In October 2004, "Busted Knuckles" debuted as a way for builders to communicate directly to the readers of STREET CHOPPER about their craft and the industry. We're trying something a little different this issue: We've combed through past issues to bring you the best quotes we could find since "Busted Knuckles" began. Next month "Busted Knuckles" will return to its usual format, so for now check out some of our favorite quotes from these great builders!
"TV has made stars out of a lot of bike builders, but it takes a lot more than a performance on TV to be a custom bike builder. Experience is a huge factor. Experience builds a true bike builder, not TV. We all want to be on TV, and it's a great opportunity for anyone who gets the chance. But then, when you're done talking the talk, you need to walk the walk."
Dave Perewitz
www.perewitz.com
March 2006
"My dad summed it up a while back, talking to me about one of his favorite dragsters from the '60s: 'Function before form, bare essentials, very business-like. Its beauty was its simplicity. Kinda like a great white shark-no frills, all business. You know when you see one, it's not something you want to f**k around with.'"
Cole Foster
Salinas Boyz Customs
www.salinasboys.com
October 2004
"When it comes down to it, we are all just men trying to make a living doing what we love. We can all learn a thing or two from each other. I don't look at it like a competitive thing. Everyone has a different style. Not everyone is going to like my bikes, just as not everyone is going to like the other guys' bikes. What I do is try to treat everyone with respect...."
El Pitts
Las Vegas City Choppers
www.vegascitychoppers.com
January 2005
"If gaudy, cookie-cutter, bolt-together bikes are what you're into, good for you. After all, there is only one person you need to be concerned about impressing: you. I will continue to build every part like it was the focal point of the bike, keep pouring my heart and soul into every detail, and be content knowing that others with the same passion for the build will respect my work as I do theirs.
"I guess we all have our reasons for being a part of this biker world. No matter how different these reasons are, we do it for the enjoyment. All others are in it for the wrong reason."
Hank Young
www.youngchoppers.com
April 2005
"There will always be a place for guys like me, because we roll with the trends and the styles, and do what we've always done-help people build classic custom bikes, based on classic styles and custom history. Bike styles are like ladies' skirt hemlines-they're up, they're down, they're up again. A classic chopper is never out of style and looks as good today as it did 40 years ago, and it'll still look good in another 20."Irish Rich
www.shamrockfabrication.com
October 2005
"Should a show bike win on the merit of its elegance or extravagance...innovation or novelty...genius or madness?
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should."
Mat Zabas
www.13choppers.com
December 2004
"For me, building bikes is a way of life, a way to stay out of a suit and behind a desk like everybody else.
"With the explosion of the motorcycle aftermarket, we are seeing some of the finest craftsmanship and highest quality ever. There is a whole new crop of young, talented builders creating fresh ideas. The fathers of the custom bikes are finally being recognized for creating this business in the first place: Arlen Ness, Dave Perewitz, Indian Larry, and Mondo, just to name a few. I, for one, am excited and proud to be a part of this industry-just imagine what things will be like in the next 10 years!"
Johnny Chop
www.johnnychop.com
November 2004
"I look at bikes and wonder how much riding and abuse they can take. If they seem ready for real-world abuse, then I head over to the subtle details. If you can't beat the crap out of a bike, I simply don't care about it. Bikes have soul, and soul can't be bought with platinum cards, nor can it be achieved unless experience and a certain knowledge of the past are combined."
Jose De Miguel
Caribbean Custom Cycles
www.chopperfreak.comFebruary 2005