Like clockwork every January, Easyriders kick starts their show series, sponsored by Bikernet.com, in Pomona Ca. Now I've been intothe bike scene for along time, but somehow never made it to this show. It was always something. If not theflu, the bike was broke, I was broke, or I just plain forgot. This year would be different. Bandit would surelyremind me, plus I hadn't contracted any of the usual flu bugs spreading over the land during the holidays.
Friday the crack of noon, the phone rings, waking me from a groggy stupor. I stumble for the phone and try toanswer it, as if I'd been awake for hours. SInce I'm kind of a reclusive artist, shut-in type and I don't have caller ID,I'm always wary whenever the phone rings. I figure it's either the old lady checkin up on me or somebody wantingme to do something. As cheerful as possible I say, “Yellow?”
A voice barks back, “Wake up and get your lazy ass overhere and give me a hand with these goddamn bikes. “It's Bandit and he's in a foul mood. I began to recall that I'dagreed to a few days back, to lend him a hand. He needed help loading the Shrunken FXR and Salt Shaker for the showand sure enough, I forgot. The rest of the Bikernet staff was either hung over or out goofing off. He was pissed.
That damn Code of the West. When you ride a ratty old pan, you can't help but call for help now and then, but I hadcalled Bandit too often lately, so I owed him. I said, “All right, stop yer yelling, I'll be there as fast as I can.”
When I show up he says, “We’re burnin’ daylight.” I told him I needed to grab a bite before I left, and then the old Pan just didn't want to start, how I stopped for gas, and that traffic had been such a bitch. He then scowled, “yeah right.”
I figured it was cool. I mean no big deal, we'll load 'em up drop 'em off and check out the scene. How bad could it be?Check out the bikes, scope out the babes, BS with the bros, plus we could throw back a few cold ones to boot.That's what I thought anyway.
So after an an hour's drive of him lecturing me about what a no good forgetful low life unreliable slacker I am, we get thereand unload. Piece of cake, but where's all the bikes, babes and beer? Seems we got there on the early side and therewasn't a whole lot going on, plus I had mistakenly thought the show started on Friday. As it was, most folks weren'tcoming to set up till the late afternoon.
I thought I could still salvage the day and told him, “let's blow this joint.” and then added, “too bad your bikes are a bit dustyfor the show.” As I headed for the truck, the big guy grabs and spins me by the shoulder looks down at me with an evil eyeand says, “Hold on partner, just where the fuck do yo think your going? Why in the hell did you think I brought your sorryass along?” I've got a big duffle bag behind the seat full of rags and polish and you've got those scrawny little girlie handsperfect for getting in the nooks crannies.”
Like the terminator, He says, “I'll be back.” After several hours of polishing and grumbling, I notice his absence. So I go to lookfor him so we can split. I got to say, that building at the fairgrounds is a big mother. As I make my way towards the far end, I canhear the echo of a group of people (mostly chicks), laughing and talking.
I walk up to Bandit who has several chicks on both sidesof him like big titted bookends, he says, “Ya done? Have a beer.” Well there was a cooler, but it was empty. When I tell himhe says, “That’s too bad little buddy, we may as well leave before traffic gets bad.” So we split.
On the way home he explains how he can't go to the show on Saturday but wants me to come back on Sunday so I can help load thebikes again. For some reason, I'm in a rare optimistic mood, and figure it's cool. This time the show will be on and at least there will be bikes see and who knows what else.
Sunday, I get to the headquarters kind of late but it was cool as the big guy was still working on the Sunday Post. I got nervous,as It started to look like we wouldn’t get to the fairgrounds till about 3:30 p.m. and the show would close at 5:00 p.m.
Upon arrival, we spot Paul Cox heading out with the Rat Fink and Brooklyn Beatnik bikes. I thought, “fuck!, people are all readypacking up.” We meet and greet with him for a few minutes and then head on in.
Once inside, everything seemed cool. There were still lots of bikes and the winners had not been announced yet. As I turned to checkout a scooter, Bandit yells, “Well what the fuck you think your doing now?”
”Checkin’ shit out”, I said.
He then pushed a camera inmy chest and said, “Here, I want you to take pictures of all the bikes that you think I might want to feature, and be sure to pick upthe business cards so I can contact them, make it snappy dammit, you only got about an hour!” There was 150 bikes in the show,so I ran off as fast as I could looking, shooting and grabbing.
When I finally looped back, there stood Bandit, next to his bikes with a big devilish grin having a beer yakin with those chicks again.Damn!
