The 2004 Easyriders Bike Show

By Bill Andrews

Mar. 10, 2004 – Custom bike builders from around the country displayed the very best in rolling art recently at the Easyriders Bike Show held in Columbus, Ohio. Exhibitors filled the entire 100,000-plus square feet of the Franklin County Veterans Memorial facility over the Valentines Day weekend, and hundreds of spectators filed through, enjoying the kaleidoscope of colors and chrome.

Times have changed from the long front ends and flame paint jobs of the '60s—not that that timeless look wasn't still represented. But modern bike builders are simply pushing the boundaries that much further. Today's machines are almost a caricature of those early bikes, with each feature pushed to almost comical proportions. Seats are mere inches off the ground, and front ends are so tall, that a rider would need X-ray vision to look through the tank to see the road.

But the machines are also far more sculpture than motorcycle these days. Exotic bodywork hides major components, and controls, cables, wires and hydraulic lines are rerouted and hidden within the frame to give a bike a very clean, elemental look. One designer went so far as to hide the rear wheel drive, opting for a hidden pin that rolled against the rear tire for drive. No, not very functional, but extremely clever.

Exhibitors did their best to shock and awe the crowd with elaborate color schemes, frame modifications and body treatments. Bellow are just some of the many fine machines displayed.

Stretched, long and lean was the order of the day, but with really fat rear tires. Playing cards were also a popular theme among the painters.	Screamin' Banshee, built by Mike Embury from St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. About the green, Embury said, "I've heard people say green is unlucky, but I've seen more people have bad luck with every other color."
It's always nice to see the classics at these shows. Take this Silent Gray Fellow. This vintage 1912 Harley-Davidson was powered by a 30ci., 6.5-horsepower single-cylinder engine. With a redline at about 700 rpm, the bike was capable of achieving 45 mph.	Flames, big motor, a wide belt and lots of shine make for a gorgeous custom.
This pirate-themed chopper is called "Scalliwag," and was created by Dragonbilt, from Terre Haute, Indiana. A Billy Lane Drop Seat frame provides a super-low riding position.	Scalliwag features a door knob gas cap, a flintlock motor mount and a "rum keg" oil tank.
What's a bike show without a good rat. This 1937 Indian Chief is owned by Wymond Walkem from Georgetown, Ontario, Canada. He wanted to add a special thanks "for all those good old 'used' motorcycle parts."	Who says the engine has to be new to be a beautiful chopper. Here's an Indian inline-four that shows even antique engines have a timeless beauty.
This bike, powered by a 106ci. engine, is aptly named, "Lethal Injection." Scooter Shooterz, based in Lowell, Indiana, built the fuel injection system, along with a host of other parts on this machine.	This way cool 1992 Sportster is owned by Amy and Kevin Koeppe from Medway, Ohio. They named it "Urban Cowgirl" and among its many special features is a Vega hubcap for an oil tank.
Flames never seem to go out of style.	Want to see more of the engine? This chopper accomplishes that by eliminating the down-tube. Owner Charlie Stiles, from Lansing, Michigan, calls this bike "Loose Cannon."
This radical bike is called "Lowtek" due, in part, to its old '50s era bottom end. Roger Goldammer, from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, says this is the "Anti-Chopper." It comes with a front and rear lift system and "lots of stuff you don't see."	This great looking 2000 Yamaha Roadstar is owned by Matt McDaniel from Mansfield, Ohio. It was modified by Runions Customs.
This wild creation won best in show, spectator class. Created by Mike Pugliese from Staten Island, New York, the bike features no visible controls nor a visible final drive.
	The secret to the drive is a hidden rolling pin pressed against the front of the rear tire.
An artist's point of view Considering these machines are simply rolling works of art, it's interesting to see them from an artistic point of view. Below are four images from Tom Lindsay, AMA public information director. His comments appear below each.
A fairing becomes a canvas. Angels and warrior princesses are everywhere.	The flare of a spotlight creates a dramatic effect on this chopper.
Paint and performance combine in a feast for the eyes.	Attention to the details -- like meticulously machined pattern on the engine’s fins -- sets this FL apart.

The 2004 Easyriders Bike Show

Stretched, long and lean was the order of the day, but with really fat rear tires. Playing cards were also a popular theme among the painters.

Screamin' Banshee, built by Mike Embury from St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. About the green, Embury said, "I've heard people say green is unlucky, but I've seen more people have bad luck with every other color."

It's always nice to see the classics at these shows. Take this Silent Gray Fellow. This vintage 1912 Harley-Davidson was powered by a 30ci., 6.5-horsepower single-cylinder engine. With a redline at about 700 rpm, the bike was capable of achieving 45 mph.

Flames, big motor, a wide belt and lots of shine make for a gorgeous custom.

This pirate-themed chopper is called "Scalliwag," and was created by Dragonbilt, from Terre Haute, Indiana. A Billy Lane Drop Seat frame provides a super-low riding position.

Scalliwag features a door knob gas cap, a flintlock motor mount and a "rum keg" oil tank.

What's a bike show without a good rat. This 1937 Indian Chief is owned by Wymond Walkem from Georgetown, Ontario, Canada. He wanted to add a special thanks "for all those good old 'used' motorcycle parts."

Who says the engine has to be new to be a beautiful chopper. Here's an Indian inline-four that shows even antique engines have a timeless beauty.

This bike, powered by a 106ci. engine, is aptly named, "Lethal Injection." Scooter Shooterz, based in Lowell, Indiana, built the fuel injection system, along with a host of other parts on this machine.

This way cool 1992 Sportster is owned by Amy and Kevin Koeppe from Medway, Ohio. They named it "Urban Cowgirl" and among its many special features is a Vega hubcap for an oil tank.

Flames never seem to go out of style.

Want to see more of the engine? This chopper accomplishes that by eliminating the down-tube. Owner Charlie Stiles, from Lansing, Michigan, calls this bike "Loose Cannon."

This radical bike is called "Lowtek" due, in part, to its old '50s era bottom end. Roger Goldammer, from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, says this is the "Anti-Chopper." It comes with a front and rear lift system and "lots of stuff you don't see."

This great looking 2000 Yamaha Roadstar is owned by Matt McDaniel from Mansfield, Ohio. It was modified by Runions Customs.

This wild creation won best in show, spectator class. Created by Mike Pugliese from Staten Island, New York, the bike features no visible controls nor a visible final drive.

The secret to the drive is a hidden rolling pin pressed against the front of the rear tire.

An artist's point of view

A fairing becomes a canvas. Angels and warrior princesses are everywhere.

The flare of a spotlight creates a dramatic effect on this chopper.

Paint and performance combine in a feast for the eyes.

Attention to the details -- like meticulously machined pattern on the engine’s fins -- sets this FL apart.