SC: We have seen your seats and custom frame bags, but recently you have started doing custom belts and wallets as well. Is this sort of an attempt to let people know that you are a lot more than just a seat guy?
When I first started doing leatherwork, I was making wallets and belts. The last few years I kept having customers ask for them but would send them somewhere else. I finally was talked into doing a few and forgot how much I enjoyed making them. It gives me a break from making seat after seat. After the first few I did they really took off. I always have a few going now for customers.
SC: Could you do a custom piece that goes between a pair of Fat Bob tanks to replace a dash, for example?
I can make just about anything out of leather. Even if I've never done it or have never seen it done before I'm usually up for giving it a shot. A few months back I had a customer that wanted a huge H-D fender covered with tooled leather. I did it and he was extremely happy with the outcome. It was a pain in the ass but I enjoy a challenge. His reaction make it worth all the time and effort.
SC: Could you make it so it was tooled to match a custom seat?
I get asked to do that all the time. I'm in the middle of doing a large group of seats and dash panels for Sucker Punch Sally's in Phoenix. If someone is planning on doing both it's best to order them from me at the same time. All hides dye slightly different and I prefer to make a matching seat from the same cowhide.
SC: Lets talk about your bike for a second. You have one of the baddest Honda choppers we have seen built in the past 10 years. Why a Honda?
Thanks! Why a Honda? Mainly because they rule! I love the SOHC CB750's. I've wanted one ever since I saw the ones my father's buddies chopped. To me there is nothing like them. The look and sound is like nothing else. It's also fun to watch Kutty Noteboom [from the cover of the May 2007 issue] kick, and kick, and kick his Shovel then start my Honda with one good push with my hand. He says I can only do it because I have an "Accord" motor in my bike.
SC: Did you do most of the fab work yourself, or did you have a lot of help?
Most of the bike was done by me and my good friend Joe back in Massachusetts. When I got stuck, I wasn't afraid to ask for help. I know a lot of people in the industry that do this for a living, so why not use all that knowledge. I would have never finished if they hadn't answered all my questions and come up with parts that needed to be made. Cole Foster made the stainless bars. An amazing machinist, Ted Wingate, helped get that front wheel and brake to fit in that narrow girder. There is a long list of help.
SC: Do you ever get hassled for it being too loud? That thing is loud for those who have never experienced an un-corked Honda 4-banger. It might be louder than a Big Twin with drag pipes.
It's not bad unless you really get on it. You can stay out of it and people won't even notice unless they see you. You just happened to show up a day where I hadn't been able to ride in a week. I wanted to go fast and make lots of noise. It makes me happy.
SC: We know you're a busy guy with a lot of seats piled up in your garage that need your attention, but is there anything you'd like to add or anyone you would like to thank?
My mother for showing me how to do this in the first place. My father for being addicted to motorcycles. Most of all my family for putting up with me always working and running all over the place constantly. It's hectic as hell at times but I wouldn't trade it for anything. How many people get paid doing what they love? I would also like to thank the customers that keep coming back. I really enjoy living indoors and my kids have this thing for food. Thanks!!!!