Pandora and I were unable to make it to the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin, Texas on April 11th and 12th this year. The event is snuggled up to MotoGP and features the Wall of Death, a full bar, and works of Shinya Kimura, Walt Siegl, Revival Cycles, Boyle Custom Moto, and one of my favorite motoladies Sofi Tsingos plus a ton of other talented folks. Sofi and Brandon LaJoie of GT Moto (website) helped out with some awesome photos and words on the event.
“First, I would like to say how mind blowing the show was. Last year I was about a block away from the One Show during Moto GP and missed it by half an hour. So I asked to get off work in advance to make sure I could make it this year. I had NO idea my CB550 and I would be invited to actually be in the show! After arriving, I just stopped at the door as soon as I saw the talent that was there.
“No idea why I was invited to this because the craftsmanship of the bikes was breath taking. Bikes from all over the United States had come to this show. By 6pm Friday the place was packed, I’m talking thousands of people came to see the (guessing) 100 bikes featured in the show.
“I got to meet a lot of the builders and the people who came to visit. There was not one person that wasn’t as passionate as I was. It was great to be able to talk to everyone, see what their favorite bike was, and bounce off ideas for future builds. The work I saw was very inspiring. I was very impressed with the builders them selves because they held their confidence in a very humbled way. All of the egos where left behind as I was welcomed with open arms. Each one had their favorite bike, and it was never their own bike. Everyone has their own stories, and I was honored to get to listen to each one of them.”
Sofi’s CB550 build is pretty amazing, even though she’s shy to take credit for it.
Simon from Blip Workshop-
…and a ton of other gorgeous bikes with lovely details.
Carbon is the new black from Travis Holland-
Don’t forget the Wall of Death!
Wish I could have made it.
All photographs copyright Brandon LaJoie 2014. Check out the GT Cafe for Cause facebook album for all 92 images.
Eight decades of rumbling engines, two-wheel travel, exhaust smoke, and total badassery. Gloria Tramontin Struck has been blazing trails in the world of motorcycles since 1940 as one of the original members of the Motor Maids.
Posted on April 15, 2014 in Events, Motorcycles by Alicia Mariah Elfving