2010 Rallies & Events
Chopper Fest 2010
Story by Eric Bass
Photos by Shoal Hollingsworth
Since I grew up in New York where most bikers have already drained their fluids and hooked up their battery tenders for the winter, I always take extra pleasure in attending a T-shirt weather “winter” event such as Chopper Fest at the Ventura County Fair Grounds. Apparently plenty of other folks feel the same way, as the outdoor lawn area was thick with bikes and browsers from the time the gates opened at 8 AM until the steel-bending Santas packed up their sleighs at 3 PM. An extensive alley of optimistic vendors were on hand to hawk last minute stocking stuffers, and a blues band provided the soundtrack to the scene.
Amongst the builders there were plenty of familiar faces including Russell Mitchell and his Exile Cycles crew. As always the blunt-spoken Brit was in high demand for photo ops. As a sign of the times, alongside his ground-up builds was a modestly made over 2007 Softail Standard with a centrifugal clutch actuated jockey-shift and 4,000 miles on it that he was hawking for $30,000. A slick ride and a pretty penny to be sure, but not the sort of scoot Russell would have been showing off at an event five years ago. Apparently even the uncompromising Mitchell has had to make some concessions to the Great Not-Technically-A-Depression.
Todd Silicato is another SoCal builder who always seems to make time for the local gigs. He had set up camp with a quiver of customs including his Hot Shoe speedway inspired bike, and Blue Baller with its exotic arching frame, oil bag/rear fender, and wild front end. Todd’s style seems to continually evolve, but always retains a consistent element of his aesthetic tastes. I’ve been a fan of his work going back to when I first laid eyes on his “Knuckle” bike at San Francisco’s Cow Palace Show about five years ago and it’s always exciting to see a new build from him.
Kutty Noteboom’s pleasantly purple Plum Smuggler would have looked right at home on a lift somewhere in Arlen Ness’ garage circa 1967, but in fact it first saw the light of day less than a year ago. The slab shovel powered digger harkens back to a time when paisley bell bottoms were on everybody’s hips and fat spliffs were on everybody’s lips, decades before 300 series rear slabs and ghosted skulls would rule over the custom world. As an aside, if you get a dull moment, go ahead and Google “plum smuggler” if you don’t already know its slang definition. If you do already know, then you spend way too much time thinking about the crotches of men wearing really tight Speedos. Ooops, I think I just gave it away.