South Bay Originals

Joe Hurst told me some of the old South Bay group has been sharing photos on FaceBook and sent me these from Angel Marc. They are from before he was involved in the south bay chopper scene and are probably from around 1966. They were shot at the foot of the Hermosa Beach Pier. I don't know the photographer. (update photos by Bill Miller). I think they rate up there with those by Bill Ray or Irving Penn.

Dishpan Dave. He was a local builder at the time. This bike is classic.


Steve Drale sporting a semi coy flip off . He's the guy along side Joe pulling wheelies in those now famous photos. Dishpan Dave also built this scooter. The Anderson pegs mounted highway style are an interesting detail. For those that may not know, Panheads were once AKA Dishpans.

Born Free 4 Part III -Blue Velvet- A South Bay Survior

So I'm headed towards the Ride In Bikes and an older guy says, You're Chris, of MCart, right?" After acknowledging, he continued, "I'm Kerry, I really like the blog, especially reading all the old South Bay stuff." He then explained how he use to hang with Bruce Parrish and Earing Mike in the South Bay back in the late 70's. Then he mentions how his bike was featured in Easyriders (Dec.'89), and that he rode it in today. I told him, "there's a really good chance I'll know it, since I bought a lot of issues of Easyriders around that time.... lets go take a look".

The second I saw Kerry's pan, I knew it and totally remembered the feature.

Later, I went through all my old issues, but was puzzled to not find Dec. '89. Then remembered it had to be in my scrap file. A few years ago too many magazines were pilling up, so I threw out all the old ER's that didn't have enough cool stuff in them to keep.

I figured I would save a lot of room by cutting out anything from those issues that was worth saving and keep it in a reference file. Well, Kerry's Panhead and David Mann's art was probably the only things that made the cut from that issue.

The 2 page spread from Easyriders. There's no way I was going to forget this bike. Especially when you compare it to the kind of bikes that were starting to get featured. Blue Velvet was the name ER came up with, not Kerry.



When I saw Kerry's bike at Born Free, this is the image that flashed through my head. I like the shorter mufflers, tall risers with drag bars, and (since I'm old school), the front drum brake.


Since his bike was in the magazine, it qualified to be in their bike show that year and placed 2nd in it's class. Kerry's looking very late 80's in his B-2 Bomber shirt.


Kerry has owned his pan since '76. Here they be in '78. Sporty tank and up sweeps look good too. Risers were made from Schwinn bicycles until a set of Flanders were found. By the 80's most guys were going back to fat bob tanks and it seems Kerry did as well.


Kerry (center) reunites with a couple of his long time buds, Trav Goldworthy and Paul Laquier. Both of these guys were crew members on Bob George's stream liners in the 70's.

Since Born Free 4, Kerry has kindly sent some very cool photos from the 'old daze' and you can be sure I'll be posting some soon.

Vincent Loco Motion

I have a bunch of stuff to post, but this couldn't wait.

One way cool photo courtesy of Joe Hurst.

Joe told me of this mythical experiment two years ago, but I'd never seen it, and believe it's the only photo of it. Dick wasn't happy with the gearing (too low), so he used everything but the frame and engine to build his famous Loco Motion Knucklehead. The Loco Motion gas tank and name was originally on Nasty Nez's (of Phase III), Knucklehead, then given to Dick (with permission to keep the name), then to Joe (on the Rat F**k bike), then back to Dick. That's Joe standing behind the bike.

Something tells me this photo will show up on other blogs.

Born Free 4 Part 2 Some Ride In Bikes

Here's a few from the Ride-In-Field.

I rode in with Ironhead Ron and his 1958 XLCH. It was just completed a couple of days before the show. This bike is way more custom than a first glance might reveal. You could spend a lot of time pouring over it's many subtle details. I just may have to do a feature on it.


A nice (rode in), Pan. You can't go wrong keeping within this traditional style.


It takes some luck to find a knuck... like this. The story I was told: The guy just picked it up days before the show at a yard sale for $4k, got it running, and blew his friends minds when he showed up unannounced.


Nice potential, fun to ride as is.


This style kept getting my attention.


Very tidy. The paint alone made you come in for a look. Look how clean the bars are. Internal control with no signs of evidence. Handlebar grips for pegs is a different touch. The bike features an electric starter, so where's the battery?


This appeared to be a well kept survivor and yes, thats a Dick Allen springer.


Bob Jobs may just be my favorite all around style.


When I glanced this knice knuck out of the corner of my eye, it took a second to realize it was Love Cycles Jeri's.


Mr. Fugles wild ride. Sorry I missed meeting him. I never even saw his booth. There was just too much to catch it all!

More to come!

Case Closed

Here's an update on the post below.

I sent the punk a cease and desist letter and while doing so I had already received the following email from the offending party:

"Hello, Let me start by explaining I found your image on ffffound.com. (a link to your blog was not attached) I used your bike as a template basically drew over it creating a whole new image, shape by shape. I was not aware this was new work. I thought it was an old 70's drawing. nor did I do my research. My apologies if you feel I have stolen your work. For your information I did not make any money off of this poster. Now that I know where the original inspiration comes from I can give you credit".

FFFound.com is an image sharing site and have terms and conditions regarding copyright infringement. It is not a free use site.

"A whole new image?... original inspiration"?

A source of inspiration should not be so evident. Artist and designers all use reference materials so, I truly wouldn't have minded him using the image if he had at least made an honest attempt to make some changes to my art for the basis of his design.

After receiving the cease and desist he then wrote:

"Dont have a cow man. Its just a poster of a motorcycle. I did not print any of these. This was not commissioned. I have removed the image from facebook. This image was not reproduced or printed".

