A while back we introduced you to a new L.A. bike shop called Heroes Motorcycles, purveyors of rare and historic motorcycles, the operation run by Serge Bueno who in 2014 had arrived from Paris with his wife, four kids and a ton of awesome bikes. Well, at last count he’s restored over 100, and also opened a second location, call it Heroes Motorcycles Melrose because it’s located on that poshy boulevard near Hollywood. While his original place functions as the workshop, the new place, again built by his own hands, focuses on displaying both his restorations and his custom creations plus a wild spectrum of the best builders’ machines including Confederate, Zero, Ecosse, Arch and soon the new Brough-Superior, among others.
Serge, who opened his Paris shop in 1985 specializing in unique racing machines circa 1910-1950. He had also soon established a second location on the Normandy, has aimed his making L.A. shops a beacon for bike fans from all over the globe. And he’s got the “eye-candy” for any sweet tooth, be it vintage, classic, custom and even hotrod and café racer…and in all flavors including American, British, Italian, German, and of course, French.
When he invited us over to check out his new digs on Melrose, we wasted no time because we knew treasures were to be seen. Riding up to the shop we met its “curator,” David Pinto who gave us the grand tour.
Joining us was another Heroes’ associate Julian Hart, a P.R. expert, and also TV and film actor Jesse Metcalfe both who had ridden in on their personal Harleys. But we soon they had their eye on some of the bikes on display. David gave the nod to the “Captain America Easy Rider” bike, while Julian went for the West Coast Choppers on display and Jesse hopped on the ZERO custom. Keep in mind, all these bikes and many others on the Heroes menu are for sale…except on as we shall see.
The Heroes Melrose shop also offers a selection of fine art in the form of sculptures, paintings, posters as well as custom leathers, hand painted helmets, boots, gloves and apparel. Here’s a quick peek at a Hollywood shop that’s a star attraction unto itself.
L.A. Melrose Avenue Heroes Motorcycle Part Deux acts as the official showroom open to the public, its front window displays vintage Harley and Indian boardtrack racers. The trio of Harley riders seen are (l to r) shop honcho David Pinto, buddy Julian Hart and actor Jesse Metcalfe.
Winged Flyer
David’s bagger just had to include the pilot’s helmet he says came from North Korea.
David’s bagger just had to include the pilot’s helmet he says came from North Korea.
Jesse Metcalfe Rode over to Heroes Melrose on his Personal Scooter
You’ve seen Jesse on the “Chesapeake Shores” TV series as well as in “Dallas,” “John Tucker Must Die” and upcoming film “The Ninth Passenger.”
You’ve seen Jesse on the “Chesapeake Shores” TV series as well as in “Dallas,” “John Tucker Must Die” and upcoming film “The Ninth Passenger.”
The Trio Just Hanging Out at Heroes…
Remember than in addition to the restorations and building bikes, Serge designed then hammered together all the showcases and displays as well as painted the place plus designed the leather gear and apparel designs available from Heroes.
Ensconced on the wall is a 1928 Monet & Goyon, in the foreground a rendering of the classic Norton Manx racer that Serge crafted in his French workshop…over 200 lb. of bronze, steel and aluminum. His new project for a customer will see a full-size 1919 Indian Board Tracker made from 100% bronze and weighing some 1500 lbs.
Hats off to Heroes to the 1947 Norton Manx
The aptly named Manx won all of the 500cc class Manx TT’s from 1931-1939 (when WWII erupted) and in the hands of amateur racers won hundreds of events into the 1960s. Serge fabbed the correct tank and oil tank after finding the bike a bit rusty after ownership in the same family since 1955.
The aptly named Manx won all of the 500cc class Manx TT’s from 1931-1939 (when WWII erupted) and in the hands of amateur racers won hundreds of events into the 1960s. Serge fabbed the correct tank and oil tank after finding the bike a bit rusty after ownership in the same family since 1955.
Wall art that Wows! One of Two in the World
Jumping the gun on Harley-Davidson and Indian by several years, Peugeot started building motorcycles in 1898, teching the first motorized bicycle exhibited at the December 1901 Paris salon. By 1907 starred in the very first Isel of Man TT race, scoring first place in the multi-cylinder class. It was also the first to develop a DOHC motorcycles. The 330cc single cylinder seen here carries its gas tank in the so-called “New Werner Position.” More recently, when presented at the Pebble Bach Councours it was awarded “Best Original Race.”