He then said, “Time to load up, let’s hit it.”
Bitchin’, just bitchin. I better ride to Sacramento for the next show, so I can relax.
–Chris Kallas
BEST OF SHOW SPECTATOR CLASS
1.John Esposito-Intense CreationsSan Bernardino, Calif.2006 Special Construction “Woody” Softail
2.Stones Custom ChoppersHenderson, Nevada2006 Vegas 100th Chopper
3.Joey ZwackLa Habra, Calif.2005 H-D Special Construction
Antique/Old School
1.John FineganWinnetka, Calif.2006 Chopper
2.Glenn & Darla HansonWest Hills, Calif.1960 H-D Panhead Chopper
3.Scooter TrampsVictorville, Calif.2005 Bobber
Specialty
1.Kenny Renfroe/Intense CreationsSan Bernardino, Calif.Multi-Year Rigid Shovel
2.Biker’s AlleyRiverside, Calif.2007 Custom Trike
3.Lee BerczelCorona, Calif.1999 Kawasaki Drifter
Modified Stock
1.Danny BogartCorona, Calif.2004 H-D Springer Softail
2.Barry BrownLemon Grove, Calif.2003 H-D Road King
3.Richie VallesBurbank, Calif.2005 H-D Softail
Street Custom
1.Sam BaldiCherry Valley, Calif.2003 Spec. Const. Chopper
2.Michael ToupinLa Habra, Calif.2006 Spec. Const.
3.Biker’s AlleyRiverside, Calif.2003 Roadkill Softail
Radical
1.Ray FisherSan Bernardino, Calif.2006 Intense Creations Rigid
2.Jimmy TodorovitchBeaumont, Calif.2006 Dirty Down Custom
3.Rick Kappe/Nothing But CustomsPhoenix, Ariz.2005 Radical Pro Street
JUDGED CLASS BEST OF SHOW
1.Trevelen/Super Co. CustomsLos Angeles, Calif.1950 Indian Flathead
2.Scott Long/Central Coast CyclesSanta Cruz, Calif.2006 Rigid Shovel
3.Bob CarrilloPacoima, Calif.1948 Harley Rigid Flathead
Editor's Choice Award
Jim MaxwellPhoenix, Ariz.2007 Paul Yaffe Chopper
Best DisplayGeorge MirzoianSan Fernando, Calif. 2006 Bobber
Best Radical Class
1.Viking Motorcycle Co.Upland, Calif.2006 Spec. Const. VTX
2.Eightball Rods & ChoppersPlacentia, Calif.1947 Rigid Knuckle Chopper
3.John FehrenzLas Vegas, Nev.2006 Dynamic Choppers Curves
Best Street Class
1.Tom FosterLos Angeles, Calif.2006 Landshark Rigid
2.Terry MarinoHesperia, Calif.2006 Spec. Const. Rigid Shovel
3.D&C CustomsLaVerne, Calif.2007 Harley Rigid Pan/Shovel
Best Specialty Class
1.Brandon HolsteinLong Beach, Calif.2006 Custom Panhead
2.Rick BrayLemoore, Calif.2006 S.I.K. Sore Ass
3.Jason WilsonGlendora, Calif.1976 Harley Sportster
Best Antique/Old School Class
1.Andy IannaconeOxnard, Calif.1938 Harley Knucklehead
2.Andy IannaconeOxnard, Calif.1937 Harley Flathead
3.Danny DrakeValencia, Calif.1967 Harley Electraglide
Best Modified Stock Class
1.Tony ParkerAlta Loma, Calif.2006 Harley Road King
2.Road Dog CustomsSanta Fe Springs, Calif.1981 Harley FLH Shovelhead
3.Road Dog CustomsSanta Fe Springs, Calif.1978 Harley FLH Shovelhead
Pomona, Calif. PRO CLASS FINALISTS:
(All Pro Class Winners take home trophy from show, and are invited to compete with their winning bike in Kansas City, MO at the Invitational Bike Show on May 5, 2005. Top 6 bikes from the Kansas City Pro Class Finals, will be invited to be a 2008 Easyriders Centerfold Tour Master Builder.)
Wayne Barretto/Bad Island ToyzLa Habra, Calif.Bad Island Custom
Paul Stewart/Dynamic ChoppersLas Vegas, Nev.Dynamic Choppers Ruthless 360
Trevelen/Super Co. CustomsLos Angeles, Calif.Rigid Knuckle