Sincerely, Copyleft. "all wrongs reserved"

"It's just a motorcycle poster." Maybe, but it shows how ignorant he is. If he had any real sense or creativity he wouldn't be so totally dismissive of the hours of my work that was the basis of his poster.


He attached this copyleft symbol to the email which is sort of a free use symbol. Even if you subscribe to the practice, you must grant the rights first.

I will not waste my time responding to his baited reply. Hopefully one day he will learn the error of his ways.

Sometimes It's a Bear

A reader brought this to my attention. Found on Facebook.

Since Removed

The guy is very proud of his poster. Said he worked on it all day. I can't leave a comment since I don't do Facebook.

It gets real old seeing your art hijacked. Not a bad idea, but did he have to so directly use my art as a template? Shucks, some of my original line work is still in tact. Somehow the C.Kallas MCart part got left off.

Am I a hypocrite? I admit I've tweaked a few Roth decals for the blog, but never to make money on or pass as my own art.

For Joe

While out of town in May, I made a point of capturing this.

I've driven this road many times, but for some reason it never clicked.


For those new to the blog, this was Joe Hurst's White Bear. Somehow this photo never got posted.


This may help you place the road's location.

Born Free 4 Part 1 The Invite Bikes

It was CRAZY! The show was so big I really didn't get the chance to photograph or check out every bike I would have liked to. I took 117 photographs (many were duplicates), but had to trash about 30 of them because they were just plain blurry. Partly due to having to get a quick shot before someone stepped in front of a bike. Those that tried to take photos will know what I mean.

I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't get to meet or chat with many people too. Being asked to judge "Best Shovelhead" forced me to spend quite a bit of the day scouting out every Shovel that had potential.

Now some words about the Invited Builder's Bikes. Sorry I missed a few. They were all pretty impressive and I respect all of the builders talents even if I don't completely agree with their execution or tastes.

Some of the bikes would probably have come off better if they hadn't been so closely surrounded by so many other intense machines. I understand why, but also think putting the bikes right in front of the stage probably wasn't the best way to display them. That said, I know it's very hard to imagine the effect of the crowds before the gates opened.

About Judging and the results. If your invited a builder, you're already a winner. The show is all about fun so, Mike and Grant like to keep it pretty informal and except for best in show, put their trust in those they asked to make the choices.

One more thing before the pix. It's a vintage chopper show, but the two top winners weren't choppers! Some might bark.


Matt Olsen's highly modified 1947 Knucklehead took "Best of Show" and it might be a hard case to argue otherwise. The stance, tanks, taillight, and cut of the fender makes me think Crockerized Knucklehead.


Why did this bike win? The tanks and dash panel do some of the explaining.


Due to the crowds this was the best shot (not a very good one), I got of Max Schaaf's pan. I could tell it was his bike even before I read the show info stand. While many times black bikes get overlooked, I found the tank relief flames and gold striping very tasteful.


Once again Caleb of Cro Customs fetched the very high honor of "Builders' Choice" from his peers. I really like his choice of an opaque solid color (no pearl or flake). Caleb's is a smart guy and therefore knows it's a good idea to put your bike on a stand. From seeing bikes in the back of trucks to on lifts in shops, I've noticed how most bikes look even better when raised more towards eye level. Also, Note how good Max's bike looks (background) in this photo.


This wild Knucklehead built by Michael Barragan of Evil Spiritwas was the first bike to catch my eye as I approached the Invited Builders area. It reminded me of the extreme bikes I drew when I was a kid. If the show bikes were judged strictly on being choppers, it might very well have deserved top honors. I believe it won "Best Knucklehead". Strangely, it was one of three bikes featuring rigid forks. What were the odds of that?


A very nice '48 Flatty by Joe Lingley.


Jeff Leighton's latest is a clean and sanitary chopped 1965 Panhead. Somehow I knew he wouldn't win "Best Paint".


The other half of the Wretched Hive, Dave Polgreen entered the only digger in the bunch. It's has a light and jewel like look. I love the highly polished drive train.


Speed Metal's entry. The crowd made it very difficult to get the whole length of these long bikes in frame.


Andy Carter/Pangea Speed. While not normally what I go for, I was surprised how well this mix of styles came off. Probably due to good integration of details and finishes. I wish I got a shot of the turbo charger with it's very cool exhaust casting. Does anybody know what the (metal sprayed?), finish is that was used throughout?


You could also tell this was Rene Astengo's (of Dago's Speed Shop), bike. He always builds them clean and uncluttered.


Brandon Casquillo of Mullins Chain Drive got my choice for "Best Shovelhead". While I usually prefer an older style, the details of fabrication, use of 12 point fasteners, and his choices of metal finishes, really came off nicely. The photo doesn't do it justice.


If this bike by Todd Asin didn't get "Best Triumph", it should have. Tight and light is the way I like 'em.


This ShoVeL by Shawn Donahue just keeps growing on me. Love the color.


Bacon brought out this long bike and wowed everybody with it's detailed and polished water cooled Drake Knucklehead. It was probably the longest of the long bikes.


Wil Thomas' Sportsters featured a very unusual spaced out alien girl paint job. The stance is accented by the pipes and the Sugar Bear forks.


Steve Buchanan's very nice Panhead usually had a crowd around it so I hopped up on stage to get a clear shot. I'm told the interesting risers are from an antique exercise machine.

Hat's off to Mike and Grant for once again throwing the mother of all shows. The next day I could only think one thing... NOW WHAT?!!!

This Month's Header...

is a combination of the last two Julys.

I really liked the way these both came out and thought it's a shame to never use them again.

2010's Header showed the 4 categories of bikes I like to feature but, needed some tweaks and the fireworks of last year's to spruce it up.