Cool Bikes, Sizzling Babes, Cold Beer and Hot Tattoos – All were at this year's 1st Annual Rick Fairless Bike Show. The weather has been crazy this year in Texas, with winter one day and spring the next, but Mother Nature smiled on the tie-dyed one. She provided Rick with blue skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s… perfect!
There were a satisfying number of bobbers and of flat black paint jobs, which I admit I am biased towards these days. It was cool to see bikes from multiple manufacturers, in varying styles. With 30 different show classes, there's something for everyone, wherever your tastes in rolling art might lie.
Most people know that everything is bigger in Texas and there were plenty of choppers heavy on chrome and flashy paint. Hu-Rah! I found a crazy purple choppa that was designed by Bob Kay when Hardbikes was still building bikes. A little later I saw Kay working with A Bikers Garage from Roanoke, Texas. The following day he was emceeing the awards event. A biker’s got to do what a biker’s got to do to make it nowadays.
Wikked Steel, owned by a Saint Petersburg Floridian whom I'd never heard of up until this point, was there with a bike named “Area 51”. Steve Galvin won the Pro Class with this jewel of steel and billet.
The bike has a proprietary front-end design coupled with an air suspension system to adjust ride height. The engine is an Ultima, but you would never know by looking at it. All the unique billet pieces were designed in-house, as were the one-off 7 piece billet wheels.
The bike has “the Alien meets the Crustacean” look to it. Forward controls are custom, with all linkage and braking systems hidden behind the frame. It looks like one of those over-the-top non-rideable bikes, but I was assured that it rides nice. It was designed with a standard Harley layout, so it also is intuitive to ride. The rear tire is a 300 Avon and the front is a 130-70-21 Avon.
Probably the most interesting thing about the bike is that it was built in Steve’s garage using Harbor Freight tools. The items that he needs carved in billet he designs on his computer and sends out.
The winning Area 51 scoot will compete at the 2010 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, to be held during the Sturgis Rally later this year. Judging by the interest from the crowd, it looks like this one will give the boys a run for their money.
It‘s no surprise that a state as large and diverse as Texas has world class designers, engineers and petrol heads. Racing icons Johnny Rutherford, Jim Hall, A.J. Foyt and Carol Shelby all called Texas home.
Christian Dotson of DOTSON DESIGN is a proud card-carrying Texan. He has taken his automotive background and applied it to his 2007 vintage concept bike called the “Swingshot”. The bike’s concept and inspiration began with race bikes from the ‘40s and ‘50s. He selected a Panhead because of the visual aesthetics, integrated drum brakes and suspension technology of the era.
What catches your attention on the Swingshot is the 18 wheeler proportions of this motorbike. When asked about how it handles, Christian stated: “It handles well and tracks true, and is on par with other 10’ long motorbikes.” The front-end is a proprietary Dotson Design hub center. It is connected to the frame through leaf springs and a friction shock that really makes the bike look un-rideable.
Strokers Dallas is just a few minutes ride from Market Hall, and Rick Fairless was nice enough to provide a bus to shuttle bikers back and forth. I jumped on it for a round trip ride over lunch.
If you haven’t been to his place, it’s a little hard to describe… kind’a like a barrio for bikers. ‘50s and ‘60s icon graphics are slung around, including Betty Page, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis… hubba, hubba.
Another outstanding bike from Wikked Steel is an extremely modified Road Star called “Speedster”. About all that was saved from the donor bike was the cradle for the motor. The frame sports a 45 degree rake, 6” stretch and -2 in the curved down tube. The rear tire is a 300 Avon and the front a 130-70-21 Avon. Wheels are from Pickard USA in Texas. It has a Mean Street Avalon front-end, Yamaha Warrior engine and a highly modified transmission with a custom dual carb manifold.
On the far side of Market Hall was a semi owned by Jerry Covington of Covington's Cycle City in Woodward, Oklahoma. Jerry started building custom motorcycles (choppers) in the early seventies and is known for his clean designs and high quality work.
Jerry is building up his parts line for baggers, and has many integrated designs for all the V-twin models.
The Big Ugly Bastard (BUB) was in the house showing off his 350MPH hot rod. We talked a lot about what it takes to go land speed racing… I know you will find it hard to believe… money, lots and lots of Benjamins. His certified and speed-rated tires from the good folks at Goodyear ran in the neighborhood of $200,000. Now that’s a lot of rubber. The Bubster is looking for sponsors, so give him a call if you are looking to see the continuation of this very American sport.
The big-name builders in attendance included Donnie Smith, Dar Holdsworth of Brass Balls Bobbers, Jerry Covington, and of course Rick Fairless. They made themselves available to their fans for autographs and pictures the entire time. I noticed how down-to-earth these guys are. No big heads here, just guys enjoying the ride.
In addition to the bike show, there was also a swap meet. With eBay and other online-sources available, it will take a few years to grow this part of the show.
I don't have a list of winners from all the different classes. The results should be posted soon on the official show website. Check it out at http://www.rickfairlessbikeshow.com.
