The Massive 2013 Ultimate Builder Show

 

 

Life is nuts, but freedom and the creative spirit never wanes. Each year we look for another way to modify anything and everything from our girl’s boob size, to her new bikini, to our shop two-stage epoxy deck, to the next project bike. You know the artsy metal drive is lingering deep in your brain cells.

 

 

Hell, Ron Loynd’s and Chip Foose at MetalSport are designing the first ever 32-inch wheel and working with Vee-Rubber on the rubber band tire. The Bikernet crew is building the first streamlined belly-pan trike to test at Bonneville. It never ends, and hopefully it won’t. This year Art Hall was kind enough to shoot most of the custom bikes on display during the J&P Ultimate Builder Long Beach competition, but he’s not a writer, so we reached out to a group of industry guys for their impressions of the show. 

 

 

I’ll start with Art’s brief comment:

These are most of the custom bikes from the show. This is actually a manufacturers show for new production bikes.

 

 

The custom competition is for attendees interest, and to draw the crowds. It works like a charm.

 

–Art Hall

Bikernet International Editor Supreme

Quick Throttle Magazine Senior Contributing Events Photographer in Charge

 

 

Bikernet Trikes Editor in Chieftain

 

The international Motor cycle show has always been a favorite of mine because of its wide appeal. You will see families wandering about gawking and dad setting his 9-year-old on big Harley-Davidsons. 

 

This is where dreams are made. Dads looking at the new Indian Chieftain, moms checking out the back seat of the new Can-Ams, and this year was no different. The show was packed, vendors seemed busy and the Ultimate Builder competition is always a hit.

 

I only wish Trikes were more prevalent. Whether the market is still to small or the space rent to high I hope to see the likes of Champion, Motor Trike, Roadsmith and other at these shows in the future.

 

–The Triking Viking

 

 

Despite one rainy day, we saw LOADS of interest in demo riding our new model Indian Motorcycles. Many people in the LA area had not experienced one of the new models live, so the chance to bring them into our all new display was amazing. Our sharp historic booth featured lots of OEM-only pieces such as the cut-away engine, the Spirit of Munro, and we debuted our Klockworks charity bike “#7” benefiting the Jack Daniels Operation Ride Home program.

 

 

Overall the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show continued to prove to be a crown jewel in the IMS tour.

 

—Robert Pandya

 External Relations Manager, Indian Motorcycle

 

 

 

Bikernet Advertising Manager Speaks

 

Most motorcycle manufacturers were on hard in Long Beach for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show, displaying their 2014 models to what I though was a very solid crowd on Saturday. There were many very exciting things to see for sport bike, motocross and cruiser fans.

 

Harley-Davidson had reserved loads of floor space and was displaying an impressive array of their Project Rushmore motorcycles, plus a battalion of fully-accessorized 2014 models, in addition to the stock Harleys. It was a biker’s dream display for bar-and-shield afficionados.

 

Competition is brutal in the cruiser market and the Japanese manufacturers were came to play hard ball, with Yamaha and Star, proudly displaying their inexpensive Sportster competitor, the Bolt.

 

The rest of the Japanese contingent wasn’t left behind either, but it’s the American Polaris brands grabbing more and more attention with the public. Cloning is not the name of the game at Victory, and this is extremely evident as Victory keeps solidifying its presence on the market with an ever-growing line of cruisers with an attitude.

 

 

Another big player now on the international market is none other than Indian Motorcycle, displaying the Chief Classic, the Chief Vintage and the Chieftain. Also on display were fully accessorized models, showing buyers how they can make their future their own, with a wide line of decorative factory bolt-ons. Indian also displayed a 2014 Chief Vintage bagger customized by KlockWerks, that will be sold at an auction with the proceeds going to charity.

 

 

If checking out new motorcycles isn’t enough for you, make sure to visit the vendors at the events; there’s so much cool stuff to see and to purchase, and often special deals to be made.

 

The IMS shows are an ideal place to shop for a new motorcycle and to keep up with the latest trends, if you want to stay relevant. We will be back!

 

–Ben

Bikernet Advertising Master

 

 

 

I always enjoy the LB IMS show. This year, connecting with the enthusiastic Victory riders in So Cal gave me a chance to hear about their riding experiences, and understand better how they ride.

 

On Friday we revealed an amazing customized Victory Cross Country we built in collaboration with Nikki Sixx and his SixxSense radio partner Kerri Kasem. The bike blew everyone away! It was built on our Cross Country 8-Ball which, at only $17,999, is the perfect platform for any bagger build.

 

Everybody enjoyed getting some time with Victory rider “Gunny”; actor R. Lee Ermey who took time for autographs and pictures with hundreds of fans. Also on hand was actress Kristy Swanson who rocked her Victory pride while talking with everyone at the display.

 

 

I have to tell you that at the Chicago IMS show Feb. 7th – 9th we will be showing something brand new, so be sure your readers in the Midwest make a point to come and join the excitement.

 

–Kyle Clack, press relations, Victory Motorcycles

 

 

The SOCAL edition of the 2013 Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show featured a distinct Hollywood theme with Batman and Cat Woman-styled vehicles delighting the crowd. Forty custom sleds and over $1,000,000+ of rolling art were on display. Enthusiasts were treated with some of the most outstanding designs and creativity seen on the circuit to date.

Ultimate Builder FreeStyle Class

 

Ultimate Builder is known for the diversity of styles, innovation and designs. SOCAL was a treat for enthusiasts checking out the show. From ground up builds to tractor design queues to choppers to Hot Rod-styled FXRs, it had everything.

Sam Baldi of Profile Cycles took 1st place in the FreeStyle class with Lost Angel and won the $2,500 check. Lost Angel is a custom 2013 build  softail with trans brake, centrifugal clutch and Paul Cox seat. Paint is by One Xtreme.

 

 

 

 

 

It was touch and go for Chris Richardson of LA Speed Shop as he had finished his build in the early morning hours of the show. Since the clear was still wet, he rolled it in on Saturday morning; a significant disadvantage in the judged competition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Richardson had an idea for a Bagger (LA Speed Shop style).He takes elements from his bobber style and combined it with a fairing and hard bag to deliver an exceptional low-slung and skinny Bagger. The bike features a 3 inch stretch in the rear, hand-made custom saddle bags, fairing, oil tank, gas tank, exhaust, narrowed rear fender and narrowed springer front end.

 

 

 

 

Rett Comer wheeled in his 1965 BSA Lightning named Teal Terror. The BSA Lightning was designed as the all-round sportbike of the 1960s with an engine aimed to improve mid-range and ride ability.

 

Rett’s custom sled features custom tanks, forks, front wheels, pipes and custom paint from Casey Johnson of Headcase Kustom Art.

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Sesto of Sesto Custom Cycles rolled in 4 bikes into the Ultimate Builder show and took home a 1st in Performance Custom and a 3rd in MOD Street. Tony’s outrageous Double Take started out as a 2013 Yamaha R1 and features a single sided swing arm front and back. Two Brothers took charge of the exhaust, fuel management and air cleaner. Top mounted velocity stacks funnel air into the throttle bodies. Additional features include tooled leather grips, seat, frame inserts, mirror block-off plates, PSR kick stand, levers and oil plug.

 

 

 

 

 

Two BSA motorcycles entered into the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show and both won their class. The Bonnie Killer, a rigid 1967 BSA, was built by Headcase Kustom Art and features oil in frame, rust, Japanese parts and hand made everything.