"During fashion week, we had so many visitors we couldn't get any real work done, " says Jourden.

WSJ: Bespoke Wheels | Making It

"To us, a motorcycle is two wheels, one engine full stop, " says Jourden.

WSJ: Bespoke Wheels | Making It

Public relations is something Jourden, who grew up outside Paris building remote-control cars as a kid, knows a thing or two about.

WSJ: Bespoke Wheels | Making It

But in the shop it's Jourden who does most of the talking, especially if the topic is the romance of hitting the open road on a bike with your buddies.

WSJ: Bespoke Wheels | Making It

"Bikers are the bad boys, " explains Jourden.

WSJ: Bespoke Wheels | Making It

Jourden explains how the wires that clutter most contemporary bike fronts have been run ingeniously inside the handlebars, leaving one to admire the bike's clean, low-slung lines, painted in the handsome, scratch-proof matte black that distinguishes so many of their bikes.

WSJ: Bespoke Wheels | Making It

Jezegabel also grew up outside Paris, the son of a newspaper editor and a lawyer. (In addition to a lot of silver jewelry and a black onyx ring, he wears a vintage Timex compass watch with a grosgrain band.) Unlike Jourden, he's worked on bikes from an early age and has never held an office job.

WSJ: Bespoke Wheels | Making It