SC We have noticed that you have had a lot of coverage recently. Do you thing that the mainstream is finally catching on to what you are doing?
Max No. I still think it's small time. I'm in a bubble. I would love to build more bikes for people, but everyone thinks they can do it themselves. And I don't blame 'em. Just log on and ask your internet buds if your tires, pipes, paint, and whatnot are cool. But what about developing your own style? The coverage I get is just from being 6'6" 255lbs, buff, and handsome as all get out.
SC There seem to be a lot of like-minded guys building bikes these days. Do you find that it helps to have other guys to bounce ideas off of, or do you like to keep everything under wraps until it is finished?
Max No. I just build it. I ask my friend Jasin or my friends that do woodworking or art. If it's shit, it's shit, and my gut will tell me.
SC Now that you have rebuilt a couple of bikes for customers, are you going to try to do more work like that, or stick to the personal stuff when it comes to the big projects?
Max Oh, no. I love building bikes to ride...but I really do want to build a "show bike." I just can't afford to keep it, so I would love to build for somebody. It's in my head, though, and I want to do it.
SC So what's next on the horizon for you, bike-wise? You know, your next personal project?
Max I'm building another Knuckle. It's different from what I've done in the past. A little more comfortable. My friend Brandon Casquillo from Mullins Chaindrive is making it a tank I dreamed up. He's the most talented fabricator I know. So it makes it more fun to work with him on the tank, and maybe we'll try to do the show bike or get some friends projects on the road.
SC Okay, we have to ask-where do all of those badass photos on your blog come from (http://4qconditioning.blogspot.com/)? We have it bookmarked on our computer at the office just to go on there once in a while to check out all of the cool old biker pics.
Max Old magazines and old bikers I know that give me photos. Thanks!
SC Who do you look up to as a builder?
Max John Edwards, the painter from down south; his bikes have soul. I still really like Chica's bikes. J Jessee, Scott Craig, Bill Mize, and Tom Fugal.