Michael Lichter has been a photographer for Easyriders magazine for over thirty years. He attends nearly every major motorcycle rally and has a talent for capturing the essence of the industry through the lens of his camera the way no one else can.
Each year at the Sturgis Rally, one of the major attractions is Lichter's 'Motorcycles as Art' exhibit at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. For over a decade, the accomplished photographer has assembled artwork, photographs, motorcycles, and memorabilia; all centered on a different theme every year.
This year's theme for the exhibit is 'Ton up! Speed, Style and Café Racer Culture'. It's a celebration of the café racer from its origins to its current popularity. So far, over thirty motorcycles, spanning six decades of production, are on display, including models that were instrumental to the café racer scene including, Norton, Triumph, Vincent and more.
There's no shortage of fascinating memorabilia as well. Representing the cafe racer scene at the exhibit are photos shot in England during the 60s at the height of the movement. Vintage leather 'Rocker' jackets from the Lewis Leathers archive and paintings by Triumph 'resident artist' Conrad Leach. The 'One-Show' twenty-one helmets display of custom painted helmets and work from other various artists and photographers are also featured.
Co-curator of this year's exhibit is Paul D'Orleans from The Vintagent. In addition to collaborating on this year's event, Lichter and D'Orleans are working together on a coffee table book aptly called Ton Up-Speed, Style and Café Racer Culture. The book will be published by Motorbooks International and will feature the motorcycles in this year's exhibit photographed by Lichter as well as a complete history written by D'Orleans. The book will also include the jackets, artwork and photographs from the exhibit.
The exhibit will be on display from August 3-9 at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip in the hall next to the east gate. Admission is free to the public and Buffalo Chip guests.
