Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/787665
8 nMarch 2017n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS despite its sprawling length moved along at a steady pace, with a coat and knife check conveniently located just before the entrance. Security looks in all bags and waves the magic wand over your body before you step through the threshold of all things shiny and custom painted. It's not just motorcycles here, it's all things to do with motorcycles; leather goods, apparel, T-shirts, hoodies, bags, patches. Heck, you can even get tat- ted by Wild Bill himself. I bet if they would allow it, you could walk in wearing only your underwear, make one lap around the show, and you would be completely suited up for the road. No bike? No problem! Plenty of these badass machines are for sale and if you're in the market for a brand new ride, the friendly staff from Sacramento Harley-Davidson had the 2017 lineup on display and was ready to answer any questions. Walking around the displayed bikes I was pleased to see a lot of vintage motorcycles in their original form and the use of Knuckleheads, Pans, and Shovels for the heart of many of the chopper and bobber builds alike. Indian was represented with two entries—a very cool resto- mod, and Jim Lyon's 1947 Chief that took Best Vintage. Jim told me that in 1989 he saw his brother-in-law's 1951 Indian and started building his bike in his head right down to the springer front end and the red and black paint scheme. The judges must have fan- cied the return of old-school builds too. Best of Show went to Mr. Masao Inoue, a.k.a. "MASA" from Revolt Custom Cycles out of Osaka, Japan. His San Francisco-style Panhead chop- per looked like it could have been in a David Mann painting. Remember when I said that none of these crafts- men, and women, could come to one conclusion? After walking through the rows of the two-wheeled art something in common started to emerge—number 24 on the Periodic Table of Elements with an atomic weight of 51.9961 chromium is the base for chrome, and there was plenty of that to go around. Jason Wilson, with fellow club member "Gnome" from Discovery channel's Sacred Steel Bikes, was on hand with examples of what his band of misfi ts produce out of their shop. The Douche LaRouche clan consists of Jason and his buddies pooling their collective talents and resources to build choppers the way they once were. Long front ends, 21-inch wheel shod with a Roadmaster tire, metal bodywork that looks like it was shaped and formed in a vacuum covered in paint deep enough to stick your hand in, and chrome everywhere defi nes their style. The doors opened to the public at 10:00 a.m. and the awards ceremony didn't commence until 6:00 p.m., which seems like a long day, but there are a variety of activ- ities to take in. The Fyred Brothers Band, a.k.a. the Easyriders house band, was lay- ing down their brand of bluesy rock. Front man Harry Fryed performs lead vocals with original hits and includes amusing anecdotes about life, and times on the road. If you haven't heard the news, the Fryed Brothers played at President Trump's inauguration the week after the show. B eautiful on any continent, the Purrfect Angelz kept the stage smokin' hot with their erotic dance performances. These Angelz show patriotism not only with their red, white, and blue outfi ts, they travel the globe to military bases overseas. I've been to a few USO shows and not once did I ever see these American heartthrobs… dang it! Dave Nichols, along with the lovely Lisa Lingon, handed out 40 awards that included two welded metal sculptures, and one for Jason Wilson's pick. Those that didn't get chosen should hold their heads high because just to enter this arena portrays a level of confi dence in one's self and one's skills as a custom bike builder. As a motorcycle enthusiast I contemplate what will be in vogue at next year's show. Guess I'll meet you there and we will fi nd out together. 4 "MASA" Takes the Best of Show award back to Japan All American beauties the Purrfect Angelz, the number one leading cause of high blood pressure: (l.–r.) Amy, Hayley, Kelsie, and Crystal (L.–r.) Jason a.k.a. "Gnome" and Jason Wilson of Sacred Steel Bikes Jim Lyons with his Best Vintage winner, a '47 Chief Easyriders Continued from page 6