Photos: Deus Ex Machina motorcycles

Michael Woolaway has given lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina the reputation for building the nation’s finest custom-made motorcycles. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Jan. 23, 2015 7:55 PM PT

Deus Ex Machina makes high-end motorcycles and loses money on each one.

Deus Ex Machina may be the only company making high-end custom motorcycles and losing money on them. Above, a BMW R100S built by Deus parked at the lifestyle brand’s Venice store in May. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Inside the Venice shop of Michael Woolaway, who works as motorcycle design director for Deus Ex Machina. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

A Deus Boodaak is on display in Deus Ex Machina’s Venice shop in May. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A vintage 1958 BMW R69 on display at Deus Ex Machina’s Venice shop in May. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Deus “the Bully” at Deus Ex Machina’s Venice shop in May. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Deus Ex Machina’s Venice shop hosts a monthly Sunday “Mass,” which draws hundreds of “sinners, winners and hodads” -- translation: motorcycle riders and enthusiasts -- for a half-day of free music and food. Above, one of the gatherings in May. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A monthly Sunday “Mass” at Deus Ex Machina’s Venice shop in May. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Woolaway, Deus Ex Machina’s motorcycle design director, doesn’t work with CAD programs, design software or 3-D printers. He makes sketches with pen and paper, and works from those. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Deus Ex Machina’s artful retail spaces are part cafe, part music club, part hip urban haberdashery. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)