Words & Photos: Paul Garson
Nearly a decade ago, a couple young L.A. bike fans, Mike Davis and Grant Peterson, were looking to throw a get-together for people who liked home-brewed bikes - call them budget blasters, rather than the then current big buck bling-machines getting all the media attention. They had a penchant for older bikes fed well on a budget… All kinds of bikes, American, Japanese, European, new, vintage, customs, hotrods, whatever size or shape. They were ready to throw their own party for whatever and whoever would show up, and they wanted to make it free to boot. So in 2008, while holding down regular jobs, they set the Born Free event in motion.
Milwaukee Smorgasbord: A history of Harley lines up thanks to VARD Mfg., the Pasadena, CA shop traceable to 1947 and the first production of aftermarket telescopic forks. Fast forward to 2013 and VARD is back in business making forks again.
So how did their first effort at a motorcycle event transpire? The most accurate description would be ‘modestly successful;’ about 200 bikes harkened to the first call, but the spark had been lit. The following years saw Born Free Two already ramping things up, drawing some 2000 bikes, while Born Free Three, which had a nice ring to it, saw that number doubled, with roughly 10,000 people riding in from all over the U.S. and as far as Canada. Jump to 2013, and the number of fans had swollen to 25,000. The plan: to help bring in a new generation of custom bike builders as well as to revive interest in the OG vintage riders/builder to get back into the action. It was obviously working! As diversity was a keyword in the Born Free philosophy, it also attracted counter-culture cross-over from skateboarders, surfers and snowboarders and, basically, all things SoCal cool.
All the action drew some 25,000 to Born Free 9.
Each year, the show organizers focus on inviting the best new, talented builders to showcase their work. Over the years, Born Free has invited many builders to debut their new designs, and they’ve responded, some traveling from Japan, Europe, Canada, South America, the Philippines and Thailand. The show’s major sponsor is none other than Harley-Davidson itself. Van Shoes is also a ‘natural fit’ as a big sponsor as well, basically the footwear of the new generation. In addition, there’s a wild mix of vendors of aftermarket parts, clothing and gear as well as booths showcasing various shops. And naturally there’s plenty of hot grub and cold Blue Ribbon beer on hand, as well as several bands providing a soundtrack to all the socializing. To deal with the sky-rocketing costs of putting on the event, Born Free had to start charging an entrance fee, but kept it well within user-friendly norms.
New Old School: Harley’s new water-cooled XG750 H-D is already being ramped up as a flat track racer. Note the addition of a rad trellised frame.
Along with that went additional perks, such as the raffle, where winners takes home several cool bikes, this year including an all original, original condition ‘survivor’ 1951 Harley Panhead. You could buy a ticket even if you were stuck in Arkansas or South Dakota; shipping is free for the winner. For 25 bucks you got a Born Free promo poster and a ticket… And maybe a bike gratis. Other giveaways included gear from Simpson helmets, Langlitz Leathers, Wesco boots and SS Cycles. You did have to be at the event to win the two other bikes, a 2017 H-D Lowrider S and a super sweet 1942 Knucklehead built by Jeff Leighton at Wretched Hive.
Fastest Land Animal: Traveling to Born Free from Tokyo, builder Toshiyuki “Cheetah” Osawa of Cheetah Custom Cycles displayed his spin on the H-D WL. It won Second Place Builders Award. Cheetah actually raced the bike at the pre-Born Free dirt track event held at Costa Mesa Speedway.
The show has been called the Woodstock of Choppers and the Sturgis of the Next Generation, which brings us to June 24-25, 2017 and the current Ninth Born Free show. It’s expanded since 2014 into its two-day weekend venue at the Oak Canyon Ranch in Orange County to provide enough wide open space for the record-breaking, literally overflowing sea of bikes that made the pleasing putt to Silverado Canyon to visit an extremely well-orchestrated event.
Rolled and Tucked Trike: Invited builder JP Rodman and Jim Harper teamed up on this S&S Panhead powered “chariot.”
Some 25 builders were invited to bring their latest vintage flavored custom bikes for the 2017 show, and as a result there was a supernova stellar spectrum of bikes of all types and personalities, most, but not all, powered by Harley-Davidson. Among the 25 builders invited to the show was Martin Calgren, who brought his uniquely designed and meticulously crafted Husqvarna powered, 1930 Harley VL framed wonderbiker, awesome enough to take home the Builder’s Choice Award, which included a free trip to Japan and an appearance at the famous Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show.
Rollin’ with Roland: That “other” American bike had some nice representation thanks to one of the industry’s premiere designers and builders, Roland Sands.
To sum it up, it was truly a sea to shining sea of chrome and paint, both outside and inside the venue. Within an hour, you were elbow to elbow with swells of people, 25,000 or more, moving about the bikes on display, the band stands, the high flying skate board ramp and the food and vendor booths. What was especially cool was checking out some outstanding machines hunkered down in the parking areas, a place I always troll for the best; it seems the Born Free organizers had the same idea, because they announced that the judges were also checking out the spectator bikes as they could be winners as well. Chalk that up to representative democracy.
Right on Target: Matt Harris from 40 Cal Customs, located in Alcca, TN, hit the target with their homage to board track racers, the open chained beast cradle fed by a 1929 Harley JD twin.
Bottom line, Born Free is truly an event on a national scale, so if you can, get yourself to next year’s event, the 10th Anniversary.
Still Pumping History: By 1928, Harley’s 45-degree F-head T-Twin had been bumped up from from 61 to 74 cubic inches as a high-performance machine outrunning almost anything on wheels in the 1920s. (By the way, Matt, at the March 2017 Sons of Speed in Daytona, competing on a 1923 Harley, took second in the race.)
Motor as in Motorcycle: A highlight of the event was the appearance of the legendary Arlen Ness, who brought several bikes for display, including this dropseat marvel.
Rocketman’s Ride: All the way from Australia, Matt Machine and Brado Miller brought their masterly fabricated retro-rocket powered by an S&S 93-cu. in. Knucklehead/Baker 6-speed gearbox. The belt drive is an Aussie piece from Dragway. Braking is by Brembo, the set-up borrowed by a Ducati 999 with the forks Kawi ZXR units and the front spoker from H-D Softail. The satin metal finish was achieved with Scotch-Brite pads and a lot of rubbing. A couple of years ago, his custom Norton Atlas won Best British at the Born Free event.
Double Pumpers: Twin 40mm Dell’Orto carbs peak over the hand-formed hi-pipe and Ital Tarozzi foot controls.
First there was Old School, then New School, so sure, why not No School Choppers?
Testing the Waters: Motoring down from Blue Lake, CA near Oregon, builder Doug Harnden brought several of his bikes including ’53 WLA/ ’52 K Model special construction. More info at the shop (707-499-3449).
Double the Fun? A major chunk of history was brought by Mike Silvio and Brian Vanderford from their Cycle Mo’s Speed Shop and Museum located in Red Boiling Springs, TN: This dual Harley 45 engined OG racer.