Motorcycle shows populate the nation promising shiny custom bikes, sexy women and an event that just can't be missed. Are they all they promise? Sometimes you can get more than expected as reported by Clutch and Chrome contributor, Nick DeCondio.

Upon entering this awesome event I can only say WOW. I was like a kid in a candy store.

It has to be said that the show's organizers are first class all the way. It was April in Hartford, Connecticut and the Easyrider event, sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Gold Rush Special and Carolina Custom Products promised top names and great entertainment and they delivered on both fronts.

Along with the custom bikes a band called Shovel Head played great Rock and Roll Music and the Perrfect Angels staged a fashion show as well as a dance routine.

The shows main focus was of course the motorcycles and it still amazes me how many talented people there are that can build the kind of customized bikes featured at the Easyriders Show. The centerfold Tour featuring Custom bike builders like Paul Yaffe, Kendal Johnson; Detroit Bros. and a few others had their bikes on display for all to see.

One of the most awesome custom choppers in this reporters opinion was from Eddie Trotta, showing the motorcycle featured on the Speed Channel. Some lucky rider will get to do more than just look at this Trotta creation as it's being given away in the near distant future with more details to be found on the Speed Channel website.

It was great to not only photograph the custom bikes, but also speak with some of the builders. One of which was a local builder from Northboro, Mass. called Stone’s Motorcycle Company, Inc. “SMC” had some awesome custom bikes at the show and thier range of work can be found at the company's website.

But not all creativity went into chrome and metal. Talented Craig H. Smith from Connecticut, was gifted in another way, expressing his talent through a wood carving  almost five years in the making with another five years expected to complete his work of art. It is a scene from the movie “Easy Rider starring Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda, which is ironic considering the host of the show. Smith uses  a range of tools to create his masterpiece and it was mesmerizing watching him carve the fins on one of the chopper engines while I was there.

On the back of this 'Easy rider' woodcarving he has memorialized the places he has been while working on this piece by woodburning the dates. In speaking with Craig for some time he mentioned his love for the west, especially Sturgis, with the great bikers and the surrounding scenery.

At one point also he asked if I had about an hour to read something. We agreed I'd come back after checking out the rest of show.

There were plenty vendors at the show selling everything a biker could want or need; clothes, jewelry, insurance and even a booth that offered road side assistance with a twist.

Called “Breakdown & Legal Assistance for Motorcycle Riders”, it's offered by a group called BAM. BAM is a unique organization of bikers helping bikers, started  by motorcycle personal injury lawyer Russ Brown over 20 years ago. Between BAM's nationwide volunteer network of over 800,000 motorcyclists and it's nationwide legal network of over four hundred biker-friendly attorneys the organization can help bikers for roadside emergencies or in case of an accident. Must be a great service, I signed up for it!

A lot of custom motorcycles and a lap around the exhibition hall later I headed back to Craig H. Smith's booth where Mr. Smith handed me a screenplay that he wrote called “Easy Rider Sequel”.

Before anyone gets any idea's, the screenplay is copyrighted and registered with the Writer’s Guild of America. It was truly an honor that he let me read it.

Just think that this could be made into a movie someday and I got the previews of it!

In conclusion a big thanks should be given to Lucas Motorcycle Oil for presenting this show and to the two and three wheelers of the world: Freedom surrounds you wherever you go. Lay a path of new tracks for the future riders to follow their dreams.

Chevediamo

Nick DeCondio

Page One of Nick's Photos from the Easyrider Show
Page Two of Nick's Photos from the Easyrider Show

Thanks to Nick for being the eyes and ears of Clutch and Chrome at the Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show. At the time of writing it's wrapped up for this year, but promises to be back in early 2008.

If you can't wait that long to experience some Easyrider hospitality, check out their Rodeo Tour which includes some motorcycle action.

Editor