcycles. These bikes were a throwback in style but cutting-edge in build, especially the record-breaking Gladstone Red Beard. That bike didn’t just look stunning, it set a British land speed record for its class. That’s what happens when engineering expertise meets creative vision.
The Birth of 5Four Motorcycles
In December 2018, Guy decided to chase a dream and build. He founded 5Four Motorcycles, and it was massive.
That’s when the name “5Four” stopped being just a quirky call sign from his dispatch rider days and became a brand philosophy: every motorcycle is hand-built, individual, and numbered almost like a piece of art.
As the brand says, it’s built “for the few, not the many,” and that mantra isn’t just marketing. It’s a mission.
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Celebrated Builds That Define 5Four
The aim was to build numbered limited editions, and here are the classy few:
Honda CB1100RS 5Four
This was one of the first limited-edition rides from 5Four, combining classic Honda reliability with Guy’s bespoke touches: custom paint, handcrafted bits, and that unmistakable character that says “This isn’t ordinary.” Only a limited run was made, and they are selling fast.
Honda CB1000R 5Four
Next up was another Honda collaboration, this time with the CB1000R at its core. Guy gave it a facelift and upgrade that fused café racer soul with modern build quality, earning admiration from both riders and collectors.
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP 5Four
One of the most talked-about recent projects, a handcrafted, limited series of only 54 bikes, each assembled with racing-inspired design cues and premium components. It’s a bike that is well-detailed, and we are here for it.
Norton Commando 961 Street
Before 5Four was even a thing, Guy reimagined the iconic Norton Commando. With only 50 produced, they sold out in weeks. That was on his birthday and even before the official launch. That wasn’t just marketing; it was proof that craftsmanship still matters. And a dream that he has been nurturing since age 11 is coming true.
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Guy’s Philosophy
Here’s where Guy’s work really resonates; it’s not just about looks. He’s famously quoted as saying something like:
“If it doesn’t look great and make the motorcycle go faster, it isn’t going on the machine.”
That’s not a tag line, it’s a design ethos. Every choice has purpose. Beauty only matters if it serves the experience. That’s what makes a 5Four bike feel alive. It’s why his builds aren’t just admired, they’re wanted.
The Man Off Camera
Despite being a public figure on TV, Guy is famously private. He doesn’t air his personal life. What you see on screen is basically who he is: humble, curious, passionate.
Fans sometimes ask about his health, family life, or rumors they’ve read online. But there’s no credible information confirming any serious illness or big personal drama. What he does focus on is his craft, his bikes, and the community that loves them.
Craftsmanship Over Commercialism
In a world where mass production reigns, Guy Willison stands for something different. His career shows that deep passion, honest engineering, and creativity can still thrive and be sought after in a digital age.
Riders don’t just ride 5Four bikes; they experience them. Collectors don’t display them; they treasure them. And as Guy Willison promised in an interview, “We will be building a series of limited production motorcycles in partnership with old friends and manufacturers. Watch this space!”
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In the End…
Guy Willison was trying to be famous; he followed his passion. He built for the rider who feels the machine, not just sees it. He built for those who didn’t just see motorcycles as a means of transportation, but a lifestyle.
