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Mustang Vice President of Manufacturing, Gary Kendrick

It’s pretty obvious after chatting with Gary Kendrick, a Mustang Motorcycle Seat executive for the past 30 years, that he has a true passion for the design end of the motorcycle industry. And after reading the Q&A below, you might get the idea that he gets a special kick out of road testing his designs!

Mustang Motorcycle Seats: What did you do prior to coming to work for Mustang?

Gary Kendrick: It’s always been motorcycles. When I was 13, I inherited my first bike — a Honda 50cc. Also at age 13 I bought my first welder. By the time I was 18 years old in the early ’70s, I was working in a Ducati, Norton dealership, building turbo car engines and racing at Lime Rock Park in western Connecticut. I started working at Corbin-Gentry when I was 19 and was eventually responsible for full seat design. Then in June of 1981, I began building seat tooling and cover patterns for Mustang Motorcycle Seats.

MMS: What attracted you to Mustang?

GK: It was the diverse challenge of sculpting raw steel, fiberglass, foam and leather into comfortable works of art. Plus, I get to attend all the major motorcycle shows — Daytona, Myrtle Beach, Sturgis — what could be better. Oh yeah, and I get to road test everything I design!

MMS: What’s the best part of your job?

GK: That would be the freedom of getting in there hands-on and bringing ideas to life. Most people will just see a finished seat or a motorcycle accessory. I see my hefty 500-pound, steel-crushing die that formed the base of the seat plus the hand-carved foam that will be duplicated to perfection through our creative molding system. I see the curvaceous cover pattern lines critiquing every stitch, and the knowledge that I played a role in putting them there. And yes, I’ve sewn the first of almost every Mustang seat we’ve created. My job entails all aspects of building, photography and pattern making, so I’ve got no time to be bored. And again, I get to road test all that I design!

MMS: When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?

GK: Travel, photography, bicycling — I know — borrring!!! But really, I’m always building or thinking about altering anything mechanical for function, longevity or speed. Did I mention yet that I get to road test all that I design?

MMS: What’s your all-time favorite Mustang part or accessory?

GK: I would have to say the (more…)