Jumping the gun on Harley-Davidson and Indian by several years, Peugeot started building motorcycles in 1898, teching the first motorized bicycle exhibited at the December 1901 Paris salon. By 1907 starred in the very first Isel of Man TT race, scoring first place in the multi-cylinder class. It was also the first to develop a DOHC motorcycles. The 330cc single cylinder seen here carries its gas tank in the so-called “New Werner Position.” More recently, when presented at the Pebble Bach Councours it was awarded “Best Original Race.”
100% Zero
When asked to pick his favorite, Jesse went for the custom Harley by Tokyo based ZERO Engineering. Rigid chassis carries 80 cu. in H-D Evo matched to RevTech 5-speed. ZERO’s hi-tech custom components of such quality that Serge brought them to Heroes’ along the selection of international top customs.
When asked to pick his favorite, Jesse went for the custom Harley by Tokyo based ZERO Engineering. Rigid chassis carries 80 cu. in H-D Evo matched to RevTech 5-speed. ZERO’s hi-tech custom components of such quality that Serge brought them to Heroes’ along the selection of international top customs.
Beyond Real
On consignment is a meticulously cloned copy of the iconic “Easy Rider Captain America” bike, replicated down to the duffel bag and helmet as appearing in the iconic 1969 flick.
On consignment is a meticulously cloned copy of the iconic “Easy Rider Captain America” bike, replicated down to the duffel bag and helmet as appearing in the iconic 1969 flick.
Retro-Classic is the name of the game. One of the regulars hanging out at Heroes Melrose is Julian Hart who contributes his P.R. and promotion skills.
Suitable for Framing
For Julian, his redline pegged for the Jesse James West Coast Customs custom that happens to be Serge’s personal bike. It’s watched over by Indian Larry mega portrait as snapped by celebrity photog Timothy White who has captured top shots of the likes of Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt and Nicholas Cage.
For Julian, his redline pegged for the Jesse James West Coast Customs custom that happens to be Serge’s personal bike. It’s watched over by Indian Larry mega portrait as snapped by celebrity photog Timothy White who has captured top shots of the likes of Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt and Nicholas Cage.
Confederate’s Latest “Art of Rebellion” Powerhouse
Heroes’ Melrose shop director David Pinto grabs the girder frontend controls of Confederate’s P120 Fighter Combat.
Wanna Get Mega-Mechanical?
Frontend design is double wishbone parallelogram sprung by a race tech monoshock placed behind the dash. Chiseled from aluminum, limited run means only 120 will fly off the Birmingham, AL assembly line.
Frontend design is double wishbone parallelogram sprung by a race tech monoshock placed behind the dash. Chiseled from aluminum, limited run means only 120 will fly off the Birmingham, AL assembly line.
“Scary Fast”
That’s what you get when you bolt in a120 cu. in. radial twin engine pumping160 horsepower/135 ft-lb of torque into 460 lbs.
That’s what you get when you bolt in a120 cu. in. radial twin engine pumping160 horsepower/135 ft-lb of torque into 460 lbs.
Who Needs a Gas Tank?
Fuel and oil are stored in the bike’s frame. Note fuel cap integrated into the backbone.
Big Meat Hook-up
Triumph Homage Custom by Serge
The latest Heroes’ custom is based around Triumph 1000cc mill, everything else custom including the hand-formed body work. Says Serge, “I built the Triumph for a famous and most popular singer in France…Johnny Hallyday. He just passed away this last December, Johnny had ordered this Triumph, so I made only one-off for him, 100% custom made in my Workshop over five month. Now this bike is not for sale, it’s in memory of JH.”
Call it the Hallyday Triumph
Performing for 50 years, Hallyday, a tremendously popular rock star and film actor, known as the “French Elvis” was the first to popularize rocknroll in France, recorded over 100 songs, selling over 10 million records including 18 platinum albums.)
Serge went all out conjuring up the one-off suspension and exhaust design.
The Man Behind the Heroes Plan
Serge spent several years coaxing the elderly French owner to part with this 1930 Majestic and then hung onto to for nearly 30 years before recently launching into its six months restoration along with the matching French made 1930 Bernardet sidecar. Only 10 of the original bikes are thought to exist. (photo courtesy Serge Bueno).
Serge spent several years coaxing the elderly French owner to part with this 1930 Majestic and then hung onto to for nearly 30 years before recently launching into its six months restoration along with the matching French made 1930 Bernardet sidecar. Only 10 of the original bikes are thought to exist. (photo courtesy Serge Bueno).
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