One foot inside Rockem and Sockem, and you sense the Mesa, Arizona bike shop goes way beyond being a bike building enterprise, more like an all-encompassing way of life. There’s definitely a heavy vibe. Maybe it’s the punching bag or the flame painted walls. Maybe it’s the blue-eyed coyote shop dog wandering up to check you over. Maybe it’s Ralph Randolph and his size 16 arms and size 1600 plans.
R&S is also about family in the Old School sense, a shop where a handshake is binding and promises are kept. The only run-around you might get is in the boxing ring, Ralph and his brother Kelby known for putting on the gloves and sparring a few rounds, hence the name Rockem and Sockem. When the gloves come off, bikes of character are being designed and built that reflect the character of its builders. It’s also a shop where Pro Street radicals co-exist in harmony with Bobbers and Choppers.
Ralph’s is definitely a two-, make that three-fisted guy. Between piloting commercial jetliners for a major air carrier, he’s teaming up with his bike building partner and ace wrench, Ken Lucas, to conjure up show winning customs or battling city hall over the last permits for his new Rockem Sockem Roadhouse, a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art shop/restaurant/motorcycle mecca about to go into construction in Chandler, AZ. Besides serving a tasty menu of biker food, the Roadhouse will spotlight a wild assortment of memorabilia contributed by the country’s Master Builders including Arlen Ness, Billy Lang, Mondo, and Dave Perewitz. Ralph’s already looking toward a second such enterprise in Las Vegas.
Case in point a slew of stellar custom bikes including the Old 63 Bobber and the radical all black “Rockem” seen here. The bikes, built as joint shop projects, demonstrate the R&S range of talent. The Old 63 Bobber features a dual carb head atop a 93-inch Shovelhead. Into the mix went a Choppers Guy frame mated to a Paughco springer frontend, a 4-speed tranny knotched to a jockey shift all set into motion by a very special R&S kicker. As far as the details, several custom Rockem and Sockem pieces include the kicker pedal, pegs, air filter, and disc rotors inscribed with the Rockem Sockem name. The pieces got so much attention that they’re now in production including the kicker pegs, the foot pegs with the R&S oval logo while an R&S Bobber frame is in development.
came up with the “Reaper” but there’s nothing grim about it. Build around a Shovelhead power-plant and nestled in a Santee rigid frame (30 degree rake, two inch stretch), the bike sports a classic “coffin” tank and Z bars. No pegs, no instruments, very little electrics and no need for chroming says the tech sheet. And it’s a kicker, no electric start. The real kicker is that a petite young lady now owns and rides this bike.
The shop’s most recent project involved building a theme bike for the 85th Snap-On Tool Convention that scored a major hit with its new owners at Snap-On, the bike built and delivered in 30 days directly to the convention as Ralph had promised. And that deal was sealed with a simple handshake.
Now the plan is to replicate a series of Old School Bobbers based on the Old 63 Bobber. As this story appears on Bikernet, orders are now being accepted for the limited edition Rockem and Sockem bobbers. A choice of powerplants includes Evo or Shovelhead as well as the smooth running Twin Cam B motor. The frame will have a two-inch stretch in the backbone, a 35 degree neck and come with a hydraulic front end while upgrades, like a springer front end, are also available. If you were at the V-Twin Expo, Old 63 blew people away when it showed up in the Avon booth. Like we said, it’s a limited edition so first come, first served.
In addition R&S offers a line-up of pro street bikes as seen here with boxing inspired names like “Red Corner” and “Blue Corner” that run 100-inch RevTech motors and 250 series rear tires, turn-key bikes all wrapped up and ready to go. There’s also a wild spectrum of aftermarket and R&S parts plus a bare knuckle line of kickass Rockem and Sockem apparel including hellaciously cool leather vests and jackets for both guys and girls so no need to fight over them.
Bottom line is the Rockem and Sockem crew is ready to take care of business. The shop prides itself on its accessibility, Ralph and Ken and whole R&S team committed to deal one on one with their customers. Stop in and say hello. No need to bring your own boxing gloves.
Rockem and Sockem is currently located at 3164 S. Country Club Drive, Suite 9
Mesa Arizona 85210.
Call them at 480-279-1734
or log on to www.rockemandsockem.com.
