In my personal experience of over 40 years in the motorcycle community, I would venture to say that it’s extremely rare to find an individual like Steve who can put together their own bike. Yes Steve is one of those extremely talented individuals, who went into retirement not looking to plant a vegetable garden, but, to build custom motorcycles!
San Diego custom chopper builder
The culmination of any custom motorcycle build is the time you go to start the bike for the first time. If you can see that moment all captured here on videotape. Although the bike didn’t start at the first try, once a minor adjustment was made, not only did it start right up, but it ran like a champ!
2010: Backlash, Bobbers and the Old School Revival
An “old school” styled chopper or custom motorcycle, photographed at the Portland Roadster Show in 2010
This led to a backlash, and a renewed interest in home garage fabricated bikes built on a budget with available materials. Many builders eschewed Harley “pattern” motors and frames and started building choppers out of neglected bikes like Yamaha XS-650 twins, old Harley Sportsters, and various 1980’s so called UJM bikes (four cylinder air-cooled Japanese bikes – Universal Japanese Motorcycle).
Another aspect of the backlash was a return to more traditional styling. Bobbers were again in style. Stock rake machines with a stripped down look, often with flat or primer paints in charcoal grey, flat black, olive drab or brown.
Indian Larry and Paul Cox along with other New York City builders from Psycho Cycles are often credited with leading the movement back towards old school choppers in this period. Indian Larry was a featured builder early on the series “Biker Build-Off” on Discovery network, and won all three build off competitions, highlighting the popularity of his old-school style.
Three inch wide belt drives and 120 cubic inch motors were still appreciated by many, but an increasing counter-movement of people building bikes with Shovelhead motors and chain drive primaries has occurred. Springers and even girder forks have made yet another come back. Magazines such as Iron Horse, Street Chopper and Show Class cater to the retro, old-school and backyard builders, and feature more DIY technology than the TV builders with their million-dollar garages of the previous decade.
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If you are into custom factory choppers or always wanted a cool chopper, check out the2008 Big Dog k9beauty!
