Doors change everything. We open this week with the image of Janus, the Roman god of thresholds, and use it to frame a candid look at where we’ve been and where we’re headed. From community roll call and a sip of E.H. Taylor to a live design session on a cream Halcyon 250, we balance reverence for the past with a practical plan for the future.

We dig into the heart of January: a liminal space made for stock-taking and honest planning. That mindset carries straight into our craft at Janus Motorcycles, hardware you repair, design that respects history, and operations tuned for reliability. We share a clear WeFunder update, explain the investor perks (including VIP rally access), and talk through why a rigorous financial review and a new MRP system matter for shorter lead times and smoother ownership. If “rebirth” described last year, “execution” defines the road ahead: build more bikes, with stronger processes, and keep promises to riders.

The calendar gets interesting too. We spotlight Winter Moto Camp with Moto Michigan, a cold-weather gathering that’s as real as it gets, and unveil Ride or Die, a new custom motorcycle show launched with Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso. Think hand-built machines, craft spirits, and a Valentine’s Day theme that makes it a perfect date night, even for the moto-curious. We’re inviting custom builders and Janus owners to submit their bikes and help shape year one of a show we plan to grow.

Along the way, we read Thomas Hardy’s The Darkling Thrush, trade New Year themes and resolutions, and set a shared intention for March, riding season, as the moment the plan meets pavement. If you’re into classic motorcycle design, community events, smart operations, and a clear path to better bikes, you’ll feel right at home.

Enjoy the ramble? Tap follow, share with a riding friend, and leave a quick rating. Got a custom build or a question about WeFunder perks? Drop us a note and join us live next Monday at 7 p.m. on YouTube.

More About this Episode

The Doorway of the Year: Why January, Janus, and the Road Ahead Matter More Than Ever

As the snow settles over the quiet streets of Goshen and the fresh scent of the new year begins to fade into the rhythm of January days, I find myself, like many riders, staring out the window and thinking about time. Not just in the “what’s next” sort of way, but deeper. Reflective. Like a good ride with no destination.

There’s something uniquely symbolic about this month, and it's no coincidence that Janus Motorcycles shares its name with the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and dualities. In fact, we named our company after him for a reason. January is his month, and if ever there were a time to lean into the meaning of what Janus represents, it's now.

Why January Matters—And Why It Always Has

The name “January” comes from Janus, a god unique to Roman mythology. Unlike most Roman deities, Janus had no direct counterpart in the Greek pantheon. He is distinctly Roman: a two-faced figure who simultaneously looks to the past and the future. A god of doorways, gates, bridges, and transitions. In short, the god of liminal spaces, those in-between moments that define transformation.

Historically, January didn’t always exist as the first month. The original Roman calendar began in March, when war campaigns could commence after winter thawed. January and February were considered “dead months,” unassigned to any gods, outside of time, a kind of pause in the annual cycle. But eventually, January was given its due place at the start of the year, not because of its productivity, but because of what it represents: a hinge, a turning point, a time to reflect before action begins.

And that’s what we’ve been doing here at Janus Motorcycles, reflecting. Looking back. And preparing to move forward.

The Janus Philosophy: Looking Back to Move Forward

When we chose the name Janus for our company, we didn’t just want something that sounded good or felt nostalgic. We chose it because it captures the very essence of what we do: design and build motorcycles that honor the craftsmanship and aesthetic of the past while embracing the needs and aspirations of modern riders.

Janus is about balance, of design, of performance, of intention. Our motorcycles are not about speed records or high-tech gadgetry. They’re about connection. With the road. With the machine. With yourself.

Much like January, every Janus motorcycle is a threshold. A beginning. Whether it's your first motorcycle or your fiftieth, whether you're rediscovering the joy of riding or forging a new path across unknown backroads, the ride always begins with that first turn of the key.

2025: A Year of Rebirth

This past year was a turning point for us, a year of reflection, challenge, and ultimately, rebirth. We took a hard look at our processes, our goals, and our team. We said goodbye to some beloved members of our crew, and we welcomed new energy, new experience, and new vision.

From supply chain upheavals to growing pains as a small manufacturer with big dreams, 2025 tested us in ways that, frankly, we couldn't have fully anticipated. But it also reminded us why we're here: to build not just motorcycles, but a community of riders who value craftsmanship, story, and soul over horsepower and hype.

And now, we’re poised to do even more.

2026: The Year of Execution

As we roll into 2026, we’re not just setting resolutions, we’re acting on hard-won plans.

Here’s what’s ahead:

  • Expansion into a new facility: Our current home in downtown Goshen has served us well, but with growing demand and the need for a more robust production line, we’re expanding into a larger space. It’s not just about scale, it’s about doing justice to the quality we stand for.
  • More motorcycles, shorter lead times: With our new MRP system (that’s Material Resource Planning, for the uninitiated), we’re dramatically improving our ability to build and deliver bikes on schedule. No more waiting a year for your Janus, our goal is to cut those lead times significantly.
  • Growing the team: From marketing to supply chain to production, we’re adding new roles and new people to make this next phase of Janus possible. We’re not losing our soul, we’re sharpening our focus.
  • Refined content and storytelling: The Ramblestream community continues to grow, and we’re doubling down on the connection we have with riders across the country (and globe). New videos, stories, and behind-the-scenes content are on the way. The story of Janus isn’t just about motorcycles, it’s about meaning.
  • WeFunder Investment Campaign: We launched our first-ever public investment campaign via WeFunder, inviting you, our community, to literally become part of our future. It’s not just about raising capital. It’s about raising the stakes. When you invest in Janus, you’re investing in American craftsmanship, small manufacturing, and a motorcycle philosophy that’s unlike anything else in the industry.

Why It Matters—To Us and to You

The world doesn't need another plastic-wrapped, mass-produced machine. It needs machines that matter. Things you want to protect and repair. Hardware you build a relationship with. That’s what a Janus is.

We’ve said before: a Janus motorcycle isn’t just a product. It’s a story. Your story. It becomes more beautiful with time, more meaningful with each mile. And the beginning of that story always starts somewhere, in a garage, a barn, or maybe this very moment, in January, when you realize you’re ready to cross a threshold.

Because that’s what January is.

It’s not just a cold month.

It’s the door between what was and what will be.

It’s Janus, looking back and looking ahead.

It’s the ignition key turning on a new season.

And if you're standing in that doorway, wondering if this is the year to finally make the leap, to start something new, to ride again or ride for the first time, well, we’ve got a place for you here.

Your Invitation to Ride

If you’re a Janus owner already, thank you. Your support has literally built this company.

If you’re thinking about joining the Janus family, now is the time. Be part of the movement. Join the community. Ride something that matters.

And if you're ready to help shape our future, check out our WeFunder campaign, where you can invest directly in Janus Motorcycles and help us open the next big door.

Because just like January, we’re standing at a hinge point.

The year ahead is filled with possibility.

And Janus, both the god and the motorcycle, is ready for what comes next.

Ride forth. Look back. Look ahead. The road awaits.