The Legendary Sandy Kosman

In 1965, motorcycling was entering its Golden Age. Motorcycles were extremely popular nationwide and the Bay Area of California was even more crazy about custom and hot rod bike. Although still a college student at the time, Sandy Kosman was already an avid motorcyclist and skilled fabricator. Sandy saw a business opportunity and Kosman Specialties officially started in 1965 in Sandy's basement at his home in Daly City, CA

Popularity and demand for Kosman's performance parts soon led to the expansion of the company. Seeing that a more robust business could be built in the big city, Sandy moved Kosman Specialties to a larger facility in San Francisco. He found a suitable space on Fell Street, about two blocks and one toke away from Haight and Ashbury - the absolute center of the 1960's hippie movement.

The year was 1967 and around 100,000 beautiful people were ushering in the Summer of Love. "Yeah, there'd be a few long-hairs and even some Hell's Angels who'd be nosing around the place, looking for handouts" said Sandy. "I'd just sweep them out of the shop, tell 'em to get a job and get back to making motorcycle parts." Asked what he thought about this cultural explosion going on right next door to his business, Sandy remembered one specific incident: "Well, I heard a bunch of noise, chanting and singing and stuff, and I wanted to see whaat was happening. So I walked over there (to Haight/Ashbury) and I saw a bunch of choppers. One of the guys was Sonny Barger, leader of the Hell's Angels, and I ended up getting my picture in a book." And, what did Sandy think about all of the hippies with flowers in their hair? "I didn't think much about 'em. I was just checking out the bikes. I had work to do, ya know."

Sand tried road racing himself and quickly realizes that he wasn't cut out to compete. Sandy focused attention on the business side of things, leading to developing innovative parts initially for road racing and drag racing, then for all other forms of motorcycle racing. "Sure, I raced. I was the world's slowest, and no one could take that title from me. But, I had to test the parts to make sure they performed as designed . . . and, they did.:

By the mid 70's and continuing for the next three decades, Kosman became the name associated with top-tier racing components. Working with the professional teams and riders like Russ Collins or Vance & Hines, Sandy and his employees helped develop many innovations that appear on today's modern superbikes, flat trackers and NHRA drag bikes. Sandy quipped "Motorcycles got faster and faster. So did the riders. I probably saved myself a couple trips to the ER by not racing. Hell, just crossing the street is dangerous these days."

Over the years, may well-respected motorcycle manufacturers - including BSA, Triumph, Honda, Yamaha, and Harley Davidson - sought out Kosman to design and produce their aftermarket performance parts. Since its beginning in 1965, countless records have been set and races won using Kosman Specialties' parts, and many of these deigns are now integral to the massive international aftermarket and racing industries. In fact, a large number of today's European, Japanese and American dirt, street, and drag racing part standards are descendants of original Kosman innovations. From complete frame and chassis setups to specialized wheels and running gear components, Kosman has been helping the fast get faster. 

In November 2010, Sandy Kosman retired at 68 and sold his business to longtime customer Robert Steffano, owner/designer at custom bike company Acme Rocket Bike. In 2022, Sandy Kosman passed away in Portland, Oregon. He was 80 years of age. 

Highlights of 50+ years of Kosman Specialties and Racing Design Engineering

   - Kosman drag racing chassis and components are still used by the majority of all NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle teams.

   - Kosman was a leading supplier to Flat Track racers from the 1970's through the late 1990.s. Many racing innovations still seen on performance and racing bikes were originally created by Kosman, e.g. adjustable offset triple trees, the one-pieced machined wheel hub, the floating disc brake rotor and more. 

   - The Kosman logo was seen on many of the early AMA Superbike race motorcycles. Kosman wheels, strengthened swing-arms, and brake systems were used by most of the top race teams through the 1980's.

   - Companies that have used Kosman for design development and fabrication services include: American Honda, Confederate Motorcycle, Vance & Hines, Mule Racing, Custom Chrome, Goodyear Tire, Corbin, Mission Motors Electric Motorcycles, S & S Engines, Stanford Solar Car Program, A & A Racing, Performance Machine, Motion Pro, and many others over the years. 

There are also so many wonderful and comprehensive articles about Sanford Kosman along with photos of his history with racing parts. Please take the time to do a quick Google on him and Kosman Specialties. You will be happy you did.